Wild Horse Island State Park (Flathead Lake)

Wild Horse Island State Park occupies the largest island in Flathead Lake, generally cited as the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, near Polson, Montana. The island takes its name from a historical practice of the Kootenai and Salish peoples, who used it to keep horses safe from raiders and theft by isolating them on the water-bound island. A small band of wild horses still roams the island today, alongside bighorn sheep and other wildlife. The park has no facilities beyond trails and is reachable only by private boat.