By editor
Sanders County, West of Kalispell
Stretching along Highway 2 west of Kalispell, the Thompson Chain of Lakes is a sprawling corridor of water, timber, and rock. This glaciated landscape contains dozens of lakes, ranging from large, deep bodies of water to small, hidden marsh ponds, all surrounded by dense coniferous forest.
The primary avian draw here is the Common Loon. Several of the lakes in the chain support nesting pairs of these iconic, hauntingly vocal birds. The deep lakes also attract migrating diving ducks, including Buffleheads and Common Goldeneyes. In the surrounding forests, birders can find species typical of the northern Rockies, including Gray Jays, Boreal Chickadees, and Evening Grosbeaks. The mix of water and timber also makes this an excellent area for Bald Eagles and Osprey.
Visitor Access
The lakes are primarily managed as a State Park and by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Access is generally free, though fees apply for the developed campgrounds. Highway 2 provides paved access through the corridor, but the secondary roads leading to the smaller lakes are primitive gravel and dirt, not recommended for large RVs. Many of the secondary roads are not maintained in the winter.