Kalispell Montana Activities

Kalispell, Montana offers great activities throughout the year, making it a wonderful vacation destination for outdoor lovers or those who like to soak in the culture of the west.

Kalispell is close to numerous high mountain peaks and pristine lakes, thus has all sorts of outdoor recreation at its doorstep. You’ll find museums, fishing spots that yield trophy catches and many events and festivals all year long.

Summer

• Glacier National Park
  Only 31 miles north of Kalispell, Montana, you’ll discover awesome Glacier National Park. You can visit one or all of the 50 glaciers in the park, or hike over 700 miles of trails and get up close to Mother Nature. Take one of the most scenic drives in America, the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
• Fishing
  You have a wide choice of fishing locations, with large populations of fish. Try the Thompson Chain of Lakes for a quiet escape into nature. Flathead Lake is a perfect trout fishery, and offering plenty of wonderful scenery. At Ashley Lake, you’ll discover this 3,200-acre lake offers some record-breaking rainbow-cutthroat hybrids.
• Boating
  At Flathead Lake you can take a motorboat, sailboat, canoe or kayak out onto the largest freshwater lake in the western US. You can rent a boat at one of the marinas or boat launches.
• Walking and Hiking
  For walking some beautiful trails, try Woodland City Park, where you can see a rose garden, and even take a swim at the pool if you want. If you want a little more adventurous hiking, the perfect place is Jewel Basin Hiking Area, about 45 minutes away. Stunning views await you there.
• Wildlife Viewing
  Montana has more variety of wildlife than any other state in the lower 48 states. You are sure to spot some mountain goats, bighorn sheep, bears, wolves and much more.
• Camping
  All of the parks around Kalispell have wonderful spots to camp. Wild Horse Island is perhaps the only exemption. Camping out here offers access to a number of hiking and biking trails, as well as scenic views galore.
• Events
  Events in the summer fill the calendar. There are races, pow wows, art festivals and one favorite of all, the Glacier Jazz Stampede, a four-day music festival with plenty of jazz, swing, ragtime and more.

Winter

• Downhill Skiing
  With two fabulous ski resorts within a short distance, you will be able to get out on the slopes and enjoy that powdery snow. Choose from either Blacktail Mountain Ski Area or Whitefish Mountain Resort.
• Cross-Country Skiing
  Hundreds of trails within the Flathead National Forest and Glacier Park beckon you to put on those skis and venture out into the white landscapes. Set your own pace through the wilderness areas of Montana.
• Snowshoeing
  Tour the countryside on snowshoes and really begin to appreciate this spectacular area. You’ll get plenty of exercise too.