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Welcome to the Flathead Valley! We're glad you're here. If this is your very first visit or you have been here many times, we hope to provide you with some information that is both interesting and useful as you tour around our beautiful valley.
The Flathead Valley is located in northwest Montana and is surrounded by national parks, forests and protected lands. The Flathead National forest covers 2.3 million acres, offering 2600 miles of hiking trails and 34 camping areas.
- Attractions at the northern end of the valley:
- Glacier National Park
- Whitefish Lake
- Whitefish Mountain Resort & Big Mountain
- Izaak Walton Inn at Essex – Cross Country Skiing
- Golf Courses
We are blessed to have one of the most popular and famous national parks in our backyard, Glacier National Park. With soaring mountains, over 100 waterfalls and the ride up the breath taking “Going to the Sun Road” in one of the famous Red Bus “Jammers”, it’s no wonder the park attracts between 1.7 and 1.9 visitors each year.a
Glacier National Park Maps
Whitefish Lake is named for the whitefish that is native to its waters. It is 3,315 acres and has 16.3 miles of shoreline. There is a public boat ramp and a nice city beach. It is near the city of Whitefish as is Whitefish Mountain Resort featuring Big Mountain for downhill and cross-country skiing as well as snowshoeing. The ski area promises great powder, acres of groomed trails, fantastic views, great rates and no lines!
Rail fans enjoy staying at the Izaak Walton Inn located in Essex, Montana because of the close proximity to the BNSF Railway and Great Northern Railway. In winter enjoy the 20+ mile trail system with daily groomed trails for skate and classic skiing. You can ski from late November to mid-April.
- Attractions at the southern end of the valley:
Jewel Basin
Flathead Lake
Blacktail Mountain
Golf Courses
Artist Village of Bigfork
Eagle Bend Golf Club
At the south end of the valley and closer to Bigfork, is Jewel Basin hiking area. Pristine mountain lakes and views of the entire valley from atop Mt. Aeneas are among some of the reasons for the area’s popularity. In winter months, show shoeing and cross country skiing on the groomed trails make it a popular destination.
If you like to golf you will be pleased to learn that the Flathead Valley was named to Golf Digest's top 50 Golf Destinations in the world. A destination must offer more than great golf courses. The choice was also based on service, transportation, setting, quality accommodations, travel to and around the destination, and value. There are nine public courses including the popular Meadow Lake Golf Resort in Columbia Falls. For 27 holes of heaven make sure and visit Eagle Bend Golf Club in Bigfork. All the courses offer challenging layouts and unique golfing all within an hour’s drive of each other.
Boating, fishing and water sports are also a major part of the lifestyle here in the valley. Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi river. It is 30 miles long and 15 miles wide with numerous bays for fishing, swimming or just hanging out. There are several communities with restaurants you can tie up to for a meal or some refreshment. Bigfork, Lakeside and Woods Bay have “boat in” stops, to name a few.
For skiing at the southern end of the valley you can venture up to Blacktail Mountain and check out the 26+ miles of cross country trails or hit the downhill slopes. The Flathead Valley enjoys a relatively mild climate with high mountains to the east and west to protect the valley from harsh extremes. Temperatures in the Flathead Valley tend to be moderate in the winter due to the many lakes and rivers in the area. The average high temperature in January is 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Whatever your passion - arts, history, culture - you’ll find places to explore throughout the Flathead Valley. Come and visit the artist’s Village of Bigfork located on beautiful Bigfork Bay. You can take in a play at the famous Bigfork Playhouse or visit the valley’s numerous galleries and museums which feature ever changing exhibitions. Live theatrical productions are performed by the Polson Players, Alpine Theatre Project, Bigfork Playhouse, & Whitefish Theatre Co. Music is alive in Montana with the Glacier Symphony & Chorale, as well as the annual Jazz Stampede and community band concerts. This year hosts the 2nd annual Crown of the Continent Guitar Workshop in Bigfork at the Flathead Lake Lodge.
The Flathead Valley is home to numerous artists, whom you will most likely find working in their studios and galleries on wood carvings, bronze statues, pottery, photography, painting, drawings and more! The Hockaday Museum of Art features a standing exhibit on Glacier National Park which is sure to delight and educate.
We have No sales tax in Montana!
Glacier International Airport is just minutes from anywhere in the Valley. They offer many direct flights into Canadian cities and major U.S. hubs.
Amtrak is also a travel option. The train station is located in Whitefish.
Kalispell Regional Medical Center is a state of the art medical facility that is both a community hospital and a regional referral center, offering the area’s most advanced health services and medical technology. A comprehensive inventory of sophisticated diagnostics and treatment techniques is matched by equally specialized, highly-skilled professionals whose experience is respected throughout the area and the nation.
With growth comes large shopping centers. Kalispell has a variety of national stores and restaurants including, Super WalMart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond and Borders. Of course no town is complete without a Starbuck’s Coffee.
Real Estate - The valley offers a wide variety of homes, from the small cabin in the woods to the multi-million dollar estate. There are many beautiful homes to choose from on the water front or golf course and if you’re ready to sit back and have more time to relax then a cottage home may fit your needs.
In Bigfork, two larger sub-divisions in the valley have been purchased by a Canadian Group out of Calgary. Bigfork Landing features Montana craftsman style cottage homes starting from $300,000 with all the amenities you are accustomed to but without all the upkeep. Beautifully landscaped common areas with ponds, bridges and lighted walkways invite you to enjoy all the beauty Montana has to offer.
Driving Distances from Northwest Montana Border Crossings at Roosville & Sweetgrass.
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Roosville to Whitefish 50 miles (80 km)
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Roosville to Kalispell 66 miles (106 km)
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Roosville to Bigfork 92 miles (148 km)
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Sweetgrass to Whitefish 186 miles (299 km)
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Sweetgrass to Kalispell 192 miles (308 km)
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Sweetgrass to Bigfork 199 miles (320 km)
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