We Love Our National Parks, but This Montana Park Is Just as Bucket-List-Worthy

It is no secret that some of my favorite places to visit are the national parks in Montana. I live just a short drive outside of Yellowstone National Park and have spent countless summers exploring this breathtaking, extraordinary, and unique destination. Glacier National Park, although a much farther drive for me, is just as spectacular. With its gorgeous alpine lakes, meadows, and melting glaciers, it’s truly a destination filled with natural wonders that will amaze and inspire.

While Montana’s national parks are certainly bucket-list-worthy, they draw in large crowds. I will always love our national parks, but if you are like me and would rather spend time outdoors where you can hear the sounds of nature rather than the squeals of people, Montana has a long list of state parks to consider, including Lake Mary Ronan State Park in the northern part of the state.

Approximately seven miles northwest of the popular Flathead Lake is Lake Mary Ronan. On the east side of the 1,500-acre lake is Lake Mary Ronan State Park, the perfect place to spend some time outdoors and a beautiful day trip destination for the entire family.

One of our favorite activities at this Montana state park is to throw in a line and try our luck at fishing. Lake Mary Ronan is an excellent fishing destination and is well known for catching yellow perch and kokanee salmon. This lake is approximately 47 feet deep at its deepest spot, and if you aren’t in the mood for fishing, grab your kayak and paddleboards and spend some time paddling around on the water. The views alone are magnificent. If visiting in the winter, don’t be surprised if you spot a few ice fishermen braving the cold and catching fish while out on the ice.

During each visit, I recommend you bring your hiking boots and head out on the trails. For a short, family-friendly, and beautiful hike in Lake Mary Ronan State Park, tackle the nature trail. This 1.6-mile loop trail is flat and easy. It also offers water, forest, and meadow views. You may want to bring a camera to capture some of the scenery surrounding you — it is pretty mesmerizing. And, you never know what you will spot along your way. This is an excellent trail for both wildlife and wildflowers.

If you love the solitude and quiet of this state park, stay for a few days. The Lake Mary Ronan State Park Campground features 25 individual campsites and one group campsite. Eighteen of these campsites can be reserved. The remaining campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

I strongly suggest you stay for a few days. Spend some time enjoying this state park to its fullest and make the short drive to places like Baldy Mountain, Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge, Little Bitterroot Lake, and the towns of Kalispell and Whitefish.

Doesn’t a quiet day out in nature sound dreamy? A chance to disconnect, unwind, and enjoy the gorgeous Montana views? Lake Mary Ronan State Park is beautiful, bucket-list-worthy, and perfect for some time away. We love our national parks in the Treasure State, but there are so many other gems to discover. This state park is one of them. For more information, visit the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website.  

What are some of your favorite places to visit in Montana? Let me know by filling out this nomination form. I’d love to hear from you. And if you are looking for even more state parks to explore in the Treasure State, check out these underappreciated state parks in Montana that you are sure to love.