Flathead: Hotels Between Lake, River, and Nature

Flathead offers a range of options to consider when planning your trip: Flathead Lake, water activities, trails, and experiences in the area around Glacier National Park. Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the contiguous 48 U.S. states; its surface area is more than 200 square miles. Flathead County also offers a wide variety of recreational amenities: the county maintains parks, open spaces, sports facilities, trails, boat launches, fishing access points, and community recreation areas throughout the county.

Lake and River: Different Ways to Enjoy the Water

Lazy Bay Park offers boat access as well as opportunities for water sports and other activities on the water. Water levels and access may change, so check current conditions before your visit. Whitewater trips on the Flathead River are possible by canoe, kayak, or raft. These are different ways to spend time on the water, without treating the river as if it were the lake.

Whitefish Lake is another option for boating: boat trips are possible on the lake at Whitefish Lake State Park. The park is also part of Whitefish’s hiking and biking trail network. This brings together water activities and trails for hiking and biking.

Wildlife Viewing and Day Trips

Wild Horse Island offers opportunities for wildlife viewing. The park is for day use only; camping is not allowed. If you plan to spend time there, keep this distinction between a day visit and an overnight stay in mind when choosing your activities. Tens of thousands of migrating waterfowl rest and feed along the north shore of Flathead Lake and in adjacent flooded fields. This viewing opportunity offers a different focus from the water activities at the parks and lakes.

Waterfalls in the Lake McDonald Valley can be reached by numerous hiking trails. A visitor center in Glacier National Park also serves as a trailhead for the Highline and Hidden Lake Trails. The two trail names give you specific reference points for planning your outings, while West Glacier provides geographic context: the town is in eastern Flathead County, at the west entrance to Glacier National Park.

The western access route to the Lake McDonald area, Park Headquarters, the Apgar Visitor Center, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road follows Highway 2 east to West Glacier.

Trails, Seasons, and Getting There

For those interested in trails as well as the lake and the national park, there are several options: Rails to Trails is a multi-use trail in Kalispell. Cross-country skiing is available at Herron Park. Seasonal conditions may change, so it’s a good idea to check current conditions before your visit. At Whitefish Lake State Park, the local hiking and biking trail network complements the opportunity to go boating on Whitefish Lake.

For rail travel, Amtrak’s historic Empire Builder train stops year-round in West Glacier (Belton). This provides a specific train stop to help plan your trip, in addition to the nature and water activities described above.

Discover more destinations: Bigfork, Hungry Horse, Essex, Whitefish, West Glacier, Marion, Kalispell, Columbia Falls, Kila.

For the broader travel overview: Montana.