Outdoors
Flathead Lake
The largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi — boating, swimming, paddling and sunsets.
Mornings are glassy; afternoon wind picks up from the south, so paddle early.
Flathead Lake, Somers, MT 59932
Within an hour of the front door
Your Montana shortlist.
Everything below is measured from the house in Lakeside, with the tip we'd give you at check-in. Tap Directions for a live map from the house.
34 places
Outdoors
Somers Beach State Park
Montana’s newest state park: a wide pebble beach at the north shore with big mountain views.
Bring chairs and shade — the beach is open and there is very little tree cover.
5977 US Hwy 93 S, Somers, MT 59932
Outdoors
Glacier National Park — West Glacier
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald and trailheads for the park’s most photographed hikes.
Check the current vehicle reservation rules before you drive up, and leave by 7 a.m. in July and August.
West Glacier, MT 59936
Outdoors
Wildhorse Island State Park
A 2,100-acre island in Flathead Lake where bighorn sheep, mule deer and a few wild horses roam free.
Day use only, reachable by boat or a charter out of Big Arm — pack water, there is none on the island.
Wild Horse Island, Big Arm, MT 59910
Outdoors
Outdoors
Jewel Basin Hiking Area
Twenty-eight alpine lakes and 35 miles of hiking-only trail above Bigfork.
The road to Camp Misery is rough but passable — start early for parking at the trailhead.
Jewel Basin Rd, Bigfork, MT 59911
Outdoors
Great Northern Rail Trail
A flat rail-trail that runs right out of Somers along the lakeshore toward Kalispell.
Rent bikes in Kalispell and ride the Somers–Kila stretch for the quietest miles.
Somers, MT 59932
Family
Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster
A gravity coaster that winds 4,000 feet through the pines above the lake — you control the speed.
Buy multi-ride passes; the line is shortest right at opening on hot afternoons.
7385 US Hwy 93 S, Lakeside, MT 59922
Family
Woodland Park + Water Playground
Kalispell’s big city park: splash playground, lagoon, ducks, shade and picnic tables.
Pair it with a stop at a Main Street ice cream shop on the way home.
145 Woodland Park Dr, Kalispell, MT 59901
Family
Big Sky Waterpark
Slides, mini golf and an arcade just outside Columbia Falls — a reliable rainy-or-hot-day fix.
Afternoon admission is cheaper, and the lines thin out after 4 p.m.
7211 US Hwy 2 E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Family
Montana Vortex & House of Mystery
A quirky roadside optical-illusion tour that kids talk about for the rest of the trip.
Tours run on the hour — call ahead in shoulder season.
7800 US Hwy 2 E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Adventure
Flathead Lake boat + jet ski rentals
Pontoon, ski boat, wakeboard and jet ski rentals on the north shore for a full lake day.
Reserve summer weekends weeks ahead, and ask about a half-day if the group is easing in.
190 Adams St, Lakeside, MT 59922
Adventure
Middle Fork Flathead whitewater rafting
Class II–III rafting along Glacier’s southern boundary — the classic Montana half-day trip.
June has the biggest water; late summer floats are calmer and better for kids.
12127 US Hwy 2 E, West Glacier, MT 59936
Adventure
Whitefish Bike Retreat + Whitefish Trail
Forty-plus miles of singletrack and doubletrack with trailheads ringing Whitefish.
Beaver Lake and Lion Mountain are the friendliest starts for mixed-ability groups.
855 Beaver Lake Rd, Whitefish, MT 59937
Adventure
Glacier zipline + aerial adventure park
Ziplines and treetop courses in the cedar forest just outside the park entrance.
Book the first slot of the day and be back at the lake by lunch.
12127 US Hwy 2 E, West Glacier, MT 59936
Culture
Bigfork Village
Galleries, the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, patios and a walkable main street on the lake’s northeast bay.
Playhouse tickets sell out — book before you arrive if a show night matters.
8155 MT Hwy 35, Bigfork, MT 59911
Culture
Downtown Whitefish
Ski-town main street with independent shops, breweries, coffee and the historic depot museum.
