This Little-Known Waterfront Town Is One of the Most Charming in Montana

Whether you want to spend the day trying to catch record-breaking fish or you love to chase sunsets, I know of a little-known waterfront town in Montana that needs to be at the top of your list—Fort Peck. While certainly small, this community is big on charm and things to do. Whether you are searching for the perfect lake day, want to visit a few local shops, or are simply looking for a new place to explore, Fort Peck, Montana, is a destination you don’t want to overlook.

Why This Little-Known Waterfront Town in Montana Is So Charming

Located in northeast Montana, right along the shore of Fort Peck Lake, this remote Montana town is not your typical place to visit. This tiny town of approximately 300 residents is located along the massive Fort Peck Lake, near the Fort Peck Dam, and is a town with quite a bit of history.

In the 1800s, a trading post was built in the area, named after Campbell K. Peck, and it even became the site of the Fort Peck Indian Agency in 1871. During the Great Depression, and as part of the New Deal, President Roosevelt approved the creation of the Fort Peck Dam. During peak construction time, approximately 10,000 workers helped build the dam, and Fort Peck began to boom as a temporary home for these individuals. While today the town's population is much less, it’s certainly a place where you can get away, enjoy some time outdoors, and experience peace and quiet.

What Is Fort Peck Known For

Fort Peck Lake and the Fort Peck Dam are what this area is best known for and what draws many individuals to it. Fort Peck Dam was completed in 1940 across the Missouri River, spanning a total of 4 miles. Not only was its length a massive engineering feat at the time, but it is also the world’s largest hydraulically filled earth dam. It dredges sediment from the bottom of the Missouri River and then pumps it as a slurry, or a liquid mixture of insoluble solid particles, through the pipelines. The water then drains and leaves behind a solid structure.

This dam is what created the impressive 134-mile-long Fort Peck Lake Reservoir, which is more than 200 feet deep in areas, and has more than 1,520 miles of shoreline. This is actually more shoreline than the coast of California.

What To See and Do in Fort Peck

Fort Peck Lake is the big draw to this remote area of Montana, and once you visit, you’ll quickly understand why. Here, it’s easy to find yourself alone as this reservoir is much less crowded than other bodies of water around the state. Fort Peck Lake is a premier fishing destination, and where you can catch a variety of fish species like walleye, trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and more.

If you wish to spend a few days in the area and near the lake (which I recommend), several campgrounds are in the area including the Fort Peck Marina and RV Park, and Downstream Campground. Surrounding the lake is the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, the second largest national wildlife refuge in the Lower 48 states, at approximately 1.1 million acres. Here, there are many trails for exploring both in vehicles and on foot. This is also a beautiful place for observing wildlife and capturing postcard-worthy photos.

If you wish to spend time exploring the town of Fort Peck, make sure to stop by the Fort Peck Theatre, a historic building constructed in the 1930s that still shows incredible live performances in the summer months. There’s also the Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum, where you can learn all about the history of the area from when dinosaurs once roamed this region to the construction of the Fort Peck Dam.

Best Time to Visit Fort Peck

Summer is the best time to plan a visit to this remote small town in northeastern Montana. Not only can you fully enjoy the lake and its many activities during this time but you’ll be able to catch a show at the Fort Peck Summer Theatre. Each July, you can also attend the Montana Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament. This premier walleye fishing event in Fort Peck brings some of the top anglers in the U.S. to compete.

Fort Peck can easily go unnoticed. It’s a small town that is remote, extremely small, and often overlooked by more tourist-heavy destinations in the Treasure State. But it’s a place that is full of charm from its residents to its history and natural beauty. Whether you want some time out on the lake, observing wildlife, or just enjoying a quiet, slower pace, Fort Peck, Montana, offers it all and much more.