The Flathead Valley: Rose's Guidebook
Adventure-Rafting
I highly recommend the Great Northern Raft Company. This is a beautiful location. If you are interested in rafting or fishing or if you'd like to rent paddle boards or equipment, I can get you a discount from the owner. Please reach out to me for the information and discount code.
Stop in for coffee and snacks on your way to Glacier Park!
This is a beautiful Location. Stop in for coffee at the caboose, live music on Fridays and sign up for rafting or fishing trips.
9 locals recommend
Great Northern Resort
12127 US-2This is a beautiful Location. Stop in for coffee at the caboose, live music on Fridays and sign up for rafting or fishing trips.
If it's hot, this is a fun way to cool off. These are older slides and pools. They also have bumper cars and a carousel etc. If the kids are getting bored...
65 locals recommend
Big Sky Waterpark
7211 Hwy 2 EIf it's hot, this is a fun way to cool off. These are older slides and pools. They also have bumper cars and a carousel etc. If the kids are getting bored...
Whitefish Mountain Resort
1015 Glades DrArial adventure and ziplines on the ski resort
Guided rock climbing. You'll see great views. I have not personally used them for rock climbing but I know the areas they take you and they are amazing.
Rock Climb Montana
205 Cottonwood DrGuided rock climbing. You'll see great views. I have not personally used them for rock climbing but I know the areas they take you and they are amazing.
Country dancing and rodeos
There is a rodeo on Thursday nights during the summer and dancing a free country dance lesson on Wednesday nights. Country swing dancing Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Rodeo information: Brash Rodeo https://glaciercountryrodeo.com/events/
23 locals recommend
Blue Moon Nite Club
6105 US-2There is a rodeo on Thursday nights during the summer and dancing a free country dance lesson on Wednesday nights. Country swing dancing Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Rodeo information: Brash Rodeo https://glaciercountryrodeo.com/events/
Rodeos at the Majestic all summer long!
https://majesticvalleyarena.com/eventsmt/
Majestic Valley Arena
3630 US-93Rodeos at the Majestic all summer long!
https://majesticvalleyarena.com/eventsmt/
Bars and music
Whitefish: This is a popular location for bands and a local bar to visit.
61 locals recommend
The Great Northern Bar & Grill
27 Central AveWhitefish: This is a popular location for bands and a local bar to visit.
Whitefish: The food is ok here but the setting is nice with outdoor seating and bands in the summer.
45 locals recommend
Craggy Range Bar & Grill
10 Central AveWhitefish: The food is ok here but the setting is nice with outdoor seating and bands in the summer.
Casey's
101 Central AveWhitefish: Club scene in Whitefish. The food is good here also
Whitefish: The red room basement bar is located in the basement of Latitude 48. Its a nice place to grab some drinks and visit.
49 locals recommend
Latitude 48 Bistro
147 Central AveWhitefish: The red room basement bar is located in the basement of Latitude 48. Its a nice place to grab some drinks and visit.
Whitefish: Great atmosphere. This is open until 8 it is a tasting room.
33 locals recommend
Spotted Bear Spirits
503 Railway StWhitefish: Great atmosphere. This is open until 8 it is a tasting room.
Gunsight Saloon
624 Nucleus AveColumbia Falls: Live music and outdoor patio. Casual
Sightseeing
Gorgeous old railroad station turned hotel with hiking trails (ski trails in the winter). Restaurant and beautiful grounds. Fishing in the nearby river.
13 locals recommend
Izaak Walton Inn
290 Izaak Walton Inn RdGorgeous old railroad station turned hotel with hiking trails (ski trails in the winter). Restaurant and beautiful grounds. Fishing in the nearby river.
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the source of the Missouri River in the contiguous United States. Lakeside and Bigfork have parks and beaches that are easy access with a gorgeous view of the mountains.
228 locals recommend
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the source of the Missouri River in the contiguous United States. Lakeside and Bigfork have parks and beaches that are easy access with a gorgeous view of the mountains.
Great hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter, mountain biking, Ariel adventures, zip lining and gorgeous views.
337 locals recommend
Whitefish Mountain Resort
1015 Glades DrGreat hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter, mountain biking, Ariel adventures, zip lining and gorgeous views.
Whitefish Lake has public access at City beach, the state park and Les Mason. They are great places to take kids in the summer or rent kayaks and paddle boards
65 locals recommend
Whitefish Lake
Whitefish Lake has public access at City beach, the state park and Les Mason. They are great places to take kids in the summer or rent kayaks and paddle boards
Food in Whitefish
Not just Italian, different food options, great food and great environment.
51 locals recommend
Abruzzo Italian Kitchen
115 Central AveNot just Italian, different food options, great food and great environment.
Great food, music on some nights and gorgeous view with outdoor seating on the lake.
The boat club is one side of the restaurant which is more casual, more fine dining on the other side.
49 locals recommend
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake
1380 Wisconsin AveGreat food, music on some nights and gorgeous view with outdoor seating on the lake.
The boat club is one side of the restaurant which is more casual, more fine dining on the other side.
