Northwest Montana is an amazingly versatile destination for vacationers. In the same day you can hike up a mountain (seemingly in the middle of nowhere) and then enjoy a cultured meal and live music in downtown Whitefish or Kalispell! There is something for everyone in the Flathead Valley and we want to highlight just a few of our favorites to help you start planning your dream get-away.
Hiking & Biking Trails
Love to explore the natural world up close and personal? Between Glacier National Park, Lone Pine State Park, Herron Park, and Flathead National Forest, you can hike, bike, and photograph around 3,000 miles of trails winding across more than 3,000,000 acres of pristine wilderness! Many of these locations also offer sites where you can set up your camper rental, providing easy access to the trails for longer day-hikes.
Fishing & Water Sports
Love to explore the natural world up close and personal? Between Glacier National Park, Lone Pine State Park, Herron Park, and Flathead National Forest, you can hike, bike, and photograph around 3,000 miles of trails winding across more than 3,000,000 acres of pristine wilderness! Many of these locations also offer sites where you can set up your camper rental, providing easy access to the trails for longer day-hikes.
Seasonal Adventures
The fun doesn’t end when summer comes to a close. First, autumn ushers in hunting season with a wide variety of big game, including antelope, bison, black bear, elk, moose, and many more! Snow and cold weather usually arrive in Northwest Montana by mid-fall and last late into spring, making a perfect playground for ice-fishing, sledding, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and downhill or cross-country skiing.
Museums, Tours, & Historical Sites
The Flathead Valley has many great resources for history buffs, including Northwest Montana History Museum, Stumptown Historical Society, and The Conrad Mansion Museum. For additional educational offerings, check out The Ski Heritage Center, Hockaday Museum of Art, and Miracle of America Museum. And if you enjoy trains, you might consider boarding the Empire Builder in Whitefish, MT and touring the countryside to Glacier National Park.
Local Culture & Celebrations
The Flathead Valley is home to many festivals and celebrations, including the Bigfork Montana Rodeo, Flathead Cherry Festival, Huckleberry Days Arts Festival, Flathead Celtic Festival, and Great Northwest Oktoberfest. In addition to these annual events, there are also countless concerts and theatrical productions to enjoy throughout the year in Whitefish, Kalispell, and Polson– not to mention fantastic dining and shopping venues!