Things To Do
Glacier National Park
In the 2023 season, GNP required a vehicle or motorcycle reservation from July 1 through September 10, 2023, to access Going-to-the-Sun Road from the Rising Sun check point, six miles inside the St. Mary Entrance, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. In past years all of these passes have been bought in 30 minutes. GNP has not released the requirements for the 2024 yet, but it is very likely, they will require registration for August 2024. In the past, these registrations become available for purchase March first. A vehicle registration as well as a National Park pass are required for entrance to the park. More info about GNP vehicle registration can be found at recreation.gov . To better understand GNP’s registration system visit https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.html/ Other great websites for planning your adventure include glaciermt.com and visitmt.com .
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. It is approximately 30 miles long and 16 miles wide. To drive completely around the lake takes approximately 2 hours. Bigfork sits on Flathead’s banks in the northeastern corner of the lake, where the Flathead and Swan Rivers dump melted glacier water into the lake, giving it its slight aqua tint and dramatic clear water. The territory around Flathead is divided, the southern half of the lake is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation. Fishing in the southern part of the lake requires a Flathead Indian Reservation fishing license.
Fishing
Plenty of fishing to be had! For more information about fishing licenses, visit fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/fishinglicenses
Camping
Lots of beautiful views and places to see!! For more information about camping on the lake visit https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/flathead-lake#
Cultural Exploration
To learn about the Flathead Indians, composed of the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’Orielle tribes, travel south of Finley Point to 36042 Major Houle Road in Pablo, MT and visit the Three Chiefs Cultural Center. https://threechiefs.org/ Another unique experience is the Garden of Ten Thousand Buddhas, https://ewam.org Visit the elaborate garden outside the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery located at 34574 White Coyote Rd in Arlee, Montana. Enjoy a walk among the buddhas or climb the hill to the Tibetan prayer flags. Remember your hat, water, and sunscreen, there is limited shade.
Hiking
For reviews of trails near Bigfork, Montana, check out https://www.flatheadlakeresort.com/blog/2021/9/1/hikes-near-flathead-lake Other favorite hikes on the Flathead include boating to Wildhorse Island State Park https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/wild-horse-island/ , where wild horses, bighorn sheep, and deer roam. Along the shores of the island are hiking trails, rope swings, eagle nests, as well as trails to the warmer interior of the island, where you are more likely to spot the larger wildlife. There are a few grandfathered-in summer cabins on the island- so look out for posted private property signs.
Miscellaneous
Other activities nearby include horseback riding, guided fishing, guided kayaking, paddle boarding, cliff jumping, boating, and guided rafting. These activities can be accessed through Swan Mountain Outfitters https://www.swanmountainoutfitters.com/ , Flathead Raft Company https://www.flatheadraftcompany.com/ , and Old Faithful Boat Rentals https://flatheadlakeboatrentals.com/ . You will all be our guest at Buddha Bay, where you will have access to a private rocky beach, private fishing dock, kayaks and float platforms. We will also be doing some boat rides. Rumor has it there may also be a 6:30am private guided fishing trip daily.
Shopping
If you’re looking for authentic cowboy hats and boots, head to Kalispell’s Western Outdoor Store http://westernod.com/ at 48 S. Main Street in Kalispell. They sell everything from boots to Pendleton blankets to “vintage-everything-Montana” in the basement. Downtown Kalispell has a quaint downtown with ice cream, home decor, vintage books, rocks, crystals, tea, yarn, breweries, outdoor gear and vintage clothing. Stores in Kalispell typically close between 5 and 6 pm. Many stores are not open on Sundays. Downtown Bigfork has a smaller downtown- primarily shops and galleries along Electric Avenue. Lake Baked https://lake-baked.com/ has great pasteries. Looking for beautiful jewelry or interesting rocks for your collection, visit Kehoe’s Agate Shop https://kehoesagateshop.com/ at 1020 Holt Drive in Bigfork. They have a great selection and friendly staff. Don’t be deceived by the size. They are closed Sundays and Mondays, Tuesday thru Saturday they close at 5 pm.
Breweries
Sunrift Beer Company https://www.sunriftbeer.com/ at 55 1st Avenue West in N. Kalispell has great outdoor seating. Don’t miss Atomic Tacos, in the food truck lot beside the brewery, the brewery will let you bring it on site to enjoy with your pint- so tasty for meat lovers and vegans alike! Flathead Lake Brewing Company Pubhouse https://flatheadlakebrewing.com/ at 116 Holt Drive in Bigfork, is great lunch and dinner spot, serving local brewed beer and handmade pizza and burgers. Andy’s Crafthouse https://www.andyscrafthouse.com/ at 8030 Montana Highway 35, in Bigfork serves delicious spirit cocktails, sandwiches, salads, and spirit-inspired desserts.
Restaurants
Max’s https://maxsmontana.com/ at 125 Village Lane, Bigfork, MT is for the vegans and vegetarians with super yummy food and great atmosphere, including live music. The Sitting Duck https://www.sittingduckmt.com/ can be reached from the lake or along MT route 35. Their address is 15265 Montana Hwy 35 Bigfork, MT 59911. If the Sitting Duck is too busy head next door to The Raven https://www.ravenbigfork.com. Both restaurants have a dock to park the boat. Montana Bonfire http://montanabonfire.com/ is across the street from the Raven It also has a bar, outside and indoor seating. The KFC, aka Korean Fried Chicken comes highly recommended. It’s a little pricier than it’s neighbors, but quite tasty. Tell Henry we said “hi!” Rosa’s Pizza https://www.mobile.rosaspizza.pettee.net/ at 8585 Hwy 35 Bigfork, has great pizza and is usually packed in the summers. . Be prepared to have it on speed dial to get through to order. They do not deliver and do not take online orders.
