Best Hidden Kayak Spots in Montana to Visit This Fall

Team OutdoorsySeptember 24, 2020

Best Hidden Kayak Spots in Montana to Visit This Fall

2020 has been a disappointment so far, and many people claim that this year shouldn’t count. Everyone is tired of staying indoors and just wants to get away from their homes, even just for a few days. So, instead of taking a flight to your favorite kayaking destination in Montana, why don’t you rent an RV and tour all the best-hidden kayaking spots in the state?

After all, 2020 has become the year of road trips, especially with all the international flights being canceled for a better part of the year. And thanks to our peer-to-peer marketplace, you can experience RVing without necessarily owning an RV. We can have any RV delivered to your doorstep at your request, so you can have your entire family packed and ready to hit the road in no time. To get you started, here are some of the best-hidden kayaking spots in Montana.

Best-Hidden Kayak Spots in Montana

1. Bean Lake

Bean Lake is a small water body situated along the Rockies Front. This lake offers excellent views of the southern ends of the Rocky Mountains, and it’s an easy-to-navigate spot that is ideal for beginners. With a pedal-powered vessel, you can set sail and explore the lake while looking for the best places to cast your line. Bean Lake is populated by numerous types of fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, rock bass, and blue catfish, among others; therefore, you can catch some fish for dinner

The Bean Lake has a 14-day stay limit for campers, and while there, you can access the camp trailers, toilets, and kayak/boat launching site. Bean Lake is one of the several fishing and camping sites in Montana that allow pets, so you don’t have to leave your dog at home. There are about eight camping sites around the lake, where you can spend some quality time with your children and teach them kayak fishing. 

2. The White Cliffs

The Missouri River is known for its unspoiled picturesque nature, including the White Cliff that anyone can enjoy while kayaking. The White Cliffs offer an excellent kayaking trip for experienced kayakers, and that is because very few people can take the three-day journey from Coal Banks to Judith landings. This trip passes through the castles, white cliffs, and numerous natural arches. This place is accessible by land and water, so you can carry your camping gear on your RV and have someone follow you to the places you plan to spend the night. And then continue your 3-days kayaking trip at dawn. But make sure you get a state park pass as soon as you drive into Montana. You might have to park in the state parks at some point during the trip. 

3. The Mighty Mo

The Mighty Mo represents the stretch of River Missouri from the Holter Dam to the plains. Kayaks can cover this entire stretch, but it is quite long. There is a popular day kayaking trip in the regions that starts in Craig and passes below the canyon wall to Prewett Creek. This 15-mile long trip can be quite tedious. Luckily, there is a shorter and more secret version that starts at the Holter dam and passes through the state’s best fly fishing spots and ends at Craig. The shorter version is about 7 miles long and ideal for fly anglers.

4. Gibson Reservoir

Situated near the Bean Lake, the Gibson Reservoir is an artificial reservoir that forms part of the border between Lewis & Clark and Teton counties. The concrete arch of Gibson Dam created this reservoir, and peaks and timber surround it.

Therefore, you can paddle through this body of water and then back while enjoying the great view of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Gibson reservoir offers a great fishing opportunity for brown trout, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout.   

5. Glacier’s Big Lakes

Glacier Park is home to some of the best lakes in Montana. Therefore, it can be quite hard to call the over 118 reservoirs and lakes in Glacier County hidden kayak spots. But, you can find some secret spots on Swiftcurrent and Two Medicine Lakes where you can paddle beneath numerous jagged peaks.

Two Medicine Lake

The Two Medicine is a 33 miles wide and 2 miles long lake situated in Glacier National Park. Two Medicine Lake is surrounded by the Rising Wolf Mountain on the northern side and Sinopah Mountains to the west. And there are numerous hiking trails on the eastern end of the lake that vehicles can access.

Lake Swiftcurrent

The Swiftcurrent lies at approximately 4,878 ft above the sea level in the Many Glacier part of the county. This lake can be accessed by road so that you can tour the place with your RV. Some of the mountains surrounding this lake include Mount Wilbur, Grinnell Point, and Mount Gould.

Since strong currents can turn these lakes into an inland sea, you must prepare carefully for this trip. Luckily, all kayaks are inspected before setting sail to protect you against mussels’ invasion.

6. Noxon Reservoir

The Noxon Rapids Reservoir is a great kayaking spot situated off Highway-200, right between Idaho and Missoula. This water body was created by damming up River Clark Fork right between Noxon, MT, and Thompson Falls. You can visit Trout Creek, the main town near the reservoir, and look for a great place to park your RV before exploring the region and set sail. Pikes and bass populate this reservoir, so be ready for some kayak fishing.

Hit the Road

Montana is a unique road trip destination for kayakers and anglers with beautiful bodies of water and fishing spots. Rent an RV and take the family for a great holiday to this beautiful state! Do keep in mind that Montana has unique weather that can change anytime and experiences high winds even in summer. Make sure you rent a well-insulated RV equipped with the best heater.

Luckily, we have listings for some of the best cold weather RVs in the market to keep your family and friends safe and warm throughout the trip! We offer in-person roadside assistance in case the RV breaks down. And on top of that, we have a custom protection package that can cover you in case of an accident, fire, vandalism, animal impact, and theft, among others. So, what are you waiting for? Hit the road and head to the water! 

Author: Chelsea Smith

Chelsea is the editor and content creator at fishermenspond.com. She’s crazy about all things fishing and loves spending weekends exploring lakes in her home state of Ohio or venturing out to other states.

Team Outdoorsy, Outdoorsy Author


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