Montana State Parks :: Wild Horse Island

Wild Horse Island

STATE PARK

Old growth Ponderosa pine forest, incredible trails and wildlife viewing opportunities abound on the largest island in Flathead Lake. If you’re lucky you will see the handful of wild horses that still inhabit this park, which is only accessible by boat.

HOURS & LOCATION

SEASON AND HOURS
Park
Open all year

LOCATION
Latitude/Longitude: (47.84715 / -114.23458)

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MEET THE PARK MANAGER
Photo of Jerry Sawyer, Wild Horse Island State Park Manager

Jerry Sawyer manages Lake Mary Ronan State Park and the six state parks on Flathead Lake. Prior to that he was a ranger with Colorado State Parks for 4 years, and a seasonal wilderness ranger with the U.S. Forest Service. Jerry is originally from the Midwest and moved to Colorado in his twenties. He earned a B.S. in Geology from Metropolitan State College in Denver and a master’s degree in Recreation Resources at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

CONTACT

CONTACT INFO
Mailing Address:
Wild Horse Island State Park
c/o FWP Region 1 Headquarters
490 N Meridian Rd
Kalispell, MT 59901

Phone: 406-849-5256
Email: jsawyer@mt.gov

Wild Horse Island

STATE PARK

At 2,160 acres, Wild Horse Island is the largest island in a freshwater lake west of Minnesota. Wild Horse Island has been a landmark since the Salish-Kootenai Indians were reported to have used it to pasture horses to keep them from being stolen by other tribes.

The park is noted for its wildlife including bighorn sheep, mule deer, songbirds, waterfowl, bald eagles, and falcons, as well as five wild horses.

Rare and endangered plant species have also been found on its Palouse Prairie grasslands. The island's scenic shoreline is a favorite of hikers, boaters, swimmers and sailboat enthusiasts.

Boat access is required to reach the park. Day-use only is allowed, visitors are asked to protect and respect the park to ensure maintenance of its natural character. A joint state/tribal fishing license is required at this site due to the location of the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Note: private property is found along parts of the perimeter of the island, visitors are asked not to utilize private docks.

Activities Available