Cliff Lake
Cameron, Montana
| Address: | 592 Cliff Lake Rd, Cameron, MT 59720, USA |
| GPS: |
44°45'47.7"N 111°32'14.1"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Montana |
Canoe and Kayak
Cliff Lake is a serene, crystal-clear mountain lake in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest of southwestern Montana — the quieter twin of neighboring Wade Lake, tucked into the forested hills of the Madison Valley about 40 miles south of Ennis and an hour from West Yellowstone. With clear water, dramatic shoreline cliffs, and a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path setting, it's a paddler's dream.
Cliff Lake is especially prized for canoeing and kayaking: its clear water and quiet, remote coves make for exceptional, scenic paddling, and stand-up paddleboards are right at home here too. While motorized boats are allowed, speed restrictions keep the lake calm and peaceful. Anglers come for the trout, and the whole area is rich with wildlife — a designated wildlife management area known for its birds, including nesting ospreys and loons.
A few Forest Service campgrounds serve the area, including the small, reservation-only Cliff Point Campground right on the lake (with picnic tables, fire rings, a vault toilet, and drinking water) plus nearby Wade Lake and Hilltop campgrounds. Canoe rentals and lodging are available at the nearby Wade Lake Resort.
To reach the lakes, drive south from Ennis on US Highway 287 about 38 miles, then turn onto the Wade and Cliff Lakes road. Summer and early fall are prime, when the gravel forest roads are easy and the water is most inviting (the lakes are cold and high, so swims are bracing). There's no cell service, so come prepared to unplug. Bring layers for cool evenings, pack in what you need, and follow Leave No Trace. For a tranquil paddle in stunning Montana high country, Cliff Lake is a hidden treasure.
More Information
Cliff and Wade Lakes - Visit Montana
Posts about cliff and wade lake written by eforyie
https://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/lake/cliff-and-wade-lakesCliff Point Campground (Cliff Lake) - Recreation.gov
Welcome to Linda Harner and Mitch Elkins’s Wedding Website! View photos, directions, registry details and more at The Knot.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10124992
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Cameron, Montana
- Head south on US-287 S toward Lonesome Dove (28.2 mi)
- Turn right onto US Frst Service Rd 8381 (3.4 mi)
- Continue straight to stay on US Frst Service Rd 8381 (2.3 mi)
- Turn right at USFS Rd 8381 (72 ft)
- Turn right onto Horn Creek Rd (1.1 mi)
Other Canoeing Areas and Kayaking Areas Nearby
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Big Springs
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