Bigfork, Montana & The Flathead Valley
Bigfork
The town of Bigfork rests peacefully along the northeast corner of Flathead Lake. The town is popular for its robust arts community, live theatre, and eclectic downtown area boasting many art galleries, specialty boutique shops, and dining venues.
Glacier National Park
Just a short drive from the Flathead Valley, Glacier National Park offers world-renowned hiking, alpine lakes, wildlife, and breathtaking mountain scenery. It’s one of Montana’s greatest treasures and a defining feature of life in Northwest Montana.
Flathead Valley
The Flathead Valley is home to Bigfork and Flathead Lake, as well as the communities of Kalispell, Lakeside/Somers, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls. It hosts two popular ski resorts, a variety of parks, recreation, shopping and dining opportunities.
Kalispell
Kalispell is prime for the extreme variety of activities and entertainment that the greater Flathead Valley provides. Glacier National Park is just over 30 miles from Kalispell. Flathead Lake is 7 miles south, Glacier Airport is 7 miles north. Surrounding Kalispell is over 3 million acres of protected wilderness. Recreation and beauty abound.
Columbia Falls
As the “Gateway to Glacier National Park,” Columbia Falls is a busy and growing community. There’s about 3,700 people in this town just 18 miles south of West Glacier. The residents here pride themselves in maintaining the “small-town” atmosphere and the sense of community spirit that has been the backbone of this community for many years.
Lakeside/Somers
Water activities are always on the agenda as Lakeside and Somers are located right on pristine Flathead Lake. During the warm months, colorful sailboats are seen dotting the lake. In addition to summer sports like boating, biking and hiking Blacktail Mountain Ski Area is just moments from town and offers downhill skiing and snowboarding.
Polson
Located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in a natural amphitheater at the south end of Flathead Lake is where you will find the town of Polson. When visiting this charming lakeside community, you will fall in love with the beauty of the area, which boasts some of Montana’s most fertile farming lands against the backdrop of Flathead Lake and the Mission mountains.
Seeley/Swan Valley
Swan Valley, Montana, is the ideal place for a quiet, moderate lifestyle filled with all the best nature has to offer. Swan Valley is only an hour’s drive from Glacier National Park, one of the most pristine and lovely parks in the nation. The area offers easy access to both The Bob Marshall and Mission Mountains Wilderness areas, and both mountain ranges rise most abruptly from the valley floor.
Whitefish
Whitefish is known for Whitefish Mountain Resort, vibrant downtown shops and restaurants, and access to both ski slopes and summer trails. It blends upscale living with laid-back mountain culture.
Local Area Highlights
Flights
Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) provides convenient regional and national connections, making travel in and out of the Valley accessible year-round.
Health Care
The Valley offers full-service medical facilities including Logan Health, along with specialty care, urgent care, and regional clinics.
Retail
From Bigfork’s boutique shops to Whitefish’s downtown and Kalispell’s retail centers, residents enjoy a blend of local charm and modern convenience.
Lakes All Around
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Combined with countless alpine lakes and rivers, water recreation is a defining part of life here.