The Most Expensive Lakes in Montana to Buy a Second Home

Wooden Lake house inside forest in Bolu Golcuk National Park, Bolu, Turkey
© Sanatkar/Shutterstock.com

Written by Mitchelle Morgan

Updated: August 28, 2023

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Lakes are popular in Montana, where folks flock to the numerous swimming holes to enjoy fun activities. Residents and visitors enjoy swimming, windsurfing, and camping along the shore.

Montana is one of the best places to own a second home. The magnificent landscape is only the icing on top of the magnificent cake. If you’re a lake lover with extra funds and looking for a new investment, consider purchasing a lake house on one of the most expensive lakes in Montana. Here’s a quick look at some suggestions:

Infographic for the 5 Most Expensive Lakes in Montana to buy a Second Home.
Ranging from $1.75M to $25M, homes on these lakes come with acreage and gorgeous views.

1. Ashley Lake

 Ashley Lake

Ashley Lake is set at a 3,500 feet elevation and is an excellent spot for summer fun.

©Tiffany Sims/Shutterstock.com

Montana is home to amazing lakes, like Ashley Lake in the northwest of the state. It’s a two-mile-wide lake and measures four miles in length. Ashley Lake is set at a 3,500 feet elevation and is an excellent spot for summer fun. Visitors have the best time relaxing and enjoying different activities.

Purchasing a second home can make your otherwise-fleeting escape to Montana last forever. There’s a wide selection of luxurious Ashley Lake waterfront properties for sale.

The lake is a breathtaking attraction that shimmers with emerald-green waters. Some recreational activities include swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, and water skiing. A forested shoreline offers excellent paths for short hikes and exploring.

House for Sale

Spend $25,000,000 at Ashley Lake to purchase this magnificent single-family residence. It’s a four-bedroom property with three bathrooms and waterfront views. The property sits on 768.86 acres, and the massive house is 9,533 square feet.

2. Blanchard Lake

A second home can be a fantastic investment and also a wonderful place to vacation. Summertime can be spent away from the busy city in a tranquil area. Check out Blanchard Lake in Montana while shopping for a luxurious waterfront property.

A picture of a red kayak sitting on the shore

Lake Blanchard is a popular spot with anglers seeking the best catch.

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Blanchard Lake has an elevation of 3,178.3 feet and 143.1 acres. Visitors to this Flathead County lake can take part in numerous fun activities. It’s a popular spot with anglers seeking the best catch to take home after a day of fishing. Though Blanchard Lake doesn’t have a boat ramp, there are loads of fish to catch, including yellow perch, black crappie, and northern pike.

House for Sale

One excellent single-family residence is on 10.75 acres and has three attached garage spaces. It’s a four-bedroom home built in 2004, and costs $4,500,000.

3. Flathead Lake

You haven’t seen the best of Montana if you have not yet enjoyed the magnificence of Flathead Lake. Maybe this will be the place you purchase a fantastic second home!

Flathead Lake is at the top of the list of Montana’s best lakes. It’s the largest freshwater lake in the state. In fact, it’s the largest lake south of the Mississippi River.

Lakes in Montana: Flathead Lake

The natural freshwater Flathead Lake has several islands.

©Francisco Blanco/Shutterstock.com

Flathead Lake has one of the longest shorelines, stretching 185 miles. It spans 200 square miles and has a maximum depth of 370.7 feet. Additionally, it has several islands. Among the most notable islands is Wild Horse Island, a 2,164-acre piece of land.

One important fact to note is there’s a boundary between the northern and southern parts of the lake. The south part of the Flathead Lake is under the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation. Therefore, anyone seeking these waters must purchase a tribal permit from relevant authorities.  

There are numerous access points to the lake, both public and private. The Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks designate 13 public access points around the lake. Recreational areas have access to boat ramps, picnic areas, and campgrounds.

Head to Flathead for a fantastic time, and check out the magnificent homes for sale, many of which have private access to the lake.

House for Sale

Purchase a large ranch home with lake access. It’s a three-bedroom, four-bath property covering 3,974 square feet. The waterfront property costs $5,500,500.

4. Hebgen Lake

Hebgen Lake is another spectacular location to check out when house hunting.

Montana has both natural and man-made lakes. An example of a popular man-made lake is Hebgen Lake near Yellowstone National Park. Hebgen Lake is four miles wide and 15 miles long in Gallatin County.

Hebgen Lake near West Yellowstone is located in Southwest Montana, is created by Hebgen Dam. Lake and the surrounding area offer many recreational activities: camping, fishing, boating, and hiking

Folks from far and wide enjoy Hebgen Lake.

©Pecold/Shutterstock.com

Every summer, when the weather is perfect, folks from far and wide enjoy Hebgen Lake. Here, folks participate in fishing, camping, boating, swimming, and hiking.

On top of the amazing activities, you can also learn all about the Hebgen Lake earthquake. In 1959, the area was hit by a 7.1 to 7.5 magnitude earthquake. The earthquake damaged the dam along the Madison River. On top of affecting the dam’s structure, surrounding vacation homes also suffered. Some shifted off their foundations. Now, a thriving community lives around Hebgen Lake.

House for Sale

Enjoy life at the Hebgen Lake Zoning District by purchasing a single-family residency. One house was built in 1906 and is a jewel in this spectacular area of Montana. It’s a two-bedroom, two-bath property measuring 1,200 square feet. The property costs $1,995,000 and it sits on 5.22 acres.

