For just swimming, there are several pull offs between the West Entrance and the Lake McDonald lodge where you can easily access the water. But If you’d like to hike around the lake, go towards McDonald Creek, continue down the unpaved road to the end, then you can hike 2.4 miles to a campground with a little beach.
Can you swim in the lakes in Montana?
Flathead Lake; Lake & Flathead Counties
Flathead Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the world for its size. People come to Flathead Lake to enjoy the scenery or to enjoy picnicking, water skiing, sailing, fishing or swimming.
How cold is the water in Lake McDonald?
Today. Lake McDonald’s current water temperature is 62°F.
Can you swim in the lakes in Glacier?
The water at Apgar Village in Glacier National Park is relatively shallow, so the sun really warms it up so you can enjoy a good swim without nearly freezing to death. This is really the only comfortable place to swim in the entire Glacier Park area, and families have a terrific time here.
Is Lake McDonald open to the public?
The park requires a ticket entry for Going-to-the-sun-Road of $2 per vehicle usually from early May to early September and a site pass for Glacier National Park, which is $35 and is good for seven days. Entering Glacier National Park at West Entrance will quickly get you to Lake McDonald.
Are there leeches in Montana lakes?
It’s rare to find leeches in Montana rivers, but in our lakes, they are abundant and effective. Leeches are a segmented worm, and are found in freshwater, saltwater and on land. The freshwater leeches, the ones we care about, will vary greatly in color, from almost a muddy brown through olive all the way to black.
What is the warmest lake in Montana?
Echo Lake
The lake is filled with groundwater and a small amount of mountain runoff from Echo Creek, making it one of the warmest lakes in the Flathead Valley.
Echo Lake (Montana)
| Echo Lake | |
|---|---|
| Surface area | 695.2 acres (281.3 ha) |
| Max. depth | 80 ft (24 m) |
| Shore length1 | 15.5 mi (24.9 km) |
| Surface elevation | 3,047 ft (929 m) |
Can you take rocks from Lake McDonald?
Can You Take Rocks From Lake McDonald? It’s against the law to take anything out of the park! Please don’t ever take anything out of a natural area, unless you want to be one of those jerks. Many of these places are protected, including Glacier National Park.
What is the deepest lake in Montana?
Tally Lake
Tally Lake
West of Whitefish in Flathead National Forest, Tally Lake is the deepest natural lake in Montana. With depths as far down as 445 feet, Tally Lake is also surrounded by mountainsides covered in trees.
What is the water temperature in Lake McDonald Montana?
Lake McDonald’s current water temperature is 63°F.
Can you float Lake McDonald?
McDonald Creek Float
The best spot to start the McDonald Creek float is at the Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins at the foot of Lake McDonald. You can take out at the Quarter Circle bridge just before the confluence of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.
Is it good to jump in freezing water?
When you’re suddenly immersed in cold water, your body reacts involuntarily. It can cause blood vessels in your skin to close making it harder for blood to flow around the body. Your heart then has to work harder and your blood pressure increases. In the worst cases you could even have a heart attack.
Can you drink glacier water in Montana?
Glacier National Park’s lakes act as mirrors, reflecting the grand expansive sky and mountain peaks. And although the water may appear safe to drink, without proper treatment through a portable water filter, the water from these lakes can infect you with viruses like Giardiasis or Cryptosporidium.
Do you have to pay to go to Lake McDonald?
Nope. Entry tickets are only needed to access the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor at the West Glacier, Camas Road and St.
Can you kayak on Lake McDonald?
Lake McDonald
This is the largest lake in Glacier and offers wonderful canoeing and kayaking, with a number of places to put into the water, including a public boat launch at Apgar.
Can you get into Glacier without a reservation?
A vehicle reservation is required for vehicles entering Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork area between May 27 and September 11, 2022. In addition to a vehicle reservation, you will also need to a park pass. Visit our Vehicle Reservation page for full details.
Is there a season for leeches?
Summertime means more leeches. Leeches reproduce in the spring. The young leeches are out of their cocoons several weeks later, just in time for swimming season! While generally nocturnal creatures, leeches are attracted to water disturbance like that created by swimming and wading.
What are mud leeches?
Aldebaran Mud Leeches are small parasitic worm-like organisms native to the mud of the Aldebaran System. These creatures secrete a natural sedative, probably used to put their victims to sleep while their blood is sucked by the leeches. Because of this, the leeches can be used to cure insomnia. Advertisement.
Do leeches live in freshwater lakes?
While it is not known how long freshwater leeches live, it is likely they live for at least several years. Leeches are most commonly found in shallow areas of lakes among plants, under rocks, sticks, logs, and attached to decaying leaves.
What is the most beautiful lake in Montana?
The absolute most beautiful lakes in Montana to visit
- 1.1 Flathead Lake.
- 1.2 Whitefish Lake.
- 1.3 Tally Lake.
- 1.4 St. Mary Lake.
- 1.5 Lake McDonald.
- 1.6 Seeley Lake.
- 1.7 Fort Peck Lake.
- 1.8 Hebgen Lake.
What is the best lake to live on in Montana?
4 Great Montana Lakes to Rent a Lake House for Your Big Family
- Flathead Lake. Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, with plenty of fantastic activities to choose from.
- Canyon Ferry Lake.
- Georgetown Lake.
- Whitefish Lake.