Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake is a 45-acre lake that is naturally shallow at 15 ft. The Lake offers great hiking, fishing, birding, and camping opportunities.

Crystal Lake is located about 31 miles outside of the town of Lewistown, Montana. It's a part of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. The elevation of Crystal Lake is about 5,700 feet. A natural phenomenon is that Crystal Lake is about 45 aces large, but the depth measures only around 15 feet deep. The Lake is fed by the melting snow by the surrounding mountains. Rainwater is rare in the summer months and therefore stays at a shallow depth. The bottom of the lake is made of porous Limestone that allows the water to drain from below, especially during the summer. By the end of summer, the lake is surrounded by mud and is looks more like a pond due to how shallow it becomes. 

Crystal Lake is a popular destination for camping, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and more. The Crystal Lake campground offers 28 campsites with a single loop trail that contains campsites. Picnic tables and a circular steel fire pit are provided at each campsite. Crystal Lake Campground can accommodate tents, trailers, RVs, and it has a single-room cabin for rent. Water is limited and may not be available. Fishing is a highly popular activity here at the lake. The district fills Crystal Lake with rainbow trout each year which provides great fishing opportunities for visitors that wish to partake in this activity. All non-motorized boats are welcome on the lake. Many visitors swim and use canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards on the lake.

Another popular activity here is bird watching. Birds take advantage of the shallow water that is full of fish, and as the fish appear in the clear water birds hunt the fish, this creates a prime location for bird watching. Large birds like the bald eagle are easily spotted here. Many visitors also participate in hiking here at Crystal Lake. The hiking loop around the lake provides an easy hiking trail with stationed benches and a low elevation differential. This hike is recognized as Crystal Lake National Recreational Trail. Overall, Crystal Lake is a scenic, popular, and overall great destination. Peak season is from early June to September, as the water level is at the highest. There is no fee to enter Crystal Lake, however, a small fee to camp is required. Reservations are not available in advance, and all camping is available on a first-come-first-serve basis.