Flathead Lake, Moraine-dammed lake in Montana, United States.
Flathead Lake extends across 197 square miles with a maximum depth of 370 feet, bordered by Mission Mountains to the east and Salish Mountains to the west.
The Polson terminal moraine emerged during the last ice age when glaciers carved the Flathead Valley, forming the depression that contains the present-day lake.
The Salish and Kootenai tribes maintained deep connections to the lake, using Wild Horse Island for protecting their horses from rival tribes.
The lake features five mainland state park units with 160 miles of shoreline offering swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and hiking opportunities.
The lake contains multiple islands across its waters, including Wild Horse Island which supports populations of bighorn sheep and wild horses.
Location: Lake County
Location: Flathead County
Elevation above the sea: 882 m
GPS coordinates: 47.90167,-114.10417
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:08
Montana offers a range of landscapes from the peaks of Glacier National Park to the central plains. The state has several mountain routes including the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Beartooth Highway, both exceeding 3,000 meters in elevation. Glacial lakes such as Flathead Lake and Lake McDonald stretch over miles, with geological formations revealing millions of years of natural history. The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman holds significant dinosaur fossil collections. Montana's mining history is evident in the streets of Virginia City, a former territorial capital founded in 1863, where over 200 buildings from the 19th century are preserved. The Little Bighorn Battlefield commemorates the 1876 conflicts between the U.S. Army and Native American nations. To observe local wildlife, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center houses bears and wolves in protected habitats. Hikers can take the 18-kilometer Highline Trail along the continental divide or walk to the Grinnell Glacier through alpine lakes in Glacier National Park.
Charles E. Conrad Mansion
36 km
Pablo National Wildlife Refuge
30 km
Wayfarers State Park
17.2 km
Swan River National Wildlife Refuge
18.6 km
Lake Mary Ronan State Park
20.9 km
Finley Point State Park
16.4 km
Yellow Bay State Park
6 km
West Shore State Park
10.6 km
Scandinavian Methodist Church
36.4 km
Don E. Olsson House and Garage
41.6 km
Kalispell Main Street Historic District
36.3 km
Miracle of America Museum and Pioneer Village
24.6 km
Dayton State Bank
13.6 km
Big Arm School
18.4 km
Courthouse Historic District
35.7 km
Polson Feed Mill
23.8 km
Woll House
35.6 km
A. J. Dean House
36 km
Snyder House
36.2 km
Charles Boles House
37.1 km
Conrad Mansion
36.1 km
Boyd's Shop
36.5 km
Fisher House
36.4 km
Beaman House
36.4 km
Bruyer Granary
39.3 km
Bader-Jaquette and Westwang Houses and Rental Property
36.6 km
Billsborough House
37 km
Woodland Water Park
36.5 kmReviews
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