Make Memories on Your Family Vacation to Kalispell, Montana
In Montana, family trips can take on a variety of adventures, from soaking up the outdoors to playing on the waters of Flathead Lake and exploring the glacier-carved terrain of the Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park. And around here, that’s just the beginning.
Here in Kalispell, you can also introduce your family to the flavors of Montana at an old-fashioned soda shop, explore downtown, cruise down tree-lined runs at nearby ski hills and soak up all the fresh mountain air possible. And whether you visit in spring, summer, fall or winter, the options for making memories with your family are as endless as Montana’s big blue sky.
Year-Round Family Adventures in Northwest Montana
Family Fun in Summer
With long daylight hours and plenty of open spaces, you can pack in loads of fun during the summer months. Plan to spend time at Flathead Lake—the largest natural freshwater lake in the West. You can explore one of many state parks located around the lake, take a fishing trip, join a guided kayaking adventure with Sea Me Paddle or set out on a boat cruise to view the wonders of the lake, including its many islands. Additional adventures include hiking in Glacier National Park, rafting the waters of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, taking a free guided tour of Hungry Horse Dam (the nation’s 11th-highest dam) and racing down waterslides at Woodland Water Park. Enjoy one of American’s favorite pastimes by catching a baseball game with the Glacier Range Riders, a Pioneer League team, at Glacier Bank Park.
Fall Adventures for the Whole Family
While fall often means the kids are back in school, Montana’s Flathead Valley is prime for a long weekend trip. Around here, fall brings beautiful days with comfortable daytime temperatures and cool, crisp nights and a chance to see Kalispell during a slower time of year. Family-friendly fall activities come in the form of biking the Great Northern Rails-to-Trails of Northwest Montana, going on a leisurely half-day “lunch with a llama” hike with Swan Mountain Outfitters or taking a trail ride with Bar W Guest Ranch or Swan Mountain Outfitters.
Snow-Covered Family-Friendly Fun
Winter in Montana means fresh powder, thousands of acres to ski and a snowy winter wonderland. And with two downhill ski areas – Blacktail Mountain Ski Area and Whitefish Mountain Resort – that offer a healthy mix of beginner to advanced terrain, it’s easy to get the whole family on skis or a snowboard. While downhill skiing is the primary focus for many winter travelers, there’s way more to do in Kalispell beyond the slopes. Take a guided snowshoeing tour in Glacier National Park, explore our kid-friendly museums, try ice skating at Woodland Park or set out on a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Bar W Guest Ranch or Clydesdale Outpost.
Spring Break for the Family
In Kalispell, you can combine a fun spring break vacation with just the right amount of education by visiting the Northwest Montana History Museum (kids get in free), learning about local flora and fauna at Lone Pine State Park or biking Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road before it opens to vehicular traffic. After playing in Montana with the family, be sure to relax and unwind at one of our local accommodations, many with a pool and hot tub. For more family-friendly Montana vacation ideas, get tips from local explorer and family adventurer Sammi Johnson. You can also find additional travel inspiration with day trips and 8 options for free family fun.
