Tally Lake Campground (north of Whitefish, MT)

Sunday July 22, 2012

We decide to leave Hungry Horse on Sunday.  The campground had actually filled up during the week and now all 5 sites are taken.

One of the other campers came by on Saturday night asking when we were leaving and decided to put their lawn chair in our camp spot to stake it out so no one else took it before they did.  Very smart.

We decide to head toward Kalispell and Whitefish.  I hadn't really heard which campground was our goal, but was pleased with the direction.  We had spent some time in Kalispell one winter with Tom and Louise. It seems like a really nice little town.

As we kept driving, however, I realized we were going THRU those towns, not staying in them.  I guess they were too crowded for us.  We head for Tally Lake.  Tally Lake is a scenic, clear, low elevation mountain lake north west of Whitefish. Tally Lake is quite large at more than 1350 acres. Although it is not a huge lake, Tally Lake has the distinction of being the deepest natural lake in Montana, with a depth of 492 feet. And they have a Campground.  It doesn't look too far on the map.  I could probably drive into either of those towns for Internet.

As you may realize, maps can be deceiving.  That 'not too far on the map' is actually about 5 miles north of Whitefish and then 18 miles on undeveloped road.

We get there pretty early but apparently most campers don't leave here until 2 pm.  The host suggests we take a look at site 34--the Honeymoon Suite it's called.  As we drove by, he was right.  This was the primo spot of the campground!  It was by itself and it had it's own little beach.  Monty could run along without a leash and would be thrilled.

We put dibs on it and had to wait till 3 pm for the current campers to vacate. 

Our Honeymoon Suite view!

Apparently they are from Kalispell and said this spot was the worst kept secret around.  They just didn't want to leave.  We spent the time hanging out at the boat dock.  The lake was packed with all kinds of boats:  motor, kayak, pontoon, paddle boards etc.  It was like Cochituate State Park in Natick, MA,  on a Sunny August day!  And it was hot!

We decide to put in for 2 nights and see what happens.  The spot can't be beat.  It's the best we probably will have this summer.