The Long Way
Flathead County
A dirt trail winds through a grassy, wooded area on a sunny day.
Plate I. Dirt trail, Somers Beach State Park. From fwp.mt.gov
A fallen tree trunk lies on a wet sandy beach near a large body of water under a clear blue sky.
Plate II. Driftwood on shoreline, Somers Beach State Park. From fwp.mt.gov
A pebbled shoreline along a lake under a clear blue sky.
Plate III. Pebble beach, Somers Beach State Park. From fwp.mt.gov
A pebbled shoreline along a body of water with rolling hills under a blue sky.
Plate IV. Pebble shoreline, Somers Beach State Park. From fwp.mt.gov
A scenic view of snow-covered mountains, a lake, and a field under a blue sky.
Plate V. Winter view, Somers Beach State Park. From fwp.mt.gov
A scenic view of a lake surrounded by snow-dusted mountains and forests.
Plate VI. Shoreline view, Somers Beach State Park. From fwp.mt.gov

Somers Beach State Park

Somers, Flathead County, Montana. State park.

Details

Map. Somers, Flathead County, Montana. Larger map
Where
558 Somers Road, Somers, MT 59932. Directions
When
Day-use only; open sunrise to sunset.
Season
Sandy beach accessible from fall through late spring when Flathead Lake is below full pool.
Fees
Nonresidents: $8 per vehicle; $4 walk-in/bicycle/bus passenger; free with a Nonresident Entrance Pass.
Access
All dogs must be on a leash; fires and fireworks prohibited; pack it in, pack it out; hunting and discharge of weapons prohibited; no motorized vehicles off established roads. The neighboring U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Flathead Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) is closed to access during the bird nesting season, March 1 - July 15.
Walk-in or reserve
No reservations; walk-in.
Phone
406-751-5423
Managed by
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Established
October 2021.

Montana's newest state park. The development will include day-use amenities, such as trails, picnic areas, and a hand launch area for boats, as well as overnight lodging opportunity with three rental cabins. FWP will also enhance additional park shoreline with an erosion control beach.

Notable Events

  1. 1930sPrior to the construction of the SKQ dam in the 1930s, the Sliter family acquired 106 acres of pristine shoreline on Flathead Lake. flatheadlandtrust.org
  2. 2010Looking to conserve the property while allowing more formal public access, the Sliters reached out to Flathead Land Trust in 2010. flatheadlandtrust.org
  3. 2020A determined effort to secure community support began in 2020; Flathead Land Trust and Andrea Sliter Goudge rallied the community, gathering 234 letters in support of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks acquiring the Sliter property. flatheadlandtrust.org
  4. 2020FWP issues decision notice for the acquisition of Somers Beach. fwp.mt.gov
  5. 2021After a $25,000 matching challenge from the Sliter family raised $30,300 from 73 donors, combined with over $125,000 raised by the MT State Parks Foundation, the property officially became Somers Beach State Park. flatheadlandtrust.org
  6. 2021The foundation page announced the park opened in the summer of 2021 with minimal amenities, noting the park remained private until the final real estate sale was complete. montanastateparksfoundation.org
  7. 2022A dynamic equilibrium gravel beach designed by Mark Lorang of the University of Montana Biological Station was installed to protect the shoreline; FWP data later showed 0.7 acres of new aquatic and wetland habitat restored. flatheadlandtrust.org
  8. 2023FWP announced it is moving forward with development plans for Somers Beach State Park, publishing a final decision notice and modified final environmental assessment. fwp.mt.gov

People

  • George Somers, Namesake of the town of Somers; an executive of the sawmill operation.
  • Coby Gierke, Executive Director of the Montana State Parks Foundation.
  • Andrea Sliter Goudge, Sliter family member who rallied community support for FWP acquiring the property.
  • Mark Lorang, Designer of the 2022 dynamic equilibrium gravel beach, University of Montana Biological Station (2022).
  • Tony Powell, FWP recreation manager for the Flathead Valley area that includes Somers Beach State Park.
  • Everit Sliter, Sliter family owner who pledged toward the state park match.
  • Nikki Sliter, Sliter family owner who pledged toward the state park match.
  • Paul Travis, Executive Director of Flathead Land Trust.

Sources

  1. fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/somers-beach
  2. fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/somers-beach-planning-project
  3. flatheadlandtrust.org/conservation/places-we-protect/somers-beach
  4. flatheadlakers.org/somers-beach-state-park
  5. montanastateparksfoundation.org/parks/somers-beach-state-park
  6. flatheadbeacon.com/2015/07/21/the-somers-ice-house