7 Places to Swim in Southwest Montana

If you’re looking to swim in Southwest Montana, you’ll find plenty of great spots. Whether you prefer small rivers, lakes, or relaxing hot springs, there are plenty of places to go for a quick dip or a full day by the water.

Seriously, the region is packed with swimming spots, but to keep you from scrolling for an hour, we’re going to list just a few of our favorite lakes for a Southwest Montana-style beach day. This list is by no means exhaustive, so if you’re curious to see what else the region has in store, check out our comprehensive list of lakes, rivers and relaxing hot springs.

So, without further ado, we introduce to you seven of our favorite places to swim in Southwest Montana:

1. Canyon Ferry

Two kayakers paddle along a rocky, pine-covered shoreline on Canyon Ferry Lake near Helena, Montana, with calm water and distant mountains in the background. The rugged granite outcrops are a popular spot for exploring by kayak or paddleboard. Photo by Mike Dreesman, Tempest Technologies. — Kayakers on Canyon Ferry Lake near Helena, Montana | Photo by Mike Dreesman, Tempest Technologies

Canyon Ferry is by far the biggest lake on this list. The reservoir stretches about 30 miles along the Missouri River just east of Helena and north of Townsend. With as much shoreline as it has, you’ll never have to fight for a spot, even on the busiest weekends. Plus, there’s 24 public access points, so getting to the water is easy. During the summer, you’ll likely always spot a boat on the lake. It’s where most of the region’s water skiers, wake surfers, and pontoon boats end up. So if you’re hauling a trailer, this is definitely the place to bring it.

Not to mention, Canyon Ferry feeds right into the next two lakes on this list. They’re all connected by the Missouri River and sit close enough together that you could hit all three in a day if you wanted to.

2. Hauser Lake

Hauser Lake is just downstream from Canyon Ferry, and it’s another reservoir along the Missouri River. It’s smaller and often less crowded than Canyon Ferry, making it a great choice if you want a quieter day at the lake.

Black Sandy State Park is the main public access point, with a boat ramp, swimming beach, and campground right on the water. If Black Sandy is full, just south is White Sandy Recreation Area. Both access points have boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking, but with a more relaxed atmosphere than Canyon Ferry.

Evening light hits pine-covered hills along the shoreline of Hauser Lake, Montana, as seen from Black Sandy State Park, with calm blue water stretching toward rolling terrain in the distance. This quieter reservoir north of Helena offers easy access for boating, fishing, and swimming. Photo by Alyssa Starr, Tempest Technologies. — Hauser Lake from Black Sandy State Park, Montana | Photo by Alyssa Starr, Tempest Technologies

3. Holter Lake

Holter Lake is the last stop on this Missouri River chain, just downstream from Hauser. It’s also the northernmost and typically the quietest of the three lakes, and many say it’s the most scenic thanks to the nearby Gates of the Mountains. The main access point here is Holter Lake Recreation Area, which has a beach, boat ramps, and a campground with 52 sites.

If you want to get up close and personal with the dramatic limestone canyon but didn’t bring a boat, the Gates of the Mountains boat tours launch nearby during the summer. The roughly two-hour guided tours take you through the scenic canyon, rich with history and wildlife.

4. Harrison Lake

Just outside of the small town of Harrison, Montana, is Harrison Lake. Swimming is easy just off the shoreline, and there’s a concrete boat ramp for anyone bringing a boat. It’s a favorite destination for paddlers, anglers, and campers.

After dark, the sky lights up with the glow from the Milky Way. There’s camping on-site, and with little to no light pollution, it’s an excellent spot to set up for a night of stargazing.

Glowing tents lit from within sit beneath a star-filled night sky at Harrison Lake, Montana, with the Milky Way stretching vividly overhead. The dark, low-light conditions at this Madison County lake make it a prime spot for stargazing and astrophotography. Photo by Sarah Bolt, Tempest Technologies. — Stargazing at Harrison Lake, Montana | Photo by Sarah Bolt, Tempest Technologies

5. Georgetown Lake

Georgetown Lake sits right between Anaconda and Philipsburg, with the dramatic Pintler Mountains providing beautiful views from almost anywhere on the lake. Getting there is part of the fun. Both routes, whether you come from Philipsburg or Anaconda, are incredibly scenic, making even just a drive to the lake a worthwhile experience.

The lake stays busy all summer with boating, paddling, fishing, camping, and windsurfing when the wind picks up. Georgetown Lake is a great choice if you want a lake day and incredibly beautiful mountain views.

A paddleboarder glides across the calm, glassy water of Georgetown Lake, Montana, with dense pine forest and the layered peaks of the Pintler Mountains rising in the background. The stillness of the lake makes it a favorite spot for paddleboarding at dusk. Photo by Lisa Edwards. — Paddleboarding on Georgetown Lake, Montana | Photo by Lisa Edwards

6. Clark Canyon Reservoir

This spot has an incredible backstory. In 1805, Sacagawea reunited with her Shoshone family here during the Lewis and Clark Expedition at what was then Camp Fortunate. The original camp is underwater now, somewhere near the big island, but there’s an overlook nearby with interpretive signs if you want to dig into the history.

Today, most people come for the fishing, camping, and the wide-open water. There’s plenty of room to spread out, too, with about 17 miles of shoreline, several boat ramps and beaches, picnic areas, and nine campgrounds with 96 sites total. Come for a swim and stay to explore some Lewis and Clark history.

Aerial view of Clark Canyon Reservoir near Dillon, Montana, with an RV campground on a sandy peninsula and a boat heading into shore. The Tendoy Mountains rise in the background. Photo by Rick Graetz. — Clark Canyon Reservoir near Dillon, Montana | Photo by Rick Graetz

7. Ennis Lake

With an average depth of just about eight feet, Ennis Lake warms up quick every summer, making it a great swimming spot. It’s located just a few minutes north of Ennis and offers spectacular views of the Madison Valley.

There are multiple public access points, Kobayashi Beach being the main one, and it’s a popular place to spend a summer afternoon. It has a large concrete boat ramp, a picnic area, ample shoreline access, and designated swimming areas marked by buoys, so it’s easy to swim, paddle, launch a boat, or just relax by the water.

Ennis Lake is also an excellent birding location, especially during migration season. So don’t forget to pack some binoculars and scan the open water and shoreline for opportunities to spot Clark’s Grebes, Trumpeter Swans, and Bald Eagles along with plenty of other species.