Yellow Bay

Yellow Bay State Park encompasses a small area on the east shore of Flathead Lake in Lake County, near the University of Montana's Flathead Lake Biological Station. The park provides camping and lake access on one of the lake's most scenic stretches.

Flathead Lake supports diverse fish species including lake trout, bull trout, and whitefish. The adjacent Flathead Lake Biological Station conducts ongoing research on lake ecology. Ospreys, bald eagles, and loons frequent the area.

Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forest shades the park. Cherry orchards in the surrounding area benefit from the lake's climate moderation. The lakeshore supports native vegetation adapted to fluctuating water levels.

The park sits on the glacially formed east shore of Flathead Lake. The lake's east shore features steeper terrain where the mountains meet the lake. The clear water allows visibility of the rocky lake bottom.

Flathead Lake moderates local temperatures, with the east shore receiving slightly more precipitation than the west. Summers are pleasant and winters relatively mild for Montana. Annual precipitation averages about 18 inches.

The east shore of Flathead Lake has been important to the Salish and Kootenai peoples. The Flathead Lake Biological Station, established in 1899, is one of the oldest biological field stations in North America.

Yellow Bay State Park provides camping and lake access near the Flathead Lake Biological Station on the scenic east shore of Flathead Lake.

Lake access for swimming and fishing is the primary draw. The proximity to the Biological Station adds educational interest. Views across the lake to the Salish Mountains are scenic.

The park offers 27 campsites and day-use facilities. It is located on Highway 35, about 15 miles north of Polson on the east shore of Flathead Lake.

The park supports Flathead Lake water quality protection. The adjacent Biological Station provides scientific research that informs conservation of the lake ecosystem.