Les Mason State Park, Whitefish, MT

Les Mason State Park, Whitefish, MT is a public day-access park on the shore of Whitefish Lake. Staying in the West Glacier area and have no pool to cool off in on warm summer days?; well take a short drive to Les Mason State Park. The Lake is clear and inviting; and not as chilly as the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. The Park itself has limited parking and is free to those with Montana license tags (otherwise it is an $8 charge), and access to the lake is down a stepped path to the shoreline. In addition there is a gently sloping wide asphalt path from the parking lot to the shoreline which accommodates strollers and wheelchairs. At the shore shaded picnic tables dot the area; there is a pit toilet; and a concessionaire renting paddleboards, kyaks, and pedal boats. The shoreline itself is pebbled and includes a specific area for your furry friends to play and swim. Whitefish Mountain Resort is just to the north and offers summer activities such as a chair ride to the summit and an alpine slide. There is also first come first serve dry camping rv sites at a pull-off on the drive into the Resort. Aside from the many boaters on the Lake you may see the Boat Club tour boat (a high end all mahogany picnic boat built by Windsor Craft) pass by. This day at Les Mason was beautiful with crystal clear water, views of the Salish Mountains to the southwest and deep blue skies. Later in the afternoon, with a wind shift, the views became hazy, as evidenced by a picture of the freight train across the Lake, from the Lolo Creek, MT wildfire.

The Takeaway: Les Mason State Park, located on the eastern shore of Whitefish Lake offers a pleasant reprieve from summer’s warmth. Although limited in parking the facility offers not only a stepped path to the shoreline it also provides a wide asphalt path for strollers and wheelchairs. Picnic tables, a concessionaire renting paddleboard, kayaks and pedal boats makes s visit to this day use park a memorable experience. The Lake is crystal clear inviting that summer swim out to the raft located in the swim area. And don’t leave Fido at home as he is welcome with a separate area for him to play and swim. More than one person had their best friend on a paddleboard with them. Go to  www.rickpicks.com for more photographs, other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of rv parks as well as reviews of restaurants, etc.