One of the best ways to make the most of your vacation in Kalispell and northwest Montana is to get outside and explore at your own pace. With mountain trails, sparkling lakes, rushing rivers and wide-open spaces in every direction, you don’t need to pack every piece of outdoor gear to enjoy the adventure. Local outfitters and rental shops make it easy to find the equipment you need, whether you’re looking to cruise around town on two wheels, paddle across a mountain lake, hit the trails or spend a night under the stars.
Here are a few reasons to consider renting gear during your visit:
- Travel lighter: You don’t have to fill your car — or suitcase — with bulky outdoor equipment. Renting allows you to arrive ready for adventure without worrying about transporting bikes, boats, camping equipment or winter gear.
- Try something new: Curious about kayaking? Want to explore on a paddleboard? Thinking about mountain biking or snowshoeing for the first time? Renting gear gives you the opportunity to try a new activity without committing to purchasing expensive equipment or better yet, go with a guide.
- Get the right gear: Local rental shops know what works well for the area and the season. From life jackets and paddles to trekking poles, bear spray and snowshoes, you can find the equipment you need to comfortably explore northwest Montana.
- Make the most of your time: Renting gear locally means you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying your vacation. Pick up what you need, get out there and start exploring.
- Gear for the whole family: Traveling with kids or the whole crew? Rental shops offer equipment that can make outdoor adventures easier for everyone, including child trailers, baby carriers, beach gear and other family essentials.
- Explore more ways: One day might call for a bike ride along the trails, while the next could be spent paddling on the lake or heading into the mountains. Renting makes it easy to switch up your adventure based on the season, conditions and what sounds fun that day.
- Support local businesses: Renting from local outfitters and outdoor businesses keeps your adventure dollars in the community and supports the people who help make outdoor recreation such an important part of life in northwest Montana.
From bikes and kayaks to paddleboards, camping equipment, fishing gear and winter essentials, Kalispell has rental options for adventures for every season. Whether you’re planning a full day on the water, a ride through the valley, a hike into the mountains or a weekend camping trip, you can find the gear you need right here.
Gear rental options in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley include:
Bikes & Mountain Bikes
Explore Kalispell and the surrounding trails on two wheels. Rental options range from traditional bikes and e-bikes to mountain bikes and family-friendly trailers.
Rental options include:
- Wheaton’s Cycle — Regular bikes and e-bikes
- Sportsman & Ski Haus — Regular bikes and e-bikes
- Glacier Outfitters — Regular bikes and e-bikes; child trailers
- Glacier Guides Montana Raft — Regular bikes and e-bikes
- Whitefish Outfitters — Regular bikes and e-bikes
- Whitefish Mountain Resort — Mountain bikes with full-face helmets, shin pads and elbow pads
Kayaks & Paddleboards
Get out on the water with kayaks, paddleboards and specialized whitewater equipment available from local outfitters.
Rental options include:
- Sportsman & Ski Haus — Kayaks and paddleboards/SUPs
- Sea Me Paddle — Kayaks and paddleboards/SUPs
- Montana Kayak Academy — Whitewater kayaks, paddles, dry tops, skirts, helmets, PFDs and booties
- Glacier Outfitters — Kayaks and paddleboards/SUPs
- Glacier Guides Montana Raft — Inflatable kayaks/duckies and paddleboards/SUPs
- Whitefish Outfitters — Kayaks, clear kayaks and paddleboards/SUPs
Boats & Water Recreation
Planning a relaxing day on the river or lake? Find larger watercraft and equipment for spending the day on the water.
Rental options include:
- Sportsman & Ski Haus — Pontoons
- Glacier Guides Montana Raft — Rafts, raft frames and water recreation equipment
- Whitefish Outfitters — Tubes, beach chairs and beach umbrellas
Camping & Outdoor Gear
Forgot something for your camping trip — or don’t want to haul it across the country? Local rental options make it easy to build your camp setup once you arrive.
Rental options include:
- Glacier Outfitters — Jetboil, camp chairs, coolers, daypacks, baby backpack carrier, burner stoves and sleeping pads
- Glacier Guides Montana Raft — Tents, sleeping bags and pads, camp stoves, cookware, camp chairs, tables, water jugs, backpacks and more
Hiking & Trail Gear
Make exploring the trails a little easier with rental equipment designed for getting outside.
Rental options include:
- Glacier Outfitters — Bear spray, trekking poles, daypacks and baby backpack carriers
- Glacier Guides Montana Raft — Bear spray, trekking poles and baby backpack carriers
- Whitefish Outfitters — Bear spray and baby gear essentials
Fishing Gear
Spend a day casting a line without needing to bring your own equipment.
Rental options include:
- Glacier Outfitters — Fishing rods
Family & Baby Gear
Adventure doesn’t have to stop when you’re traveling with little ones. Several local rental providers offer equipment to make getting outside with the family easier.
Rental options include:
- Glacier Outfitters — Child trailers and baby backpack carriers
- Glacier Guides Montana Raft — Baby backpack carriers
- Whitefish Outfitters — Baby gear essentials
Winter Gear
When the snow arrives, gear up for winter adventures without having to travel with skis and snowshoes in tow.
Rental options include:
- Blacktail Mountain — Skis, snowboards, boots, bindings, poles and helmets
- Whitefish Mountain Resort — Skis, snowboards, boots, bindings, poles and helmets
- Whitefish Outfitters — Cross-country skis and boots; snowshoes and poles
- Glacier Outfitters — Snowshoes
Accessible Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor adventures should be accessible to everyone. Lone Pine State Park offers an Action Trackchair All-Terrain Wheelchair to help visitors with mobility challenges experience more of Montana’s outdoors.
For more opportunities to get outside, DREAM Adaptive Recreation provides adaptive outdoor recreation experiences throughout the year. From skiing and riding on Big Mountain and Nordic skiing in winter to biking, fishing, paddle sports and water sports in summer, DREAM helps people with disabilities experience the outdoors in meaningful and exciting ways.
Rental option:
- Lone Pine State Park — Action Trackchair All-Terrain Wheelchair
Outdoor Essentials
Sometimes it’s the little things that make an adventure possible. Local rental providers also offer a variety of outdoor essentials, from safety equipment to camp comforts.
Rental options include:
- Glacier Outfitters — Life jackets, bear spray, trekking poles, Jetboil, camp chairs, coolers and daypacks
- Glacier Guides Montana Raft — Life jackets, helmets, throw bags, paddles and oars, pumps, dry bags, fire pans and grills, toilet systems, bear spray and more
- Whitefish Outfitters — Bear spray, beach chairs and umbrellas
- MT FWP & Flathead River Alliance — Life jackets available to borrow for free at regional parks, access sites and the MT FWP office in Kalispell
With so much to explore in every season, renting gear is an easy way to experience more of Kalispell and northwest Montana without having to bring it all with you.
Rental equipment and availability can vary by season. Contact individual businesses for current inventory, pricing, reservations and pickup details.
