Lake Como Beach Swimming Site
A unique opportunity in Montana! This swimming area is located on beautiful Lake Como, located between Darby and Hamilton, Montana. It features a sandy beach area, picnic tables, accessible restrooms, dressing facilities, paved parking, water, and garbage service. The beach is popular during the summer months when the lake is full, usually until August.
No Dogs/Glass on Beach.
Lake Como is an irrigation reservoir. Water levels fluctuate throughout the year, with the lake typically being at its highest from spring through late-July. Lake Como plays a vital role in irrigation for the Bitterroot Valley. The lake serves as a late-season water source, storing water from Rock Creek and releasing it to the main canal that serves a 72-mile stretch of irrigation to the Valley.
Day Use Fee Required Memorial Day-Labor Day
Day Use Only, No Overnight Camping
General Information
A day use pass is required at sites within the Lake Como Recreation Area from Memorial Day-Labor Day. Passes are $5 and can be purchased at the Fee station within the site. Day and Season passes are also available from Bitterroot NF offices and vendors around the valley. Interagency (America the Beautiful, Senior, Access, etc.) Passes are honored at this site. Day use only, no overnight camping.
Please call the Darby Ranger Station for more information on Lake Como Passes, 406-821-3913.
Open yearlong until closed by snow.
6:00am to 10:00pm
Day passes are $5 and can be purchased at the Fee station within the site. Day and Season passes ($30) are also available from Bitterroot National Forest offices and vendors around the valley. Interagency Passes are honored at this site. Please call the Darby Ranger Station for more information on Lake Como Passes.
- Pets must be leashed.
- No pets or glass allowed on the beach or in the swim area.
- Day Use Only, No overnight camping.
- Food storage Required.
Day Use:
$5 per vehicle per day
$30 per season
Day use fee is required from Memorial Day-Labor Day
Passes are required to be displayed and visible from outside the vehicle.
Contact Name: Darby-Sula Ranger District
Contact Phone: 406-821-3913
Address: 712 N. Main Darby, MT 59829
Phone: 406-821-3913
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 46.06777778
Longitude: -114.2397222
Elevation
4,245 feet
Directions
From Darby, Montana travel north for 4 miles on Highway 93. Turn west (left) onto Lake Como Rd. Follow for 3 miles. Turn north (right) and follow signs to swim area.
From Hamilton, Montana travel south for 16 miles on Highway 93. Turn west (left) onto Lake Como Rd. Follow for 3 miles. Turn north (right) and follow signs to swim area.
Travel Considerations
Winter access can be difficult depending on snow conditions.
Parking
The paved parking area at the swimming area hosts 40 parking spots. Overflow parking is available in a gravel lot to the east of the swimming area.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Nearby Trails
Recreation Opportunities
Swimming Info
This is the designated swimming area for the Lake Como Recreation Area.
Boating - Non-Motorized Info
Non-motorized boats can be used from the swimming area.
Motorized boats can access the boat launch area on the south side of the lake. A floating dock is installed from typically late May and is removed by mid-August depending on water levels.
Lake Como is an irrigation reservoir, so water levels are highest in the spring and early summer, making it ideal for boating during that period.
Viewing Scenery