Unless you’re a member of the Polar Bear Club, it’s a little late in the season to go swimming at Les Mason State Park along Whitefish Lake.
Although the days of summer are long past, Les Mason is still a great local spot for some solitude.
Located on the north side of Whitefish Lake, Les Mason is an 8-acre park operated by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
It features a 585-foot sand and gravel beach, perfect for blistery, late-season walks along the shore. There are also some short paths throughout the park, perfect to take your dog for a short excursion out of the house.
The park features a few picnic tables if you’re truly a rugged soul and want to have a picnic – regardless of the weather.
Since the park is owned by the state, residents get in for free and out-of-state visitors must pay a small fee.
How to Get There
From downtown Whitefish, travel north on Baker Avenue over the train tracks.
Baker turns into Wisconsin Avenue and then East Lakeshore Drive.
Continue past the turn to Whitefish Mountain Resort for about a mile and the turn is to the west.
The turn is well marked with state park signs.