Placid Lake State Park

Placid Lake State Park is a recreation area on the eastern shore of Placid Lake, spanning about 31 acres at an elevation of 4,124 feet. The park sits between Owl Creek and the Clearwater River, with 40 campsites that have electrical hookups, a boat launch, and designated swimming areas.

The area was named by Hiram Blanchard in 1892, a settler from New York who called it after Lake Placid in the Adirondacks while founding the Clearwater Land and Livestock Company. The region's development was tied to logging and ranching operations that shaped its landscape.

The park displays information about the region's logging history, with old western larch trees remaining as living reminders throughout the grounds. Walking through, you can see how forestry once shaped the landscape here.

The park is open from May through November, making summer and early fall the best times to visit with motorized vehicles and enjoy camping. The terrain is fairly flat and easy to navigate, so families with varying activity levels can move around the grounds comfortably.

Residents of Montana receive special entry privileges through their vehicle registration, allowing them to access the park on favorable terms. Local families take advantage of this benefit regularly for their weekend getaways.

Location: Montana

Inception: 1977

Website: https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/placid-lake

GPS coordinates: 47.11930,-113.50300

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:22