First Dredge Swim Beach

For dining near First Dredge Swim Beach, visitors can enjoy a variety of options. The Gateway is a popular choice, offering a casual and cozy atmosphere with a great selection of beers and cocktails. It serves comfort food and is suitable for both lunch and dinner. Another option is the Fort Peck Marina and RV Park, which provides excellent food at its bar and offers a convenient location for those visiting the marina. Additionally, the Ft. Peck Marina Bar & Grill offers fast service and a great beer selection, making it a good spot for casual dining.

For accommodations near First Dredge Swim Beach, the Fort Peck Hotel is a historic seasonal lodge offering no-frills rooms and a bar & restaurant. It provides a charming stay with basic amenities. However, for those seeking more comprehensive facilities, the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is an excellent choice, though it is located further away in Anaconda, Montana. This resort features hot spring pools, an 18-hole golf course, and fine dining options.

The First Dredge Swim Beach offers several amenities to enhance visitor experiences. It includes picnic shelters where families can enjoy meals together, a playground for children, and vaulted toilets for convenience. However, there are no showers available at the beach. A comfort station provides water, and a dump station is located nearby for RV users. The area is well-suited for day-use activities like picnicking and swimming.

The proximity to the Fort Peck Marina and RV Park also provides additional amenities such as a marina, bait shop, and gas station, which can be useful for boating and fishing enthusiasts.

First Dredge Swim Beach is primarily known for its swimming and family-friendly atmosphere. The shallow waters make it an ideal spot for children to play and swim safely. Beyond swimming, the area offers opportunities for picnicking and wildlife viewing. Nearby, the Fort Peck Reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities, attracting anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. The surrounding landscape, part of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, is perfect for nature walks and observing local wildlife.

For those interested in exploring more, the Fort Peck Dam and its interpretive center offer insights into the region's history and natural environment.

While specific details about disability access at First Dredge Swim Beach are limited, nearby facilities like The Gateway offer wheelchair-accessible entrances, parking lots, and restrooms. However, it is advisable to check with local authorities or contact the beach management for detailed information on accessibility features at the beach itself.

Parking at First Dredge Swim Beach is convenient, with paved parking spaces available near the beach. The road leading to the beach is a maintained highway, ensuring easy access for visitors. There are no specific parking fees mentioned, and the parking area is generally well-maintained to accommodate day-use visitors. The proximity to the beach allows for easy walking distance from the parking area to the swimming and picnic areas.

First Dredge Swim Beach is part of a larger historical and environmental context. The Fort Peck Dam, constructed during the Great Depression, was a monumental engineering feat and remains one of the largest earthen dams globally. The dredge cuts themselves were created during the dam's construction, forming small lakes that now serve as popular recreational spots. The area is also rich in fossil history, with significant finds in the region, including dinosaur fossils like the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

One of the major attractions near First Dredge Swim Beach is the Fort Peck Dam, a massive earthen dam that was once the largest in the world. The dam's interpretive center offers a wealth of information about the dam's construction, local wildlife, and fossils found in the area. The nearby Fort Peck Reservoir is a significant attraction for outdoor enthusiasts, offering extensive opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, which surrounds much of the reservoir, provides a unique environment for nature lovers and photographers.