Big Arm

The Big Arm park unit of Flathead Lake State Park is located 15 miles north of Polson on U.S. Highway 93 on Big Arm Bay along the west side of Flathead Lake. The park offers views of the Swan and Mission mountain ranges, as well as Wild Horse Island. The site offers camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities, as well as a newly developed archery range. 

The campground has 41 campsites, including one wheelchair accessible site; one group campsite; and three yurts. Maximum RV/trailer length is 40 feet. Bear resistant storage lockers are available. For more information about camping or specific campsites please visit montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com or call 855-922-6768.

This park is located within the Flathead Reservation and all recreation on tribal land outside of the park requires a tribal recreation permit and is subject to all tribal rules and regulations. A tribal fishing license is required for fishing on the southern half of Flathead Lake and all other waters within the reservation. For more information regarding the Flathead Reservation, visit csktribes.org.

Big Arm is a popular jumping-off point to Wild Horse Island, a 2,163-acre island in Flathead Lake State Park, located off the west shore of the lake. 

• Bird Watching

• Boating

• Camping

• Canoeing

• Fishing

• Group Camping

• Hiking

• Kayaking

• Lake Fishing

• Motor Boating

• Photography

• Picnicking

• RV Camping

• Sailing

• Swimming

• Tent Camping

• Water Skiing

• Wildlife Viewing

• Wind Surfing

Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.

• ADA Accessible

• Bear Resistant Storage Lockers

• Boat Launch

• Campsite

• Established Fire Pits

• Firewood for Sale

• Grills/Fire Rings

• Parking

• Pets Allowed

• Picnic Shelter

• Public Restroom

• Shower

• Toilets (Flush)

• Toilets (Vault)

• Trails

• Trash Removal

• Water

• Yurt

The Big Arm public archery range is located on the west side of US Highway 93 directly across from the park’s main entrance. The archery range includes a gravel parking lot, an entry kiosk with informational and regulatory signage, a vault latrine, and a 30’ x 15’ covered firing line. An archery range trail with 12 shooting stations spreads across the park acreage.

There is also a public archery range at Lone Pine State Park in Kalispell.

Access

• Open year-round
• Hours: 8 a.m. -10 p.m.
  • The park must be vacated by 10 p.m. Overnight parking prohibited.
• No reservations or use fee
  • Park entrance fee for nonresident owned vehicles applies
• Map (PDF)

Rules

• Field points only. Broadheads or practice broadheads are strictly prohibited. Use will result in expulsion from the archery range.
• All users must stay on designated trails within the posted range boundaries (red signs).
• Shoot only within designated target shooting lanes. The maximum allowed shot distance is the shooting station.
• Travel in a clockwise direction through the archery range, following the shooting station numbers.
• Shoot, retrieve your arrows, and then move to the next station.
• Be aware of your target and beyond.
• Archers can only shoot between legal sunrise and sunset hours.
• Smoking is prohibited.
• Pets must be on a leash.
• Motor vehicles must stay on authorized roadways.
• Not all regulations are listed. A complete list may be obtained from any FWP office or from FWP staff.

Hours listed below are normal operating hours and may not apply when there is a special restriction or closure. Check Alerts and Closures in the tab below.

Park
Day use area open year-round

Campground
Open April through October

Water
Available mid-May through mid-September

Shower House & Flush Toilets
Open mid-May through mid-September

Dock
Normally available mid-March through November, weather permitting. For status updates please visit our Facebook page or call Flathead Lake State Park Ranger Station, 406-837-3041

For waves & wind forecast, check NOAA Graphical Flathead Lake Forecast

Visit the State Parks Fees & Regulations page for park rules.

Contact the park manager for open volunteer positions at Flathead Lake State Park.

For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.

Montana Residents

• Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply.

Nonresidents

• Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8

• Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4

• With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free

Campsites

• Campsite fees range from $4-$34 per night, depending on season and available amenities.

Visit Reserve America to check fees and reserve campsites.

Yurts

Regular Yurts

Residents and Nonresidents with a Park Pass:

• $54 per night 

• $50 between third Monday in September—third Thursday in May

Nonresidents:

• $66 Per night. 

• $60 between third Monday in September—third Thursday in May

Large Yurts

Residents and Nonresidents with a Park Pass:

• $60 per night 

• $56 between third Monday in September—third Thursday in May

Nonresidents:

• $72 Per night. 

• $68 between third Monday in September—third Thursday in May

Click here to check fees or reserve a campsite or yurt at Big Arm State Park.

Food Storage Rules: Store all attractants, day or night, in a closed, hard sided container or vehicle when not in immediate use. Tent campers without a vehicle may use available food lockers. Do not burn waste in fire ring or leave litter around camp-site. Dispose of garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters provided.

Mailing Address:
Big Arm / Flathead Lake State Park
Flathead Lake Ranger Station
8600 MT Hwy 35
Bigfork, MT 59911

Phone: 

May - September: 406-849-5256

Year-round: 406-837-3041

Email: bigarm@mt.gov

Reservation Phone Number: 1-855-922-6768

Camping Reservation Website: https://montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com/