Big Arm
Big Arm sits along the western shore of Flathead Lake on the Flathead Reservation, where the lake meets open shoreline, rolling foothills and uninterrupted views of the Swan and Mission mountains. U.S. Highway 93 passes through the community, providing easy access while preserving its quiet, rural character.
Big Arm State Park stretches along the lakeshore with a campground, public lake access and clear views across the water to Wild Horse Island State Park. Accessible only by boat, the island is home to old-growth ponderosa pine, wild horses, bighorn sheep and mule deer.
The community has little commercial development, with Big Arm Resort serving as its primary gathering place through a marina, lodging and waterfront amenities. Nearby, the restored one-room Big Arm Schoolhouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, provides an authentic early-20th-century backdrop overlooking the lake.
Visitor + Business Information
Government
Fire + Safety
Hospitals
- Providence St. Joseph Medical Center – 12 miles from Big Arm
- Logan Health Medical Center – 40 miles from Big Arm
Transportation
- Glacier Park International Airport – 48 miles from Big Arm, offering nonstop flights to major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles
- Candylands Airport
Population
218 (2020)
Elevation
3,849’
Climate
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
Average High | 35 | 38 | 49 | 57 | 67 | 74 | 86 | 85 | 74 | 56 | 41 | 34 |
Average Low | 24 | 23 | 30 | 35 | 43 | 49 | 57 | 56 | 48 | 38 | 29 | 24 |
Public Lands
- Natural Resources Department of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
- Flathead Lake State Park, Big Arm Unit
- Flathead Lake State Park, Wild Horse Island Unit
Accommodations
Big Arm offers a lakeside resort on Flathead Lake. Additional accommodations are available in Polson, 12 miles south.
