Flathead Lake is an enormous freshwater lake in the northwest part of the Treasure State that also happens to be the clearest lake in Montana — and one of the clearest lakes in the entire world! We’re lucky to have such a stunning lake in our state, especially since it’s one of the top vacation destinations for Montanans. If you’ve never seen it for yourself, perhaps these photos will convince you to visit Flathead Lake, the clearest lake in Montana!
Flathead Lake is actually a remnant of a massive inland sea, Lake Missoula.
Always Shooting / Flickr Lake Missoula covered most of the region about 13,000 years ago.
The lake is about 370 feet deep in some spots, and it’s known for its amazingly clear waters.
Ashton S. / TripAdvisor It’s also the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.
The lake is one of the cleanest in all of the populated world, with regards to size and type.
DannyandhisMisty / TripAdvisor Scientists estimate that before the melting of the glaciers, it was 500 feet higher.
The mild climate in the Flathead area allows for delicious cherries to grow and vineyards to prosper.
Always Shooting / Flickr There’s even an annual cherry festival in Polson.
Needless to say, this spot is extremely popular for Montanans.
Rose M. / TripAdvisor From water sports to fishing, boat tours and lakeside lounging, you’ll find a little bit of everything at Flathead.
This lake almost looks too beautiful to be real. But luckily for us, it isn’t.
Urbanguy / Flickr
Have you ever visited Flathead Lake? There’s still a little time to add it to your summer bucket list!
Always Shooting / Flickr
Lake Missoula covered most of the region about 13,000 years ago.
Ashton S. / TripAdvisor
It’s also the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.
DannyandhisMisty / TripAdvisor
Scientists estimate that before the melting of the glaciers, it was 500 feet higher.
There’s even an annual cherry festival in Polson.
Rose M. / TripAdvisor
From water sports to fishing, boat tours and lakeside lounging, you’ll find a little bit of everything at Flathead.
Urbanguy / Flickr
Looking for more beautiful lakes to visit in Montana? Glacier National Park is full of lovely lakes (over 700, in fact!), including the ever-glorious Lake McDonald. This is the largest lake in Glacier and it is home to beautiful, colorful pebbles that make it wholly, wonderfully unique!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Flathead Lake, Montana, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Clearest lake in Montana July 14, 2022 Sarah M. What’s another pristine lake in Montana? Once you’ve visited Flathead Lake, the clearest lake in Montana, we recommend checking out Mystic Lake, the deepest lake in the Beartooth Mountains. In addition to having an intriguing name, this lake is one of the clearest and most pristine lakes in the Treasure State! The lake is about 300 feet deep and over two miles long, so it stretches as far as the eye can see — especially if you’re standing at the eponymous Mystic Lake Overlook. You’ll access this point via the Mystic Lake Trail, a 5.5-mile out-and-back hike with some of the most stunning scenery in the country. Although parts of the hike can be a bit strenuous and challenging, most people will be able to handle the climb, even beginner hikers. What are some scenic places in Montana? The entire Treasure State is one big, beautiful postcard, with an abundance of scenic places sure to stop you in your tracks. Some bucket-list-worthy places in Montana we think everyone ought to visit include St. Mary Lake, Lake McDonald (and all of Glacier National Park, really), Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Kootenai Falls, Bighorn Canyon, Whitefish Mountain, and Quake Lake. If you’re looking for a scenic drive that puts pretty much any other scenic drive to shame, Going-to-the-Sun Road is truly the most beautiful scenic drive in Montana, the U.S., and (in our very humble opinion) the world!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Clearest lake in Montana
July 14, 2022
Sarah M.
What’s another pristine lake in Montana? Once you’ve visited Flathead Lake, the clearest lake in Montana, we recommend checking out Mystic Lake, the deepest lake in the Beartooth Mountains. In addition to having an intriguing name, this lake is one of the clearest and most pristine lakes in the Treasure State! The lake is about 300 feet deep and over two miles long, so it stretches as far as the eye can see — especially if you’re standing at the eponymous Mystic Lake Overlook. You’ll access this point via the Mystic Lake Trail, a 5.5-mile out-and-back hike with some of the most stunning scenery in the country. Although parts of the hike can be a bit strenuous and challenging, most people will be able to handle the climb, even beginner hikers. What are some scenic places in Montana? The entire Treasure State is one big, beautiful postcard, with an abundance of scenic places sure to stop you in your tracks. Some bucket-list-worthy places in Montana we think everyone ought to visit include St. Mary Lake, Lake McDonald (and all of Glacier National Park, really), Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Kootenai Falls, Bighorn Canyon, Whitefish Mountain, and Quake Lake. If you’re looking for a scenic drive that puts pretty much any other scenic drive to shame, Going-to-the-Sun Road is truly the most beautiful scenic drive in Montana, the U.S., and (in our very humble opinion) the world!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Once you’ve visited Flathead Lake, the clearest lake in Montana, we recommend checking out Mystic Lake, the deepest lake in the Beartooth Mountains. In addition to having an intriguing name, this lake is one of the clearest and most pristine lakes in the Treasure State! The lake is about 300 feet deep and over two miles long, so it stretches as far as the eye can see — especially if you’re standing at the eponymous Mystic Lake Overlook. You’ll access this point via the Mystic Lake Trail, a 5.5-mile out-and-back hike with some of the most stunning scenery in the country. Although parts of the hike can be a bit strenuous and challenging, most people will be able to handle the climb, even beginner hikers.
What are some scenic places in Montana?
The entire Treasure State is one big, beautiful postcard, with an abundance of scenic places sure to stop you in your tracks. Some bucket-list-worthy places in Montana we think everyone ought to visit include St. Mary Lake, Lake McDonald (and all of Glacier National Park, really), Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, Kootenai Falls, Bighorn Canyon, Whitefish Mountain, and Quake Lake. If you’re looking for a scenic drive that puts pretty much any other scenic drive to shame, Going-to-the-Sun Road is truly the most beautiful scenic drive in Montana, the U.S., and (in our very humble opinion) the world!
