There’s nothing like going for a swim on a long, hot day after a hike or a camping adventure… and since you can’t always be around a pool, a good old-fashioned natural swimming hole may be your best bet for cooling off if you are looking to go swimming in Montana. These swimming holes are definitely some great places to cool off, and really are some of the good swimming holes in Montana, but they’re far from your only options. Montana is so full of clean public lakes, rivers, and creeks that you’ll always have your pick.
These 10 swimming spots aren’t as publicized, but they’re just as refreshing as the most popular places in the state.
- Duck Creek Bridge, Yellowstone River, Billings
Duck Creek Facebook Just southwest of Billings, the Yellowstone River takes a wide right turn and makes some inviting swimming holes. The Duck Creek Bridge area is the perfect place to cool off on a hot day. Duck Creek Road, Duck Creek Rd, Billings, MT, USA
- Tally Lake, Whitefish
Maria H. / TripAdvisor Head to the north shore to find the Tally Lake Campground, which has a nice beach area perfect for taking a swim. Tally Lake, Tally Lake Rd, Whitefish, MT 59937, USA
- Holland Lake, Flathead National Forest
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr Holland Lake is located in the Swan Valley of Northwest Montana. The Holland Lake Campground sits right on its shores and has a day use area perfect for lounging lakeside in Montana. Holland Lake, Montana 59826, USA
- Gigantic Warm Springs, Lewistown area
Matt Kadlick / Flickr This all natural spring is 12-14 feet deep, and it’s 68 degree temperature makes it a pleasant place to swim. Warm Springs offers a relaxing, family-friendly environment. Gigantic Warm Spring, 08268519402010000, Lewistown, MT 59457, USA
- Ackley Lake, Hobson
Alfonso Martinez / Ackley Lake State Park Facebook Page This quiet, peaceful park sits right in the heart of Montana. If you’d like to stay longer than one day, you can camp by the lake. Ackley Lake, Montana 59452, USA
- Red Meadow Lake Campground, Flathead National Forest
S. G. N./Google Local This is the perfect spot not only to swim, but for an enjoyable and scenic picnic. Red Meadow Lake Campground, Red Meadow Lake, Polebridge, MT 59928, USA
- Missouri Headwaters State Park, Three Forks
Patrick Rabideau/Google Local This park marks the official start of the Missouri River. To find the swimming hole, swim across the eddy (small whirlpool) to a gravel bank and float down the main current. You’ll eventually come to a small cove where you can lay out in the sun. Just be careful about undercurrents. This spot is for seasoned swimmers only. Missouri Headwaters State Park, 1585 Trident Rd, Three Forks, MT 59752, USA
- Lava Lake, Big Sky
Tim Whitlow / Flickr Lava Lake has a great hiking trail that leads right to it, so you can get some exercise before cooling off in the water. Lava Lake, Montana 59730, USA
There’s plenty of time in the summer, so enjoy as many of these places to go swimming in Montana as you can. And don’t forget that Montana has a few fun water parks to choose from as well.
Duck Creek Facebook
Just southwest of Billings, the Yellowstone River takes a wide right turn and makes some inviting swimming holes. The Duck Creek Bridge area is the perfect place to cool off on a hot day.
Duck Creek Road, Duck Creek Rd, Billings, MT, USA
Maria H. / TripAdvisor
Head to the north shore to find the Tally Lake Campground, which has a nice beach area perfect for taking a swim.
Tally Lake, Tally Lake Rd, Whitefish, MT 59937, USA
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr
Holland Lake is located in the Swan Valley of Northwest Montana. The Holland Lake Campground sits right on its shores and has a day use area perfect for lounging lakeside in Montana.
Holland Lake, Montana 59826, USA
Matt Kadlick / Flickr
This all natural spring is 12-14 feet deep, and it’s 68 degree temperature makes it a pleasant place to swim. Warm Springs offers a relaxing, family-friendly environment.
Gigantic Warm Spring, 08268519402010000, Lewistown, MT 59457, USA
Alfonso Martinez / Ackley Lake State Park Facebook Page
This quiet, peaceful park sits right in the heart of Montana. If you’d like to stay longer than one day, you can camp by the lake.
Ackley Lake, Montana 59452, USA
S. G. N./Google Local
This is the perfect spot not only to swim, but for an enjoyable and scenic picnic.
Red Meadow Lake Campground, Red Meadow Lake, Polebridge, MT 59928, USA
Patrick Rabideau/Google Local
This park marks the official start of the Missouri River. To find the swimming hole, swim across the eddy (small whirlpool) to a gravel bank and float down the main current. You’ll eventually come to a small cove where you can lay out in the sun. Just be careful about undercurrents. This spot is for seasoned swimmers only.
