Outdoor Recreation Archives | Kalispell

Outdoor Recreation

Things to Do

With jaw-dropping views, Kalispell is a hub for outdoor recreation, with abundant trails for hiking and rivers for adventuring.

Montana’s outdoors have been summoning adventurers, explorers and travelers for years. With wide-open spaces that practically beg to be explored, it’s easy to get into the heart of the outdoors from Kalispell. Anchoring the region is Glacier National Park. Within its 1 million acres you’ll find hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, not to mention stunning views of glacial-carved terrain, snow-capped mountains and wildlife. And while the park tends to get much of the spotlight when it comes to playing outside, rest assured that it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Bikers, hikers and horseback riders can explore to their heart’s content at Herron Park on the Foy’s to Blacktail Trail or in the Flathead National Forest.

Cyclists will love the Parkline Trail – which runs through downtown Kalispell – and the Great Northern Trail. On the water activities include fishing, kayaking, boating, sailing and more, with abundant opportunities on nearby lakes and rivers, including the various forks of the Flathead River, Flathead Lake, Hungry Horse Reservoir and Foy’s Lake. Winter adventurers will find endless terrain for a range of snow-fueled activities, from heart-pumping cross-country skiing to adrenaline-rushing snowmobiling tours. Combine that with downhill skiing and snowboarding at two area resorts and you’ve got a real-life winter wonderland serenely set in the wilds of Montana.

WINTER BEYOND THE SLOPES

Around here, the cure for cabin fever is stepping into northwest Montana’s winter wonderland and exploring it to the fullest. In Kalispell, that means skiing at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area and Whitefish Mountain Resort, which is ranked as the #3 ski area in North America according to the SKI Magazine readers’ poll. Winter around Kalispell […]

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Visiting Montana’s Glacier National Park in 2024? Here’s What You Need to Know

Kalispell’s backyard national park, Glacier National Park, is one of the state’s must-visit destinations. With 1 million acres of glacial-carved terrain, the park is open year-round and is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States. From downtown Kalispell, Glacier National Park is a scenic 32 miles from the park’s west entrance […]

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Northwest Montana’s Trails & Routes: Discover Year-Round Adventures

Surrounded by mountains and set in a lush valley, Kalispell is a trail-lover’s dream destination. Many of northwest Montana’s trails are multi-use, which means they can be used for hiking, trail running, horseback riding, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, depending on the season. In and around Kalispell you’ll find thousands of miles of trails […]

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Meet the Waters of Northwest Montana, Where You Can Fish, Raft and Sail

Kalispell and northwest Montana are surrounded by incredible lakes, rivers and streams. South of Kalispell, you’ll find Flathead Lake and the Swan River. To the northeast, you’ll quickly come upon the Middle, North and South forks of the Flathead River. Farther northwest are the massive waters of Lake Koocanusa and a variety of mountain streams. […]

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Discovery Starts Here

Kootenai Falls

Hiking

Kootenai Falls is a waterfall on the Kootenai River located just off U.S. Route 2. It is the largest undammed waterfall in the state and one of the largest waterfalls in the United States by flow rate. The falls are accessed by a hiking trail from the parking area next to the highway. ...
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Swan Mountain Outfitters

Fishing, Flathead National Forest, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Learning Experiences, Outdoor Recreation, Outfitters and Guides, Places to Go, Snowmobiling, Tours & Sightseeing, Winter Sports

Swan Mountain Outfitters is a premier, full service outfitter. We offer guided hunts, fishing/float trips, horseback rides, pack trips, llama treks, moped rentals & snowmobile tours in northwest MT. ...
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Pig Farm – Farm to Market Road Area

Biking, Cross-country skiing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Snowshoeing

An elaborate network of single track through woods and meadows, easy enough for casual day-trippers but able to throw down the gauntlet to weekend warriors. There aren’t trail markers, so bring a healthy sense of direction — or your GPS. We recommend AllTrails or Trailforks. ...
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The Bar W Guest Ranch

Horseback Riding, Outdoor Recreation, Outfitters and Guides, Tours & Sightseeing

The Bar W Guest Ranch in Whitefish, Montana is open year-round and is ready to show you what Western hospitality is all about! As a small Montana dude ranch that can host up to 60 guests per week, we pride ourselves on remaining flexible and attending to each guests’ expectations. While there are many activities offered at the Bar W, horses are the center of attention and riding is our core focu...
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The Whitefish Trail

Biking, Flathead National Forest, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go, Snowshoeing

The Whitefish Trail is a non-motorized multi-use trail system consisting of 15 trailheads and over 47 miles of natural trail surfaces from scenic overlooks. For ADA accessible terrain, check out the Reservoir Trailhead, Holbrook Overlook Trailhead and Swift Creek Trailhead. Minutes from downtown Whitefish, the Reservoir Trailhead has 500 feet of ADA accessible trails, as well as an interpretive/pi...
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Trail of the Cedars

Glacier National Park, Hiking, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go

One of Discover Kalispell’s all time favorite trails in Glacier National Park that is family and ADA friendly. This 0.9-mile trail shows off Glacier National Park’s oldest trees, a beautiful waterfall, wildflowers and views of the towering peaks of Glacier above you. ...
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Strawberry Lake

Biking, Flathead National Forest, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go

Tucked into the Jewel Basin, Strawberry Lake is a 6-mile multi-use trail with a steep climb and switchbacks that provides amazing views, wildflowers, an alpine lake and fishing opportunities. ...
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Foy’s to Blacktail Trails

Biking, Hiking, Horseback Riding, MT State Parks, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go, Snowshoeing

Less than 10 minutes from Kalispell, Herron Park is a mountain bikers’ / hikers’ / cross-country skiers’ gateway to a vast trail system, Foy’s to Blacktail Trails, through timberlands extending south toward Blacktail Mountain. ...
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Somers Bay State Park

Fishing, Flathead Lake, Outdoor Recreation, Water Sports

The park offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy approximately half a mile of lakeshore access. It consists of a spacious sandy beach, which is accessible during the autumn through spring seasons when Flathead Lake is not at full capacity. Towards the west, there is a rocky shoreline, while the southern and central areas of the park are characterized by expansive wetlands and riparian zones. Inla...
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Montana Horse Works

Farm Experiences, Horseback Riding, Indoor Activities, Outdoor Recreation, Outfitters and Guides

Natural Horsemanship Instruction for all ages. Practical and non competitive setting with Western and English discipline’s, trail rides, boarding, leasing, private venue, and therapy. ...
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