Whitefish Lake State Park
Whitefish town beach day: sandy swimming area, boat launch and a 25-site campground on Whitefish Lake.
- Arrive before mid-morning on hot weekends for parking and beach space. - Combine with a Whitefish town afternoon rather than a Glacier day.
July and August for warm-water swimming; the day-use area is open year-round.
Nearby Attraction
Whitefish Lake State Park is a small lakeside state park on the west shore of Whitefish Lake, 15 minutes from downtown Whitefish and about an hour from the West Glacier entrance. It is the easy swim-and-picnic option on a town day: a sandy swimming beach with mountain views, a boat launch, and a 25-site campground under mature trees. Non-residents pay a small day-use fee; Montana residents with the state parks fee on their registration enter free.
Lakeside state park with a beach for swimming & fishing, plus facilities for tent & RV camping.
Quick facts
- Attraction Type
- State park with swimming beach, boat launch and campground
Visit details
- Attraction Type
- State park with swimming beach, boat launch and campground
- Operating Hours
- Open year-round (day-use area, boat launch, lower campsite loop). Upper campsite loop, water and showers close in early October and reopen in late April or early May.
- Seasonal Operation
- Year-round day use; full camping services roughly May through early October (Montana FWP).
Getting there
- Address
- 1615 W Lakeshore Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937, USA
- Accessibility
- ADA-accessible campsites; some paved trails; limited cell coverage.
What to expect
- Main Activities
- Swimming from the beach, boating and water-skiing, fishing, picnicking, camping
- Best For
- Families wanting a lake swim close to town; boaters launching on Whitefish Lake; campers who want services near Whitefish rather than inside Glacier
- Unique Features
- Sandy town-side beach with mountain views; one of the few developed swimming areas around Whitefish
- Why Visit Here
- On a hot day this is the closest sandy swim to downtown Whitefish, with Big Mountain in view across the water, and it takes a fraction of the driving a Glacier lake day needs.
- Comparison To Park
- Compared with Lake McDonald this is warmer, closer to town and has a proper beach and boat launch, but it is a small city-edge park rather than a national-park landscape; choose it for a town day or a rest day, not instead of the park.
Facilities & advice
- Family Friendly Notes
- Shallow beach and picnic tables make it an easy family stop; pets are allowed in the park.
- Best Time To Visit
- July and August for warm-water swimming; the day-use area is open year-round.
- Tips Advice
- - Get your boat inspected before you launch: it is mandatory on Whitefish Lake. - Non-residents pay the day-use fee at the entrance ($8 per vehicle). - Camping is reservable through montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com or 1-855-922-6768; sites run $4-$34 per night.
More details
- Parking Type
- Paved day-use lot; can fill on hot summer weekends
- Time Needed
- 2-3 hours for a swim and picnic; a half day with a boat
- Accessibility Details
- Contact Montana FWP for accessible facility details; the site is a flat lakeside park.
- Facilities
- Swimming beach, boat launch, picnic sites, 25 campsites (tent and RV), seasonal water and showers, hiker/biker shared site
- Summer Notes
- All motorized and non-motorized watercraft must be inspected for aquatic invasive species before launching in Whitefish Lake. Non-resident day use: $8 per vehicle, $4 walk-in or bicycle.
- Winter Activities
- Day-use area stays open in winter; camping services are closed.
- Best Visit Times
- Late June through August for swimming; weekday mornings are quieter
- Insider Tips
- - Arrive before mid-morning on hot weekends for parking and beach space. - Combine with a Whitefish town afternoon rather than a Glacier day.
- Nearby Facilities
- Downtown Whitefish restaurants and shops are about 3 miles away; groceries and fuel on US 93 in Whitefish.
- Review Summary
- The park offers broad lake and mountain views with dependable sunrise/sunset light. Parking can be limited and trains pass nearby, which can disrupt quiet moments. For photography, the lakefront provides solid composition opportunities, though crowds can be present during peak season.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fee to visit Whitefish Lake State Park?
Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their vehicle registration enter free. Non-residents pay $8 per vehicle or $4 per walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger (Montana FWP).
Can I swim there?
Yes. The park has a sandy swimming beach on Whitefish Lake; it is one of the most popular swimming spots near town in July and August.
Can I camp?
There are 25 campsites for tents and RVs, $4-$34 per night, reservable through the Montana State Parks reservation system. The upper loop, water and showers close in early October.
Do I need a boat inspection?
Yes. All motorized and non-motorized watercraft must be inspected for aquatic invasive species before launching in Whitefish Lake.
Recommended gear for Glacier National Park
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Sources
- National Park Service
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated September 2026. Report an issue.