Salmon Lake State Park

Salmon Lake State Park
Montana State Park
Country United States
State Montana
County Missoula
Elevation 3,907 ft (1,191 m) [1]
Coordinates 47°05′N 113°24′W / 47.09°N 113.4°W / 47.09; -113.4Coordinates: 47°05′N 113°24′W / 47.09°N 113.4°W / 47.09; -113.4
Area 42 acres (17 ha)
Established 1977 [2]
Management Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Visitation 45,000 (2012) [3]
Location in Montana
Website: 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.[4]

History

The Champion Timberlands Corporation originally gifted the park to commemorate three foresters who died in a 1976 plane crash.[5] The park, along with nearby Placid Lake State Park, had the highest visitation of state parks in the Missoula area in 2012, with 45,000 individuals visiting each park.[3]

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.[4]

Activities and amenities

Park facilities include a swimming area, boat ramp, and campsites.[4][7]

References

  1. ↑ "Salmon Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. ↑ "Park Origin by Date". Montana State Parks. 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Staff (January 11, 2013). "Visitation to Montana state parks up in 2012". Billings Gazette. Retrieved December 2, 2013. Missoula area: Salmon Lake and Placid Lake state parks had the highest visitation with more than 45,000 visitors at each park.
  4. 1 2 3 "Salmon Lake State Park". Montana State Parks. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  5. ↑ Inbody, Kristen. "Salmon Lake long on birds, beauty". Great Falls Tribune. State Park Challenge. Great Falls, Montana. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  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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