Lake Como
A hidden gem with sandy beaches and breathtaking mountain views
Lake Como is a reservoir in the Bitterroot Mountains with multiple recreation areas, featuring sandy beaches, a swimming area, and picnic sites.
Features: Several beaches, picnic sites with grills, and a swimming area, as well as hiking trails, campgrounds, and a boat launch.
Accessibility info and site description: Lake Como is located 13 miles south of Hamilton, and 3 miles west of US 93. As of September 2021, there is a $5 day use fee per vehicle. The beach swimming area has two accessible parking spaces- one on either side of the two accessible restrooms. These spaces are not marked for van accessibility, however, there is an extra space between the accessible parking spaces and the restrooms (see photos). In front of each accessible parking space is one picnic table on the pavement, and 5-6 additional picnic tables in the sand. There is a large sandy beach that slopes downhill to the water, and some large and small rocks scattered throughout the sand. The distance from the parking lot to the water is around 200 feet, but this distance will vary depending on how full the reservoir is, which was low at the time of my visit in May and high during a previous visit in July. According to US Forest Service website, the reservoir typically stays full until August.
There is another picnic site and parking area about 400 feet west of the beach area in a lightly wooded spot that offers shade. There is no accessible parking, and one accessible restroom. Along this unpaved parking area is a narrow and very rough paved path from the accessible restroom to the end of the lot. In the middle, there is a picnic table on cement that has one bench, with the other side open for wheelchair users. There are two other picnic tables with grills on cement along the path, and at least one more picnic table off the trail. There also appears to be a rocky, narrow dirt trail down to another beach area.
Continuing up Como Campground road, there is an unmarked parking lot on the left that leads to the "Woods Cabin" and another picnic area. Note: the following trail is very rocky with a lot of tripping hazards. To find the trail, go to the far side of the parking lot to the sign with a dog on a leash. Continue going straight and downhill about 250 feet, until there's a fork in the road with another dog-on-leash sign and a very large boulder. Take the rocky trail to the left and continue downhill another 500 feet. Here you'll find several picnic tables with grills in a wooded area, a bench with a beautiful view, and another beach area. This beach has less sand and more rocks, but it's also less crowded, and offers even better views of the mountains.
Lastly, the Lake Como National Recreation Trailhead is up the road just a little further, and allegedly the first 1/4 mile is a "paved, accessible interpretive trail". I hadn't heard about this until I was writing this blog post, so I have not yet checked it out. Will post an update when I do!
My experience: Lake Como is truly Montana's hidden gem. My first visit here was a week after my wedding. My husband and I were unable to go on a honeymoon, so we spent an afternoon on the beach at Lake Como instead. With views this breathtaking, it felt just as special as any honeymoon resort.
Of course, a spot this special is also very popular. If crowds and impossible-to-find parking aren't your thing, avoid visiting on hot summer days, especially on the weekends, and instead choose to go on cooler days, weekdays, arrive in the morning, or plan to go in the Spring or Fall. Arriving in the morning of a 70 degree day in May is going to be a lot less crowded and more enjoyable than a hot 90 degree afternoon in July.
Many people visit Lake Como to enjoy the beach, but many also visit for the water sports: kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing, but also jet skiing, boating, and water skiing. Some boats are less considerate of the other people enjoying this recreation area and will make a lot of noise, so this spot can be loud especially in the summer months. Also keep in mind this is a reservoir, so the water levels are going to vary depending on the time of year. The swimming area will be deeper and the Woods Cabin beach will not be usable when the reservoir is full.
Overall, Lake Como offers a unique opportunity to lay on a sandy beach right here in Montana, with breathtaking mountain views that make this hidden gem even more special. Visit in the summer months for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports, or avoid the crowd and enjoy the views on a quieter day in the Spring or Fall.
For more activity ideas at Lake Como, visit:
