Flathead Lake Loop

US-93 · MT-35

Today in Montana History

Route Overview

Circle Montana's largest natural freshwater lake through cherry orchards, state parks, and lake towns.

Distance

85 mi

Elevation Range

2,893–3,200 ft

Difficulty

easy

Season

Year-round

Start

End

Interactive Map

Hot SpringsCampgroundsHiking TrailsRecreationRoute

Points of Interest

56 points of interest along the Flathead Lake Loop corridor.

⛺ Campgrounds (9)

Willow Creek Campground

★★★★½ 4.9 (29 reviews)

2.6 mi from route

West Shore Campground

★★★★½ 4.6 (68 reviews)

0.2 mi from route

Big Arm Campground

★★★★½ 4.5 (87 reviews)

0.2 mi from route

Polson / Flathead Lake KOA Holiday

★★★★½ 4.5 (293 reviews)

0.3 mi from route

Wayfarers Campground

★★★★½ 4.5 (329 reviews)

8 mi from route

Jocko Hollow Campground

★★★★ 4.0 (50 reviews)

Outback Montana RV Park & Campground

★★★½ 3.9 (151 reviews)

7.1 mi from route

Mission Meadows Camping & RV Park

★★★½ 3.8 (73 reviews)

0.5 mi from route

Ravalli Store and Days Rest Campground

★★½ 2.7 (6 reviews)

0.1 mi from route

🥾 Hiking Trails (4)

West Shore / Flathead Lake State Park

★★★★½ 4.7 (465 reviews)

0.2 mi from route

Big Arm State Park

★★★★½ 4.7 (367 reviews)

0.3 mi from route

SKQ Dam Overlook Trailhead

★★★★½ 4.7 (104 reviews)

3.2 mi from route

Harrell Forest Community Trails

★★★★½ 4.6 (9 reviews)

9.3 mi from route

🏔️ Recreation (43)

Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana

Allard Complex

Miracle of America Museum

0.1 mi from route

Three Chiefs Culture Center

0.2 mi from route

Flathead Lake State Park - West Shore Unit

0.2 mi from route

Garden of the Rockies Museum

0.3 mi from route

Miracle of America Museum and Pioneer Village

0.4 mi from route

Flathead Lake State Park - Big Arm Unit

0.4 mi from route

Polson Flathead Historical Museum

0.5 mi from route

Wild Horse Island State Park

1 mi from route

Mikes Pond

1.4 mi from route

Pablo Reservoir

1.7 mi from route

Johnson Barn

2 mi from route

Johnson Homestead

2 mi from route

Flathead Lake State Park

2.1 mi from route

Flathead Lake State Park - Wild Horse Island Unit

2.4 mi from route

Flathead Lake

3.2 mi from route

Lake Mary Ronan

4.4 mi from route

Hellroaring Reservoir

5 mi from route

Mud Creek Falls

5.3 mi from route

Flathead Lake State Park - Finley Point Unit

5.6 mi from route

Lower Crow Reservoir

5.6 mi from route

McDonald Lake

5.7 mi from route

Lake Mary Ronan State Park

6.5 mi from route

Dixon Train Station (Abandoned and Demolished in 2013)

6.7 mi from route

Terrace Falls

6.9 mi from route

Flathead Lake State Park - Yellow Bay Unit

7.3 mi from route

Mission Falls

7.4 mi from route

Elizabeth Falls

7.9 mi from route

Flathead Lake State Park - Wayfarers Unit

8.1 mi from route

Wayfarers State Park

8.1 mi from route

Saint Marys Lake

9.4 mi from route

Wayfarers State Park

10.1 mi from route

Echo Lake

10.2 mi from route

Blacktail Mountain

10.3 mi from route

Flathead River

10.5 mi from route

Mountaineer Lake

10.6 mi from route

Snowbowl

11.1 mi from route

Mission Mountains Wilderness

11.6 mi from route

Frenchtown Pond State Park

12.8 mi from route

Swan Lake

13.7 mi from route

Metcalf Lake

14 mi from route

Peck Lake

14.6 mi from route

Connecting Routes

Routes that connect to the Flathead Lake Loop for extended road trip planning.

Glacier Park East Side

US-2, US-89 · 110 mi

Seeley-Swan Corridor

Nearby Towns

Towns along or near the Flathead Lake Loop route.

Polson Kalispell Bigfork

Events along the route

Upcoming and typical events in towns along the Flathead Lake Loop.

Flathead Lake Cherry Festival
July · mid-July · Polson
Official info →

Browse all Montana events →

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Flathead Lake Loop scenic drive?

The Flathead Lake Loop covers about 85 miles along US-93, MT-35, with an elevation range of 2,893–3,200 feet.

What towns are along the Flathead Lake Loop?

The route runs from Polson to Kalispell, passing through Bigfork.

When is the best season to drive the Flathead Lake Loop?

Recommended season: Year-round. High-elevation Montana corridors can close in winter; check current road conditions before you go.

How difficult is the Flathead Lake Loop drive?

This corridor is rated easy. Use the interactive Backroads Travel Planner to preview the route and nearby points of interest before you leave.

Plan a Multi-Route Trip

Combine the Flathead Lake Loop with connecting corridors to build an epic Montana road trip. Our interactive planner covers 13 scenic corridors and 850+ points of interest.

Plan a multi-route trip with our interactive Backroads Travel Planner →

Where to Stay in Polson

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Where to Stay in Kalispell

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