Swimming Holes in Montana
78 natural swimming holes
Montana has 78 natural swimming holes in our directory — rivers, lakes, springs scattered from the backcountry to roadside favorites. Favorites include Flathead Lake (Wayfarers), Flathead Lake (Big Arm), Flathead Lake (Finley Point). Every listing includes location details, fees, reservation info, and safety notes where known. Conditions change with weather and seasons, so always verify before you go.
All Montana swimming holes
- Bozeman Hot Springs
- Flathead Lake (Big Arm)
- Flathead Lake (Finley Point)
- Flathead Lake (Wayfarers)
- Lake McDonald
- Norris Hot Springs
- Beartooth Lake
- Beaverhead River
- Belt Creek (Sluice Boxes)
- Big Hole River (Melrose)
- Big Hole River (Wisdom)
- Big Spring Creek
- Bighorn Canyon (Bighorn Lake)
- Bighorn River (Fort Smith)
- Bitterroot River (Hamilton)
- Bitterroot River (Stevensville)
- Blackfoot River (Clearwater)
- Blackfoot River (Johnsrud Park)
- Blackfoot River (Ovando)
- Boulder Hot Springs
- Boulder River (Montana)
- Bull Lake (Montana)
- Canyon Ferry Lake
- Clark Fork River (Anaconda)
- Clark Fork River (Missoula)
- Clark Fork River (Superior)
- Clark Fork River (Thompson Falls)
- Cooney Reservoir
- Dearborn River (Devil's Glen)
- Dillon Hot Springs
- Echo Lake (Montana)
- Ennis Lake
- Fairy Lake
- Fort Peck Reservoir
- Gallatin River (Bozeman)
- Gallatin River (Gallatin Canyon)
- Georgetown Lake
- Gordon Butte Hot Springs
- Hauser Lake (Montana)
- Holter Lake
- Hungry Horse Reservoir
- Hyalite Creek
- Hyalite Reservoir
- Kootenai River (Libby)
- Lake Alva
- Madison River (Ennis)
- McDonald Creek
- Middle Fork Flathead River
- Milk River (Malta)
- Mill Creek Falls (Montana)
- Missouri River (Craig)
- Missouri River (Great Falls)
- North Fork Flathead River
- Noxon Reservoir
- Placid Lake
- Rattlesnake Creek
- Rock Creek (Montana)
- Rose's Plunge
- Ruby Reservoir
- Ruby River
- Salmon Lake (Montana)
- Seeley Lake
- Smith River
- St. Mary Lake
- Stillwater River (Montana)
- Swan Lake (Montana)
- Swiftcurrent Lake
- Symes Hot Springs
- Tongue River Reservoir
- Two Medicine Lake
- Upper Potosi Hot Springs
- West Fork Bitterroot River
- Whitefish Lake
- Yaak River Falls
- Yellowstone River (Big Timber)
- Yellowstone River (Billings)
- Yellowstone River (Livingston)
- Yellowstone River (Paradise Valley)
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of swimming holes does Montana have?
Our directory lists 78 swimming holes in Montana: 32 rivers, 30 lakes, and 8 springs. Every listing shows its water type, location, fees, and safety notes so you can pick the right one.
When is the best time to visit swimming holes in Montana?
The most commonly listed season across our Montana spots is june-september (49 of 78 spots). Late spring through early fall is generally prime swimming season — spring runoff can make rivers and creeks dangerously high, so check local conditions.
Do Montana swimming holes require reservations?
None of the 78 listed Montana spots currently show a reservation requirement, but popular parks can add timed entry — check each listing's reservation field and the official park link before you go.
Are Montana swimming holes free?
Some are — 59 of the 78 Montana spots in our directory report free entry. State parks and popular preserves often charge a day-use or parking fee; each listing shows reported fee info where known.
Are natural swimming holes in Montana safe?
Natural water has real risks: no lifeguards, submerged rocks, strong currents, and cold water. Never dive headfirst, check depth, and supervise children closely. Spots with known hazards carry safety flags on their listing.