Kelly's Camp Historic District

Kelly's Camp is a historic district with twelve log buildings arranged along the western shore of Lake McDonald within Glacier National Park's boundaries. The structures date from 1894 to around 1920 and are scattered along the lakeside.

Frank Kelly established this homestead in 1894 and later developed it into a summer resort with rental cabins. The property was expanded with infrastructure like a generator house to provide power for the growing operation.

The place reflects early vacation architecture, with traditional log construction methods typical of mountain retreats in Montana. The buildings show how wealthy visitors spent their summers in this remote setting.

You can visit the preserved structures, and some buildings are accessible to observe their original features from inside. The lakeside location means conditions vary by season, and access depends on current park regulations.

The property includes an original 1927 generator house with a working hydroelectric system from the settlement era. This power plant is one of the few remaining examples of how remote mountain locations generated electricity during that time period.

Location: Flathead County

GPS coordinates: 48.62667,-113.90167

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:05