Melanie & Derrick
Things To Do
Glacier National Park
Reservations required from June 1-Labor Day via www.Recreation.Gov portal. https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/10087086 Tickets are $2 in addition to the regular park pass ($35 per vehicle) and are valid for 7 days. Tickets are available 60 days in advance of the reservation day. To avoid parking hassles consider using the Park’s various shuttle services. Stay current by going to https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrticketedentry.htm or call the park at 406-888-7800.
Hiking in the Jewel Basin
Access to the Jewel Basin Complex from Bigfork up to the Camp Misery Trailhead. Takes about 40 minutes on a VERY rough dirt road to trailhead, but views into Glacier, Bob Marshall Wilderness and Flathead Valley from the trails fantastic. Mt. Aeneas summit well worth the strenuous 4 hour hike. You will cross paths with mountain goats. For breakfast or lunch, stop by Echo Lake Cafe on the way to the trailehead.
Downtown Whitefish
During the summer, hike the Big Mountain, Danny On Trail to the Summit, Gondola Rides, Mountain Biking. Restaurants and Shopping in the quaint western town at the base. Recommended restaurants in Whitefish: Tupelo Grille, Buffalo Café, Latitude 48 Bistro, Kandahar Café on the Mountain, Whitefish Golf and Country Club.
Downtown Bigfork
Enjoy art galleries, restaurants and the Swan River Trail in this small quaint town next to the rushing Swan River which flows into Flathead Lake. Good restaurants include the Flathead Lake Brewing Company, Grill 459, Saketome for Sushi and Echo Lake Café along Hwy 35 for great breakfasts. A few miles south of Bigfork head to Woods Bay and enjoy lake front al fresco casual dining, best fish tacos around at “The Raven at Woods Bay.”
Downtown Kalispell
Antique shops, restaurants, the famous Western Outdoor Store with Norms News next door for the best hamburgers, french fries and milkshakes in the valley and an old fashioned candy store that kids will absolutely go crazy in….
Flathead Lake
Boat trip to Wild Horse Island—2,000 acre island noted for its wildlife including bighorn sheep, deer, songbirds, bald eagles, falcons. Day use only. Contact “Hooked on Montana Fishing Charters”—Clay Anderson at 406-885-0105. Leaves out of Somers. Paddle boarding/kayaking adventures out of Somers at the Boat Landing.
Whitewater rafting on the North Fork
Glacier Raft Company—Whitewater rafting, Fly-Fishing Trips. Guided or self guided options available. 1-800-235-6781. 406-888-5454 Great Northern Whitewater Resort—406-387-5340 or 800-735-7897. Guided or self guided options. Do-it-Yourself down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River (designated a wild and scenic river) with Inflatable Kayaks. Drop in at Paola Creek access and pull out at Cascadilla Creek. (8 miles, 6 hours) Can rent your gear from outfitters above. Pack your own lunch, towels) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. “Paddle Faster I Hear Banjos”….a wilderness adventure for sure.
Polebridge in West Glacier
The tiny off grid community of Polebridge sits on the North Fork of the Flathead River about 22 miles south of the Canadian border and on the western boundary of Glacier National Park. Access hiking trails at beautiful Bowman Lake (requires AWD or high clearance vehicles) or grab a huckleberry cinnamon roll at the mercantile. FYI: Bowman Lake is located 16 miles up a rough, dirt road from the town of Polebridge