Bowman Lake
Bowman Lake
4.6
About
This lake lies just west of the Livingston Range of mountains in Montana and just south of the Canadian border in the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.6
178 reviews
Excellent
127
Very good
39
Average
6
Poor
4
Terrible
2
DCockayne
Salt Lake City, UT131 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
This lake is a wonderful destination if you're visiting Glacier National Park and you're not afraid of some dirt roads. It's accessed through the Polebridge area entrance, and there is a primitive campground there that was first come first served at the time of year we visited, which was just after Labor Day. I believe the campground closes up fairly quickly for the winter, so make sure it's still open if you're on that threshold at the end of the season. If you have a kayak or canoe, take it with you! The water is crystal clear and the mountain surrounding the lake are awe inspiring.
Written September 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michellehouse
Evansville, IN282 contributions
Jul 2021
After spending one day in the main part of Glacier with the crowds we decided to venture to a lesser known part of the park. The drive from Whitefish to Polebridge was rocky. The other car traveling with us got a flat. You'll need to drive slowly but its a doable drive (would not do it with a rental). The drive from Polebridge out to the lake wasn't in horrible shape. I was expecting much worse from the online descriptions but as long as you take it slow it shouldn't be too bad. We managed it in a minivan. We arrived at the lake around 9AM and there were a handful of other cars. We hiked part of the trail around the lake (kids had just done over 5 miles the day before). The hike wasn't overly scenic but it was nice and shady plus we hiked through a large patch of wild raspberries. After our hike we let the kids change and swim in the lake. There were several more cars by that point but it still wasn't crowded at all (there was at least 50 yards between us and the next group on the beach). We also saw several deer including a momma and two babies that came right up the lake while we were swimming. We left around noon but very much enjoyed our time.
Written August 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shelby W
Denver, CO89 contributions
Aug 2020
You guys, this place is STUNNING, but let me tell you, it's a rough ride in. The road is incredibly narrow and unkept and there are very few parking spots. We were lucky that a park ranger was allowing cars to park in the empty camp sites, otherwise we would have had to turn back. There were a ton of people swimming in the lake and there were plenty of places to social distance around the shores of the lake. BRING BUG SPRAY. There were quite a few bugs flying around, so we were glad we saw ahead of time to bring this with us. Otherwise, great spot to enjoy that is just outside the hustle and bustle of Going to the Sun road.
Written August 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David H
Scottsdale, AZ50 contributions
Jun 2020
I loved Bowman Lake. It was hard to get to, the NPS was limiting the amount of visitors due to parking availability, and there is absolutely no cellular service there.
We took the outer North Fork Road to Polebridge. Most of the road is loose gravel and incredibly dusty. There are stretches of paved road. From the Polebridge entry into Glacier to Bowman Lake is a hard drive - it is six miles and took us about 20 minutes. We had a Toyota Highlander AWD so it was fine.
The lake is beautiful with very small crowds. It is a much different experience than the east side of Glacier. There were families fishing and just relaxing. When we reached the parking lot there was a deer hanging out. As a note, the rangers were controlling the number of cars going into the park. There was a wait list and they would admit a vehicle when one exited. We ended up waiting around one hour.
We headed out on the Bowman Lake hike. It can be a very long hike it you complete the entire hike. We only did about three miles out from where the trailhead begins at the lake. It was a very disappointing hike. While you hike along the lake, there are very few views of the lake due to tree and other plant growth after the first half mile. The trail is quite overgrown in spots and there was patches of mud. We did not see any wildlife outside a few squirrels. The entire hike may be amazing, but I would advise against the stretch we completed.
Overall, do not be afraid of the drive to Polebridge is you have an appropriate vehicle. You get a different perspective of Glacier and you may enjoy the lack of crowds.
We took the outer North Fork Road to Polebridge. Most of the road is loose gravel and incredibly dusty. There are stretches of paved road. From the Polebridge entry into Glacier to Bowman Lake is a hard drive - it is six miles and took us about 20 minutes. We had a Toyota Highlander AWD so it was fine.
The lake is beautiful with very small crowds. It is a much different experience than the east side of Glacier. There were families fishing and just relaxing. When we reached the parking lot there was a deer hanging out. As a note, the rangers were controlling the number of cars going into the park. There was a wait list and they would admit a vehicle when one exited. We ended up waiting around one hour.
