Montana beaches have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. The state is flanked by two mountain ranges, the Bitterroot and the Rockies, which create dramatic cliffs and valleys on either side of the Flathead River. As a result, there are hugely varying beaches to be found from secluded coves to bustling towns with a vibrant nightlife.
Some of Montana beaches most popular beaches include Kalispell Beach, Stump Lake Beach, and Sandspit Beach.
Montana beaches are known for their vast open spaces and rugged mountains, but also have some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. Montana Beach’s coastline stretches for over 1,000 miles, giving residents and visitors plenty of opportunities to find a beach that suits their needs and wants. Beaches in Montana can be divided into 3 categories: Gulf Coast beaches, Pacific Coast beaches, and Inland lakes beaches.
Best Montana beaches:
If you’re looking for a relaxing, scenic beach getaway in Montana, look no further than these top picks. Whether you’re looking for a secluded white sand beach to unwind on or an action-packed surfing and swimming spot, these Montana beaches will have something for everyone.
1. Brush Lake State Park
The park is located just north of Whitefish and features a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating.
2. Flathead Lake State Park
Flathead Lake State Park is a wide-open beach destination in central Montana beaches. Sitting at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Flathead Lake offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
3. City Beach, Whitefish
City Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Montana and it’s definitely one of the most beautiful. Canoes and paddleboats are available for rent, making it perfect for a day out on the water
4. Bozeman Beach
Bozeman is a city and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States. Located in southwest Montana, Bozeman is bordered by the Bridger-Teton National Forest to the east and the Yellowstone National Park to the north
5. Black Sandy State Park
Black Sandy State Park is a public recreation area on the western shore of Hauser Lake reservoir, an impoundment of the Missouri River.
1. Brush Lake State Park
Brush Lake State Park is beautiful Montana beaches that offer stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. The park is located just north of Whitefish and features a wide variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating. There are also several campgrounds available for visitors to stay in while they enjoy the area.
Brush Lake State Park is a public recreation area located four miles east of the community of Dagmar, Montana beaches. The park surrounds three sides of the small Brush Lake and features picnicking, fishing, hiking, and bird watching. Visitors can also enjoy nature programs offered by the park staff.
In the early years of the twentieth century, Brush Lake was a popular gathering place for residents of the surrounding communities. The lake was a natural resource that provided recreational opportunities for people of all ages, and it also served as a source of water for local farms. As the population grew, so did the number of visitors to Brush Lake. In 1905, the first motorboat arrived on Montana beaches and quickly became popular among those who enjoyed fishing and swimming. By 1910, there were enough boats to form a marina and by 1915, a small community had developed around the lake. The popularity of Brush Lake continued to grow throughout the 1920s and 1930s, thanks in part to advertising campaigns that promoted the area as a safe haven from crime and pollution. Today, Brush Lake remains an important part of Montana beaches history and is still frequented by residents and tourists alike.
| Location | Sheridan County, Montana, United States |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Dagmar, Montana |
| Coordinates |  48°36′10″N 104°6′46″WCoordinates: 48°36′10″N 104°6′46″W |
| Area | 450 acres (180 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,959 ft (597 m)[1] |
| Designation | Montana state park |
| Established | 2004 |
| Administrator | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks |
| Website | Brush Lake State Park |
ACTIVITIES
- Beach
- Bird Watching
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Group Camping
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boating
- Picnicking
- RV Camping
- Swimming
- Tent Camping
2. Flathead Lake State Park
Flathead Lake State Park is a wide-open beach destination in central Montana. Sitting at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Flathead Lake offers visitors stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The park also offers world-class fishing for walleye, largemouth bass, and trout. There are several hiking trails that wind their way through the park’s wooded areas, as well as a playground for the children. Whether spending a day sunning on the beach or exploring all that Flathead Lake has to offer, visitors will be sure to have a wonderful time!
Located on Flathead Lake’s Big Arm Bay, this park has a long pebble beach perfect for soaking up the sun after a nice long swim. Then you can camp undisturbed in the forest setting. The park has amenities including showers, toilets, and grills. There are also two playgrounds for the children to enjoy. If fishing is your thing, there are plenty of spots to cast your line in Big Arm Bay or along the nearby banks of the lake.
What’s not to love about the clear water of Flathead Lake? With miles of sandy beaches and no waves to speak of, it’s the perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. A lake is also a great place to kayak or canoe – especially during summer months when the water is warm and inviting. And if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, you can always take a ride on the water slide at nearby Adventure Island! Whether you’re spending a day in the sun or exploring the depths of this beautiful lake, there’s something for everyone at Flathead Lake.
| Location | Lake / Flathead counties, Montana, US |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°54′6″N 114°6′15″ Coordinates: 47°54′6″N 114°6′15″W |
| Type | Moraine-dammed lake |
| Primary inflows | Flathead River Swan River |
| Primary outflows | Flathead River |
| Catchment area | 8,587 sq mi (22,240 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 27.3 mi (43.9 km) |
| Max. width | 15.5 mi (24.9 km) |
| Surface area | 197 sq mi (510 km2) |
| Average depth | 164.7 ft (50.2 m) |
| Max. depth | 370.7 ft (113.0 m) |
| Water volume | 5.56 cu mi (23.2 km3) |
| Residence time | 3.4 years |
| Shore length1 | 161.4 mi (259.7 km) |
| Surface elevation | 2,894 ft (882 m) |
| Islands | Wild Horse Island; Cromwell, Bird, Bull, Little Bull, Melita, Shelter, Cedar, Mother-in-Law, Dream, Goose, Mary B, Rock Island; Douglas Islands |
| Settlements | 7 miles (11 km) south of Kalispell, Montana; Polson, Montana |
3. City Beach, Whitefish
City Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Montana beaches and it’s definitely one of the most beautiful. Canoes and paddleboats are available for rent, making it perfect for a day out on the water. The sand is white and there are plenty of beach amenities nearby, including showers, concessions, and a playground. The only downside is that City Beach can get quite crowded during peak season. But if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway, City Beach should definitely be at the top of your list.
