Imagine a protracted expanse of pristine sand slipping into calm, lapping, crystal-clear waters. The occasional chunk of driftwood juts out as mountains reduce a sublime define within the distance. Forced to guess which state you are in, you would possibly draw a clean — the mountains are a little bit of an anomaly. Yet such a spot exists in Montana. It’s known as Somers Beach State Park, an underrated gem sitting on the northwest shore of Flathead Lake. Its sandy shorelines and wide-open area present loads of room for swimming, birding, and some trails.
The 106-acre seaside rests alongside Flathead Lake, one of many largest freshwater lakes within the U.S. The 200-square-mile blue gem has been lauded by guests and websites like Lake.com as being the Tenth-cleanest lake within the nation, incomes a spot on the record of U.S. lakes which can be unbelievably clear and clear. The environment aren’t that unhealthy both. Visitors who hit the seaside usually relish its view of the Swan Mountains stretching throughout the horizon. The park remains to be evolving: Montana acquired the property in 2021, opened the seaside a 12 months later, and has been increase its amenities and facilities ever since.
The key to visiting Somers Beach State Park is timing. Because its dimension adjustments with Flathead Lake’s water ranges, many guests have come away confused, underwhelmed, or plain previous indignant to discover a rocky, windy stretch of shoreline. Fair sufficient, since Somers Beach’s sandy shores have a knack for disappearing in the summertime. Instead, they emerge when Flathead Lake’s water dips between fall and spring, solely to stand up with the temperatures.
Swim, hike, chook, and scope out the environment
For these trying to take a dip in Somers Beach’s waters, there comes a compromise. You can have heat waters — or you may have a sandy shore. You cannot have each. How a lot swimming you truly get performed whereas there’ll rely upon if you go to. During the summer time, the shallow portion of the seaside can stretch for a number of hundred yards, leaving you wading by means of waist-deep water for an interminably very long time. “It’s fun because the lake isn’t as high and there’s quite a long stretch of beach to play in the water or just bask in the sun,” one native wrote in a Google evaluation. “It’s a beautiful place to see Flathead Lake and the mountains.” Visiting exterior the summer time carries its personal set of points, as Flathead Lake’s water temperature tends to plummet. Bring mountain climbing boots and binoculars as a substitute.
As a comparatively younger state park, Somers Beach would not have a proper path system. All the higher, as you then have an opportunity to only wander about. The close by city of Somers accommodates a lot to see to the west, whereas to the east are wetlands and a grassy space north of the shore. Birders may have a lot to get pleasure from as nicely. The Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area east of the seaside supplies habitat for over 200 species of birds. (Authorities shut off entry to the world throughout nesting season, between March and July.) If you time your go to proper, you may spend a day with sand between your toes. The drop in water stage creates a half-mile expanse of sandy shoreline worthy of a peaceable stroll.
The logistics of visiting Somers Beach State Park
Flathead Lake’s proximity to Glacier National Park makes Somers Beach accessible by a number of modes of transportation. Glacier Park International Airport is just half an hour’s drive away. While the seaside alone could not justify a long-haul flight, it pairs nicely with different locations across the lake. That consists of Yellow Bay State Park, a crowd-free paradise surrounded by cherry orchards. Together, they’ll fill a complete weekend with journey.
Unfortunately, you may’t pitch a tent proper on the seaside; the state park is day-use solely. Fortunately, discovering a spot to sleep close by is not a lot of a problem. A hoop of lodging orbits Flathead Lake, together with luxury cabins costing a number of hundred {dollars} per evening. The highly-rated Somers Bay Cabin Lodging is minutes away as nicely, with log cabins which have lake views, ranging in dimension from studios to two-bedroom models. Despite the country exterior, the interiors nonetheless have all the trendy conveniences you’d count on, from Wi-Fi to heating.
The seaside’s house alongside Flathead Lake makes it adjoining to a number of must-see areas, chief amongst them Flathead Valley. The unexpectedly up-and-coming wine area — sure, a wine area in Montana — with its wonderful wineries and close by orchards, supplies a perfect bookend for a visit to Somers Beach. If you go to throughout the hotter months, make sure to convey bug spray to maintain the mosquitoes at bay. If you intend on hauling a boatload of provides with you — inflatables, coolers, or chairs — convey a wagon. The jaunt from the parking space to the seaside will be longer than it seems.