Directions: From Clearwater Junction, follow highway 83 north 10.1 miles to the Placid Lake turnoff. Turn left on Placid Lake road and follow the road 3 miles to the lake. There are two possible launch sites. One is the boat launch within the campground. Follow the signs past the campground entrance to the concrete ramp. The other is a state Fish, Wildlife and Parks day-use site. Stay to the right around the lake, past a number of private cabins. About 1 1/2 miles along the lake shore you will see a gate on your left.
Latitude-Longitude: 47.07.146 /-113.31.455
Elevation: 4,121 ft.
Lake size: 1,212 acres
Land ownership: National forest, state of Montana, Plum Creek Timber and private.
Facilities: There is a state campground with a concrete boat ramp, camping facilities and restrooms with flush toilets are open May 1st to Sept.
30th. At the federal day use site there is an outhouse.
Boating regs: Standard boating regulations for the state of Montana.
How to launch: At the state campground, launch off the concrete boat ramp or gravel beach next to the boat ramp. At the federal day use site, launch from the shoreline.
Description of paddle: Private cabins dot much of the shoreline around Placid Lake. Circumnavigation of the lake is just over 6 miles. Certain areas of the lake are closed during waterfowl breeding season in the spring. During fall, the trees on the western side turn a brilliant gold.
Potential issues: During summer, moderate to strong winds generally come up in the afternoon, and that can make the trip across the lake challenging and potentially dangerous. Also, summer thunderstorms can bring not only lightening but strong winds on the leading edge of the front. In July and August powerboats ply the lake from about 10 in the morning until dusk, potentially creating rough water conditions.
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