If you visit northwest Montana, you may want to consider checking out Logan State Park.
The state park located in the small city of Libby offers a variety of excellent outdoor activities. Near Middle Thompson Lake, there are plenty of fun activities to do including water-skiing, boating, camping, and fishing.
Even if you’d prefer to avoid the water, you can still enjoy some of the beautiful scenery the park has to offer. The park is in a heavily forested area and is teeming with wildlife, making it an excellent spot for bird watching.
You can also play horseshoe for a bit at the horseshoe spot at the park if you’d prefer to do something more active, but without diving into the water. There are also several campsites so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy great views for a day or two.
With a lake and tons of outdoor activities for visitors to do, Logan State Park is a popular retreat for both locals and tourists in the summer. Whether you visit for just the day or stay overnight, the park is sure to be an enjoyable time.
Logan State Park Facts
- The park is 17 acres in size and 3,333 feet in elevation.
- The park is open all seasons from 7 AM to 10 PM
- Camping is available, there are 37 campsites, all are RV friendly
- The A Loop campground is closed for the winter and reopens 4/29
Fishing
Fishing is a popular activity at the park, as it is an excellent site for catching fish, with many even considering it one of the bests spots for fishing in all of Montana.
You can spot both regular and fly fishers at the park, as the lake is a good spot for both. It’s especially good for fishers who want to stay overnight in an RV or camper because this is the only state park near the Thompson Chain of Lakes that visitors with large vehicles can camp at.
Middle Thompson Lake is the closest to the park and is about 560 acres in size. You can find many different fish here, including largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and brown trout.
Typically the best time to fish is July through September, as the water gets quite warm then. The lake is also an excellent spot to fish by kayak, raft, or canoe.
You can also fish at Middle Thompson Lake at the park in the winter as well. Ice fishing is allowed at the lake and is considered by many to be just as enjoyable as summer fishing. Whether you choose to fish in the summer or winter, make sure you have a fishing permit with you, as you’ll need one to fish legally at the park.
Activities
Logan State Park offers a variety of activities to do. Guests can go boating, swim, or camp at the park.
Boating and Water Sports
Since the park is near the Thompson Chain of Lakes, it is a great place for boating and water sports.
There is a paved boat launch ramp and boat slips. You can kayak or canoe at the closet lake, Middle Thompson Lake. Unfortunately, this lake is a no-wake lake, so it is not a good spot for water sports.
Thankfully, visitors can go to the nearby McGregor Lake, where water skiing and similar water sports are allowed.
Swimming
The park has a small swimming area for visitors. There is a small ropped-off swimming area near the park. This is a great way to cool off if you plan on visiting the park during the summer when it can get quite hot.
Camping
The park has 37 campsites all of which are available for both tent and RV campers. There is a bathhouse, restrooms, and dump station at the campsite. Pets are also allowed at the campsite but must be kept on a leash.
Check-in at the site is 2 pm and check-out is 1 pm. There are enforced quiet hours at the site from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am.
Trail Routes
A heavily forested area with Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine, Logan State Park is a beautiful place to walk around and enjoy the scenery.
There is one main trail located within the state park that is an out and back trail. It’s a great way to get some exercise during the day or to go wildlife watching.
The trail is rather short, about half a mile. The elevation gain is insignificant, with it being roughly 3 ft. Overall it’s a very easy trail. It’s a good out and back trail that could be done multiple times for those looking to get a workout.
The trail could also be enjoyed more leisurely by those interested in watching wildlife at the park. Be sure to bring a set of binoculars to help you spot animals here. On your short journey, you might see moose, deer, elk, and bears.
Although rather short, this trail can still be a fun way to enjoy all of the park’s nature. It’s a great way to get some quick and easy exercise and to spot wildlife in the park.