Outdoor Recreation Archives | Page 2 of 8 | Kalispell
Travel Alert: If traveling to catch a flight outside of Kalispell, plan accordingly. Allow extra drive time, as weekday road construction delays may impact travel times. Check 511MT.net Here is what you need to know!

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.

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

When it comes to sailing, playing and fishing in Montana, there is no better place than Kalispell. The heart of Montana, Kalispell is 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 […]

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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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Winter Beyond the Slopes

From Heart-Pumping Activities to Ice Skating, Here’s How to Play in Kalispell, Montana Around here, the cure for cabin fever is embracing winter fully. In northwest Montana, that means skiing at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area and Whitefish Mountain Resort (which regularly ranks in the top resorts from SKI Magazine). Off the slopes, there are plenty […]

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Avalanche Lake

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

Avalanche Lake is a 6-mile family friendly hike! Pack a lunch and enjoy a hike through the dense forest to a high alpine lake tucked in a basin with jagged peaks and rushing waterfalls. ...
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Flathead Lake

Fishing, Flathead Lake, Water Sports

Thousands of years ago, the glaciers that carved the stunning landscapes of Glacier National Park pushed their way down into the modern-day Flathead Valley and sculpted Flathead Lake. The largest natural freshwater lake in the West, Flathead Lake sits in northwest Montana and is a sprawling blue jewel at the base of the Swan and Mission mountain ranges. Encompassing nearly 200 square miles, the la...
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Swan River Nature Trail

Biking

Bigfork’s 2-mile long gravel trail looks down upon the Wild Mile of the Swan River. Take Montana 35 in to Bigfork, turn on Grand Drive and go past Electric Avenue and the Bigfork Inn. The trailhead’s at the top of the short hill. ...
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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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Jewel Basin

Fishing, Flathead National Forest, Hiking

Jewel Basin area offers 15,349 acres of wilderness that includes 27 lakes and 35 miles of trails. Trails are easy to access at the parking lot, Camp Misery. ...
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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

Located 32 miles from Kalispell is Glacier National Park. Fondly referred to as the Crown of the Continent, the park has 1 million acres of glacier-sculpted landscapes, including waterfalls, high alpine lakes, streams, snow-covered mountains and 734 miles of trails. There are many areas of the park, including the North Fork, Lake McDonald, Cut Bank Creek, Goat Haunt, Two Medicine and Many Glacier...
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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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Whitefish Mountain Resort

Biking, Flathead National Forest, Hiking, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go, Skiing/Snowboarding

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. During the summer months the resort offer...
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Flathead National Forest

Biking, Cross-country skiing, Fishing, Flathead National Forest, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go, Services, Skiing/Snowboarding, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing

Located in the Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana, surrounding Kalispell, lies the expansive 2.4-million acre Flathead National Forest. Boasting a wealth of lakes, rugged wilderness, wild rivers, and over 2,000 miles of trails, this forest is a quintessential natural gem of the American West. From campgrounds to ski areas, the Flathead National Forest offers year-round beauty and abundant recrea...
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Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana

Biking, Cross-country skiing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Outdoor Recreation

With 22 miles of paved trails, the Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana extends from the town of Somers on the north shore of Flathead Lake, through downtown Kalispell then west to Kila. Soak in epic views – including the Swan, Mission, Salish and Whitefish mountains – along the way, while taking time to enjoy the five murals painted on tunnels along the trail system. All, or part of t...
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