Flathead Lake
- 0.6 mi
- round trip
- 109 ft
- climb
- 3,042 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Oct
- best months
Is Flathead 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.
Flathead Lake is a short, easy hike in the Swan Lake Ranger District of Flathead National Forest in northwest Montana, about 0.6 miles long with a total climb of 109 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is a loop with a natural surface. Bikes are allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bigfork show July highs around 80°F with lows near 55°F, and August is similar with a few fewer wet days. The Beardance hike starts just 0.1 mile away, and Crane Creek is about 0.8 mile off. For a longer outing, Swan Lake offers lake fishing about 6 miles away, and Swan Lake Campground is about 8.6 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Rocky Mountain Outfitter21 mi away
- North American RV Park & Yurt Village33 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit Flathead 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
34° / 25°
10 wet
Feb
37° / 26°
8 wet
Mar
45° / 30°
9 wet
Apr
53° / 35°
9 wet
May
63° / 43°
10 wet
Jun
70° / 49°
10 wet
Jul
80° / 55°
6 wet
Aug
79° / 54°
5 wet
Sep
69° / 47°
6 wet
Oct
55° / 38°
8 wet
Nov
42° / 32°
9 wet
Dec
34° / 26°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bigfork 13 S, MT, 5.5 mi away at 2,979 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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