Camp, hike and swim in this beautiful setting on Flathead Lake among mature ponderosa pines, juniper trees and spectacular views of the Mission Mountains.
Big Arm is located on Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States. Twenty-eight miles long and 15 miles wide, Flathead Lake is renowned for its fishing.
Located on the lake's Big Arm Bay, its long pebble beach is popular with sunbathers and swimmers. Camping under a stand of mature ponderosa pine and juniper is a major attraction. The hiking trail provides excellent vistas of surrounding mountain ranges and high peaks with abundant watchable wildlife opportunities. Other opportunities include: fishing for lake trout, board sailing, boating, swimming, camping, picnicking, bicycling, hiking the 2.5 mile trail, wildlife viewing, scuba diving, and water-skiing.
This site is 2,953 feet in elevation and covers 240 acres. The campground has 41 campsites, including one wheelchair accessible site; one group campsite; and three yurts. Maximum RV/trailer length is 40 feet. Bear resistant storage lockers are available.
Yurts offer the latest in circular camping comfort. The Mission yurt is 20’ in diameter, Salish and Swan are 16’ in diameter, and the Swan yurt is ADA accessible. All yurts have furniture, electrical outlets, lights, and electric heat. Yurt sites includes a picnic table and a fire pit for cooking.
A tribal fishing license is needed for fishing at this park. Campers may stay only 14 days during a 30-day period. Pets are required to be on leashes.
Big Arm is a popular jumping-off point to Wild Horse Island, a 2,163-acre island in Flathead Lake State Park, located off the west shore of the lake. The island is home to bald eagles, bighorn sheep, yellow-pine chipmunks, and wild horses.
Activities
Bird Watching
Boating
Camping
Canoeing
Fishing
Group Camping
Hiking
Kayaking
Lake Fishing
Motor Boating
Photography
Picnicking
RV Camping
Sailing
Swimming
Tent Camping
Water Skiing
Wildlife Viewing
Wind Surfing
Amenities
Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.
ADA Accessible
Bear Resistant Storage Lockers
Boat Launch
Campsite
Established Fire Pits
Firewood for Sale
Grills/Fire Rings
Parking
Pets Allowed
Picnic Shelter
Public Restroom
Shower
Toilets (Flush)
Toilets (Vault)
Trails
Trash Removal
Water
Yurt
Seasons & Hours
Hours listed below are normal operating hours and may not apply when there is a special restriction or closure. Check Alerts and Closures in the tab below.
Park
Day use area open year-round
Campground
Open April through October
Water
Available mid-May through mid-September
Shower House & Flush Toilets
Open mid-May through mid-September
Dock
Normally available mid-March through November, weather permitting. For status updates please visit our Facebook page or call Flathead Lake State Park Ranger Station, 406-837-3041
Contact the park manager for open volunteer positions at Flathead Lake State Park.
For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.
Fees
Montana Residents
Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply.
Nonresidents
Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8
Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4
With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free
Campsites
Campsite fees range from $4-$34 per night, depending on season and available amenities.
Stage I Fire Restriction (Campfire Exemption): The following acts are prohibited until further notice: 1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire unless exemption listed below, 2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. Exemption: Campfires will be allowed in established steel fire grates.
Limited Access: Access is currently limited due to crowding. Limited access is expected to continue with warm weather. You may experience long wait times to gain entry to these parks. Thank you for being patient and prepared for delays or closures.
Food Storage Rules: Store all attractants, day or night, in a closed, hard sided container or vehicle when not in immediate use. Tent campers without a vehicle may use available food lockers. Do not burn waste in fire ring or leave litter around camp-site. Dispose of garbage in bear-resistant dumpsters provided.
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Big Arm / Flathead Lake State Park
Flathead Lake Ranger Station
8600 MT Hwy 35
Bigfork, MT 59911
Enjoy this aerial tour of the Big Arm Unit of Flathead Lake State Park
Located on the lake's Big Arm Bay, its long pebble beach is popular with sunbathers and swimmers. Camping under a stand of mature ponderosa pine and juniper is a major attraction. The hiking trail provides excellent vistas of surrounding mountain ranges and high peaks with abundant watchable wildlife opportunities.
Flathead Lake State Park - Big Arm
Address
28031 Big Arm State Park Rd. Big Arm, MT 59910 Latitude/Longitude: (47.80534 / -114.31339)
Amy Grout began her career in Montana State Parks in 2004 as an intern at Lone Pine State Park, later becoming the Northwest District Park Ranger. She has a B.A. in Parks and Protected Area Management from Colorado State University at Fort Collins. Speaking about her love of the outdoors, Amy said, “Most of my childhood was spent outside of Anchorage, Alaska and so that is the one place I consider my hometown and where my love for the outdoors really began."