This place is good for it all. Local favorite for Breakfast, brunch or Dinner. Voted best burger
81 locals recommend
Buffalo Cafe
514 E 3rd StThis place is good for it all. Local favorite for Breakfast, brunch or Dinner. Voted best burger
Piggyback Barbeque
102 Wisconsin AveGreat for a casual lunch
Coffee, breakfast and lunch, snacks, baked goods and gifts. Lots of souvenirs and hiking books etc here. You can also buy sack lunches to take with you to hike. There is a location in Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Kalispell. All with slightly different menus
113 locals recommend
Montana Coffee Traders
30 9th St WCoffee, breakfast and lunch, snacks, baked goods and gifts. Lots of souvenirs and hiking books etc here. You can also buy sack lunches to take with you to hike. There is a location in Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Kalispell. All with slightly different menus
Tupelo Grille
17 Central AveFine Dining in Whitefish. Reservations encouraged.
Sport's club restaurant environment. Burgers and sport's bar menu, music and outdoor seating at times.
45 locals recommend
Craggy Range Bar & Grill
10 Central AveSport's club restaurant environment. Burgers and sport's bar menu, music and outdoor seating at times.
Ciao Mambo
234 2nd StLocal favorite Italian food. Very rich food. Reservations encouraged.
Wasabi Sushi Bar
419 E Second StReservations encouraged
Indah Sushi
250 E Second StMacKenzie River Pizza Co.
9 Central AveThey have much more than just pizza. Excellent food!
Glacier Park
A popular hike is Avalanche trail of the cedars. Its about 3 miles but pretty easy and you can bring kids on that. Its gorgeous when you get to the lake. The road often opens up to Avalanche before/after the rest of the park is open.
Avalanche Trail
A popular hike is Avalanche trail of the cedars. Its about 3 miles but pretty easy and you can bring kids on that. Its gorgeous when you get to the lake. The road often opens up to Avalanche before/after the rest of the park is open.
Beautiful place to visit. When the park is closed for traffic on the Going to the Sun road, you can usually drive up to this lake/lodge and see gorgeous views. The restaurant is open during the summer.
10 locals recommend
Lake McDonald Lodge
288 Lake McDonald Ldg LpBeautiful place to visit. When the park is closed for traffic on the Going to the Sun road, you can usually drive up to this lake/lodge and see gorgeous views. The restaurant is open during the summer.
Great short hike for kids and families. You can go to John's lake loop or just do the river walk. Mostly flat- some stairs. No strollers though.
Johns Lake Loop Trailhead
Going-to-the-Sun RoadGreat short hike for kids and families. You can go to John's lake loop or just do the river walk. Mostly flat- some stairs. No strollers though.
Mostly boardwalks. Easy hike with kids. There will be patches of snow here year round and mountain goats. You will need to park at Logan's pass at the top of Going to the Sun road. The parking lot fills up very early in the day (7am?) and they will not allow anyone to pull into the parking lot and there is no where to pull over if the lot is full. If you can take a shuttle instead- highly recommend.
7 locals recommend
Hidden Lake Overlook
Mostly boardwalks. Easy hike with kids. There will be patches of snow here year round and mountain goats. You will need to park at Logan's pass at the top of Going to the Sun road. The parking lot fills up very early in the day (7am?) and they will not allow anyone to pull into the parking lot and there is no where to pull over if the lot is full. If you can take a shuttle instead- highly recommend.
Long beautiful hike. You may see bears so bring bear spray. The trail is sometimes closed due to bears. You will need to park at Logan's pass visitor center which is often closed and filled very early in the morning. If you can take a shuttle I highly recommend.
18 locals recommend
Highline Trail
Highline TrailLong beautiful hike. You may see bears so bring bear spray. The trail is sometimes closed due to bears. You will need to park at Logan's pass visitor center which is often closed and filled very early in the morning. If you can take a shuttle I highly recommend.
Lakes
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the source of the Missouri River in the contiguous United States. Lakeside and Bigfork have parks and beaches that are easy access with a gorgeous view of the mountains.
228 locals recommend
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the source of the Missouri River in the contiguous United States. Lakeside and Bigfork have parks and beaches that are easy access with a gorgeous view of the mountains.
Whitefish Lake has public access at City beach, the state park and Les Mason. They are great places to take kids in the summer or rent kayaks and paddle boards
65 locals recommend
Whitefish Lake
Whitefish Lake has public access at City beach, the state park and Les Mason. They are great places to take kids in the summer or rent kayaks and paddle boards
Hungry horse reservoir past the Hungry Horse dam also has a beautiful body of water and campgrounds you can spend time on the lake. There is also huckleberry picking along the road. Bring bear spray. Beautiful lake but more remote. There is no cell service.
53 locals recommend
Hungry Horse Reservoir
Hungry horse reservoir past the Hungry Horse dam also has a beautiful body of water and campgrounds you can spend time on the lake. There is also huckleberry picking along the road. Bring bear spray. Beautiful lake but more remote. There is no cell service.
Tally Lake
Beautiful lake, more remote with a camp ground. No cell service.