When it comes to planning a visit to northwest Montana, chances are Glacier National Park is high on your list of places to visit. Our favorite national park is open year-round and you are always welcome to visit. But as locals who live, love and breathe Montana, we need to tell you that there is so much to see outside of Glacier National Park.
To make the most of your time in and around Kalispell, we’ve rounded up not-to-be-missed Montana views that will make you think you’re in a national park.
Flathead Lake. The largest natural freshwater lake in the West, it’s no surprise that Flathead Lake is one of the most jaw-dropping locations in Montana. No matter the time of year, you can cruise the lake in its entirety with a loop tour on U.S. Highway 93 (west shore) or Montana Highway 35 (east shore) and take advantage of scenic pullouts along the way. During the summer season, get out on the water through a private boat tour, guided kayak tour, Montana’s largest tour boat or with your own watercraft. The lake is home to numerous islands, some of which are public lands (like Wild Horse Island State Park) while others are privately owned. Be sure to take advantage of public access points, state parks and beaches around the lake.
Distance from Kalispell: 10 minutes (9 miles)
Hungry Horse Reservoir. While the reservoir is large and easily accessible a short drive off of U.S. Highway 2, it still remains a bit of a hidden gem. Sitting in a beautiful canyon on the South Fork of the Flathead River near the town of Hungry Horse, Hungry Horse Reservoir is 34 miles long and stretches into the Flathead National Forest. There’s plenty of room to explore, camp, hike, swim, boat and fish. Pro tip: if it’s busy at the start of the reservoir, keep driving on either the west side road or east side road. (Insider tip: this is good advice no matter where you adventure in and around Kalispell – if a trailhead or pullout is busy, keep driving and you’ll soon find plenty of room to breathe and space to adventure.) More information, including hours for the Hungry Horse Dam Visitor Center and tour details, can be found here.
Distance from Kalispell: 20 minutes (20 miles)
Big Mountain. A short drive north of Kalispell will take you to Big Mountain and Whitefish Mountain Resort. The resort offers phenomenal 360-degree views of the Flathead Valley, Whitefish Lake, Glacier National Park and the Rocky Mountains. During the summer, you can access the summit on a scenic chairlift ride (open air or gondola) or hiking trails. Once you arrive at the top, take your time, enjoy lunch in the Summit House and be sure to snap a photo with the peaks of the park as your backdrop.
Distance from Kalispell: 30 minutes (22 miles)
Jewel Basin. Directly east of Kalispell in the Flathead National Forest is Jewel Basin Hiking Area. This 15,000-acre area is ideal for hiking, camping and fishing, with more than 20 lakes located in the Jewel Basin. There are abundant day hikes in the basin and visitors are met with stunning views and quiet moments, as no motorized traffic or bikes are allowed. Reminder: dogs are allowed on trails in national forests if they are leashed.
Distance from Kalispell: 45 minutes (27 miles)
Holland Lake and Holland Falls. A scenic dirt road off of Montana Highway 83 will take you to Holland Lake and the Holland Falls National Recreation Trail. Hike the trail to Holland Falls and take in sweeping views of the lake below, the waterfall and the surrounding mountain peaks that stretch into the Flathead National Forest.
Distance from Kalispell: 1 hour, 15 minutes (75 miles)
Kootenai Falls. Most travelers to Kalispell, Montana, head north and east into Glacier National Park. But we recommend not being like most travelers. Instead travel north and west to one of the state’s coolest places – Kootenai Falls and its swinging bridge. Located between Libby and Troy, this must-see destination sits along the rushing waters of the Kootenai River, while the swinging bridge offers a bird’s-eye view of the free-flowing falls below.
Distance from Kalispell: 1 hour, 45 minutes (100 miles)
No matter where you adventure in search of national-park worthy views, keep in mind that many of the places you will visit are on public lands. It’s vital to do your part, recreate responsibly and practice Leave No Trace principles. This means picking up after yourself, staying on trails, respecting wildlife and being considerate of those around you.
