Flathead Valley

The Flathead Valley has long been touted for its breathtaking vistas and recreational opportunities.  Lakes and mountain abound, and the adventurous are in heaven when they arrive.   Blacktail Mountain and Big Mountain provide both winter and summer sports, and Glacier Park is an unbelievable place for adventure.  Flathead Lake (the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi) is a water lovers paradise, and easily accessible from all surrounding areas.

Kalispell is centrally located in the Valley, and provides shopping, excellent schools and hospitals, and a multitude of restaurants.  Kalispell serves as the county seat, and commerce is slowly building.  Hotels are plentiful, and the bed-and-breakfast crowd will have choices, as well.  Columbia Falls sits northeast of Kalispell, and is the gateway to Glacier Park. Once in Glacier, you’ll have an abundance of activities to choose from.  Hiking, camping, boating, fishing, heli-tours and horseback riding are but a few of the unlimited options available in the Park.

Head north of Kalispell, and you’ll run into the quaint town of Whitefish.  Known for its extensive tourism for both US and Canadian visitors, Whitefish offers fun downtown shopping, Whitefish Mountain Resort (better known to the locals as Big Mountain), and Whitefish Lake.  From summertime boating and water skiing, to snowboarding and dog sledding in the winter, Whitefish is prepped for your enjoyment!

West of Kalispell lies Hwy 2 and the Chain of Lakes area.  Sleepier than other areas of the Valley, fishermen, hunters, and those looking for more serene boating lakes will want to head this direction.  Ashley, Bitterroot, and McGregor lakes are larger lakes that lie close to Kalispell, and there are numerous other lakes which stretch to the west.  Well-forested and offering beautiful scenery, these lakes are clear, clean, and pristine.

Trekking south from Kalispell, you’ll run directly into Flathead Lake.  Veer west and Somers and Lakeside lie in your path.  These two communities are busy in the summer  months, providing easy lake access and phenomenal restaurants.  Lakeside doubles as a winter recreation area, with Blacktail Ski Area minutes from town.  On the east side of the lake, is the well known artist community of Bigfork.  Here you can enjoy local fare, talented artistry, and still head out on the lake for an afternoon tan.

No matter what your wishes, the Flathead Valley can deliver!  Come for a visit, and you may never want to leave!

Carmen's Pick of the Month
and other links...

This month...
Crush Wine Bar

NW Montana Association of Realtors

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

Whitefish Chamber of Commerce

Glacier National Park

Daily Interlake

Glacier International Airport