5. Georgetown Lake

Flowers, meadows, forests, Rocky Mountains

Locals enjoy spending time at Georgetown Lake, especially during summer.

©Claudio Del Luongo/Shutterstock.com

Picture vast skies and amazing sunshine set on a dramatic backdrop of snowcapped peaks. Georgetown Lake is 2,818 acres and part of Granite and Deer Lodge counties.

Locals enjoy spending time at Georgetown Lake, especially during summer. Some activities include windsurfing, boating, and fishing. There are also some campgrounds where you can set up a tent and spend time in nature.

Georgetown Lake has all you can need for a perfect second home. Top attractions include golf courses and winter ice fishing.

There are four boat ramps available to the general public at Georgetown Lake. In addition, the area surrounding the lake has restaurants, casinos, lodges, and a marina. Many anglers catch trophy-sized fish, such as brook trout.

House for Sale

Georgetown Lake Road is where you will find a magnificent single-family home. It has three bedrooms and two baths and sits on a 3.98-acre plot. The property is 5,606 square feet and costs $1,750,000.

Other Lakes in Montana You Should Consider

Canyon Ferry Lake

Canyon Ferry Lake and Canyon Ferry Dam are both important parts of the local community. The lake sits on 35,181 acres and was formed after the construction of Canyon Ferry Dam in 1954.

It has 76 miles of shoreline and is an excellent place for a vacation home. Locals and visitors to Canyon Ferry Lake enjoy spending time on the water fishing for walleye, rainbow trout, or ling.

So much beauty in the big sky country

The Canyon Ferry Lake is the main attraction in this part of Montana.

©Ventureout406/Shutterstock.com

If you want to enjoy marinas, there are three to choose from at Canyon Ferry Lake. Check out Yacht Basin Marina, Kim’s Marina, and Goose Bay Marina. All three offer a wide range of amenities, including boat launching.

The Canyon Ferry Lake is the main attraction in this part of Montana. There’s even a visitor center where you can learn the history of the area and much more.

House for Sale

A fantastic property at Canyon Ferry Lake is a four-bedroom and four-bath house built in 2006. It sits on 12.10 acres. The house is 2,684 square feet, and it costs $3,950,000.

Swan Lake

Swan Lake is another spectacular lake. Here, life is easy, and you can escape the chaos of the city. Magnificent mountains and lots of national forests surround the lake.

Still lake in remote area

You can buy a single-family Swan Lake home on a 5.32-acre plot for $2,849,000.

©Altrendo Images/Shutterstock.com

Locals and tourists enjoy fishing, hiking, and horseback riding through the national forest. Anglers are always there with their boats, aiming for the best catch.

The lake isn’t too big. It’s a mile wide and eight miles long. There are also lodges, a small beach, a campground, and amenities like toilets.

Check out the local real estate market to land that exclusive listing on this heavenly lake.

House for Sale

One single-family lake house sits on a 5.32-acre plot. The house has four bedrooms and three and a half baths. It measures 3,728 square feet and costs $2,849,000.

Whitefish Lake

Check out Whitefish Lake. You can’t miss it since it’s off Highway 93.

Whitefish Lake

When you buy a second home at Whitefish Lake, you’ll enjoy many activities, such as paddle boarding.

©Evolga/Shutterstock.com

Whitefish Lake is situated in Whitefish Lake State Park. Families and friends enjoy making memories in this beautiful place. It’s near Whitefish town and a perfect location to scout for a second home. Long ago, an ice-age glacier flowed in the area, and now the lake is a reminder of that past.

Families and friends enjoy water surfing, paddle boarding, water skiing, and fishing. The lake has three main access points: City Beach, Les Mason Park, and Whitefish Lake State Park.

At City Beach, you’ll find a gazebo and picnic tables. Explore the shallow waters, where kids can swim safely.

House for Sale

Are you ready to spend $9,800,000 on a lake house in Montana? This lovely property has five bedrooms and two and a half baths. The house covers 4,340 square feet and is on a 3.24-acre plot.

Lake MacDonald

Glacier National Park is one of the top attractions in Montana. Here, you’ll find Lake MacDonald, the largest lake in the park. The lake is over one mile wide and 10 miles long. Glacial activities led to its formation, and the lake is now 472 feet deep.

Side view portrait of father and son sitting together on rocks fishing with rods in calm lake waters.

Lake MacDonald is a place for anglers since it has many native trout.

©iStock.com/shironosov

Are you a big fan of fishing? Lake MacDonald is a place for anglers since it has many native trout. Another reason this is a fabulous place is the dramatic mountain backdrops surrounding the lake. Locals say Lake MacDonald is shaped like a hot dog.

House for Sale

Houses here offer the most breathtaking views. One three-bedroom and two-and-a-half-bathroom property has a four-car garage and was built in 2017. It sits on a 20-acre plot and covers 4,747 square feet. All you have to do is pay $3,395,000.

Summary of the Most Expensive Lake in Montana to Buy a Second Home:

Name of LakeCost of PropertyAcreage/House Size
Ashley Lake$25,000,000768.86 acres/ 9,533 sq. ft.
Blanchard Lake$4,500,00010.75 acres
Flathead Lake$5,500,5003,974 sq. ft.
Hebgen Lake$1,995,0005.22 acres/ 1,200 sq. ft.
Georgetown Lake$1,750,0003.98 acres/ 5,606 sq. ft.


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About the Author

Mitchelle is a content writer who loves nature. She loves writing about animals and plants. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and going for nature walks.

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