Family activities
Whether it’s spring or summer, there’s so much to do in the valley that it’s easy to get lost.
Here are some ideas for family activities in the Flathead Valley to occupy your weekends and vacations.
Spring
While spring often means the arrival of sunshine, this is not always the case in Montana. Unfortunately, the weather here is often relatively poor until June. This lack of sunshine inevitably has an impact on what you can do with your family in the Flathead Valley in the spring. That said, it doesn’t stop you from getting out and exploring the valley.
Road trips in the Flathead Valley
What better way to visit and discover the valley than a road trip? It’s a bad day but you don’t want to be stuck at home? Take the whole family and head out on one of the scenic roads in the area!
Got plans in the afternoon? Take a little trip to Glacier National Park. Going-to-the-Sun Road may still be partially closed due to snow, but there are still plenty of options!
Already visited the park? Take a tour around Flathead Lake. Head down through Lakeside, it’s a good place to stop, check out the town, and take a lunch break. Continue on to Dayton where you can see Wild Horse Island, the largest island on Flathead Lake. Continue on down to Polson where you can visit the Polson Flathead Lake Museum. After your visit, take advantage of being in the area to discover the Flathead Lake State Park at Finley Point. Then drive up the east side of the lake through the Flathead National Forest. When you finally arrive in Bigfork, stop at one of the many great restaurants in town to end your family road trip!
Photo by Shaz Sedighzadeh on Unsplash
Fishing
For those spring days without rain, fishing is a great activity to do with the family in the Flathead Valley. You can try your hand at more or less any type of fishing. That said, Montana in general is particularly known for its fly fishing. It’s possible that Redford’s (or McLean’s) A River Runs Through It has reinforced this reputation. However, the fly fishing here is very good. If you don’t have all the gear you need to go fishing, there are several stores around Glacier National Park that will rent you some.
Fishing in the Flathead Valley comes at a cost. Before you head out to the river with your fishing rod, you’ll need to purchase a license. For 2 days it costs $42.50 for tourists or $15 for Montana residents. Any child under the age of 15 doesn’t need a license as long as he or she is accompanied by an adult who has one.
Summer
Summertime is a family activity paradise in the Flathead Valley. The dry heat of northwest Montana is neither too high nor too low. It’s time for cherries, Montana’s famous huckleberries, and swimming in lakes and rivers. It’s a time for festivals, concerts, and enjoying terrace drinks.
Camping
Of all the family activities in the Flathead Valley, the most popular weekend and vacation activity is camping. You’ll find spots to set up camp all over the valley. Whether it’s close to town in Wayfarers, near Bigfork, or remote by Tally Lake, you’ll have no shortage of options.
Put your tent in the trunk of the car, pack your sleeping bags and a fire starter. On your way to your chosen spot, stop at a grocery store. Buy marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers to make delicious smores on your campfire!
Hiking
Explore nature with your family throughout the Flathead Valley. During the summer you can go on nature adventures in and around the valley.
In Glacier National Park itself, you’ll find a multitude of different trails and routes for hikers of all levels. You’ll also find some nice hikes closer to Kalispell, in Lone Pine Park. The hikes available there are shorter, but it’s a good place to go for a few hours of walking, plus you’ll find some great views of the city.
Another good option is to go hiking on one of the many trails in the Flathead National Forest. Find some suggestions for the national forest on the AllTrails website.
Of course, for those who want to extend their hikes, you can combine hiking and camping and go for several days!