Yellow Bay State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- $8 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- fwp.mt.gov(406) 250-3796
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Lake County, about 14 miles north of Polson, Yellow Bay State Park covers about 12 acres.
Popular activities here are winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and wildlife watching. Water access includes a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| The park’s wording doesn’t give clock times — see the official wording below. | |||
Official wording
Open all year
Open (Tent camping only; first come, first served)
Water: Available mid-May through Labor Day
Flush Toilets: Open mid-May through Labor Day
Dock: Normally, available mid-March through November, weather permitting. For status please visit our Facebook page or call Flathead Lake State Park Ranger Station, 406-837-3041
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Montana residents who pay the (resident) | $9 · year |
| Day use entrance fee with a vehicle | $8 |
| Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger | $4 |
| With a Nonresident Entrance Pass (nonresident) | Free |
| Campsite fees range from | $4 · night |
| Campsite fees range from | $34 · night |
Official wording
Montana Residents • Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply. Nonresidents • Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8 • Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4 • With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free Campsites • Campsite fees range from $4-$34 per night, depending on season and available amenities. Visit Reserve America to check fees and reserve campsites at Yellow Bay.
Montana park passes
- State parks fee with Montana vehicle registration — $9 per vehicle per year (residents). No daily entrance fees to state parks for that vehicle Details
- Nonresident Entrance Pass (12-month) — $50 per vehicle. Free entrance and discounted camping ($10-$12/night) for one year from month of issue Details
- 7-Day Nonresident Entrance Pass — $35. Entrance for 7 consecutive days and discounted camping; sold at parks only Details
From the Montana state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-855-922-6768
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording
Pets Allowed (amenity list)
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
The campground has 5 tent campsites that are available on a first come basis. For more information about camping or specific sites, call the Flathead Lake Ranger Station at 406-837-3041, ext.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Wildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingFishingPicnickingSwimmingCampingWinter sports
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Parking
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Amenities: ADA Accessible
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 23861 Mt HWY 35
Bigfork, MT 59911 - Nearest town
- Polson — about 14 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 47.8764, -114.0285
- Phone
- (406) 250-3796
- yellowbay@mt.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Montana State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Montana State Parks Find a Park list, joined with FWP 'State Park Locations' ArcGIS layer
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology