Montana Park of the Week: Whitefish Lake State Park

Whitefish Lake was officially recognized as a state park in 1960 but has been a water-based recreation source for thousands of years.

The lake was named "Whitefish Lake" back in the 1850s but got its name from the Salish in the area, who referred to it as eplxyu, meaning "has whitefish." That fish is Prosopium williamsoni, or more commonly the Mountain Whitefish.

A mature woodland is featured on this beautiful and secluded campground and beach. This park is your base camp for adventure.

Recreational activities are abundant as part of the Whitefish hiking and biking trail system and a short drive from Whitefish Mountain ski resort

Boating, swimming, camping, and fishing are popular activities, and the lake is rarely windy, so it provides ideal conditions for water-skiing. The park is close to the railroad tracks, and children love the trains that rumble along the park's edge.

Twenty-five campsites offer a variety of tent only and RV camping opportunities, plus a new hike-bike camp convenient for cyclists traveling the nearby Great Divide route.

Call the Park Manager for specific inquiries about the hike-in/bike-in site. RV/trailer size limit is 40 feet in length. Please note: trains regularly travel by and stop temporarily adjacent to the campground.

Sea Me Paddle Kayaking Tours, Inc., the concessionaire at Whitefish Lake State Park and Les Mason State Park, offers rental equipment, including stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats.

Open daily from June 15 through Labor Day; hours of operation may vary. Call 406-249-1153 or contact them at http://www.seamepaddle.com.