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Whitefish, Montana

Ski and mountain-bike trails wind downhill at Whitefish Mountain Resort, just outside town. Or use the town as a jumping-off point for more adventures in nearby Glacier National Park and more.

Top Spots in and near Whitefish

  • Whitefish, Montana

    Hike Whitefish Mountain via the Danny On Trail

    5.0
    7.6 mi / 2250 ft gain
    The Danny On Trail starts from the base area of Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort and zig zags its way up to the summit. The trailhead is near the Chalet building/Hellroaring Saloon upper parking lot (there's a big sign). The trail passes through Douglas fir, western larch, spruce and fir trees. The ...
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  • Flathead County, Montana

    Snowshoe the North Fork Area of the Flathead River

    1.5 mi / 0 ft gain
    Starting in Columbia Falls, MT, which is 17 miles from Kalispell, MT, locate North Fork Road off of Railroad Street. Follow North Fork Road about 17 miles. While along the Flathead River, there are many Forest Service roads that are accessible to snowshoe along. There are roads that lead to the F...
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  • Martin City, Montana

    Drive around Hungry Horse Reservoir

    About 100 miles of mostly gravel roads (14 miles of pavement) will take you around this beautiful reservoir.  With that many miles of road and the shoreline to go with it, it is obvious that there is plenty to see and do in the Hungry Horse area. Check out some of my other adventures for ideas of...
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  • Kalispell, Montana

    Western Larch and Cliff Trail Loop

    2.77 mi / 656 ft gain
    Western Larch and Cliff Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Kalispell, Montana.
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  • Columbia Falls, Montana

    Hike to Apgar Lookout

    4.5
    7 mi / 1850 ft gain
    Precursor: I completed this hike in November, hence the snow in the photos. Due to a lack of tree coverage, this hike is best suited for a cool summer day, or in the late spring and early autumn. It is doable in the heat of the summer, but be sure to pack plenty of water. This hike begins by tre...
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  • Flathead County, Montana

    Hike to Blaine Mountain

    7.3 mi / 2350 ft gain
    To reach the trailhead for this hike, it is about an hour's drive from nearby Kalispell. You will drive around Hungry Horse Reservoir on the West Side Road, and turn off onto Doris Creek Road. Be sure NOT to get this mistaken with the nearby Doris Ridge Road. Once turning onto Doris Creek Road, i...
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  • Flathead County, Montana

    Hike Glacier View Mountain

    5.04 mi / 2880 ft gain
    Driving north from Columbia Falls, MT for 20 miles, park after the junction of the Camas Road and the North Fork Road. This parking area is directly after the junction on the east side of the road and the trail begins on the west side of the road.The beginning of the trail is started with many sw...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Swim at the Belton Bridge

    2.0
    The Belton Bridge is the old entrance to glacier. You can get there by turning right down old river bridge road, which is the first right when you turn in to the West Glacier village. There are some 5-8 ft rocks to jump off, but be sure to check the water below them first. The water is gorgeous, ...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Capture Sunrise or Sunset at Lake McDonald

    5.0
    Lake McDonald doesn't offer the close-up views of glaciers and mountains like some of the other spots in Glacier NP, but it does offer sweeping views of park's west side. The most popular spot to photograph this grand perspective is along the southwest beach and dock. The dock makes the most in...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Kayak Lake McDonald

    5.0
    Rent kayaks at the shore of Lake McDonald and take them out for the day. Make sure to start early to get a full day in and leave yourself enough time to stop for lunch. There are multiple places to pull off and bring your kayaks onto the shore and do some small hikes. The views are spectacular fr...
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  • Kalispell, Montana

    Notch Trail, Overlook Trail, and Plum Creek Road Loop

    3.85 mi / 801 ft gain
    Notch Trail, Overlook Trail, and Plum Creek Road Loop is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Kalispell, Montana.
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  • Flathead County, Montana

    Hike Demer's Ridge

    7.47 mi / 3420 ft gain
    This trail is a point to point, so two cars are necessary. The ending point is where Camas Rd intersects the North Fork Road at the Blankenship Bridge. The starting point for the hike is at Demer's Pit. Driving 22 miles from Columbia Falls, MT, make your way to the parking spot, Demer's Pit. From...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Hike to Howe Lake

    4 mi / 240 ft gain
    The hike begins along the Inner North Fork road across from a small parking area. The trail meanders up a slight incline most of the way through areas of a recent fire, as well as some areas with spectacular wildflowers when it gets a bit more lush. Around 1.7 miles in you will go up a relatively...
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  • West Glacier, Montana

    Backpack to Logging Lake

    8.8 mi
    Backcountry camping is the best plan if you’d like to visit Logging Lake, and the primitive campsites lay at the end of a four and a half mile hike through some of the most unspoiled sections of the park. The trail follows logging creek most of the way to the lake traversing through a variety of ...
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  • Somers, Montana

    Kayak to Pig Island

    Drive to the North Flathead Launch in Somers, MT (15 miles south of Kalispell). Launch the kayaks and head south towards the yacht club. Once past the yacht club, paddle eastward, you should come upon a wooden shack, a number of wooden poles, and an island. Continue eastward past these various fe...
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  • Somers, Montana

    Paddle North Flathead Lake

    5.0
    Flathead Lake is huge, and gorgeous. It's the biggest lake in Montana and certainly one worth spending some time on. The water is surprisingly warm, and the views are amazing. If you are passing through the area, find a place to rent some paddleboards and hit the water around golden hour in the e...
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Camping and Lodging in Whitefish

Whitefish / Kalispell North KOA Holiday
Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish / Kalispell North KOA Holiday

Tally Lake Campground
Tally Lake Road

Tally Lake Campground

Under Canvas Glacier
Coram, Montana

Under Canvas Glacier

From $99 / night

Big Creek Campground
Flathead County, Montana

Big Creek Campground

West Glacier KOA Resort
West Glacier, Montana

West Glacier KOA Resort

Emery Bay Campground
Martin City, Montana

Emery Bay Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Whitefish

10 Must-Do Adventures In Glacier National Park

10 Must-Do Adventures In Glacier National Park

The Outbound Collective

Jumbo Glacier: Where Do We Go From Here?

Jumbo Glacier: Where Do We Go From Here?

Chloe Donlan

A Walk into the Past: Returning Three Decades Later to Glacier NP

A Walk into the Past: Returning Three Decades Later to Glacier NP

Matt Johnson

15 Amazing Hikes in Glacier National Park

15 Amazing Hikes in Glacier National Park

The Outbound Collective

Watch This Video and Witness the Glory That Is Glacier National Park

Watch This Video and Witness the Glory That Is Glacier National Park

Rob Feakins

From the Glaciers to the Tundra: 15 Photos from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

From the Glaciers to the Tundra: 15 Photos from Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Sonja Saxe