Salmon Lake State Park

Intergalactic Reviews

2023-11

Very nice lake. I went here almost a year ago on a trip to and from Montana. It had nice clear water, and some pretty rocks. Also, there were a bunch of silly lil butterflies that were kindof entertaining... We went hiking on some nearby trails, although if I remember correctly they just led to some rv capgrounds in the end. However, while we were hiking, we got a nice view of the lake, which I took several Panoramas of (Google doesn't allow panoramas on reviews :(Nice stop, stayed for a couple of hours before heading back on our trip. I think it costed a couple dollars btw, if you want to come here. ;)

Ashli S

2023-08

I give the campground 4 stars… very beautiful place Seeley lake is close by with a dump station for RVs. When I made the reservation online there was no warning about the road construction that just so happens to be right in front of the campground.. had to listen to people working all night and day. So I give the experience 1 star.

Disabled in the Wild

2023-05

Salmon Lake State Park is a day use recreation area nestled between the Mission and Swan Mountain ranges, featuring an accessible picnic site with a wheelchair accessible viewing platform, plus fishing docks, boat ramp, swimming area, covered picnic shelters, and a hiking trail to the campground.Accessibility info and site description: Salmon Lake State Park is easy to find just off Hwy 83, 45 miles from Missoula and 8 miles south of Seeley Lake. After turning into the parking lot, follow the blue sign to the disabled picnic site to the left. Here, there is one disabled parking space in front of the entrance sign, and two accessible restrooms and a bench to the right. To the left, the sidewalk leads to a covered picnic table and a viewing platform for wheelchair users. This small cement platform overlooks the lake and the mountains. The boat ramp and two docks are to the left of this accessible area, down a hill through the parking lot. There is also a small, flat gravel beach on either side of the docks. Swimming is not allowed near the boat ramp for safety reasons, and there is a separate swimming area that is marked with a floating orange and white barrier during the summer months. This swimming area, along with other beach areas along the lake, are downhill with some tripping hazards. There are multiple additional parking areas and picnic tables spread throughout the park. The nature trail is located on the far right side of the park, next to the last small parking area up on a hill. This trail is a narrow dirt game trail that starts by going up a steep hill, and spans a quarter mile to the campground.Salmon Lake State Park was a pleasant surprise, and proof that it is possible to design outdoor spaces with Disabled people in mind! It's a great opportunity for people of all abilities to enjoy a picnic and the beautiful views. I do, however, wish that swimming was allowed at the flat beach beside the docks, or that the designated swim/beach areas were as flat and accessible as the beach by the docks. There were a few folks fishing when I visited, and it was pretty quiet despite being next to the road. The way the park is laid out, with multiple smaller parking areas that have several picnic tables each, means that visitors can be a little more spread out. I also appreciated that there is an opportunity for a short hike here. I did not explore the nature trail during my visit, but I imagine it has some nice views of the lake and mountains!

Elaina Graham

2023-05

Love this place for both tent camping and trailering. Most of the sites are back-in though. Electricity posts are 30 and 50. There are water faucets scattered all over to fill your tank. Easy in/easy out. Lovely lake for canoes or kayaks. Reservations usually sold out 2 to 3 weeks out, but sometimes you get lucky so have a look at recreation.gov.

laurie leonardo hines

2023-10

Nicepark right on a beautiful lake. We were able to get a walk in spot due to the time of year. Very clean bathroom and showers.

Victoria White

2023-09

We went up for a quick family day! Park is super cute, well kept and a great place for our littles to get in the water! We will for sure be back!

Frank Wilson

2023-05

Great place to kayak, though I only recommend putting in at the Placid Creek Rd Bridge if you have a river kayak, are used to faster moving water, and are comfortable taking out and carrying around at least one spot through tall grass. Otherwise, the Clearwater River between Seelay and Salmon Lakes was blissful. Salmon Lake State Park is a great starting point to kayak the lake, where you can find some quiet corners to explore and a lot of aquatic wildlife.

Jennie Daniels

2023-05

The hiker/biker camp ground is unreal! Nine sites with everything you could need for only $8/night. I only hope more people will use it. Amazing surprise. Thanks for the facility.

Sean Lai

2022-05

Gorgeous place for watersports, with ample parking and some easy trails for hikers. Non-state residents do need to pay a small fee to visit.

Maria Hamadeh

2023-08

BEAUTIFUL DAY. If you love the mountains 🌄 this is a really great stop. The water is stunning. Absolutely lovely.

Evgeniya Bozhko (KoriAndrTheCat)

2021-05

This lake is beautiful with dark blue colors. In the summer it was very sunny and we even fished for a bit. A nice place for a short brake from driving.

Rian Miller

2023-10

Gorgeous views, lots of privacy, and kind neighbors. We'll definitely be coming back.

Tim Hickman

2021-05

Great place to relax. Sites are all paved and a decent size. A nice trail to follow the lake. Only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars was that some sights were not easy to level the RV. Once level the bottom step was extremely high so I moved to another open site.

Phil Sanangelo

2023-08

I love samon lake but the road construction lights are a 30 minute joke!!!!!

Scott & Marlys Taylor

2020-05

Nice park small in size with small spots our site barely fit our 29 foot 5th wheelGreat walking area with short trails to enjoyWill probably look for a different place to camp in the future due to small sites limited services as we only had power at our site and narrow access making it difficult to park

Jessica Miller

2023-07

Sadly, this was one of our least favorite camping experiences in the last 15 years of summer camping trips. The constant loud noise from construction and general ongoing highway noise were awful for tent sleeping and trying to enjoy the great outdoors. Location and the lake were great. But the constant screeching and rumbling noise day and night were awful. Wish we would’ve seen a recent review warning us and we’d have tried to find somewhere else. Likely much more enjoyable after all the construction is complete.

