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.

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. The region is home to hundreds of miles of trails that take users through tree-covered […]

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Winter in Kalispell, Montana: From the Slopes to Snow-Kissed Streets

A snow-lover’s dream can come true in the mountain town of Kalispell, Montana. With hundreds of inches of snow that cover our mountain ranges to the magic that comes from strolling through downtown, winter in Montana has abundant things to do and places to explore.  In winter, downhill skiing and snowboarding tend to get lots […]

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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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If You’re Visiting Montana’s Glacier National Park in 2023, 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 […]

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Pine Grove Pond

Fishing, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go

Pine Grove Pond is a family-friendly 5-acre pond that is 3 miles northeast of Kalispell. It has three accessible fishing piers and a picnic shelter, as well as a paved path around the pond. Fish species include rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. ...
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Somers Fishing Access Site

Fishing, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go

Somers Fishing Access Site is a family-friendly site that is 9 miles south of Kalispell on Flathead Lake. It has an ADA Fishing Pier and ramp. Fish species include lake trout and whitefish. ...
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Glacier National Park

Biking, Cross-country skiing, Fishing, Glacier National Park, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go, Snowshoeing, Water Sports

There’s a reason Glacier National Park is called the Crown of the Continent. Inside the park’s 1 million acres you’ll find glacial-carved terrain, rushing waterfalls, snow-covered mountain peaks and 734 miles of trails, all perfectly complemented by the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is a drive that can only be described as epic. If You’re Visiting Montana’s Glacier National Park i...
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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-moterized mutli-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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Depot Park

Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Gardens, Places to Go

A great spot in downtown Kalispell for a picnic lunch, to catch some live music, and to stop by the Visitor Center for a variety of local information and maps. ...
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Whitefish Mountain Resort

Biking, Flathead National Forest, Hiking, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go, Snowmobiling

Whitefish Mountain Resort, formerly known as Big Mountain, is a world class resort with more than 3,000 acres of terrain. Visible from downtown Kalispell, the slopes beckon skiers and snowboarders of every skill level and interest. The mountain features 2,353 feet of vertical drop spread out over more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain served by 14 lifts. ...
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Woodland Park

Biking, Fishing, Parks & Gardens, Water Sports

Woodland Park is a year-round local favorite with paved trails, play equipment, skate park, water park and a top-notch ice-rink equipped with stadium lights, comfortable locker rooms and benches for hockey games. The facility is open for public skating on most Saturdays and Sundays in the winter. ...
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Lake Koocanusa

Fishing, Water Sports

Lake Koocanusa is resides in Montana and British Columbia, Canada stretching over 90 miles long. The name ‘Koocanusa’ is made up of the first three letters of Kootenai, Canada, and USA. ...
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Flathead River

Fishing, Flathead National Forest, Water Sports

The Flathead River is made up of the North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork with beautiful views of Glacier National Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Great Bear Wilderness. The river allows for a variety of recreation such as rafting, fishing and floating. ...
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Kootenai Falls

Hiking

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