Flathead Lake State Parks and Camping Guide
Flathead Lake is ringed by Montana state parks, and camping at them is one of the classic ways to experience the lake. This guide gives you the lay of the land, links the official Flathead Lake State Park page for reservations and closure notices, and offers an alternative for groups who love the parks by day but want a comfortable bed, a hot tub and a full kitchen by night: The Evergreen in Somers, which sleeps up to 10.
Flathead Lake State Park units
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks manages several state park units around Flathead Lake. Around the lake you will find Somers Beach at the north end, Wayfarers near Bigfork, West Shore on the western shoreline, and Wild Horse Island, a day-use island you can only reach by boat. Each unit has its own character: some are built for swimming and picnics, some for launching boats, and some for quiet shoreline walks.
Facilities, fees and seasons differ from unit to unit and change over time, so we do not list them here. The official Flathead Lake State Park page is the place to confirm what is open and what each unit offers before you go.
Camping around Flathead Lake
Several of the Flathead Lake state park units offer camping, and sites around the lake are popular enough that planning ahead matters. Reservations, site types, seasonal opening and closure notices are all handled through Montana FWP's official channels — reserve there, and check the same official page for closures or restrictions before every trip.
A few honest notes from the valley: summer weekends fill early, weather on the lake can turn quickly, and some units or facilities close seasonally. None of that is a reason to skip the parks — it is a reason to check the official site the week you travel rather than relying on any guide, including this one.
The comfortable alternative base
Camping is wonderful right up until the group includes grandparents, toddlers, or anyone who packed for a lake day and not a cold night. The Evergreen is the comfortable alternative: a six-bedroom home in Somers that sleeps up to 10, close to public lake parks and boat ramps, so your days look exactly like a camping trip — beaches, boats, state parks — and your nights do not.
After a park day, the group comes home to a covered hot tub, a barrel sauna, a stone fire pit, a chef-style kitchen and a long dining table. The speakeasy and game room carry the evening, and everyone gets a real bed. The house is a neighborhood home, not an event venue: no parties or events, and quiet hours after 10 p.m.
Many groups mix both: a night or two in the parks for the campers, and the house as the base where everyone regroups, showers and eats together.
Planning park days from Somers
Somers sits at the north end of the lake, which makes it a practical base for visiting the different park units on different days. Somers Beach State Park is in town, and the other units around the shoreline are within reach for day trips.
Bringing a boat? The driveway at The Evergreen fits three vehicles plus a trailer. Montana requires watercraft inspections for aquatic invasive species, so plan time for an inspection station before you launch at a public ramp, and check the current rules on the official FWP site.
Official sources
Links verified Oct 27 2026. Park facilities, reservations, seasons and closures change, so always reserve and confirm on the official site before you go.
The Evergreen has no private, deeded, direct or property-specific lake access. Flathead Lake is reached the same way everyone else does — nearby public beaches, public boat ramps, marinas and parks. No boat, dock or slip is included with the stay.
Plan your stay
- Reserve campsites through the official Montana FWP channels.
- Check the official park page for closures before every trip.
- Plan boat time around public ramps and inspection stations.
- Pack layers: lake weather changes quickly.
- Decide which nights are camping and which are at the house.
- Check dates and book direct on the official Evergreen booking page.
Getting around: drive times vary with season and road conditions. Google Maps directions to public Flathead Lake access.
Frequently asked questions
What state parks are on Flathead Lake?
Montana FWP manages several units around the lake, including Somers Beach at the north end, Wayfarers near Bigfork, West Shore, and Wild Horse Island, which is reachable only by boat. Check the official Flathead Lake State Park page for current facilities and seasons.
Can you camp at Flathead Lake state parks?
Yes, several units offer camping. Reservations, site types, seasonal openings and closure notices are all handled through Montana FWP's official site, so reserve and check closures there before you travel.
What if part of our group does not want to camp?
That is exactly the gap The Evergreen fills. The house in Somers sleeps up to 10 with real beds, a full kitchen, a hot tub, a barrel sauna and a game room, close to the public parks — so the group can do park days together and sleep comfortably.
Does The Evergreen have private lake access or a dock?
No. The house has no private, deeded or direct lake access, and no boat, dock or slip is included. Guests use nearby public beaches, boat ramps, marinas and state parks.
Can we book The Evergreen direct?
Booking on our official booking site gets you 5% off automatically, with no code needed. The discount applies only to bookings made on the official booking site. You also deal with the house team directly and see your full total, including taxes and fees, before you pay. Promo codes can't be combined with the 5% direct discount.
