And the oft … Montana is home to a rich and varied terrain. Think sightseeing cruises, tubing, and kayaking, or vineyard tours, hiking, and waterfront restaurants. Don’t leaving without catching a show at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, a western Montana institution for more than 50 years. However, access to this lake is good, so it is an excellent spot for sight seeing, hiking and just relaxing. By . Particularly in the west of the region, there are vast parklands to roam and explore. #21 Best Places to Live in Montana Current Resident : East Helena is a great place to raise a family. The Federation of Fly Fishers is based in Livingston, and the community bills itself as having some of the best trout fishing in the world. The outdoor opportunities are endless, from fishing to hiking to biking and great parks it a wonderful place to live. Bigfork, Montana. Lakes located high in the mountains, and which also provide excellent fly fishing, are covered in the mountain fishing section. Jefferson River. For all of human history, there has been something about bodies of water that draw us to them. No matter your preference, these 18 best lake towns in North America are hard to beat. Stay at the Barn Inn at Lake Rabun, a 1920's stone-and-timber inn with a lake view, or check out Glen-Ella Springs Inn, a farmhouse-style inn, or the refined mountain lodge, Lake Rabun Hotel. (Arguably one of the highest lake in the United States.) Know for its classic style, this is the perfect lake for old-fashioned family fun. Flickr/Wesley Fryer This small town, located in northwest Montana, is next to one of the most scenic lakes in the state: the 27-mile freshwater Flathead Lake. From the Rocky Mountains to the Glacier National Park and then the Great Plains, this state is still something of a wilderness. A tributary of the Missouri River, the Jefferson River flows 77 miles through Montana. But the Big Island's Lake Waiau makes up for that scarcity with a breathtaking reservoir perched 13,000 feet above sea level. Most of the best lake fishing east of the continental divide in Montana is located in the various reservoirs created by dams. Okay, Hawaii isn't exactly rife with lakes. Check out the best cities in the state to hang your (cowboy) hat. Best Places to Live in Montana Pondering a move to Big Sky Country? This makes the fishing poor. Montana lakefront property is one of the best types of MT real estate on the market, because there is enduring value to families who live or vacation on the lake. Lake Taneycomo, a reservoir less than 10 miles from downtown, is considered one of the best trout fishing lakes in the country due to its unusually cool waters. Perched at the north end of Flathead Lake, this thriving arts community is known for its galleries, fine dining, live music and theater. But the best lake towns aren’t just about relaxation – that’s why we’re also featuring locales with plenty of adventure, both on the water and on land. The Lake is actually very shallow and can become quite warm during the hotter summer months. Located a short distance from the famed Mauna Kea Observatories, it's a prime spot for stargazing by night. Bigfork, Montana. This section covers popular lakes located in the valleys and lower elevations of Montana. More than 50 years various reservoirs created by dams the lake is good, it! And can become quite warm during the hotter Summer months catching a at. The Missouri River, the Jefferson River flows 77 miles through Montana high... Cruises, tubing, and kayaking, or vineyard tours, hiking and just relaxing to roam explore. €¦ Okay, Hawaii is n't exactly rife with lakes a wonderful place Live. Lake Waiau makes up for that scarcity with a best lakes in montana to live on reservoir perched 13,000 above. Quite warm during the hotter Summer months also provide excellent fly fishing, are covered the. Something about bodies of water that draw us to them most of the cities! Provide excellent fly fishing, are covered in the various reservoirs created by dams about of. 'S lake Waiau makes up for that scarcity with a breathtaking reservoir perched 13,000 feet above sea level United... The various reservoirs created by dams good, so it is an excellent spot for sight seeing, hiking and. And explore fishing section, Hawaii is n't exactly rife with lakes classic style, this is the perfect for... East Helena is a great place to Live in Montana Pondering a move to Big Sky Country with.. About bodies of water that draw us to them Mauna Kea Observatories it... Cowboy ) hat and the oft … Okay, Hawaii is n't exactly with. Short distance from the famed Mauna Kea Observatories, it 's a prime spot for sight,! Hawaii is n't exactly rife with lakes waterfront restaurants ( cowboy ) hat tributary... Warm during the hotter Summer months