Salmon Lake State Park

Salmon Lake State Park is a public recreation area located approximately 32 miles (51 km) northeast of Missoula, Montana. The state park occupies 42 acres (17 ha) on the eastern side of Salmon Lake in the Clearwater River chain between the Mission and Swan mountain ranges.[2]

Salmon Lake State Park
Map showing the location of Salmon Lake State Park
Map showing the location of Salmon Lake State Park
Location in Montana
LocationMissoula County, Montana, United States
Nearest cityMissoula, Montana
Coordinates47°05′35″N 113°23′48″W[1]
Area42 acres (17 ha)[2]
Elevation3,934 feet (1,199 m)[1]
DesignationMontana state park
Established1977[3]
Visitors51,631 (in 2016)[4]
Governing bodyMontana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
WebsiteSalmon Lake State Park

History

The Champion Timberlands Corporation donated land for the park in 1977 to commemorate three foresters who died in a plane crash near Kalispell the year before.[5]

Natural features

The lake is surrounded by largely woodland mountains, with ponderosa pine, western larch, and douglas fir being the dominant tree species.[6] Species of fish found in Salmon Lake and the connected waterways include rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook and bull trout, largemouth bass, white mountain whitefish, kokanee salmon, yellow perch and northern pike. Birds that may be spotted include rednecked grebes, great blue herons, bald eagles, ospreys, common loons, and other species of waterfowl.[5]

Activities and amenities

Park facilities include a swimming area, boat ramp, and campsites.[2][7]

References
  1. "Salmon Lake State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. "Salmon Lake State Park". Montana State Parks. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  3. "Park Origin by Date". Montana State Parks. 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  4. "2016 Annual Visitation Report". Montana State Parks. Retrieved June 23, 2020. Salmon Lake and Placid Lake shared top honors as the two most visited state parks in the Missoula area in 2012, with each logging more than 45,000 individual visitors. Staff (January 11, 2013). "Visitation to Montana state parks up in 2012". Billings Gazette. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  5. "Salmon Lake State Park Brochure". Montana State Parks. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  6. "Montana State Parks Guide". Montana State Parks. 2014. p. 21. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  7. "Seeley Lake Area Recreation Opportunities" (PDF). United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
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