Paddling in Montana

Explore 455 kayak launches, boat ramps, and paddling destinations across Montana.

455 locations247 Lakes147 Rivers49 Reservoirs

Best Paddling in Montana

Read our comprehensive guide to the top paddling destinations in Montana →

Kayakers on a calm forest river surrounded by pine trees

Big Creek Access

Montana

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Kayakers on a calm forest river surrounded by pine trees

Blankenship Bridge

Montana

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Dramatic mountain range with a lake at sunset

Somers

Montana · ~0 mi from Somers

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the bow of a boat on a lake with mountains in the background

Go Sail

Montana · ~0 mi from Dayton

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Calm lake with a forest and clear blue sky.

Lakeside-Bierney Creek Road

Montana · ~0 mi from Lakeside

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yellow boat on body of water during daytime

Polson Bay Marina

Montana · ~0 mi from Polson

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a body of water with land in the distance

Roosevelt Park - Troy

Montana · ~1 mi from Troy

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body of water near mountain during daytime

Ackley Lake State Park

Montana · ~1 mi from Hobson

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Dramatic mountain range with a lake at sunset

Blanchard Lake

Montana · ~1 mi from Whitefish

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Dramatic mountain range with a lake at sunset

4th Avenue W

Montana · ~1 mi from Polson

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Calm lake with a forest and clear blue sky.

Baypoint Drive

Montana · ~1 mi from Whitefish

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the sun shines brightly over a mountain lake

Elmo

Montana · ~1 mi from Elmo

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a body of water surrounded by trees and clouds

Point Salish Park

Montana · ~1 mi from Polson

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body of water near mountain during daytime

Riverside Park

Montana · ~1 mi from Polson

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a body of water with land in the distance

Rollins Lakeshore Drive

Montana · ~1 mi from Rollins

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Dramatic mountain range with a lake at sunset

Lakeshore Drive

Montana · ~2 mi from Lakeside

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Dramatic mountain range with a lake at sunset

Riverfront Park - Libby

Montana · ~2 mi from Libby

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
blue and white kayak on lake during daytime

Horseshoe Lake/Ferndale

Montana · ~2 mi from Bigfork

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
body of water near mountain during daytime

Loon Lake/Ferndale

Montana · ~2 mi from Bigfork

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lake in the middle of mountains under blue sky

Whitefish Lake State Park

Montana · ~2 mi from Whitefish

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Dramatic mountain range with a lake at sunset

Abayance Bay Marina-Rexford

Montana · ~2 mi from Rexford

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Calm lake with a forest and clear blue sky.

Apgar

Montana · ~2 mi from West Glacier

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the bow of a boat on a lake with mountains in the background

Park Lane

Montana · ~2 mi from Rollins

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Dramatic mountain range with a lake at sunset

Kelsey Cumming Park

Montana · ~2 mi from Marion

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Calm lake with a forest and clear blue sky.

Valier

Montana · ~3 mi from Valier

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lake in the middle of mountains under blue sky

Flathead Lake State Park-West Shore

Montana · ~3 mi from Rollins

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person in white boat

Bigfork

Montana · ~3 mi from Bigfork

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
blue and white kayak on lake during daytime

Flathead Lake State Park-Wayfers

Montana · ~3 mi from Bigfork

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lake in the middle of mountains under blue sky

Glen Lake

Montana · ~3 mi from Eureka

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the sun shines brightly over a mountain lake

Two Medicine Lake

Montana · ~3 mi from East Glacier Park

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the bow of a boat on a lake with mountains in the background

Fort Peck Dredge Cuts Pond

Montana · ~3 mi from Fort Peck

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Dramatic mountain range with a lake at sunset

Hidden Harbor Marina

Montana · ~3 mi from Bigfork

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Calm lake with a forest and clear blue sky.

Paul's Memorial

Montana · ~3 mi from Coram

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
blue and white kayak on lake during daytime

Beaver Lake

Montana · ~4 mi from Whitefish

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person in white boat

Little Bitterroot Lake-Northwest

Montana · ~4 mi from Marion

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blue and white kayak on lake during daytime

Walstad

Montana · ~4 mi from Dayton

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a body of water with land in the distance

Woods Bay

Montana · ~4 mi from Bigfork

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a body of water with land in the distance

Smith Lake

Montana · ~4 mi from Kila

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blue and white kayak on lake during daytime

Bitterroot Lions Youth Camp

Montana · ~4 mi from Marion

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
the bow of a boat on a lake with mountains in the background

Broadview Pond

Montana · ~4 mi from Broadview

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Dramatic mountain range with a lake at sunset

Chewing Black Bones

Montana · ~4 mi from Babb

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
lake in the middle of mountains under blue sky

Fort Peck Marina

Montana · ~4 mi from Fort Peck

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
lake in the middle of mountains under blue sky

Placid Lake State Park

Montana · ~4 mi from Seeley Lake

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a body of water surrounded by trees and clouds

Winter Harbor

Montana · ~5 mi from Fort Peck

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person in white boat

Duck Creek

Montana · ~5 mi from Fort Peck

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body of water near mountain during daytime

Eagle Bend Yacht Harbour

Montana · ~5 mi from Bigfork

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
body of water near mountain during daytime

Sophie Lake

Montana · ~5 mi from Rexford

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a body of water with land in the distance

Fresno Beach

Montana · ~5 mi from Kremlin

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the bow of a boat on a lake with mountains in the background

Ripley

Montana · ~5 mi from Libby

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Calm lake with a forest and clear blue sky.

Tetrault Lake

Montana · ~5 mi from Rexford

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with land in the distance

Willow Creek

Montana · ~5 mi from Lothair

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person in white boat

Brown's Lake

Montana · ~5 mi from Ovando

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water surrounded by trees and clouds

Flathead Lake State Park

Montana · ~5 mi from Polson

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a body of water with land in the distance

Hell Creek State Park Marina

Montana · ~17 mi from Jordan

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Calm lake with a forest and clear blue sky.

Echo Lake

Montana · ~6 mi from Bigfork

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a body of water with land in the distance

McGregor Lake State Park

Montana · ~6 mi from Marion

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Calm lake with a forest and clear blue sky.

Beavertail Pond

Montana · ~7 mi from Clinton

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person in white boat

Upper Carter Pond

Montana · ~7 mi from Lewistown

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blue and white kayak on lake during daytime

Cole Ponds

Montana · ~7 mi from Saco

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the bow of a boat on a lake with mountains in the background

Kirkwood Marina

Montana · ~8 mi from West Yellowstone

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I kayak in Montana?

Montana has 455 public kayak launch points listed on The Paddling Hub. Popular water body types include lakes, rivers, reservoirs, creeks, springs.

Are there beginner-friendly paddling spots in Montana?

Yes! Many of the 455 beginner-rated locations in Montana offer calm waters and easy boat ramp access, making them perfect for new paddlers.

Do I need a permit to kayak in Montana?

Permit requirements vary by location. Most public boat ramps in Montana are free to access, though some state parks may charge an entrance or parking fee. Check individual location details for specific requirements.