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Polson Montana Map

Explore Polson, Montana, with this interactive street and satellite map.

Interactive Map of Polson, Montana

CityPolson
StateMontana (MT)
CountyLake County
CountryUnited States of America
TimezoneMountain Time (America/Denver)
Latitude47.688222
Longitude-114.140791
Population5,148
Density437.8 /km²
IncorporatedYes
ZIP Code59860
Area Code406
County SeatPolson
School DistrictPolson Elementary School District

About Polson, Montana

Polson is a locality in Lake County, Montana, United States. It has a population of approximately 5,148. The population density is 437.8 people per km². Polson is located at 47.6882°N, 114.1408°W. It observes the Mountain Time (America/Denver) timezone. Polson is an incorporated locality. ZIP code: 59860.

Polson commands a position of singular clarity where the expansive waters of Flathead Lake meet the sweeping horizon of the northern plains. It lies 35.4 miles south-southeast of Kalispell, MT (from Kalispell, MT: bearing 169°T), and is situated 11.7 miles north-northwest of Ronan. Sunlight catches the surface of Flathead Lake, creating a shimmering expanse that holds the reflection of the sky with mirror-like precision. To the east, the rugged silhouette of the Mission Mountains rises sharply against the atmosphere, anchoring the view with a vertical weight that contrasts against the open sky. The nearby Weythman Gulch carves a path through the terrain, illustrating the quiet, persistent work of erosion across the landscape. Even the air here feels sharpened by distance, carrying a crispness that defines the transition between the valley floor and the high, wild country beyond.

Polson emerged as a center for trade and agriculture, drawing its vitality from the fertile lands that surround the basin. The local economy finds its roots in the cultivation of cherries and the steady rhythm of ranching, industries that have defined the livelihood of residents for generations. While the town serves as a hub for regional commerce, the nearby Swan River State Forest provides a vast resource of timber and managed wilderness that influences the local way of life. The proximity of the Flathead River has historically dictated the movement of goods and people, serving as a conduit for the growth that transformed this outpost into a permanent settlement. Economic activities remain closely tied to the land, ensuring that the development of Polson stays in conversation with the natural constraints and possibilities of the region.

Cultural life in Polson flows with the seasonal changes, moving from the quiet introspection of winter to the vibrant activity of harvest. Riverside Park offers a public space where the community gathers to watch the current of the water, providing a focal point for reflection at the edge of the shore. Those seeking the rugged beauty of the terrain often venture toward Mud Creek Falls, where the sudden drop of water breaks the silence of the woods. While the town remains modest in its scale, it has been the home of figures like the writer James Welch, whose work captured the complex realities of life in the American West. Events throughout the year emphasize a connection to the heritage of the Salish and Kootenai people, whose influence remains a vital thread in the identity of Polson.

Nearby Outdoor Places

  • Lions Park (Local Park) — 0.8 mi, 263° W
  • Pomajevich Park (Local Park) — 0.9 mi, 251° W
  • Miracle of America Museum and Pioneer Village (Museum) — 1.3 mi, 115° SE
  • Sports Complex Park (Local Recreation) — 1.5 mi, 270° W
  • Flathead Lake Scenic Overlook (Viewpoint) — 2.0 mi, 125° SE
  • Pablo Wildlife Management Area (State Conservation Area) — 2.7 mi, 180° S
  • Ducharme Fishing Access Site (State Recreation Area) — 2.9 mi, 079° E
  • Flathead Lake Wildlife Habitat Protection Area (State Conservation Area) — 3.3 mi, 080° E
  • Montana State Trust Lands (State Resource Management Area) — 4.4 mi, 102° E
  • Flathead Lake/Finley Point State Park (State Park) — 5.1 mi, 029° NE
  • Mission Mountains Wilderness (Wilderness Area) — 8.1 mi, 096° E · 76k acres
  • Flathead National Forest (National Forest) — 8.2 mi, 075° E · 2.4M acres
  • Flathead Lake/Wild Horse Island State Park (State Park) — 10.2 mi, 346° N
  • Garden of the Rockies Museum (Museum) — 11.1 mi, 171° S
  • Johnson Barn (Historic Ruins) — 11.5 mi, 337° NW
  • Johnson Homestead (Historic Ruins) — 11.5 mi, 337° NW
  • Hogheaven Work (Attraction) — 21.1 mi, 313° NW
  • Bob Marshall Wilderness (Wilderness Area) — 22.5 mi, 080° E · 1.1M acres
  • Big Medicine Hot Springs (Attraction) — 24.9 mi, 258° W
  • Base Camp Bigfork (Attraction) — 25.8 mi, 007° N
  • Statue of the Sacred Heart (Public Artwork) — 25.9 mi, 176° S
  • Bigfork Summer Playhouse (Theatre) — 26.0 mi, 007° N
  • Echo Lake Cosway entrance (Attraction) — 31.1 mi, 009° N
  • Family Life Christian Church Large Wooden Cross (Monument) — 35.7 mi, 344° N
  • Glacier Art Museum (Museum) — 35.9 mi, 347° N
  • Northwest Montana History Museum (Museum) — 36.1 mi, 347° N
  • Memorial Bench (Monument) — 36.9 mi, 348° N
  • Memorial Plaque (Monument) — 36.9 mi, 348° N
  • Wanda Hollensteiner Art Gallery (Gallery) — 38.2 mi, 347° N
  • McClaren Hall (Theatre) — 38.2 mi, 347° N

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About This Polson Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Polson, Montana. Coordinates: 47.688222, -114.140791. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service. Real-time local and world news feeds keep the page current.

Detailed location data for Polson includes the ZIP code (59860), telephone area code (406), county seat of Lake County (Polson), and school district assignment (Polson Elementary School District).

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.

Page generatedAugust 2026
Location dataSimpleMaps US Cities Database; coordinates matched to USGS GNIS definitive data
Wikipedia validationArticle content matched to USGS GNIS coordinates via Wikipedia geosearch API.