Hike Montana’s Swift Dam & Reservoir: An Alternative to Glacier
While there’s no true equivalent alternative to Glacier National Park, the Swift Dam & Reservoir area is a gorgeous, far less-crowded slice of Big Sky Country.
It’s a remote setting for outdoor adventure-seekers, and one of the gateways to the Bob Marshall Wilderness along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front.
Swift Dam is a great place for a day trip and scenic hike from Great Falls, or a multi-day “off the grid” experience in nature.
Others are far more qualified to deliver multi-day wilderness hiking advice, so I’ll focus this post on my day trip experiences in the area.
Key Info on Swift Dam & Reservoir:
- 100 miles from Great Falls, MT (2-hour drive)
- No permits needed, unless you cross onto Blackfeet Tribal land
- Activities: hiking, fishing, and camping
- Cell service is minimal
- Access: From Dupuyer, MT, you’ll drive 17 miles west on a gravel road (Swift Dam Rd.)
- Parking: Pondera County Public Park & Campground
Swift Dam Loop Hiking Trail
The Swift Dam Loop is exactly what the name implies: a loop trail that runs entirely around the reservoir.
It’s a perfect way to spend a day in nature, without having to worry about crowds, traffic, or reservations (which are required for Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road).
Trail Details:
- 7.5 miles
- Moderate difficulty
- 1600 ft. elevation gain
Wildflowers bloom in the summer, and you’ll likely encounter some wildlife. Bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and bears all roam the area.
The best part will be the views of the mountains with the bright blue lake below.
Fishing at Swift Reservoir
I checked with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and they don’t have up-to-date numbers on the fish stock at Swift Reservoir. Anecdotally, people seem to like fishing for rainbow or cutthroat trout in the lake.
You’ll see anglers casting from the shores, or rowing out in a canoe.
Anyone fishing will need a Montana license, and if you cross over to Blackfeet Nation territory, you’ll need one from them, too.
Camping at Swift Dam
I’ve seen other posts about the Swift Dam area saying there are no established campsites. That’s not true!
There are quite a few nice campsites set up in the area, with tables, barbecue grills, and vault toilets.
The sites are separated and surrounded nicely by trees for privacy. Large campers and ATVs are welcome, too.
Horses are also welcome. You’ll see them on the trails, and around the campsites at times.
History of Swift Dam
The first Swift Dam was an earth-filled embankment built between 1910 and 1914 on Birch Creek, creating what’s sometimes still referred to as Birch Creek Reservoir (as opposed to Swift Reservoir).
In 1964, snowmelt combined with heavy rainfall caused flooding that breached the original dam.
In the years that followed, the present-day concrete dam, 205 feet tall and 570 feet long, was built.
Wildfire Burn Scar
While you’re in the area, you’ll see the effects of one of the wildfires to hit the Bob Marshall Wilderness.
The Strawberry Fire was among several large wildfires during Montana’s 2017 fire season. In extremely dry conditions, more than a million acres burned around the state that year.
Lightning sparked the Strawberry Fire in late August, about a mile southwest of Swift Dam. It grew to 30,000 acres (almost 50 square miles!) through the Bob Marshall.
Hiking around the Swift Reservoir today, you’ll see the burn scar, charred trees, and new growth.
Permit Confusion & Clarity for Hiking & Fishing
If you plan to spend quite a bit of time at Swift Dam & Reservoir, it’s worth getting a Blackfeet Recreation Permit. At last check, they were $20 for the year.
You can also camp and hike around the south and eastern side of Swift Reservoir on Pondera County & USFS land with no permits needed.
If you’re taking a canoe or kayak out onto the reservation, you’ll technically need a Blackfeet permit if you cross onto the north side of the lake.
Is the area regularly patrolled? No. But those are the rules as posted.
You’ll also need a permit to fly fish along the Missouri River, and at other spots around Montana.
Wrap: Swift Reservoir Today
While Swift Dam is there for flood control, it creates a stunning rec site. The turquoise water set against the tall mountains creates iconic Montana views that locals or visitors will love.
A few things to bring:
- bear spray, just in case
- good hiking shoes for the trails
- insect repellent
- layers, since the weather will change throughout the day
This part of Central Montana is a quiet place that’s worth exploring. You’ll even like the drive itself from Great Falls, which is home to several classic Montana restaurants. You’ll go from the grasslands and prairie toward the tall jagged peaks of the Rocky Mountain Front.
As for places to stay, there are motels in the area, and more hotels and rentals closer to Great Falls.
Or, you can drive to smaller towns in Central Montana, like Fort Benton or Havre, which is home to the equally uncrowded Bears Paw Mountains.
