Flathead Lake Montana Jetski and Personal Watercraft

You’ll discover no better place to go for premiere water sports than Glacier National Park and the surrounding forestland lakes and rivers, making this a great summer vacation destination.

Overview

Water sports keep us cool in those hot summer months, and Glacier National Park and Flathead Valley is a great place to come to enjoy boating, water skiing, paddling, fishing, and swimming. The whole family will have water activities to fill the summer days.

Where to Go for Water Sports

Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald offers many water sports to all outdoor lovers. It’s easy to get to from the Going-to-the-Sun Road. You can find public boat launches and take out a motorboat, paddle a kayak or canoe or even water ski on this lake. You’ll find spots to swim here, surrounded by incredible mountain vistas. Throw in a line and catch some trout!

St. Mary Lake
You’ll find St. Mary Lake on the eastern side of Glacier Park. Water skiing is permitted on this lake, and you can take motorboats, kayaks and canoes out on the pristine waters. There’s a great place to swim near the picnic area, too, if you can stand the cold waters. You can fish from the shore or from a boat to get those elusive trout.

Two Medicine Lake
Boating and paddling are the favorite activities on this lovely lake’s crystal clear waters, but fishing is fun as well. You can take a canoe, kayak or motorboat to get around, but must remember that motorboats are limited to ten horsepower or less on this lake. Two Medicine Lake has some good-sized brook and rainbow trout, too, for the pleasure of the anglers.

Swiftcurrent Lake
The turquoise waters of Swiftcurrent Lake are wonderful to traverse with a canoe or kayak. You can get to places to hike to Grinnell Glacier. There’s a boat launch near the hotel. And there’s probably more fishing here than on any other lake in eastern Glacier.

Bowman Lake
Bowman Lake is fairly remote, but that can be ideal for a beautiful canoeing or kayaking adventure. Surrounded by mountain views and forests, you will find a boat ramp and can launch a motorboat on this lake, but it must be ten horsepower or less.

Kintla Lake
On this remote lake you can only use kayaks and canoes, but it’s a great experience to paddle around on the fourth largest lake in the park, and so close to the Canadian border.

Flathead River
This river borders Glacier and is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and floating. Fishing is great too.

Rentals & Fees

You can rent boats at Many Glacier, Lake McDonald, Two Medicine and Apgar. Motorboats are between $20 and $24 an hour, rowboats and canoes cost $18 an hour and kayaks are $15 to $18 an hour.

Hire a Guide

When exploring Glacier National Park lakes, it is sometimes to your advantage to get a boat tour. You get a narrated trip across the beautiful waters, and see places you would likely not see on a personal boating trip. You can take these tours on Lake McDonald, Swiftcurrent Lake, St. Mary and Two Medicine Lakes. The vast experience of those who conduct boat tours adds much to the experience. There are also outfitters who can take you on other water adventures within the park, such as fishing expeditions. Discover the right outfitter for you by browsing the below listings.