Located between Hamilton and Darby, just three miles off U. S. Highway 93, the lake is a perfect spot for evening picnics or week-long getaways. There is a protected swimming beach, day-use picnic areas, a boat launch, campgrounds with water and restrooms, a handicapped accessible trailhead and miles of roads and trails for hiking, horseback riding and dirt biking. Lake Como was named by early-day settler W. B. Harlan, who was reminded of a painting of Lake Como in Italy when he first saw the lake. In recent times, albino deer have been seen at lake. All vehicles parked at the lake must display a recreation pass as Lake Como is a U. S. Forest Service day-use fee test area.
Campground fees are in addition to the parking pass.
Recreation passes are available at any Bitterroot National Forest Office and from some convenience stores and gas stations in surrounding towns. For more information contact the Darby District Ranger Station at 821-3913. The Medicine Tree is four miles south of Conner on U.S. Highway 93. The tree has been a sacred site for the Salish-Kootenai tribes for many generations and tribal members still make regular pilgrimages to the tree, leaving personal tokens such as scarves and feathers. The visits, however, are private.