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

Lawrence Park

Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Gardens, Places to Go

Lawrence Park boasts a community recreational space equipped with amenities such as soccer fields, Frisbee golf, climbing boulders, horseshoe pits, a spacious playground, and a nature trail. Additionally, it offers two pavilions available for rent. Accessible from the park are walking and biking trails leading to the scenic Stillwater River. ...
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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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Wild Horse Island State Park

Fishing, Flathead Lake, Hiking, MT State Parks, Outdoor Recreation, Places to Go, Water Sports

Wildhorse island is a day-use only island on Flathead Lake. Option to kayak, paddleboard or take a boat tour to the island. ...
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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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Columbia Mountain

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

Columbia Mountain Trail is a multi-use trail. Good for shorter hikers with a few waterfalls along the first 4 miles, or an all day 12-mile adventure to the top of the peak over looking the Flathead Valley and Hungry Horse Reservoir. Enjoy hiking through lush forest to the high alpine. ...
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Tour Glacier

Cross-country skiing, Glacier National Park, Outdoor Recreation, Outfitters and Guides, Places to Go, Scenic Drive, Snowshoeing, Tours & Sightseeing, Winter Sports

Tour Glacier offers snowshoe, cross-country skiing and driving tours inside the boundaries of Glacier National Park. ...
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Hidden Lake

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

The Hidden Lake Trail is a must-do trail in Glacier National Park accessed from Logan’s Pass (the highest driving point in the park. Be sure to check out the current road status to see if the full length of the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open). Wildlife is abundant with epic views, a boardwalk to the over look (2.7 mile) with the option to hike down to Hidden Lake (5.3 miles). ...
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Wild Montana

Hiking, Outdoor Recreation

Since our first Wilderness Walk in 1960, thousands have joined our volunteer leaders on outings in every corner of the state. What started with 14 hikers in the Crazy Mountains has grown into a summer-long celebration for hundreds of participants to share their love for the wildlands that make Montana so special. There’s something for everyone, and you’re invited to be a part of it. Since 1958...
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Western Outdoor

Antiques & Vintage, Downtown, Outdoor Recreation, Shopping

Western Outdoor has over 8,000 square feet of western and outdoor wear shopping. Located next to Norm’s Soda Fountain, Western Outdoor boasts over 3,500 pairs of boots and over 1,500 Western and Casual Hats in stock as well as dozens of brands of popular shirts, coats and jeans for the entire family. One of the largest Western Stores in the Northwest, Western Outdoor is open seven days a wee...
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Wild Trout Adventures

Fishing, Flathead National Forest, Outdoor Recreation, Outfitters and Guides, Places to Go, Tours & Sightseeing

Wild Trout Adventures is your source for fly fishing around Glacier National Park. We’re located in the middle of some of North America’s finest fly fishing rivers with the famous Flathead River and Swan River just minutes away. Wild Trout Adventures offers guiding fly fishing services on these incredible rivers along with numerous permit-only mountain lakes. ...
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