Summary
The area is located on the Missouri River and offers a variety of activities including fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
One of the main reasons to visit Holter Lake Recreation Area is for its picturesque scenery. Visitors can enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and forests while engaging in outdoor activities.
There are several points of interest within the recreation area, including the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness, which is a popular spot for hiking and wildlife viewing. The area is also home to several historic sites, such as the Holter Dam and the Wolf Creek Bridge.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was named after Anton Holter, who was a prominent businessman and politician in Montana during the early 1900s. The recreation area was established in the 1960s and has since become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
The best time of year to visit Holter Lake Recreation Area is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny, and outdoor activities are in full swing. However, visitors should be prepared for crowds during peak season. The fall season is also a great time to visit, as the leaves change color and the weather is cooler.
Overall, Holter Lake Recreation Area is a beautiful and diverse destination in Montana that offers something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities, admire the scenery, and explore the area's rich history.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Holter Lake State Rec Area
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HOLTER LAKE CAMPGROUND
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HOLTER DAM
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Wolf Creek Bridge FAS
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Log Gulch
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Departure Point
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