Big Sky Walker

Each post includes a "photo tour."

Possible Cemetery Island Open Water Swim in 2027

The 5K race around the island would start and finish at the Shannon Boat Launch on Canyon Ferry Lake, about 20 miles northwest of Helena, Montana.

Big IF.
IF I can get permission from the Bureau of Reclamation, and do all the other things to make it happen*, I plan to host a 5K open water swimming race in Canyon Ferry Lake on Sunday on August 29th, 2026. Swimmers would start near the Shannon Boat Launch, swim out around Cemetery Island, and then back to the finish line at the boat launch. The race would start at 7 am. The event would probably include a 1-mile race as well. -Rod Benson (Bigskywalker.com)

The event will serve as a fund-raiser for Aspen Adult Services, a wonderful orgnization that provides enriching services to disabled Montanans.

A unique setting.
Cemetery Island was once home to a 19th-century hill-top cemetery for a town called Canton. The hill now stands as an island in Canyon Ferry Lake, and Canton was submerged as the reservoir filled after the construction of the Canyon Ferry Dam in the the 1950s. The dam, which is shown in the photo above, is 50 miles north of the headwaters of the Missouri. It’s about a 20-mile drive from the State Capitol Building in Helena to the Shannon Boat Launch.

*The “to do” list.
registration (online?), timing, bullhorn, insurance, waivers, porta potties, parking, swim caps (numbered, $2-$3 each), T-shirts ($8-$12 each), logo, awards, volunteers in kayaks, siting buoys (borrow?), request search and rescue presence, sponsors, packet pickup (at museum near Capitol?), publicity, post-race refreshments, etc.