Not Many People Know About These 6 Amazing Islands In Montana

When you think of Montana, islands are certainly not the first thing that come to mind. But you don’t have to head somewhere tropical to enjoy a little island getaway—the Treasure State has you covered. Explore one of these 6 islands in Montana when you need a change of pace.

1. Sacajawea Island

This little island is located in the Missouri River in Great Falls, and you don’t even need a boat to reach it—you can swim! The island itself is small, but it’s peaceful. Plus, it’s located near some of Great Falls’ best spots, like Gibson Park.

2. Shelter Island Estate

Have you ever wanted to live on your own private island? Who hasn’t? Well, good news—if you’ve got $44 million to spend, you can own Shelter Island Estate, which sits on Flathead Lake. One look around will leave you scrambling to buy some lottery tickets or putting in some serious overtime hours.

3. Pirogue Island State Park

Pirogue Island is a little gem on the Yellowstone River just north of Miles City. It’s an excellent place to view wildlife, especially birds you’ve never even heard of, and the fishing is usually quite good. With 2.8 miles of hiking trails and plenty of perfect picnic spots, you can easily spend a day here.

4. Kelly Island

Known well amongst the bird-watching crowd, Kelly Island is a little piece of paradise in Missoula that’s nestled in the Clark Fork River. To explore the island, park at the 7th Street access and follow the trail through the cottonwood forest.

5. Park Island

Park Island is located south of the 10th Avenue Bridge in Great Falls (pictured above), and it’s classified as a city park. Overnight camping is not allowed, but spending the day relaxing and enjoying it is highly encouraged.

6. Wild Horse Island

This island doesn’t exactly qualify as a secret. Almost everyone in Montana knows about it… but it makes the list because it’s definitely a must-visit. Boat out to this island and you’ll find a serene Ponderosa pine forest, hiking trails and, if you’re lucky, some of the wild horses that still call it home.

The state is full of hidden gems and these islands in Montana are just the beginning. Here are 15 other spots some Montanans might not know exist.