Shay Lake
- May–Oct
- best months
Is Shay Lake open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Flathead National Forest.
Camp Creek Fire Updated Trail Closure
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
FK&L Area Closed to Public Access Starting July 22, 2026
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
Trail 800 Tally-Ashely Closure
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
Ryan Creek Occupancy and Use Order
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 1-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
Logan Creek Hoke Creek Closure
Agency alert covering Flathead National Forest · Order 01-10- · USFS · Flathead National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Flathead National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Shay Lake is a 17-acre lake near Bigfork, Montana, at about 3,474 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Local outfitters
- Polson Motorcoach Resort16 mi away
- Wild Horse RV Resort23 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit Shay Lake
Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
31° / 18°
Feb
36° / 18°
Mar
45° / 26°
Apr
54° / 31°
May
64° / 38°
Jun
71° / 44°
Jul
82° / 48°
Aug
82° / 46°
Sep
70° / 39°
Oct
55° / 32°
Nov
39° / 25°
Dec
30° / 20°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Swan Lake, MT, 15.6 mi away at 3,100 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more waters worth the drive
SEE
Ducharm Lake
~12 min drive
Ducharm Lake is a 18-acre lake near Bigfork, Montana, at about 6,471 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
SEE
Swan Lake
~33 min drive
Swan Lake is a 3,335-acre lake in Montana.
SEE
Riverside Campground
~1h 9m drive
SEE
Scout Lake
~13 min drive
Scout Lake is a 13-acre lake near Bigfork, Montana, at about 5,432 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
SEE
Turtle Lake
~19 min drive
Turtle Lake is a 50-acre lake near Turtle Lake, Montana, at about 3,092 feet.
SEE
Stoner Lake
~28 min drive
Stoner Lake is a 12-acre lake near Condon, Montana, at about 4,038 feet.
SEE
Frog Lakes
~30 min drive
Frog Lakes is a lake near Ronan, Montana, at about 6,168 feet.
SEE
Rubble Lake
~31 min drive
Rubble Lake is a 15-acre lake near Condon, Montana, at about 7,602 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
SEE
Terrace Lakes
~31 min drive
Terrace Lakes is a lake near Condon, Montana, at about 6,838 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
SEE
Sloan Lake
~33 min drive
Sloan Lake is a 11-acre lake near Ronan, Montana, at about 3,062 feet.
