Come to the heart of the famous Montana sweet cherry orchards, where blossoms color the hillsides during the spring. Located on the east shore of Flathead Lake you can camp, swim, boat, fish and bird watch.
About the Park
The Yellow Bay unit of Flathead Lake State Park is located 14 miles south of Bigfork on the eastern shore of Flathead Lake. The park includes Yellow Bay Creek and a wide, gravelly beach that is a popular location for swimming, sunbathing, and kayaking. 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.
The campground has 5 tent campsites that are available on a first come basis. Bear resistant storage lockers are available. For more information about camping or specific sites, call the Flathead Lake Ranger Station at 406-837-3041, ext. 0.
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
Activities
Bird Watching
Boating
Canoeing
Fishing
Kayaking
Lake Fishing
Photography
Picnicking
Swimming
Tent Camping
Water Skiing
Wildlife Viewing
Amenities
Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.
ADA Accessible
Boat Launch
Grills/Fire Rings
Parking
Pets Allowed
Picnic Shelter
Public Restroom
Toilets (Flush)
Toilets (Vault)
Trash Removal
Water
Seasons & Hours
Park
Open all year
Campground
Open (Tent camping only; first come, first served)
Water
Available mid-May through Labor Day
Flush Toilets
Open mid-May through Labor Day
Dock
Normally, available mid-March through November, weather permitting. For status please visit our Facebook page or call Flathead Lake State Park Ranger Station, 406-837-3041
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.
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:
Yellow Bay / Flathead Lake State Park
Flathead Lake Ranger Station
8600 MT Hwy 35
Bigfork, MT 59911
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.
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."
