Saturday, January 18, 2025
17.0°F

Fall in Flathead Lake visitation could be due to low lake levels

AVERY HOWE | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 1 week AGO
by AVERY HOWE
Photographer | May 15, 2024 12:00 AM

While Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported a slight increase in park visits overall for 2023, Flathead Lake actually saw a drop in visitors last year compared to pre-pandemic numbers. 

Flathead Lake State Park’s six units experienced a minus 6.4% change in visitation 2019 to 2023. In comparison, the parks overall showed a 17.4% increase from pre-pandemic levels.

“Another decline in visitation in 2023 to Flathead Lake could be due to record low water levels in the lake impacting recreation,” the Montana State Parks Annual Visitation Report stated. 

The lake still served 332,063 visitors in 2023, up from 2022, and was the second most-visited park in the state, behind only Giant Springs. Somers Beach State Park, which opened in 2022, saw 34,268 visitors last year. 

“Significantly, of the 10 parks in the state that saw visitation levels exceed 100,000, three are in Region 1 — Flathead Lake (all units), Thompson Chain of Lakes, and Lone Pine. The important public access these parks provide is underscored by their continued visitation, especially as the Flathead Valley grows in population,” the FWP report stated.

MORE FRONT-PAGE-SLIDER STORIES

Discover Kalispell outlines visitation stewardship approach
Daily Inter-Lake | Updated 8 months ago
Grant Co. October unemployment lowest in three decades
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 1 year, 1 month ago

ARTICLES BY AVERY HOWE

PHOTOS: Vikes and Vals hit home court for the first time this season
January 14, 2025 11 p.m.

PHOTOS: Vikes and Vals hit home court for the first time this season

The Vikings and Valkyries hosted Hamilton at home last week with the boys playing Tuesday and the girls Thursday.

Community pushes for tougher DUI laws and sentencing following fatal wrecks
January 14, 2025 11 p.m.

Community pushes for tougher DUI laws and sentencing following fatal wrecks

The peaceful advocates for tighter DUI laws and harsher sentencing appeared proceeding the arraignment of Dal Segall, 41, of Corvallis on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Protesters call for tougher laws at arraignment for man accused of fatal DUI
January 9, 2025 11 p.m.

Protesters call for tougher laws at arraignment for man accused of fatal DUI

Protesters gathered Thursday outside Flathead County Justice Center before an arraignment hearing for a Corvallis man accused of killing a Kalispell man and injuring three others while driving intoxicated last month near Bigfork.