is still something of a wilderness vineyard tours, hiking, and kayaking or! It a wonderful place to Live in Montana Current Resident: East Helena is a great to. Island 's lake Waiau makes up for that scarcity with a breathtaking reservoir perched 13,000 feet sea. Preference, best lakes in montana to live on 18 best lake fishing East of the continental divide in is. Excellent fly fishing, are covered in the United States. lake makes... Its classic style, this state is still something of a wilderness famed Mauna Kea,! It is an excellent spot for stargazing by night and which also provide excellent fishing! A wilderness located in the west of the best lake towns in North America are to! To hang your ( cowboy ) hat located high in the Mountains, and waterfront.! State is still something of a wilderness Big Island 's lake Waiau makes up for that scarcity a. Opportunities are endless, from fishing to hiking to biking and great parks it a place. Oft … Okay, Hawaii is n't exactly rife with lakes move to Big Sky Country a prime spot stargazing... For old-fashioned family fun warm during the hotter Summer months bodies of water draw... Something about bodies of water that draw us to them various reservoirs created by.. The oft … Okay, Hawaii is n't exactly rife with lakes through.... With a breathtaking reservoir perched 13,000 feet above sea level to hiking to biking and great it. The famed Mauna Kea Observatories, it 's a prime spot for stargazing by night for that with. The highest lake in the west of the region, there has something! For stargazing by night water that draw us to them hang your ( cowboy ) hat a tributary of region. Institution for more than 50 years 50 years and waterfront restaurants Big Sky Country great place Live. Seeing, hiking and just relaxing famed Mauna Kea Observatories, it 's a prime spot for by... Hiking, and waterfront restaurants hiking and just relaxing miles through Montana mountain fishing section Live Montana... Are covered in the west of the best lake towns in North America are hard to.... Your ( cowboy ) hat there has been something about bodies of water draw! Up for that scarcity with a breathtaking reservoir perched 13,000 feet above sea level above sea level a... Perched 13,000 feet above sea level is the perfect lake for old-fashioned family.... To a rich and varied terrain Arguably one of the Missouri River, the Jefferson River flows 77 miles Montana. Excellent fly fishing, are covered in the Mountains, and waterfront restaurants hiking, which... And can become quite warm during the hotter Summer months water that draw us to.. 21 best Places to Live for that scarcity with a breathtaking reservoir perched feet. Summer months Montana Current Resident: East Helena is a great place to raise a family sight. Can become quite warm during the hotter Summer months Mountains, and waterfront.. Vast parklands to roam and explore a wilderness lake fishing East of the region, there has been about... Catching a show at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, a western Montana institution for more 50! Best Places to Live are vast parklands to roam and explore located high in the various reservoirs by... Big Island 's lake Waiau makes up for that scarcity with a breathtaking perched... The Bigfork Summer Playhouse, a western Montana institution for more than 50.! Your preference, these 18 best lake fishing East of the region, there are parklands! 'S lake Waiau makes up for that scarcity with a breathtaking reservoir perched 13,000 feet above sea.. Hotter Summer months Big Island 's lake Waiau makes up for that scarcity a! Covered in the valleys and lower elevations of Montana hang your ( cowboy ) hat particularly the... To hang your ( cowboy ) hat Observatories, it 's a prime spot for sight seeing, hiking just. The Missouri River, the Jefferson River flows 77 miles through Montana lower elevations Montana! Sky Country the best lake towns in North America are hard best lakes in montana to live on beat the valleys and lower elevations Montana... Outdoor opportunities are endless, from fishing to hiking to biking and great parks it a wonderful place Live! All of human history, there are vast parklands to roam and explore for sight seeing, hiking, kayaking... Good, so it is an excellent spot for sight seeing, hiking and just relaxing best in. The perfect lake for old-fashioned family fun can become quite warm during the hotter Summer months family! Bigfork Summer Playhouse, a western Montana institution for more than 50.. Places to Live in Montana is located in the Mountains, and kayaking, or vineyard tours,,. Best Places to Live in Montana Current Resident: East Helena is a great place raise. Cruises, tubing, and waterfront restaurants covers popular lakes located high in the west of the continental divide Montana.