Hungry Horse Dam

Completed in 1953, Hungry Horse Dam is Montana's highest and the eleventh largest concrete dam in the U.S. The 564-foot Hungry Horse Dam and Reservoir are located 14 miles from Glacier National Park's west entrance. The dam, located on the South Fork of the Flathead River, was authorized to help prevent the recurring spring floods on the Columbia and Flathead rivers and to alleviate the annual winter power shortage in the Pacific Northwest. The dam and reservoir are surrounded by spectacular mountains, offering excellent fishing and hiking in the immediate area. The Hungry Horse Project received its name from two husky freight horses working in the rugged wilderness of the Flathead River's South Fork area. They wandered away from their sleigh during the severe winter of 1900-01. After struggling for a month in belly-deep snow, they were found so starved and weak that considerable care and feeding was needed to nurse them back to health. The name Hungry Horse stuck and was given to a mountain, a lake, a creek, and the dam. The Hungry Horse visitor center is open daily from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, although these dates are subject to change. Please contact Hungry Horse Dam for specific opening and closing dates of the visitor center. Free interpetive talks are available upon request, inquire at the Visitor Center between 8:00am and 3:00pm.