Heading to Montana? Make the most of your trip to “The Last Best Place” and include one (or all!) of the following in your adventures!
1. Lone Pine State Park
Located on the South West side of Kalispell, Montana, Lone Pine State Park has over 270 acres of stunning views, hiking trails for all levels of fitness, and horseback riding! The best horseback riding services around are located at the Swan Mountain Outfitters. It’s $75 for a two hour ride, but there are full day ride options as well which include great views and lunch! The instructors are very knowledgeable educating riders on local wildlife, as well as very funny. A must for any horseback riding fan.
2. Whitefish Lake
If you are looking for a relaxing day for a picnic or low key water adventures, Whitefish Lake is a picturesque location fo fit all. The lake is situated close to downtown Whitefish, MT and in the middle of varies pine tree species and older mountain homes. Whether it’s easy walking trails or the beach, this lake offers a little bit of everything. The lake is located less than 3 miles from downtown Whitefish.
3. Downtown Whitefish
Stopping in to this vibrant and charming town will make you feel at home no matter where in the world you’re from. Each shop is locally owned and run, with tons of art studios, quilting shops, as well as clothing boutiques. Some of the delicious eatery spots to check out would be Loula’s Cafe, Swift Creek Cafe, the Great Northern Brewing Company, and Latitude 48. Pro tip: Latitude 48 has a 21+ only lower speak easy downstairs!
4. Glacier National Park
I would be bold enough to say that 99.9% of travelers who visit Kalispell, MT are not going to go shopping at the coolest outlets (which in this case, would be only boutique shops!). Travelers are coming here to visit one of the most breathtaking national parks our country has to offer – Glacier National Park. There is so much to do in the park from horseback riding, to hiking, to camping and picnics, to simply driving and enjoying the two hour ride through from one end to the other. The elevation goes as high up as over 8,000 feet in some spots making you feel as though you are truly in the clouds. The best time of year to go depends on what you are looking for, but what I traveled during the month of September, and the weather was a perfectly fall temperature with plenty of outdoor activities still open without the intense rush of tourists. The trails I recommend in the park are the Avalanche Lake Trail, St Mary and Virginia Falls, Iceberg Lake, and the Highline Trail.
5. Flathead National Forest & Lake
If you’re looking for a stunning hiking with beautiful views with every turn, but not the crowds, this is a great option for you. Flathead National Forest and Lake has a tons of hiking trails with different levels for more easy or advanced hikes. The trails are well kept and well marked. Although there were no animal sightings when I visited there, all travelers must be conscious that any forest is home to many different animals and any hikers are visiting their territory. Pack some bear spray, a knife, and have fun!
