Kerr Dam
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
140 reviews
Excellent
80
Very good
44
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10
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2
Terrible
4
DMG and Co
Montana56 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
Unfortunately the "new construction" didn't improve anything whatsoever. Now instead of the wooden steps you'll find stone slates going down which can be slippery when wet and sometimes covered with gravel because there are segments of gravel/dirt between the stone slates. There is a thin rail for support. Not a place to take small children or the elderly or anyone with difficulty getting around.
Written April 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AuntieAnnTAnn
Chicago, IL12 contributions
Jul 2017
Follow the directions and recognize this exquisite landmark by its proper name, and you will be rewarded by beautiful sights! In Polson, follow Main St. until you come to Seventh Ave., then turn right and follow this out of town. It will feel as though you are leaving the Lake area, but keep going. After about 3 miles, you'll see an unassuming road that is Kerr Dam Rd.- take a right here and follow it past the landfill until you see the sign for Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’, then turn right and drive to the parking area. You'll see the signs greeting visitors and giving fair warning of the native bear population. You're visiting the bear's home, they aren't invading yours so be mindful and respect them. There are steps that will lead you down towards the Dam. Going down is easy, and you'll wonder why they have benches at varying levels along the way. They are great breaks to give one time to contemplate the beauty or change a camera lens. And on the way back up, they will be quite handy for catching your breath on the return!
Written July 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gomms13
West Sussex, UK500 contributions
Sep 2013 • Couples
Kerr Dam is located on the Flathead river and holds an extra 10ft of water in Flathead Lake and is taller than Niagara falls. A nice concrete arch dam with good views all around and well worth a detour if you are in the area. You can drive down to the Flathead River, but for the best views drive to the scenic overlook [signed] and walk down the steps to the viewing platform
Written October 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norman J
Polson, MT10 contributions
Jun 2012
Built in the 1930s there are tunnels leading to observation areas that have signatures on them from when the dam was first built. According to my mother, my father signed his name on the walls of one of the tunnels when they were on their honeymoon in 1945. I have yet to find it. Best time to visit is in May or June when they have all the flood gates open to spill water. Very impressive!
Written November 10, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thkent
Georgia103 contributions
Kerr Dam was constructed in the 1930's to provide electricity and recreational opportunities to the Flathead Valley. Seeing the water rush through the dam gates is quite something. The view comes at a price though, as you must walk down (and up) 100+ steps to reach the dam. You can leave the observation area and meander (by car) a couple of miles down the road to the power station. There's also a public park - which might make a good spot for a picnic lunch or to let the kids run off some energy.
The placards posted at the Dam and the power station give a good explanation of the history of the dam and how hydroelectric power is produced.
This attraction is well off the beaten path on a bumpy road.
The placards posted at the Dam and the power station give a good explanation of the history of the dam and how hydroelectric power is produced.
This attraction is well off the beaten path on a bumpy road.
Written June 5, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarbonRiver
Seattle, WA90 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
There is no real visitor center and it can be tricky to pull up directions in the GPS since there is no "there" there besides just a gravel parking lot. If you are in the area you can search for "Vista Point" through Google Maps and that will take you where you want to be. There are a number of stairs down (~350 based on our 8yo's count) but the grade isn't too steep and they are in pretty good shape so wasn't a bad little walk and the view was really nice.
Written July 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leigh A
11 contributions
Jul 2016
Look for sign that reads: Selis Ksanka Qlispe Project
All previous reviews are pretty spot on. Lots of stairs 300+, but very small rise. Vistas are some of the best around. Enjoyed the drive Orr
All previous reviews are pretty spot on. Lots of stairs 300+, but very small rise. Vistas are some of the best around. Enjoyed the drive Orr
Written July 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim W
Hamilton, MT322 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
The Kerr Dam was completed in 1938 and dams the Flathead River a few miles below Flathead Lake southwest of Polson, Montana. Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater body of water west of the Mississippi River in the United States. The Flathead River is very beautiful both above and below the dam. In periods of the year when the road to the overlook is closed you can walk the mile and one-half to the overlook. It is good exercise and worth the effort. During the summer months you can drive to the overlook though there is a steep set of steps necessary to get down to the overlook; again worth the effort. If you are in or around Polson, Montana don't miss this little adventure.
Written February 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
goneagain2
Virginia Beach, VA2,411 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
We were told you have to go to the dam to take the overlook walk, not true, just follow signs to Kerr Dam Overlook. There is no overlook from the parking area, you will find the trail and just keep walking down, you haven't reached the end until you can see the dam in front of you. Plenty of parking, Walk of 1/2 mile or less with lots of steps (600?) but several spots with benches to rest. When you reach the end there is a glorious view and sound of rushing water. This might be quite difficult to reach if you are not used to walking uphill but if able to make the walk I recommend it. Stay for a while and enjoy it.
Written July 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karamonroe
Indianapolis, IN58 contributions
Jul 2012 • Friends
Kerr dam is about five miles outside of Polson on country roads...definitely need to follow the GPS to get here - but doing so takes you to some of the most incredible views we saw on our entire trip to the Pacific Northwest. You can view from the top observation area (which is what we did) or walk down what we were told was about 300 steps to see a different view. The view from the top was incredible. I don't know that the dam was specifically anything to see, but the view of the lake was phenomenal from here. It's a quick stop - and well worth the time.
Written July 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you dog friendly? If my dog is kept on a leash, and I clean up any "oopsies", is she welcome?
Written June 28, 2019
The address might work with map services on gps's or smartphones. It is 43069 Kerr Dam Rd, Polson, MT 59860
Written June 23, 2018
We stopped on July 13th bout 11 o'clock and gates were locked.. kinda bummed what gives?
Written July 13, 2016
This being a hydroelectric location, it closes to the public every day at dusk. Summer hours of course allows for longer time with road gates unlocked. We loose light around 10 - 10:30 pm in the summer so gates will lock shortly thereafter. Winter, gates are locked at 5pm.
Written June 1, 2019
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