Jesse N

2023-09

Was nice and peaceful Sunday morning great for paddleboard, but as the afternoon warmed up the boat ramp was constant with incoming boats and jetskis, so wakes and noise increased. Great, well maintained site.

William Fry

2023-10

Nice state park with electric and nearby water 60 ft. Nice restrooms and showers. Heated. Close to the highway which is now under construction . Lake access. Beautiful lake.

Bailey Kuch

2020-05

Beautiful lake, rarely busy on the water and dang good fishing!

Nicole Geremina Newhouse

2018-05

What a fantastic campground. The camp hosts were welcoming, the cam grounds well appointed (great bathrooms) and the view from our site of the lake was spectacular.

Haly Jensen

2023-10

The park was very clean and quiet! It was a great place to camp after leaving Glacier National Park. It was also very dog friendly!

mark tuskey

2022-05

Beautiful, clean and quiet camping sites. Relaxing setting and very well maintained.

Beverly K

2021-05

Attractive Montana State Park. Primary activities are boating, hiking and picnicking.

Jonathan Rodriguez

2024-04

Early spring time is just amazing here.Restrooms: Restrooms are still locked.

Mike Scriver

2023-05

A family with young children, camping in the upper loop, had accessed the campground lakeshore through the lower loop with their kayaks and float toys, to swim for 2 days. My wife, in a wheelchair, and I put a kayak in the water at the lower loop access. The campground hosts were aware as they were raising a cloud around all parties with a leaf blower, dusting the pavement, and asked kindly if they were bothering us. No they were not. Later, the patrons in the lower loop reported they “owned the lakeshore”. They were requested to contact the campground host. Law enforcement was called as a Montana Fish and Game officer came to remove us. The situation was grossly mishandled, with unsuitable confusion, mixed messages and innocent patrons blindsided by your departmet. The current functional policy is young children and their family plus a woman in a wheelchair are free to enjoy the shore for two days, until entitled campers complain people are on “their beach” at which time law enforcement is called for them to be removed. This is discernibly, poor administration and absent oversight. The campground hosts were personable and polite. The officer was courteous and professional attempting to mitigate improper management from their governing bodies. Appalling was the reprehensible treatment the young family received by the Montana State Park/Fish and Game systems. If campground swim access to the lake is exclusive to the lower loop, appropriate signage is required. The current no parking placard does not convey that. We were advised that if you don't have a lakefront campsite, "you can access at the boat launch trail to the south, drive to the north end or I hear the river is nice". If this is your official policy that should be included in your online campground description. The trail from the campground to the trailered boats area cuts through 2 campgrounds and needs to be relocated/upgraded, furnishing privacy for patrons at those sites and provide credibility to law enforcement removing patrons from the lower loop for encroachment. The campground horseshoe pit could use an additional barrier to keep aberrant horseshoes from tumbling the short distance down the slope into campsite #18. The lighting system in the wheelchair accessible shower facilities needs to be adjusted. It shuts off prematurely, forcing the disabled person to leave their business in the dark, reopen the door to the outside to reactivate it. The shower hot water temperature is posted as 110 F but never approached lukewarm. The facilities are nice and well maintained. Especially impressive is the bicycle camp area. Unfortunately, unseemly traditions and culture permeate, and are tolerated, by this campground. Riding my bicycle from the bike-packing camp area to the pit toilet I was grouched at by an unpleasant woman claiming the trail was part of her campsite. Clear boundaries and policies enacted to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests, and a system free from harassment and intimidation is the expected minimum. I encourage your reply with proposed and implemented changes, for this poorly directed and managed Montana State Park Campground, to rectify the incongruous, unpleasant atmosphere, avoiding further embarrassing, humiliating and unnecessary patron experiences with your departments.

Uriah DeNeut

2020-05

I’ve fished this lake probably around three hundred times and I just keep coming back. I fish mostly northern pike and it’s rare that I go home empty handed. The boat launch is above average and they’ve recently added a no swimming sign to the dock which is beneficial and safer for me as a boatsmen. There is a separate swimming area. It also has a covered area for picnics, clean restrooms, and amble parking for single cars.If you come on a hot summer day expect to wait in line to launch and realize there is a possibility that you’ll be parking out on the highway. The campground is excellent but if you plan to stay there get on their website and book early. The camp spaces fill up very quickly through the reservation site and don’t expect to pull up on the day that you’d like to stay and have a spot. There is ample forest service land on the west side of the lake though if you’re adventurous enough to rough it and boat across the lake with your supplies.They claim to lock the gate at 10:00 pm and it doesn’t open again until 7:00 am but I’ve seen it open after 10:00 and before 7:00. There is no overnight parking and the game warden will find you if you do park there overnight. You also are not allowed to leave your boat parked there over night.

R M

2023-08

Camp sites are very close to each other. Nicole (campground host) was very nice and helpful. All of the campground is kept in excellent 👌 condition.

Craig “Captain Awesome” Walker

2023-09

A little buggy, but great year round lake with headwaters stream fly fishing, multiple accesses. Relatively close to Missoula

Kirsten Steele

2019-05

Wow! What a gorgeous lake! So glad we stopped to let my husband cast his line a few times!

Mick Kammerer

2018-05

Nice, clean, quiet, friendly campground. Excellent place to camp. Nice clean showers, as well as the entire campground! Couldn't ask for a nicer spot. Nestled is the mountains, and just minutes away from the town of Seeley lake. Excellent area to fish in the clear water river, or any of the many lakes. Nice grocery store minutes away in Seeley lake, or if you forgot something or just need ice!