Swan Lake, Montana sits below the Swan Mountain Range, separated from Flathead
Lake by the Mission Mountain Range. For 93 miles, Swan River connects Lindberg
Lake to Flathead Lake.
It flows quickly through the Mission Mountain Range until it settles for a while in
Swan Lake. From the lake it flows another 13 miles before reaching Bigfork Dam and
emptying into Flathead Lake. Swan Lake and Swan River are visited by boaters,
kayakers, fishing enthusiasts, as well as travelers just passing through to view the
wildlife and serene surroundings.
There are two theories as to how Swan River and Swan Lake got their names. The
first is that they were named after Emmett Swan, an early resident of Swan Valley.
The second is after trumpeter swans that once lived on the lake in 1881. However
they were named, there are no signs of swans living in the area in present day. There
are however many other critters that call this glorious valley home like waterfowl,
shorebirds, deer, mink, and muskrat. Much of the upper Swan River remains
undeveloped providing many opportunities to view wildlife and enjoy remote
wilderness areas that surround the lake.
The town of Swan Lake is quaint but has basic amenities and a campground for
visitors passing through or planning to stay in the area for a while. Scenic Montana
Highway 83 travels southeast from Bigfork, passing between the Swan and Mission
Ranges, eventually linking to Missoula. Travel along this road takes you right
through some of the nation's most remote wilderness areas. East of Hwy 83, the
Great Bear Wilderness, Bob Marshall Wilderness, and Scapegoat Wilderness invite
hikers, backpackers, and fishermen to explore their secluded and serene treasures.
Although logging remnants scar the hill sides, Swan Valley is a wonderful location to
enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, viewing wildlife, photography, and the great
outdoors.
Swan River is typically known for having many logjams and downed trees. Back in
the day logging companies tried to transport logs by floating them down the river.
Most of them ended up along the banks or blocking river boat access. Upper Swan
River receives record amounts of runoff each year providing high flows into July.
This makes some of the sections of river recommended for experienced boaters only.
Above Swan Lake is a great section for beginning boaters. It flows through Swan
River National Wildlife Refuge, home to many species of birds and game. A great
section for float trips is an 8 mile stretch between Montana Highway 209, just east of
Ferndale, and Swan River Road Bridge. The river is known for having the nation's
greatest population of Bull trout. Fishing for these guys is prohibited and fishing for
cutthroat and rainbow trout is limited to catch and release only. Huckleberries go
wild come August, so make sure to pull off and get your fill while you can. Just make
sure to share them with the bears too.
The Bigfork Dam intersects the Swan River one mile before it pours into Flathead
Lake. The section between the dam and the lake is known to many experienced
boaters as the "Wild Mile." It drops 100 feet in 1 mile, rushing past sharp rocks and
eddies that are difficult to catch. Whether you come to Swan Lake, MT for the
whitewater, the fish, or the remoteness, you won't leave the valley without
sampling a bit of its magic.
Lake by the Mission Mountain Range. For 93 miles, Swan River connects Lindberg
Lake to Flathead Lake.
It flows quickly through the Mission Mountain Range until it settles for a while in
Swan Lake. From the lake it flows another 13 miles before reaching Bigfork Dam and
emptying into Flathead Lake. Swan Lake and Swan River are visited by boaters,
kayakers, fishing enthusiasts, as well as travelers just passing through to view the
wildlife and serene surroundings.
There are two theories as to how Swan River and Swan Lake got their names. The
first is that they were named after Emmett Swan, an early resident of Swan Valley.
The second is after trumpeter swans that once lived on the lake in 1881. However
they were named, there are no signs of swans living in the area in present day. There
are however many other critters that call this glorious valley home like waterfowl,
shorebirds, deer, mink, and muskrat. Much of the upper Swan River remains
undeveloped providing many opportunities to view wildlife and enjoy remote
wilderness areas that surround the lake.
The town of Swan Lake is quaint but has basic amenities and a campground for
visitors passing through or planning to stay in the area for a while. Scenic Montana
Highway 83 travels southeast from Bigfork, passing between the Swan and Mission
Ranges, eventually linking to Missoula. Travel along this road takes you right
through some of the nation's most remote wilderness areas. East of Hwy 83, the
Great Bear Wilderness, Bob Marshall Wilderness, and Scapegoat Wilderness invite
hikers, backpackers, and fishermen to explore their secluded and serene treasures.
Although logging remnants scar the hill sides, Swan Valley is a wonderful location to
enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, viewing wildlife, photography, and the great
outdoors.
Swan River is typically known for having many logjams and downed trees. Back in
the day logging companies tried to transport logs by floating them down the river.
Most of them ended up along the banks or blocking river boat access. Upper Swan
River receives record amounts of runoff each year providing high flows into July.
This makes some of the sections of river recommended for experienced boaters only.
Above Swan Lake is a great section for beginning boaters. It flows through Swan
River National Wildlife Refuge, home to many species of birds and game. A great
section for float trips is an 8 mile stretch between Montana Highway 209, just east of
Ferndale, and Swan River Road Bridge. The river is known for having the nation's
greatest population of Bull trout. Fishing for these guys is prohibited and fishing for
cutthroat and rainbow trout is limited to catch and release only. Huckleberries go
wild come August, so make sure to pull off and get your fill while you can. Just make
sure to share them with the bears too.
The Bigfork Dam intersects the Swan River one mile before it pours into Flathead
Lake. The section between the dam and the lake is known to many experienced
boaters as the "Wild Mile." It drops 100 feet in 1 mile, rushing past sharp rocks and
eddies that are difficult to catch. Whether you come to Swan Lake, MT for the
whitewater, the fish, or the remoteness, you won't leave the valley without
sampling a bit of its magic.
About Swan Lake
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