While it’s true that Montana may not be the first state that springs to mind when you think of the perfect beach day, this state actually has some gorgeous shorelines. Here are the best beaches in Montana.
Montana Beaches
Brush Lake State Park
Brush Lake, which is bounded on most sides by the small but mighty Brush Lake State Park, offers beautiful, swimmable beachfront. The beach offers vault toilets, which make it easy to set up there for the whole day in comfort. Although there aren’t many other developments here, that’s part of the charm: this lake offers a rugged, untouched look at the characteristic landscape of eastern Montana.
Things to do near Brush Lake State Park
Quite far off the beaten path, this park is surrounded by other wildernesses, including a string of Waterfowl Production Areas (or WPAs) that help ensure the maintenance and growth of local birdlife populations.
Whitefish City Beach
Whitefish is easily one of the worthiest destinations in the state of Montana — not least because it’s the gateway town for Glacier National Park, at least on its west side. Populated by art galleries, breweries, eateries and more, Whitefish also boasts one of the most beautiful lake beaches in northern Montana. Along with swimming and sunning, this beach is a popular place to drop in a paddleboard or kayak.
Things to do near Whitefish City Beach
If you’re in Whitefish, chances are you’re en route to Glacier National Park — and you definitely want to take time to explore this gorgeous place. While Whitefish offers small-town charm, the nearby city of Kalispell has you covered on amenities. Here are some local campgrounds to consider for your stay.
Avalanche Lake
If you’ve seen pictures from Glacier National Park, chances are you’ve seen pictures of Avalanche Lake. Situated at the end of a three-mile, moderate hike along the Trail of the Cedars, Avalanche Lake is home to many waterfalls which line the mountain bowl of the lake. Like most other bodies of water in Montana, this is glacial runoff — so prepare for it to be cold, even in July and August.
Things to do near Avalanche Lake
The rest of Glacier National Park awaits, with a variety of shorter, easier-to-access trails for day trippers and much longer, more strenuous backcountry adventures for those in the know. Nearby Kalispell has you covered for essentials and big-city resources; here are some local campgrounds to consider.
Lake McDonald
If there’s one spot inside Glacier National Park that’s even more consistently photographed than Avalanche Lake, you can bet it’s Lake McDonald. Don’t get us wrong: this isn’t a broad, sandy beach upon which you’ll be able to lay out a towel and sunbathe all afternoon long. That said, it is one of the most scenic lakeviews the entire western United States has to offer. It’s also home to one of the park’s most beautiful and storied historic lodges, which is also a great place to pop in for a bit to eat.
Things to do near Lake McDonald
Once again, all of the rest of Glacier National Park beckons to be discovered, and there are even some excellent hiking trails right in this area. Don’t forget to check out these local campgrounds.
Boettcher Park
Situated as it is on the southern end of the expanse of Flathead Lake, the town of Polson has always been considered a vacation getaway destination. It’s also home to Boettcher Park, which plays host to one of the best lakefront beaches the area has to offer. This shoreline has slightly less foot traffic than other area beaches, but is only minutes from the quaint and bustling downtown of Polson. A small, day-use-only facility, Boettcher Park offers a dock, a swimmable shoreline, and little else — which is perfect for getting away from it all.
Things to do near Boettcher Park
Polson is famed amongst RVers for being home to one of the most famous premium RV parks in the country: Polson Motorcoach Resort. This resort features a fenced-in dog run, on-site fitness center, updated amenities and some stunning scenery. It is important to note that this park is open only to Class A motorcoaches.
Glen Lake Rotary Park
Formerly known as the East Gallatin Recreation Area, and known by many in the area as simply “Bozeman Beach,” Glen Lake Rotary Park is a lovely spot. This urban beach offers sweeping mountain vistas in the background that will instantly relax you. This park also offers a circumferential lakeside hiking trail, all in Bozeman’s backyard.
Things to do near Glen Lake Rotary Park
MAP Brewing Company is the perfect place to grab a beer within eyeshot of the lake after you spend some time relaxing along its edges, and, of course, the rest of Bozeman beckons in the background. Here are some local campgroundsto consider.
Cooney Reservoir
Nestled into the rugged, off-the-beaten-path landscape just outside of Custer Gallatin National Forest, this southern Montana beach truly is away from it all. There are a variety of access points to choose from, but Cooney Reservoir State Park probably offers the most in the way of amenities, even if all that means are vault toilets. Hey, the whole reason you came to Montana was to escape the big, developed city life, right?
Things to do near Cooney Reservoir
Both Billings and Bozeman are within a two-hour drive of the Cooney Reservoir — which is downright reasonable in Big Sky country. Plus, Yellowstone National Park awaits not much further southwest.
The Best Beaches in Montana for RVers
Big Arm/Flathead Lake State Park
Just south of Kalispell, Whitefish, and the broad beautiful wilderness of Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake shimmers like a mirage. While there are many, many places to play and access points around the lake’s expansive circumference, one of the best swimming beaches is tucked along its southwestern side just outside of the town of Big Arm in Flathead Lake State Park. Along with its sandy shorefront, this state park offers restrooms and nature walks.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
This state park actually offers onsite RV camping, making it easy to park near all the fun and beauty.
Things to do near Big Arm/Flathead Lake State Park
There’s a bit of a custom as far as naming state parks twice in these areas, and just north of this one lies another: West Shore/Flathead Lake State Park is only minutes away and offers yet another beautiful perspective on this large and luxurious lakefront.
Black Sandy State Park
Continuing south and east through Montana’s expanse, we arrive close to the capital city of Helena — which is just a stone’s throw from some of the earliest stretches of the Missouri River. While there are many places to play in these waters, Black Sandy State Park does stand out despite its small size. The scenery and access here is unmatchable, and although there are few developments aside from vault toilets and a nearby campground store, what more do you need to enjoy the natural beauty of the area?
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
This park also hosts an onsite campground. This is ideal for RVers who want to park their rig and relax for several days.
Things to do near Black Sandy State Park
Helena is one of the biggest cities in Montana and full of all sorts of things to see, do, eat, and explore — and, of course, since this is Montana, it’s ringed with mountains worth scaling, including Mount Helena itself. Take a trail (or two) up and get some much-needed perspective. Here are some local campgrounds to consider.
Canyon Ferry State Park
Further south along the Missouri, another beachfront very worth taking time for can be found inside Canyon Ferry State Park. Just minutes outside of Helena, this state park offers plenty of amenities and beautiful scenery and is a popular getaway for local city-dwellers and out-of-towners alike.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
Yet another state park with beautiful campsites, Canyon Ferry State Park is a wonderful place to park your RV and make yourself at home for a while.
Things to do near Canyon Ferry State Park
Once again, the city of Helena beckons just across the lake, as does White Earth Recreation Area directly across from the park on the other shore. RVing is popular in this area for good reason; here are the best nearby campgrounds to choose from!
Planning an RV Trip to Montana
Ready to plan your Montana getaway? We have the best RV rentals in the state. Make sure you check out the best campgrounds and state parks while you’re there and be sure to make time to see the state’s major population centers, as well. On top of all that, Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are both must-sees while in the area.
