Lake Como is located between Hamilton and Darby, in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley.
It’s one of the prettiest lakes in Montana with unforgettable views of its forested shoreline, the Bitterroot Mountains towering granite peaks, and the Bitterroot National Forest in the background.
This article shares information about Lake Como’s history, location and recreational opportunities.
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Day Passes for Lake Como, MT
Residents and visitors love the Lake Como beach — it’s one of our most popular attractions each summer.
Lake Como is a National Recreation Area that includes camping sites, swimming area with beach, picnic tables, accessible restrooms, group areas, boat launch and hiking trails.
Fees are required for day use of the facilities between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Lake Como Public Beach / Bitterroot Info
A Lake Como Recreation Day Pass costs $5 per vehicle per day, or $30 per vehicle for the season.
Passes can be purchased at self service kiosks at the lake, at Forest Service offices in Stevensville, Hamilton and Darby, and at a variety of retail and convenience stores throughout the Bitterroot Valley.
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Overnight Camping at Lake Como Recreation Area
For those who want to stay overnight, there are 3 established campgrounds at Lake Como Recreation Area.
Overnight camping is first come, first served with no reservations available.
Lake Como Campground offers 10 campsites for large trailers.
Three Frogs Campground offers 16 small trailer sites and 4 tent sites.
Rock Creek Horse Camp offers 11 tent and small trailer sites with stock facilities.
Trailhead Horse Camp at Lake Como / Bitterroot Info
Pets must be leashed and are not allowed at the public beach.
Overnight camping passes can be purchased from the campground host.
Overnight camping fees include (1) day pass for use of facilities within the Recreation Area.
Hiking Trails Around Lake Como
The Lake Como National Recreation Trailhead is located near the Rock Creek Horse Camp campground.
The trail consists of a 7 mile loop all the way around the lake. It’s a spectacular hike with scenic views that you won’t soon forget.
For a shorter hike (or bike), try the Lake Como National Recreation Trail on the north side of the lake.
Lake Como Views / Bitterroot Info
This trail is 3 miles long and the first 1/4 mile is paved and accessible, beginning near the public beach area.
Day passes are required for parking in order to access these hiking trails between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
For the adventurous, there are many surrounding trails for hiking and mountain biking throughout the Bitterroot National Forest that bounds this recreation area.
Boating on Lake Como
Motorized and non-motorized boating is popular on Lake Como.
The boat launch is normally put into operation between May 15th and June 1st, and remains operational until mid August when water levels drop.
Lake Como Boat Launch / Bitterroot Info
Parking is provided for trailers and two ramps are available.
As with the other facilities and services within the Recreation Area, day passes are required for parking in order to access the boat launch between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
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Directions to Lake Como National Recreation Area
The Recreation Area is easy to find, with the main access road located between Hamilton, MT and Darby, MT.
To get there from Hamilton, simply head south on US 93 for 16 miles to the Lake Como Road.
From Darby, head north on US 93 for 4 miles to the Lake Como Road.
Swimming and Public Beach Area / Bitterroot Info
Turn west on Lake Como Road and proceed for 4 miles until you reach Lake Como.
Stay to the right for the public beach area, picnic tables and day use, and stay left for campgrounds and the boat ramp on the south side of the lake.
Here’s a link to a Google map centered on the swimming area.
Lake Como Dam
Back in 1908, local farmers decided to build an impoundment to increase the capacity of this naturally occurring body of water so they could store more irrigation water.
The Federal Bureau of Reclamation has made several improvements to the hydraulic earthfill dam since it was originally constructed between 1908 and 1910.
According to Wikipedia, improvements were made in 1954, 1976, and again in 1992 and 1993.
Lake Como Dam Spillway / Bitterroot Info
The Bureau of Reclamation states the dam is 85 feet tall and spans 2,550 feet. It’s a big dam.
The lake has a water surface of 1.4 square miles and stores 38,495 acre feet of water at capacity.
The Bitter Root Project Irrigation District owns and operates the dam and the reservoir of water.
Water discharge from Lake Como serves irrigation users throughout the Bitterroot Valley via the historic Big Ditch.
That’s a Good Question
A Recreation Day Pass costs $5 per vehicle per day, or $30 per vehicle for the season.
Yes, but water levels are much lower and boating is not available during winter months.
Lake Como National Recreation Area features camping, hiking, swimming, beach, restrooms, picnic area, group area, and boating near Darby, MT.