Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park should speak for itself. With wildlife, fields of flowers, and mountain heights that reach for that big sky, everyone's always talking about, there's a lot to see and do in this natural playground. Head out for a multi-mile hike, or drive the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road. It pays to get an early start if you want to beat crowds in the park. Being in Bigfork, only an hour from the west entrance gives you the ability to get up and get in, with a more meandering trip back through small gateway communities.

Whitefish

When it's time to get a little refined without needing to trade in your hiking boots for a more sophisticated look, a day in Whitefish is just a short drive away. This is the spot for fine dining alongside down-to-earth local grub, boutique shopping, and access to premier skiing and hiking. Its classic downtown is well worth a wander, and you can get there from Bigfork by car in about 45 minutes. This is a great way to experience Whitefish while escaping its resort taxes and higher accommodation costs.

Lake Koocanusa

Trade-in one big-water locale for another when you leave the shores of Flathead Lake an head out for a drive to Lake Koocanusa. This impressive reservoir spans the US-Canada border, stretching 90 miles of scenic space. Its name takes the "Koo" from the Kootenai River, which was dammed in 1972 to form the reservoir, and the "can" from its northern Canadian portion, with the "USA" referring to the southern part of the waterbody. Enjoy the scenic views, and pick some short walks to get out and stretch your legs along the water.

Missoula

If you want a look at Montana's version of big city life, you can hop in the car and drive just under two hours to the town of Missoula – Montana's second-largest city with a whopping population of 75,500. Experience the arts and culture scene with a few stops for good eats, and enjoy your time in Montana metropolitan living before heading back to Bigfork.

Seeley Lake

Head to the Swan Valley, just southeast of Bigfork, and experience a different valley. You can cruise all the way to Seeley Lake, a small town less than two hours from Bigfork. You'll find secluded recreation spots, set against a mountainous Montana backdrop on the east side of the Mission Mountains.

Polson

Polson sits on the south end of Flathead Lake, the antithesis to Bigfork's north shores. Head down south for a day—it's less than an hour in the car—and see what the other side of the lake has to offer. Once you've explored its shops and restaurants and stopped to take in the view northward up the lake, you can continue up the west shore to complete the Flathead Lake loop back to Bigfork.

Staying with Highline Adventures

Whether you are coming for an adventure, or just passing through, we have eight properties in Gardiner, Bozeman, and Bigfork to help you feel at home while you are on the road. Click here to book now.