Salmon Lake State Park, Montana

What do rainbows, cutthroats, and kokanees have in common? If you know the answer, grab your fishing pole and get your butt to Salmon Lake ASAP, because there’s nowhere better for endless fishing and swoon-worthy views. If fish aren’t swimming around in your cup of tea, just paddle out in the canoe and look to the sky for a spectacular variety of red-necked grebes, great blue herons, loons, osprey, and bald eagles. Tucked between the Mission and Swan Mountain Ranges, Salmon Lake is a little nest of woodland wildlife. Protected by high mountains blanketed in Douglas-firs and ponderosa pine trees, Salmon Lake is the department store of wildlife—a one-stop shop for all of your flora, fauna and fishing needs.