Finley Point State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Finley Point State Park is a beautiful park located in Montana, on the eastern shore of Flathead Lake.


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Summary

The park is situated on a peninsula and offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

One of the main reasons to visit Finley Point State Park is to enjoy the water activities on Flathead Lake. Visitors can swim, boat, fish, and paddleboard in the clear waters of the lake. The park also offers a boat ramp and a dock for boaters.

There are several points of interest in the park, including the Finley Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1889 and is now a historic site. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the lighthouse and learn about its history. Additionally, there are several hiking trails in the park that offer beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Interesting facts about Finley Point State Park include that it was once the site of a Native American campsite and later served as a World War II Army training camp. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, bald eagles, and osprey.

The best time of year to visit Finley Point State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the water is ideal for swimming and boating. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy hiking and wildlife viewing during the fall and winter months.

Overall, Finley Point State Park is a beautiful and historic park that offers a variety of outdoor activities and points of interest. It is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Montana.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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