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Montana boating waters. Backdrop for the Boating Hubs Montana marina directory

Marinas · Montana

Marinas in Montana

Cruise 14 marinas across Montana. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Big Sky country. Glacier, the Bob, and the Yellowstone headwaters.

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View 14 marinasGet listed free

Highest rated

Marinas in Montana by Google rating

Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across the 10 of 14 marinas in Montana with 10 or more Google reviews.

MarinaCityRating
Koocanusa Resort & MarinaLibby4.829 Google reviews
Lakeside MarinaHelena4.820 Google reviews
Flathead Boat CompanyPolson4.790 Google reviews
Fort Peck Marina and RV ParkFort Peck4.6165 Google reviews
Rock Creek MarinaFort Peck4.561 Google reviews
Flathead Harbor MarinaLakeside4.528 Google reviews
Yacht Basin MarinaHelena4.445 Google reviews
The Lodge MarinaWhitefish4.416 Google reviews

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14 marinas in Montana

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Also on the water

Boat rentals, tours and charters in Montana

Top camping

Most-booked campgrounds in Montana

Federal campgrounds in Montana that Recreation.gov lists for boating, ranked by how many times they were booked in fiscal 2025.

  1. Downstream1

    Downstream

    3,634 bookings
  2. 2

    Rainbow Point Campground

    3,122 bookings
  3. Holter Lake Campground3

    Holter Lake Campground

    2,266 bookings
  4. Hellgate Campground4

    Hellgate Campground

    2,025 bookings
  5. Holland Lake Campground5

    Holland Lake Campground

    1,760 bookings

Bookings: Recreation.gov, fiscal 2025 (Oct 2024 to Sep 2025).

On the map

Marinas, boat launches, rivers & creeks and camping in Montana

Everything we have mapped in Montana, on one map. Tap anything for its details.

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Tap a launch to pinpoint it on the map, then open it for ramp type, fees, and the nearest marina.

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Browse all 268 boat launches

About Montana

Montana boating starts with Flathead Lake. The state's biggest freshwater body sits below the Mission Mountains, and on a July afternoon its sailing fleet works a breeze that funnels down the valley while marinas and launch ramps around Polson and Lakeside handle everything else: pontoons, ski boats, anglers headed out for lake trout water. Southeast of there, Canyon Ferry Lake backs up the Missouri River near Helena. It's the workhorse: powerboats, wakeboarders, weekend fishing tournaments, several full-service marinas keeping the fuel and slips flowing.

Then there's Fort Peck. Way out in eastern Montana, the Fort Peck Dam holds back one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, and the scale changes what boating means. Open water runs to the horizon; the shoreline is prairie and rough breaks rather than timber and peaks. Serious anglers make pilgrimages here, and cruisers can go days without repeating themselves. Marinas and services sit far apart, though, so a Fort Peck trip gets planned like an expedition. Smaller lakes and stretches of the Missouri and Yellowstone fill in the map, some good for a quiet paddle, some allowing limited motorboat use.

Montana marinas earn their keep in a compressed season. During the peak months, expect transient slips, fuel docks, pump-out stations, and often basic repair work at the full-service operations. Charters exist (fishing guides, scenic tours, and bareboat rentals, with Flathead Lake carrying the deepest bench), just not at coastal density. Book slips ahead for summer weekends and holidays. The northern climate keeps the window short, and everyone crowds into it.

The scenery is the reason people put up with the short season. In the west, glacial lakes sit clear and cold under Rocky Mountain peaks; in the east, reservoirs stretch across plains and badlands under enormous sky. The state guards that landscape hard: the water stays clean, the shorelines stay wild, and a day on a Montana lake still feels like it belongs to you.

When to cruise in Montana

Peak Jun–Aug

Full season

Quick facts

Boat launches mapped
268
Rivers mapped
2,381
Marinas listed
14
Best season
June through October

Trip guide

Know before you go in Montana

Federal permits, lotteries and timed-entry reservations in Montana, from Recreation.gov.

Confirm current requirements with the agency that sets them before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • Boater Education Card

    Montana requires only youths ages 13 and 14 to hold a Montana Motorboat Operator's Safety Certificate to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower, and even they are exempt when accompanied on board by someone 18 or older. There is no boater-education requirement for operators 15 and older.

  • Boat Registration

    All motorized vessels and sailboats 12 feet long and longer operating on Montana waters must be registered with the state. Registration decals must be displayed prominently.

  • Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Inspection

    All watercraft entering Montana or moving between bodies of water within the state must undergo an AIS inspection. Non-resident boats must purchase an AIS prevention pass.

  • Life Jackets (PFDs)

    All vessels must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable personal flotation device (PFD) for each person on board. Children under 12 years of age must wear a PFD whenever a vessel less than 26 feet long is underway.

01What is the best time of year to go boating in Montana?
July and August deliver the warmest air and water, and that's when most boaters go. But June and September have their own case: the same lakes with far fewer boats on them, and conditions that are usually still very pleasant.
02Are there any specific requirements for out-of-state boaters?
Yes, and Montana takes them seriously. All motorized vessels must be registered, and every watercraft, right down to kayaks and paddleboards, must pass an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspection when entering the state or moving between certain waters. Non-residents also need an AIS prevention pass.
03Where can I find marinas with transient slips and fuel?
The larger lakes (Flathead, Canyon Ferry, and Hauser), carry most of the full-service marinas with transient slips, fuel docks, and pump-outs. On Fort Peck the services are far apart. Either way, call ahead to reserve and confirm what's actually open.
04Can I charter a boat in Montana?
Yes. Flathead Lake has the most options (fishing guides, scenic tours, sometimes bareboat rentals), with availability varying by location and season. Book ahead; the good dates go early.
05What kind of weather should I expect while boating in Montana?
Plan for the summer day you want and the storm you didn't order. Warm, sunny afternoons can flip to thunderstorms, hard wind, and a sharp temperature drop, especially near the mountains. Watch the forecast and keep an eye on the sky.
06Are there any specific fishing regulations I should be aware of?
You'll need a valid Montana fishing license, and the rules shift by water body and species: catch limits, size restrictions, gear requirements. Check the current Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regulations for the water you're fishing before you rig up.

Watch & learn

Watch & learn, Montana

  • YouTube

    Bahamas Water in MONTANA?!

    Brandon Gross

    0
  • YouTube

    Boating Adventures In Montana's Big Sky Country: Stomping Grounds Ep. 8

    Boat Trader

    0
  • YouTube

    Gates of the Mountains (Montana's Best Episode 11)

    Montana's Best

    0

Free tools

Your free outdoor toolkit

View all tools
River levelsLive levels for every gauged river in Montana.
Boat LaunchesFind public boat ramps on a map, with the water each one sits on.
Boating License CheckPick your state, boat and birth year for a yes or no from the state's own boater education rule, quoted and linked.
River ExplorerExplore named rivers from USGS data. Filter by water type, with live flow where a gauge sits.
Route PlannerDrop stops on a map and watch distance and drive time add up. Export a GPX or share the link.
Skill DrillsInteractive 3D drills, one decision at a time. Pick wrong and you watch it fail, then learn why.

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