Thursday summer farmers market fills the depot park with food trucks and music.
Central Ave, Whitefish, MT 59937
Culture
Culture
Hockaday Museum of Art
Montana and Glacier-region art in Kalispell’s original Carnegie library building.
Free on the first Friday of the month during the downtown art walk.
302 Second Ave E, Kalispell, MT 59901
Food & Drink
Tamarack Brewing Company
Lakeside brewpub with a big patio, house beers and a menu that suits a hungry group.
Call ahead for a 10-top; the patio fills fast on warm evenings.
105 Blacktail Rd, Lakeside, MT 59922
Food & Drink
Somers Bay Cafe
The neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot minutes from the house.
Go before a lake day — they open early and the pastries sell out.
75 Somers Rd, Somers, MT 59932
Food & Drink
Bonsai Brewing Project
Whitefish beer garden with lawn games, live music and a short, very good food menu.
Dog-friendly yard; get there before the evening band starts for a table.
549 Wisconsin Ave, Whitefish, MT 59937
Food & Drink
Flathead cherry stands (Hwy 35)
Roadside stands along the east shore selling Flathead cherries, jam and cider in season.
Peak cherry season is mid-July to mid-August — bring cash.
MT Hwy 35, Polson, MT 59860
Relax
Purple Frog Gardens lavender fields
Blooming lavender rows and a farm shop with oils, bundles and honey.
Late June through July is peak bloom — mornings photograph best.
4600 US Hwy 2 E, Whitefish, MT 59937
Relax
Whitefish Lake State Park beach
A calm, sandy swim beach with picnic tables and a boat ramp on Whitefish Lake.
Small parking lot — arrive before 11 a.m. on summer weekends.
1615 W Lakeshore Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937
Relax
Spa day in Whitefish
Massage, soaking pools and mountain-view treatment rooms after a big hiking day.
Book two or three appointments at once so the group overlaps.
Central Ave, Whitefish, MT 59937
Winter
Blacktail Mountain Ski Area
A locals’ mountain above the lake where you park at the summit and ski down.
Cheaper and far quieter than the big resorts — great for learning groups.
1 Blacktail Rd, Lakeside, MT 59922
Winter
Whitefish Mountain Resort
3,000 skiable acres, night skiing and a summer lift-served bike park and alpine slide.
Summer visitors: ride the chair for the Glacier view even if you don’t bike.
1015 Glades Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937
Shopping
Downtown Kalispell + Main Street
Outfitters, bookstores, boutiques and the big-box stores you need for a long stay.
Stock the kitchen here on arrival day — it is the closest full-size grocery run.
Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901
Golf
Eagle Bend Golf Club
A Nicklaus-designed 27-hole course along the Flathead River in Bigfork.
Twilight rates after 4 p.m. are the value round of the valley.
279 Eagle Bend Dr, Bigfork, MT 59911
Golf
Whitefish Lake Golf Club
Montana’s only 36-hole public facility, with a classic log clubhouse restaurant.
The North Course is tighter; the South is friendlier for mixed groups.
1200 US Hwy 93 N, Whitefish, MT 59937
Day Trips
Going-to-the-Sun Road + Logan Pass
The 50-mile alpine drive across Glacier, with the Hidden Lake trail at the top.
Snow closes the upper road until late June — check the plowing status the night before.
Going-to-the-Sun Rd, West Glacier, MT 59936
Day Trips
National Bison Range
A high-prairie wildlife drive with bison, elk, pronghorn and huge valley views.
Red Sleep Mountain Drive is a two-hour loop and closes seasonally — go in the morning.
58355 Bison Range Rd, Charlo, MT 59824
Day Trips
Polson + south shore loop
Drive the full lake loop: cherry stands, Polson’s waterfront and the Mission Mountains.
Go counter-clockwise on Hwy 35 so the lake stays on your side of the car.
Polson, MT 59860
The group chat can stop searching
This is the Montana house.
Six bedrooms. Hot tub, barrel sauna, speakeasy and game room. Minutes from Flathead Lake, under an hour to Glacier. Summer weeks move fast.