Missouri Headwaters State Park, 1585 Trident Rd, Three Forks, MT 59752, USA
Tim Whitlow / Flickr
Lava Lake has a great hiking trail that leads right to it, so you can get some exercise before cooling off in the water.
Lava Lake, Montana 59730, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Swimming In Montana May 11, 2022 SKS What is the most beautiful hike in Montana? Highline Trail: Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet The Highline Trail in Glacier National Park has to be the state’s most beautiful hike. The Highline Trail is approximately 15 miles long, with each mile more breathtaking than the last. This hike begins at the Loop Trailhead at the Logan Pass Visitors Center, and while there are other Highline Trail route options, we think Logan Pass is the best option because it it hosts the best views and, if you’re lucky, you may even see bears, mountain goats, or bighorn sheep. The hike begins with a high cliff crossing, where you will balance by holding onto a support rope, so while this isn’t the best hike if you are scared of heights, the views you will get from the Highline Trail are some of the best in Glacier National Park and in the entire state of Montana. Where can I find the largest waterfall in Montana? Woodbine Falls Woodbine Falls is the largest waterfall in Montana, coming in at 280 feet tall! This giant waterfall can be found in Custer National Forest in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness and can be reached by a short hike that is less than 2 miles long! The hike will bring you along Woodbine Creek as you make your way to the creek’s source, the towering Woodbine Falls. Once you reach the bottom, some people like to continue on to make it to the top of these giant falls to get a different vantage point. What is the most popular hike in Montana? Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars is the most popular hike in all of Montana. This 6 mile trail in the beautiful Glacier National Park will take you to the stunning mountain lake, where it will be easy to see why this is the most popular hike in the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Swimming In Montana
May 11, 2022
SKS
What is the most beautiful hike in Montana? Highline Trail: Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet The Highline Trail in Glacier National Park has to be the state’s most beautiful hike. The Highline Trail is approximately 15 miles long, with each mile more breathtaking than the last. This hike begins at the Loop Trailhead at the Logan Pass Visitors Center, and while there are other Highline Trail route options, we think Logan Pass is the best option because it it hosts the best views and, if you’re lucky, you may even see bears, mountain goats, or bighorn sheep. The hike begins with a high cliff crossing, where you will balance by holding onto a support rope, so while this isn’t the best hike if you are scared of heights, the views you will get from the Highline Trail are some of the best in Glacier National Park and in the entire state of Montana. Where can I find the largest waterfall in Montana? Woodbine Falls Woodbine Falls is the largest waterfall in Montana, coming in at 280 feet tall! This giant waterfall can be found in Custer National Forest in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness and can be reached by a short hike that is less than 2 miles long! The hike will bring you along Woodbine Creek as you make your way to the creek’s source, the towering Woodbine Falls. Once you reach the bottom, some people like to continue on to make it to the top of these giant falls to get a different vantage point. What is the most popular hike in Montana? Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars is the most popular hike in all of Montana. This 6 mile trail in the beautiful Glacier National Park will take you to the stunning mountain lake, where it will be easy to see why this is the most popular hike in the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Highline Trail: Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet
The Highline Trail in Glacier National Park has to be the state’s most beautiful hike. The Highline Trail is approximately 15 miles long, with each mile more breathtaking than the last. This hike begins at the Loop Trailhead at the Logan Pass Visitors Center, and while there are other Highline Trail route options, we think Logan Pass is the best option because it it hosts the best views and, if you’re lucky, you may even see bears, mountain goats, or bighorn sheep. The hike begins with a high cliff crossing, where you will balance by holding onto a support rope, so while this isn’t the best hike if you are scared of heights, the views you will get from the Highline Trail are some of the best in Glacier National Park and in the entire state of Montana.
Where can I find the largest waterfall in Montana?
Woodbine Falls
Woodbine Falls is the largest waterfall in Montana, coming in at 280 feet tall! This giant waterfall can be found in Custer National Forest in the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness and can be reached by a short hike that is less than 2 miles long! The hike will bring you along Woodbine Creek as you make your way to the creek’s source, the towering Woodbine Falls. Once you reach the bottom, some people like to continue on to make it to the top of these giant falls to get a different vantage point.
What is the most popular hike in Montana?
Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars
Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars is the most popular hike in all of Montana. This 6 mile trail in the beautiful Glacier National Park will take you to the stunning mountain lake, where it will be easy to see why this is the most popular hike in the state.
