Make Memories on your Family Vacation to Kalispell
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 that’s just the beginning.
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.
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 nearby Whitefish Mountain Resort where you can zip line, mountain bike or cruise down the alpine slide. Or set out on the largest natural freshwater lake in the West -Flathead Lake -on a fishing trip, guided kayaking adventure with Sea Me Paddle or a boat cruise to take in 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, racing bumper boats at the Amazing Fun Center, taking a free guided tour of Hungry Horse Dam (the nation’s 11th highest dam) and racing down waterslides at Woodland Water Park. Summer is made for baseball, take the family out to the ballgame to see 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, go on a leisurely half-day “lunch with a Llama” hike with Swan Mountain Outfitters, or a trail ride with Montana Horse Works in the Salish mountains, minutes from downtown Kalispell.
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 Clydesdale Outpost or The Bar W.
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), catching the end of the ski season, biking Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road before it opens to vehicular traffic followed by time to relax at one of our local accommodations, many with a pool and hot tub. For more, 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.
