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West Shore

Come and enjoy beauty and serenity on Flathead Lake sheltered by a lush and mature fir, pine, and larch forest. Bring a picnic and enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and camping.

About the Park

The West Shore unit of Flathead Lake State Park is located 6 miles south of Lakeside on U.S. Highway 93 along the west side of Flathead Lake. Situated on glacially carved dolomite outcroppings, this park provides views of the Swan and Mission mountain ranges. In addition, the deep water off the shore of this park provides a deep-water boat launch that is typically ice-free throughout the winter months.

At 129 forested acres, West Shore provides hiking trails and an extensive shoreline that is excellent for picnicking and swimming. The campground has 33 campsites, including 7 tent-only sites and one wheelchair accessible site. The maximum length for RV/trailer units is 40 feet. Bear resistant storage lockers are available. For more information about camping or specific campsites, visit montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com or call 855-922-6768.

Sea Me Paddle Kayaking Tours, concessionaire at the West Shore unit of Flathead Lake State Park, offers rental equipment, including stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats. Open daily from June 15 through Labor Day; hours of operation may vary. Call 406-709-2124 or visit https://www.tourglacier.com/sea-me-paddle.

Activities

  • Bird Watching

  • Boating

  • Camping

  • Canoeing

  • Fishing

  • Hiking

  • Kayaking

  • Lake Fishing

  • Motor Boating

  • Photography

  • Picnicking

  • RV Camping

  • Sightseeing

  • Swimming

  • Tent Camping

  • Water Skiing

  • Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

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

  • ADA Accessible

  • Bear Resistant Storage Lockers

  • Boat Launch

  • Campsite

  • Camp Host

  • Dock

  • Electricity

  • Firewood for Sale

  • Grills/Fire Rings

  • Parking

  • Pets Allowed

  • Picnic Tables

  • RV Electrical Hookups

  • Toilets (Vault)

  • Trash Cans

  • Water

Seasons & Hours

Park
Open. Day-use open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Campgrounds

Open April through October

Potable water
Available May through September

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


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

Park Rules

Volunteer

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.

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.

Visit Reserve America to check fees and reserve campsites for West Shore.

Alerts & Closures

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.

Contact Information

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

Phone: 

May - September: 406-844-3044
Year-round: 406-837-3041

Email: FWPwestshore@mt.gov

 

Reservation Phone Number: 1-855-922-6768

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

Take a Look Around

Enjoy this aerial tour of the West Shore Unit of Flathead Lake State Park

West Shore offers glacially-carved rock outcrops that provide spectacular views of Flathead Lake and the Mission and Swan Mountain Ranges. The shoreline is rocky, and fishing and boating are very popular.

Flathead Lake State Park - West Shore

Address

17768 MT Hwy 93
Lakeside, MT 59922
Latitude/Longitude:
(47.949392 / -114.1884523)

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Park map

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Park fees

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Meet The Park Manager

Amy Grout

Amy Grout began her career in Montana State Parks in 2004 as an intern at Lone Pine State Park, later becoming the Northwest District Park Ranger. She has a B.A. in Parks and Protected Area Management from Colorado State University at Fort Collins. Speaking about her love of the outdoors, Amy said, “Most of my childhood was spent outside of Anchorage, Alaska and so that is the one place I consider my hometown and where my love for the outdoors really began."

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