Montana

Gianforte directs Montana National Guard to begin working with Texas on border security

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2024

Gianforte directs Montana National Guard to begin working with Texas on border security

Gov. Greg Gianforte directed the Montana National Guard to begin coordinating with Texas this week, signaling his intent to aid Gov. Greg Abbott in his efforts along the southern border with Mexico.

“While [President Joe] Biden refuses to do his job and enforce the immigration laws already on the books, the state of Montana will identify meaningful ways to support Gov. Abbott and Texas in their efforts to secure the southern border,” Gianforte said in a statement Tuesday.

The governor’s directive to Major Gen. J. Peter Hronek, the adjutant general for Montana, is in response to the “threat posed to every state by the surge in illegal immigration,” Gianforte’s office said.

As per the directive, National Guard officials will begin sussing out how Montana can assist Texas. That includes a potential support mission manned by volunteers, according to Gianforte’s office.

Abbott requested the assistance from Montana, according to the press release. Gianforte previously told the Inter Lake he was open to sending Guard members to Texas at Abbot’s request.

A spokesperson for the Montana Army National Guard directed all questions regarding the directive to the Governor’s Office.

Gianforte visited the southern border at Eagle Pass, Texas on Feb. 4 alongside 12 other Republican governors in a show of support for Abbott. The three-term Texas governor is at loggerheads with the Biden administration over federal immigration policy.

Abbott has effectively blocked U.S. Border Patrol from an area of the border in Eagle Pass since mid-January, declaring that the illegal crossings constituted an invasion under the Constitution and the state has the right to defend itself. Abbott’s interpretation of the language in the Constitution, though, has drawn criticism from scholars.

The move came after arrests for illegal border crossings from Mexico reached an all-time record in December, according to the Associated Press.

Abbott’s campaign along the border thus far includes miles of concertina wire strung by state officials and the seizure of Eagle Pass’ Shelby Park, a spot that U.S. Border Patrol previously used to process immigrants, according to NBC News. The U.S. Supreme Court has since ruled that federal agents are allowed to remove the wire while a related legal dispute works its way through the courts.

Montana has assisted Texas in the past. The state deployed Guard members to the southern border last year to assist Texas’ efforts.

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.

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Montana

Montana’s Underrated Beach State Park Has Sandy Shorelines, Swimming, And Birding – Islands

Published

8 minutes ago

May 3, 2026

Press Room

Montana’s Underrated Beach State Park Has Sandy Shorelines, Swimming, And Birding – Islands

Imagine a long expanse of pristine sand slipping into calm, lapping, crystal-clear waters. The occasional chunk of driftwood juts out as mountains cut an elegant outline in the distance. Forced to guess which state you’re in, you might draw a blank — the mountains are a bit of an anomaly. Yet such a place exists in Montana. It’s called Somers Beach State Park, an underrated gem sitting on the northwest shore of Flathead Lake. Its sandy shorelines and wide-open space provide plenty of room for swimming, birding, and a few trails.

The 106-acre beach rests along Flathead Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the U.S. The 200-square-mile blue gem has been lauded by visitors and sites like Lake.com as being the 10th-cleanest lake in the country, earning a spot on the list of U.S. lakes that are unbelievably clean and clear. The surroundings aren’t that bad either. Visitors who hit the beach often relish its view of the Swan Mountains stretching across the horizon. The park is still evolving: Montana acquired the property in 2021, opened the beach a year later, and has been building up its facilities and amenities ever since.

The key to visiting Somers Beach State Park is timing. Because its size changes with Flathead Lake’s water levels, many visitors have come away confused, underwhelmed, or plain old angry to find a rocky, windy stretch of shoreline. Fair enough, since Somers Beach’s sandy shores have a knack for disappearing in the summer. Instead, they emerge when Flathead Lake’s water dips between fall and spring, only to rise up with the temperatures.

Swim, hike, bird, and scope out the surroundings

For those looking to take a dip in Somers Beach’s waters, there comes a compromise. You can have warm waters — or you can have a sandy shore. You can’t have both. How much swimming you actually get done while there will depend on when you visit. During the summer, the shallow portion of the beach can stretch for several hundred yards, leaving you wading through waist-deep water for an interminably long time. “It’s fun because the lake isn’t as high and there’s quite a long stretch of beach to play in the water or just bask in the sun,” one local wrote in a Google review. “It’s a beautiful place to see Flathead Lake and the mountains.” Visiting outside the summer carries its own set of issues, as Flathead Lake’s water temperature tends to plummet. Bring hiking boots and binoculars instead.

As a relatively young state park, Somers Beach doesn’t have a formal trail system. All the better, as you then have a chance to just wander about. The nearby town of Somers contains plenty to see to the west, while to the east are wetlands and a grassy area north of the shore. Birders will have plenty to enjoy as well. The Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area east of the beach provides habitat for over 200 species of birds. (Authorities close off access to the area during nesting season, between March and July.) If you time your visit right, you can spend a day with sand between your toes. The drop in water level creates a half-mile expanse of sandy shoreline worthy of a peaceful stroll.

The logistics of visiting Somers Beach State Park

Flathead Lake’s proximity to Glacier National Park makes Somers Beach accessible by several modes of transportation. Glacier Park International Airport is only half an hour’s drive away. While the beach alone may not justify a long-haul flight, it pairs well with other destinations around the lake. That includes Yellow Bay State Park, a crowd-free paradise surrounded by cherry orchards. Together, they can fill an entire weekend with adventure.

Unfortunately, you can’t pitch a tent right on the beach; the state park is day-use only. Fortunately, finding a place to sleep nearby isn’t much of a hassle. A ring of accommodations orbits Flathead Lake, including luxury cabins costing several hundred dollars per night. The highly-rated Somers Bay Cabin Lodging is minutes away as well, with log cabins that have lake views, ranging in size from studios to two-bedroom units. Despite the rustic exterior, the interiors still have all the modern conveniences you’d expect, from Wi-Fi to heating.

The beach’s home alongside Flathead Lake makes it adjacent to several must-see areas, chief among them Flathead Valley. The unexpectedly up-and-coming wine region — yes, a wine region in Montana — with its excellent wineries and nearby orchards, provides an ideal bookend for a trip to Somers Beach. If you visit during the warmer months, be sure to bring bug spray to keep the mosquitoes at bay. If you plan on hauling a boatload of supplies with you — inflatables, coolers, or chairs — bring a wagon. The jaunt from the parking area to the beach can be longer than it looks.

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