Hebgen Lake, Reservoir in Gallatin County, Montana, United States

Hebgen Lake is a large reservoir surrounded by mountains in southwestern Montana, with forested shores and rocky hillsides rising above the waterline. The water fills a broad basin set within a landscape of coniferous forests and rolling terrain.

Hebgen Lake is a reservoir formed by Hebgen Dam on the Madison River in Gallatin County. On August 17, 1959, a magnitude 7.1 to 7.5 earthquake struck nearby, cracking the dam and causing the lake to drain partially. The debris carried downstream piled up and created Quake Lake immediately below.

Anglers come for wild rainbow and brown trout; studies cited by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks found over 80% of the rainbow trout are of wild origin, with hatchery stocking limited. Rainbow Point, the largest campground on the lake, is laid out in four loops of about 20 sites each, and Cherry Creek is the other campground.

Rainbow Point, the largest campground on the lake, has four loops of about 20 sites each, and each site fits a full-size camper plus one or two vehicles; Cherry Creek is the other campground named in the sources. The reservoir lies about 11 miles northwest of West Yellowstone and 45 miles southwest of Ennis, so plan the drive from either town.

The 1959 earthquake, magnitude 7.1 to 7.5, broke a fissure in the lake bed and partly drained Hebgen Lake; the debris washed downstream dammed the Madison River and created Quake Lake just below the dam. The reservoir is fed by the Madison River and by the South Fork Madison River, Duck Creek, Grayling Creek and Red Canyon Creek, with Watkins Creek entering the main body from the west.