Enjoy one of the most beautiful lakes in the Clearwater River chain. Bring your family and friends to camp, fish, picnic, and enjoy water sports and the scenery.
ATTENTION: Road construction (March-June 2024) - Expect delays due to road construction on Highway 83 near the north end of Salmon Lake.
Nestled along the Clearwater River between the majestic Mission and Swan Mountain Ranges, Salmon Lake provides a beautiful and tranquil setting to enjoy many types of water recreation activities.
Clearwater River and Salmon Lake are home to a variety of fish including rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook and bull trout, largemouth bass, white mountain whitefish, kokanee salmon, yellow perch and northern pike. There are opportunities to view many species of birds including red-necked grebes, great blue herons, bald eagles, water fowl, osprey and common loons.
The lake offers a myriad of activities to match it’s changing moods. Capture the tranquility of a still moonlit night paddling waters smooth as glass. Spend a breezy day catching the wind in your sails, or zip through sparkling waters on skis or wakeboards. If you’re an angler, try your luck reeling in a fresh catch for your next fish fry.
The campground is in a woodland setting of western larch, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir. There are 24 campsites, including a hike-bike campsite. The hike-bike site accommodates up to 10 tent spaces and is equipped with a bicycle rack, fire ring, bear resistant food lockers, potable water, bicycle maintenance stand, electrical outlets and covered shelter with picnic tables.
Park size: 42 acres. Elevation: 3,917 feet.
Activities
Bird Watching
Boating
Camping
Canoeing
Fishing
Hiking
Kayaking
Lake Fishing
Photography
Picnicking
RV Camping
Swimming
Tent Camping
Water Skiing
Wildlife Viewing
Amenities
Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.
ADA Accessible
Boat Launch
Campground
Electricity
Firewood for Sale
Grills/Fire Rings
Hike-Bike Campsites
Interpretive Display
Maps
Parking
Pets Allowed
Picnic Shelter
Public Restroom
RV Electrical Hookups
Shower
Toilets (Flush)
Toilets (Vault)
Trails
Trash Removal
Water
Seasons & Hours
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
Summer Season
Park open through the summer until late October.
Winter Season
Nov 1 - April 30
Closed to all motorized traffic, walk-in only. Day-use only, no overnight camping.
Campground
Open 5/1 through 9/30.
Day Use Area
Open 4/22 - 11/30, weather permitting. November snow storms may close the area early.
(Due to the ice coming off the lake early in 2024 the Day Use area opened a week earlier than usual on April 22)
Contact the park manager for open volunteer positions at Salmon Lake State Park.
For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.
Fees
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.
Montana State Parks offers hike/bike, rustic, tent, rv, and boatslip campsites.
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.
Restrictions and Closures
See a current list of Restrictions and Closures on State Parks and other FWP lands that may be affected by floods, fire, drought or major maintenance activities.
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Salmon Lake State Park
c/o FWP Region 2 Headquarters
3201 Spurgin Rd
Missoula, MT 59804
Phone: May 1 - Sept 30:
Direct line to the park
406-677-3731
AIS can be easily spread from one waterbody to the other. Anglers, boaters, construction workers, pond owners, gardeners, seaplane pilots, field workers - virtually anyone who works or plays in or around water can unknowingly transport these pests on their boats and equipment. It takes only one mistake to potentially infest a new water body.
Ryan Sokoloski was born and raised in Circle, MT. After serving in the U.S. Army, he attended Dawson Community College, and graduated from the University of Montana – Western in Dillon with a B.A. in Environmental Sciences. During college, Ryan held several different positions with the U.S. Forest Service and Montana State Parks. He currently manages Salmon Lake, Placid Lake and Beavertail Hill State Parks. Ryan also manages the snowmobile trail grooming program in the Seeley Lake area.
CONTACT INFO Mailing Address:
FWP Region 2 Headquarters
3201 Spurgin Rd
Missoula, MT 59804
Phone: May 1 - Sept 30:
Direct line to the park
406-825-2007.
Main office (year-round):
406-677-6804. Email:rsokoloski@mt.gov
