Les Mason State Park
Cobble beach and clear water on Whitefish Lake, a day-use swim and paddle stop about 25 miles from the West Entrance.
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An idea to explore—not a must-do.
The full road crossing depends on seasonal access—even in summer.
An idea to explore—not a must-do.
An idea to explore—not a must-do.
The park is day-use only; there is no camping.
Nonresidents owe a per-vehicle day-use fee; Montana plates with the state parks registration do not.
Arrive early to secure parking; weekdays offer fewer crowds; September is a pleasant visiting window.
Nearby Attraction
Les Mason State Park is a small day-use park on the east shore of Whitefish Lake at 150 E. Lakeshore Ct., Whitefish, with 585 feet of sand and gravel lakeshore and cool, clear water off a smooth cobble beach. Montana FWP lists swimming, paddleboarding, boating, lake fishing, picnicking and bird watching, with vault toilets, parking and boat rental on site. The park is open 8 AM to 8 PM during peak season, Memorial Day through Labor Day. For a Glacier trip it is the easy lake afternoon from a Whitefish base; the West Entrance is about 25 miles away via US 93, Highway 40 and US 2.
Quick facts
- Attraction Type
- State Park / Lake Beach
- Distance From Park
- About 25 miles from the West Entrance via US 93, Highway 40 and US 2 east, roughly 30-40 minutes from Whitefish.
- Entry Fees
- Nonresidents pay a day-use fee per vehicle or per walk-in; Montana residents with state parks registration pay no daily entrance fee. See FWP for current amounts.
Visit details
- Attraction Type
- State Park / Lake Beach
- Distance From Park
- About 25 miles from the West Entrance via US 93, Highway 40 and US 2 east, roughly 30-40 minutes from Whitefish.
- Entry Fees
- Nonresidents pay a day-use fee per vehicle or per walk-in; Montana residents with state parks registration pay no daily entrance fee. See FWP for current amounts.
- Operating Hours
- Daily 8 AM–8 PM (peak season, Memorial Day through Labor Day)
- Seasonal Operation
- Day-use only. Posted hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. apply during peak season, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Getting there
- Address
- 2650 E Lakeshore Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937, USA
- Accessibility
- Gentle, sloping paved trail from parking; stairs available as a shortcut; accessible for most ages and abilities.
What to expect
- Main Activities
- Swimming
- Paddleboarding (SUP)
- Boating
- Lake fishing
- Picnicking
- Bird watching
- Best For
- A lake swim on a hot rest day between Glacier hikes
- Families with kids who want a beach afternoon near Whitefish
- Paddleboarders
- Unique Features
- 585 feet of sand and gravel lakeshore on Whitefish Lake with a smooth cobble beach and cool, clear water.
- Why Visit Here
- It is the closest public cobble beach with clear water to a Whitefish base, and the day-use setup (parking, vault toilets) makes it a low-effort lake afternoon on a Glacier trip.
- Comparison To Park
- Lake McDonald inside Glacier has the mountain backdrop; Les Mason is a swim-and-picnic beach on Whitefish Lake without the park entrance or vehicle-reservation logistics.
Facilities & advice
- Restrooms Available
- Yes
- Family Friendly Notes
- Cobble beach and vault toilets make it workable for kids; there is no lifeguard listed, so watch swimmers.
- Best Time To Visit
- Arrive early to secure parking; weekdays offer fewer crowds; September is a pleasant visiting window.
- Tips Advice
- Arrive early to secure parking
- Water shoes recommended for rocky beach
- Binoculars for birdwatching
More details
- Time Needed
- A couple of hours for a swim and picnic; longer if you paddle or fish.
- Food Available
- None listed by FWP; bring a picnic.
- Facilities
- Vault toilets
- Parking
- Boat rental
- Summer Notes
- Peak season hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Best Visit Times
- Summer afternoons for swimming; the park is day-use only, so plan to leave by 8 p.m.
- Insider Tips
- The park is day-use only; there is no camping.
- Nonresidents owe a per-vehicle day-use fee; Montana plates with the state parks registration do not.
- Bring water shoes for the cobble beach.
- Nearby Facilities
- Whitefish, the nearest town, has fuel, groceries and restaurants.
- Review Summary
- A 4.5 Google rating over 271 reviews for a small day-use park; the beach and clear water are the recurring draw.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
How far is Les Mason State Park from Glacier's West Entrance?
About 25 miles via US 93, Highway 40 and US 2 east, per the Whitefish town guide, which puts the drive at 30-40 minutes.
Is there a fee?
Nonresidents pay a day-use fee per vehicle or per walk-in; Montana residents with state parks registration pay no daily entrance fee. Check FWP for current amounts.
Can we swim and paddleboard?
Yes. FWP lists swimming, paddleboarding, boating and lake fishing, and there is boat rental on site.
Are there restrooms?
Yes, vault toilets are listed, along with parking.
When is it open?
It is day-use only, open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during peak season, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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.