Flathead: Lakes, Rivers and Trails for Your Trip

Flathead combines expansive bodies of water, river landscapes and diverse trails with special nature experiences. When planning your trip, the main question is therefore which focus should shape your stay: water sports on the lake, a trip on the river, wildlife observation or trails through the landscape of Glacier National Park. When looking for a vacation rental, you can use your planned excursions as a guide and choose the location based on which experiences are most important for your trip.

Lakes and rivers as defining travel experiences

Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the contiguous 48 states of the USA. Its water surface covers more than 200 square miles. This makes the lake a distinctive focal point for days spent by the water. Tens of thousands of migratory waterfowl rest and feed in the Important Bird Area at Flathead Lake. Those interested in observing nature will therefore find a special aspect of the landscape here.

Wild Horse Island is another possible destination on the water. Opportunities for wildlife observation are available there. Wild Horse Island is a day-use park; camping is not permitted there. This rule is important for planning the day if you are considering an excursion to the island. Whitewater trips by canoe, kayak or raft are also possible on the Flathead River. Lazy Bay Park provides access for boats as well as opportunities for water sports and other activities on the water.

Another starting point for boating excursions is Whitefish Lake in Whitefish Lake State Park. The park is also part of Whitefish’s network of hiking and cycling trails. This makes it possible to combine different ideas for a day without blurring the character of the individual destinations: A boat trip belongs to Whitefish Lake, while the trail network has its own focus.

Trails, waterfalls and nature in western Montana

In the Lake McDonald Valley, waterfalls can be reached via numerous hiking trails. A visitor center in Glacier National Park also provides starting points for the Highline and Hidden Lake Trails. These destinations particularly appeal to travelers who enjoy shaping their days around scenic impressions and hiking trails. Cross-country skiing is possible in Herron Park. For another form of travel, Rails to Trails in Kalispell offers a multi-use path. The Fish Creek Bike Path runs from Grist Road to Fish Creek.

Arrival and the choice of a starting point can also be incorporated into your planning. West Glacier is located in eastern Flathead County and at the west entrance to Glacier National Park. From the west, access to the Lake McDonald area, Park Headquarters, the Apgar Visitor Center and the Going-to-the-Sun Road is via Highway 2 east to West Glacier. Amtrak stops year-round in West Glacier (Belton) with the historic Empire Builder train. If you are planning to travel without driving your own car, you can consider this rail connection as a specific part of your travel plans.

Choosing the right focus for your accommodation

When choosing a vacation apartment or vacation home in Flathead, it is worth first deciding on the most important activities. If lake and river experiences are the focus, add Flathead Lake, Flathead River, Lazy Bay Park or Whitefish Lake to your personal list of excursions. For a nature- and hiking-oriented stay, the Lake McDonald Valley, the trails at Glacier National Park or wildlife observation on Wild Horse Island are suitable focal points instead. Those planning cycling and cross-country skiing experiences can also consider the offerings in Whitefish, Kalispell and Herron Park.

The local pages for Whitefish, West Glacier, Marion, Kalispell, Bigfork, Hungry Horse, Essex, Columbia Falls and Kila provide further points of reference for your individual trip planning. When searching for accommodation, consider which destinations should shape your trip and base your choice on this personal itinerary.

For the overarching trip overview: Montana.