Whitefish Lake is located in Glacier National Park and is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and boating. The Salish referred to the lake as “Shishalook” meaning “place where the fish jump.” The first European to see the lake was Peter Skene Ogden in 1826 on his way to explore the area. Whitefish Lake was named in the 1850s for the abundant mountain whitefish (Prosopium Williamson) harvested there.
Whitefish Lake, located northwest of the city of Whitefish, Montana, at an elevation of 2,999 feet (914 m), is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and boating. The lake offers miles of shoreline for swimming and sunbathing, as well as a number of boat ramps and dock facilities. Fishermen can take advantage of the abundant game fish in the lake including bull trout, brown trout, and whitefish. Visitors can also enjoy hiking or biking trails that wind their way through the surrounding forests.
| Location | Flathead County, Montana |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°27′04″N 114°22′53″WCoordinates: 48°27′04″N 114°22′53″W |
| Primary outflows | Whitefish River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 5.8 miles (9.3 km) |
| Max. width | 1.4 miles (2.3 km) |
| Surface area | 5.2 square miles (13 km2) |
| Average depth | 82 feet (25 m) |
| Max. depth | 233 feet (71 m) |
| Residence time | 2.6 years |
| Shore length1 | 15.9 miles (25.6 km) |
| Surface elevation | 2,999 feet (914 m) |
| Settlements | Whitefish, Montana |
4. Bozeman Beach
For many Bozeman residents, the East Gallatin Recreation Area is an overlooked gem. The stretch of beach here is a beautiful mix of sand and pebbles, with crystal-clear water for swimming and snorkeling. There are also plenty of picnic areas, a playground, and a beach house for rent. And if you’re looking for someplace to enjoy the great outdoors without having to trek too far, this is the place for you!
Bozeman is a city and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States. Located in southwest Montana, Bozeman is bordered by the Bridger-Teton National Forest to the east and the Yellowstone National Park to the north. The city sits at an elevation of 5,438 feet (1,653 m). The population was 21,023 at the 2010 census. In 2010 Bozeman was named one of “America’s Best Cities” by Forbes magazine.
Montana beaches is named after John M. Bozeman, who established the Bozeman Trail and was a founder of the town in August 1864. The town became incorporated on November 4, 1864. The founding fathers wanted a name that represented the gold and silver mining resources of the area. They also wanted a name that would be easy to pronounce for European settlers crossing the plains. The name ‘Bozeman’ was chosen from a list of 15 possibilities that included ‘Bear Paw’, ‘Buffalo Head’, and ‘Crow Wing’. Montana’s first governor, Edward McGough, declared November 4th as “John Bozeman Day.’
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Montana |
| County | Gallatin |
| Founded | August 9, 1864 |
| Named for | John Bozeman |
| • Type | City Commission/City manager |
| • Mayor | Cyndy Andrus |
| • City Manager | Jeff Mihelich |
| • City | 20.91 sq mi (54.16 km2) |
| • Land | 20.86 sq mi (54.04 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2) |
| Elevation | 4,820 ft (1,461 m) |
| • City | 53,293 |
| • Density | 2,554.43/sq mi (986.26/km2) |
| • Metro | 118,960 |
| • Demonym | Bozemanite |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| ZIP codes | 59715, 59717-59719, 59771-59772 |
| Area code | 406 |
5. Black Sandy State Park
Black Sandy State Park is a public recreation area on the western shore of Hauser Lake reservoir, an impoundment of the Montana beaches River. The park is located in Sheridan County and has a total area of 37 acres. The park features a sand beach, a boat ramp, and picnic areas. There are also several hiking trails that go through the woods and over hills.
Prior to 1980, Montana Power Company owned the land and operated the park as a recreation area. In 1980, the company turned over the management of the park to the state. The state then leased it back to Montana Power Company for 99 years with an option to renew for another 99 years. In 1999, the company sold the park to a private group that has since updated and expanded it. Today, the park is a popular tourist destination with over 1 million visitors each year.
| Location | Lewis and Clark County, Montana, United States |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Helena, Montana |
| Coordinates | 46°45′25″N 111°53′23″WCoordinates: 46°45′25″N 111°53′23″W[1] |
| Area | 43 acres (17 ha)[2] |
| Elevation | 3,904 ft (1,190 m)[1] |
| Designation | Montana state park |
| Established | 1980 |
| Administrator | Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks |
| Website | Black Sandy State Park |
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Montana beaches are a great place to spend a day in the sun, relax and enjoy the beautiful views. If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all, Montana beaches are the perfect option. Be sure to check out our local beach resources before visiting, as well as our list of Things to Do in Montana’s Beach Towns.