Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Distance
- Beach and picnic area, no formal trail
- Elevation gain
- Minimal
- Season
- Spring–fall
- Managed by
- Montana State Parks
- Permit
- Required · Permits guide
- Access road
- Paved access from MT 35
Permit notes: Montana State Parks pass required for vehicle entry.
Yellow Bay State Park sits on the east shore of Flathead Lake, about fifteen miles north of Polson on Highway 35. It is a smaller unit of Flathead Lake State Park than Big Arm, with a sand-and-gravel beach, picnic areas, a boat launch, and a campground that runs roughly May through September.
The east shore is the cherry orchard side of the lake; the park sits in the heart of that landscape, and a visit in mid-July through August overlaps with cherry season. Several u-pick orchards operate within a few miles. The Flathead Lake Biological Station occupies the bay just south of the park and runs seasonal public programming.
A Montana State Parks pass is required for vehicle entry. Camping reservations are recommended in summer. The east shore drive (Highway 35) between Polson and Bigfork is the slower, more scenic route to or from Glacier and is worth doing in daylight.
Features
Current conditions, hours, and permit rules change. Always check the authoritative source before going. See the full permits and licenses guide →