We headed out on the Bowman Lake hike. It can be a very long hike it you complete the entire hike. We only did about three miles out from where the trailhead begins at the lake. It was a very disappointing hike. While you hike along the lake, there are very few views of the lake due to tree and other plant growth after the first half mile. The trail is quite overgrown in spots and there was patches of mud. We did not see any wildlife outside a few squirrels. The entire hike may be amazing, but I would advise against the stretch we completed.
Overall, do not be afraid of the drive to Polebridge is you have an appropriate vehicle. You get a different perspective of Glacier and you may enjoy the lack of crowds.
Written June 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
F C
Plano, TX11 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We love this lake!!! It is easy to get to if you have an SUV (through gravel road). But once you get there, the lake is just right there! You can walk around the lake or just sit enjoy the quietness. The water is sooo clean. We went at the end of August and had no problem finding a parking space. However, we heard friends going in early Aug and couldn't find parking.
Written October 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cowankelly
Jamestown, RI30 contributions
Jul 2021
Visited Bowman Lake after a visit to Polebridge Mercantile because a couple of local folks said it was their favorite place in GNP. Was a perfect relaxing (i.e., non-hiking) day. The 6-mile access road is DUSTY right now and takes a while to travel. Was plenty of parking when we went because the were in pre-evacuation for wildfires, which kept most folks away. Was still gorgeous even with wildfire smoke obscuring the distant views.
Stopped again at Polebridge Mercantile on the way out and had some beers with live music. Ended up being a highlight of the trip.
Stopped again at Polebridge Mercantile on the way out and had some beers with live music. Ended up being a highlight of the trip.
Written August 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
froglag
Spokane, WA1,605 contributions
Jul 2021
One of our favorite places to visit at Glacier National Park. I won't say the road is very dusty, narrow and at places rough but it is a beautiful place to visit. There is hiking trails from the lake and you can hike around the lake. They have picnic tables for having a picnic lunch and a beach to play in the water if you would enjoy doing that. It does not require the pass so if you did not get one this is a area you can freely explore. And be sure to stop off at Polebridge Mercantile and enjoy the huckleberry bearclaws they are delicious.
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ARSNY
New York City, NY89 contributions
Jul 2020
Excellent views of the lake in the initial third but was raining for the most of the day so after 4.5 miles - we turned back. the trail was more slush than we could handle. Take DEET - mosquitoes are a killer. Easy hike
Written July 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fay M
La Quinta, CA445 contributions
Sept 2020
It is a long and bumpy ride to the lake, but it is well worth it. The view of the lake from the end of the lake by the parking lot is breath taking. We hiked one of the trails and it was easy and well marked. Seldom will one be disappointed with a visit.
Written September 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael K
Kennesaw, GA556 contributions
Jul 2020
We had a long wait to get through to the long dirt road to get there, but it was a beautiful lake and view. We hiked around part of the lake and saw a couple of deer along the way. We also saw a couple of black bears along the dirt road to and from the lake so it was a worthwhile trip from Polebridge.
Written July 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How bad is the North Fork road to Lake Bowman in 2022? TIA for the information.
Written July 1, 2022
Ivan you take a camper up to Bowman?
I have a small Rpod
Written July 31, 2019
Not sure what a rpod is. If it is small it would be feasible, but the closer you get too the lake the narrower the road gets. Was there in late July and saw some bumper pulls in the campgrounds. Keep in mind as well there are no reservations. If the camp is full you are out of luck. Best to call the day of. Phone # is on website.
Written September 5, 2019
Thejuddge
Richards, Texas
Can I make it up the road with a 4x4 Tahoe pulling a 5'x13' trailer with kaiyaks?
Written July 24, 2017
Hello. I will be in Glacier Park this summer and would like to return to Bowman Lake after my first visit 25 years ago. I own a 2012 Toyota Tacoma, however it is not a 4 X 4. Will I be able to make it to Bowman Lake and back to Pole Bridge in it? Thank you.
Written March 26, 2017
pallster
Marblehead, Massachusetts
Can we park overnight at Bowman as base for backcountry hiking?
Written January 8, 2017
I think you can with a permit. When we were there, several overnight campers were there and parked. They had windshield permits though. We were just there for the day.
Written January 17, 2017
no, just a picnic area, campground and boat launch. Get your kayaks in Kalispell or maybe west glacier
Written August 13, 2016
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