6 Ways to Recreate on Flathead Lake in Northwest Montana

Summer has arrived in full force in Kalispell and Montana’s Flathead Valley, bringing sunshine-filled days, long daylight hours and plenty of opportunities for playing on the state’s best-kept secret: Flathead Lake.

As the largest natural freshwater lake in the West, the sheer size of Flathead Lake continues to surprise both Montana locals and visitors. When we say big, we mean BIG. Flathead Lake has 185 miles of shoreline, numerous islands and reaches a depth of 370 feet. Modern-day Flathead Lake was carved by ancient glaciers that moved through the area and today, the water in the lake fully replaces itself every 2.5 years.

And while the science and stats behind Flathead Lake are compelling, we also realize you may want to come to the lake to play (and we don’t blame you a bit!). With its location 10 minutes south of Kalispell, it’s easy to incorporate a visit to this blue backyard gem into your travel plans.

If you’re ready to get out there and spend some time on, in or near the water, here are six ways to play on Flathead Lake:

Book a boat tour on the Far West. Montana’s largest tour boat, the Far West, anchors just south of Kalispell in Lakeside. Passengers can take in the sights and sounds on a lake cruise, with views of the Swan and Mission mountains. Cruises are offered daily, with options that include live music on Sundays and karaoke cruises every other Wednesday. An added bonus: they have drinks, food and more on board.

Land a lake trout. Flathead Lake is known for large lake trout that make their home in its ideal habitat of cold snowmelt-fed waters. The best way to fish: book a charter with Howe’s Fishing. The fishing is good on the lake and their clients regularly land fish that are 36+ inches in length.

Kayak with Sea Me Paddle. Get as close to the water as possible on a kayaking tour with Sea Me Paddle. Tours launch from Somers and available excursions include Wild Horse Island and Somers Bay. In case you’re not familiar, Wild Horse Island – which is also a day-use state park – is the largest island on the lake and is home to a herd of wild horses.

Boat, jet ski or surf. With so much lake surface, there are plenty of places to recreate on the water. You can bring your own watercraft (just be sure to stop at one of the check stations operated by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to ensure it’s not carrying invasive species) or rent one nearby. Want a mid-day break? Swing by The Sitting Duck and enjoy their dock, views, drinks and food.

Take a drive. If you’re not interested in getting out on the water but still want to experience it, plan a day trip to loop the lake. We recommend heading south on U.S. Highway 93 along the west side of the lake and returning to Kalispell on the east shore on Montana Highway 35. Bring your camera and binoculars and be sure to take advantage of the scenic pullouts along the way.

Check out a state park. There are seven state parks (including day-use Wild Horse Island State Park) on Flathead Lake. You can camp at the parks, recreate, picnic and more. Montana has a robust state parks system and we’re fortunate to have so many minutes from downtown Kalispell.