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 and 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. Wild Horse Island is accessible only by boat.

• 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

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

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 thru October.

Water
Available mid-May thru mid-September.
 
Shower House & Flush Toilets
Open mid-May thru mid-Sept

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
For Waves & Wind Forecast, check NOAA Graphical Flathead Lake Forecast

Social distancing is still required per the Governor's statewide directive to reduce spread of COVID-19. Stay safe!

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.

Visit the State Parks Fees & Regulations page for park rules.

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.

Montana Residents

• Day use entrance is free*

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.

Montana State Parks offers hike/bike, rustic, tent, rv, and boatslip campsites.

Yurts

Regular Yurts

Residents and Nonresidents with a Park Pass:

• $54 per night 
• $50 between third Monday in September—third Thursday in May

Nonresidents:

• $66 Per night. 
• $60 between third Monday in September—third Thursday in May

Large Yurts

Residents and Nonresidents with a Park Pass:

• $60 per night 
• $56 between third Monday in September—third Thursday in May

Nonresidents:

• $72 Per night. 
• $68 between third Monday in September—third Thursday in May

Click here to check fees or reserve a campsite or yurt at Big Arm State Park.

* 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.

Mailing Address:
Big Arm / Flathead Lake State Park
Flathead Lake Ranger Station
8600 MT Hwy 35
Bigfork, MT 59911

Phone: May - September:
Direct Park Line 406-849-5256
Year-round Phone:
Flathead Lake Ranger Station 406-837-3041
Email: bigarm@mt.gov

Reservation Phone Number:

1-855-922-6768