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Bigfork Montana and Flathead Lake - recs
Posted on 6/16/26 at 10:35 am
Posted on 6/16/26 at 10:35 am
Rented a house on Flathead Lake near Bigfork for a week in late July, bringing the kids (teens) and the wife. Any specific recs on activities around there and Glacier National Park?
So far we're planning to rent a boat on Flathead Lake for at least one day to do some tubing and visit Wild Horse Island. Rest of the trip we'll want to to whitewater rafting, horseback riding, some easy hikes, and of course visit Glacier National Park for a few days. Appreciate any recs for these activities (specific hikes, companies, etc.), or any other things we should do while there.
So far we're planning to rent a boat on Flathead Lake for at least one day to do some tubing and visit Wild Horse Island. Rest of the trip we'll want to to whitewater rafting, horseback riding, some easy hikes, and of course visit Glacier National Park for a few days. Appreciate any recs for these activities (specific hikes, companies, etc.), or any other things we should do while there.
5
Posted on 6/16/26 at 11:18 am to Handsome Pete
We fished with Wild Montana Anglers near that area and had a great time.
The pizza place in downtown Columbia Falls is very good.
The pizza place in downtown Columbia Falls is very good.
This post was edited on 6/16/26 at 7:25 pm
Posted on 6/16/26 at 12:49 pm to Handsome Pete
This is a great trip.
If you have a full day and an SUV, take a trip up to Polebridge, and go in the park at the NorthWest Entrance. This requires reservations, so plan ahead, it is very limited to who gets in everyday to this part of the park. We rented a canoe in Polebridge and drove up to Bowman Lake. Canoed the lake, and hiked around the area. This is very remote...we saw maybe 5 people all day. We have amazing pictures on that lake of the "fruity pebble" rocks.
The reason I say you must have an SUV, the road from Polebridge to the lakes is basically an unmaintained dirt road up the mountain for about 45 mins. We were in a Wrangler, and it was a rough slow ride. I saw a few cars in the parking lot up there, but I have no idea how they got them up there, there were holes in the road the size of some of the cars.
To get to Polebridge, you also drive about an hour and a half down a maintained dirt road through the national forest. In that hour and a half drive, we passed one truck. This is a very remote experience, but one that many people probably skip. You are literally on your own up there, go prepared. Zero cell service, and very few Rangers up there.
Grab a huckleberry bearclaw in Polebridge at the General Store, and I think there was a BBQ place there that was serving sandwiches or something.
This was really one of our favorite trips we have ever taken.
If you have a full day and an SUV, take a trip up to Polebridge, and go in the park at the NorthWest Entrance. This requires reservations, so plan ahead, it is very limited to who gets in everyday to this part of the park. We rented a canoe in Polebridge and drove up to Bowman Lake. Canoed the lake, and hiked around the area. This is very remote...we saw maybe 5 people all day. We have amazing pictures on that lake of the "fruity pebble" rocks.
The reason I say you must have an SUV, the road from Polebridge to the lakes is basically an unmaintained dirt road up the mountain for about 45 mins. We were in a Wrangler, and it was a rough slow ride. I saw a few cars in the parking lot up there, but I have no idea how they got them up there, there were holes in the road the size of some of the cars.
To get to Polebridge, you also drive about an hour and a half down a maintained dirt road through the national forest. In that hour and a half drive, we passed one truck. This is a very remote experience, but one that many people probably skip. You are literally on your own up there, go prepared. Zero cell service, and very few Rangers up there.
Grab a huckleberry bearclaw in Polebridge at the General Store, and I think there was a BBQ place there that was serving sandwiches or something.
This was really one of our favorite trips we have ever taken.
Posted on 6/16/26 at 12:49 pm to Handsome Pete
White Fish is an expensive ski resort, you get exactly what you expect. We spent some time there, but it was not that memorable.
In Big Fork, downtown, there is are several little restaurants that are worth checking out. It was a surprisingly nice downtown area for such a small town.
In Big Fork, downtown, there is are several little restaurants that are worth checking out. It was a surprisingly nice downtown area for such a small town.
This post was edited on 6/16/26 at 12:53 pm
Posted on 6/16/26 at 12:49 pm to Handsome Pete
Check out the trail maps for the park and choose a hike that meets your ability level. Hiking anywhere in there is gorgeous. The easier trails will have more foot traffic, but there are ways to get away from the crowds if that is what you are looking for.
We did see 3 grizzlies while hiking that week, all of them several hundred yards down the mountain from where we were, so no dangerous scenarios...but it can definitely happen.
We did see 3 grizzlies while hiking that week, all of them several hundred yards down the mountain from where we were, so no dangerous scenarios...but it can definitely happen.
This post was edited on 6/16/26 at 12:56 pm
Posted on 6/16/26 at 1:00 pm to Handsome Pete
Has anybody boated on Flathead Lake?
Posted on 6/16/26 at 2:27 pm to Handsome Pete
Yes, it can get rough quickly so plan accordingly to weather. Beautiful crystal clear water that’s still cold in the summer but not too cold to swim in all day
This post was edited on 6/16/26 at 2:28 pm
Posted on 6/16/26 at 2:32 pm to goat365
quote:
Polebridge and drove up to Bowman Lake
Yep, this is the way. Polebridge is unremarkable and not worth the drive up to it. Bowman Lake is magnificent. Stop at Home Ranch Bottoms on the road to Polebridge for a drink and food.
Hike 734 is your complete guide to hikes in Glacier.
Belton Chalet in West Glacier is outstanding for dinner.
Posted on 6/16/26 at 4:43 pm to idontyield
quote:Thanks for this, looks very useful!
Hike 734 is your complete guide to hikes in Glacier
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