Montana might be known as “Big Sky Country”, but according to the tourism board, Montana can be whatever you want it to be. Their social media hashtag encourages visitors to find their #MontanaMoment. And with all the offerings, it’s sure to have something for everyone: golfing, fishing, adventure, whitewater, mountain climbing, hiking, skiing/snowboarding, cycling, camping, horseback riding, and oh, Montana is just one of 13 states to have more than one National Park…Glacier and Yellowstone.
Glacier National Park
On a recent trip to Flathead Valley, we flew into Kalispell and noticed the unreal color of turquoise in the mountain lakes dotting the landscape. We decided to rent a Jeep (red of course) and spend our first day on a little adventure to scope out one of those turquoise lakes in Glacier National Park. Along the way, we saw plenty of rentals for bear spray. The park ranger gave us tips and told us that while bear sightings are common, they generally don’t get spooked unless they are protecting their young. So, we were off.
We started our trek at Lake McDonald to see the multi-colored pebble shores that surround the lake and clear waters that reflect the snow-covered peak. Unfortunately, it started raining, so we didn’t get to hike back to one of the most picturesque lakes on the Trail of the Cedars, Avalanche Lake, but we were able to do a short walk back to the otherworldly aqua-colored Avalanche Falls below Sperry Glacier. The intense aqua color was described to us like aptly named Glacier Freeze Gatorade, and for good reason: the lakes and falls in Glacier National Park are fed by minerals from the glaciers creating the intense colored water.
Montana Golf
The next three days were golf, eating, golf, eating, and golf…the purpose of our trip. And the Northwest Montana golf courses didn’t disappoint. The food was excellent and the spectacular views were a great backdrop to the courses we played: Whitefish Lake Golf Club has a north and south course, the only 36-hole course in Whitefish overlooking Whitefish Lake with spectacular vistas of Big Mountain. We also played Meadow Lake Golf Course which also had beautiful views. Next time I plan on trying the 27-hole Buffalo Hill Golf Club and Glacier View Golf Course to experience the different challenges and views each course offers.
The Lodge at Whitefish Lake
We stayed at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake with gorgeous views of the lake from the room and the outdoor hot tub, which was a welcome respite after a long day on the links. A giant bear stands poised in the lobby to welcome, or startle you, but it’s also the perfect place for fun photos.
The Spa was also welcoming with a co-ed steam room, and a full menu of spa services including massage, body wraps and scrubs, facials, waxing, and nails. The rustic lodge feel goes throughout the resort, with a private fireplace in the rooms, and outdoor fire pits and complimentary s’mores each night. The lodge offers an outdoor pool and hot tub as well as an indoor pool and water fall for year-round access.
Montana Delicacies
The Boathouse Restaurant at The Lodge offered local food such as Elk Meatballs, and Huckleberry Mud Pie. Every restaurant in Montana seems to offer their own take on the local delicacies. At a stop for lunch on the way to Glacier National Park, we stopped in at Glacier Grill and Pizza. The menu offered Huckleberry BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich. For dinner, we went to the quaint downtown Whitefish and had dinner at the Tupelo Grille, which had been widely recommended by the locals and for good reason. The southern inspired menu had plenty of offerings for me (a vegetarian), and for everyone else—Elk meatloaf sliders and shrimp and crawfish cakes. Another local favorite is Logan’s Bar and Grill at the Grouse Mountain Lodge that offered local bison and trout on the menu.
Our golf trip to Whitefish was only four days long so I didn’t have a chance to do everything that Northwest Montana offers, but I am already planning my trip back to find another #MontanaMoment. It won’t be difficult!
These adventures are on my itinerary for my next trip:
- Red Bus Tours—If you want to get a guided history tour of Glacier National Park, take a vintage 1930s red bus on a tour. Tours range from three to 9.5 hours. The roll back tops of the buses allow you to see spectacular vertical views.
- Flying—Take a Float Plane Tour from Whitefish Lake to get spectacular views of the glacier topped peaks of Glacier National Park. There are numerous helicopter tour companies that also offer aerial tours of the glaciers.
- Aerial Adventures—TheWhitefish Mountain Resort boasts Montana’s longest zip line tour with an adrenaline-inducing 6 zip line tour with lines that range 1,900 feet across and 300 feet above the forest. The resort also has an Aerial Adventure Park with cable bridges, rope ladders, trapeze and an Alpine Slide for those that prefer to stay closer to the ground.
- Hiking—Check out the Top 10 hikes in Glacier National Park ranked by Jake Bramante, the first person to hike all 734 miles of trail in Glacier National Park in one summer.
- Sightseeing—Take a scenic lift ride at the ski resort during the summer in either an enclosed gondola or an open chairlift, and have lunch at the top of the mountain at Summit House.
- Water Sports—Charter a pontoon for a pleasure cruise, or rent a ski boat, stand up paddle board, canoe or kayak at the Marina at Whitefish Lake. You can rent a paddleboard to try different lakes throughout the Park—try Grinnell Lake for turquoise waters and spectacular views, but you must hike in with your board! If still water isn’t exciting enough, go for full adventure with whitewater rafting from several different river guide companies in Glacier.
- Cowgirl for a day—We did start our first day at an outpost of Cowgirl Coffee, but I didn’t get to try the full Montana cowgirl lifestyle. Next time I’ll either take a Glacier Trail Ride to experience the park on horseback, or if I have time I’ll stay a bit longer and stay at the local dude ranch, Bar W Guest Ranch for cowpoke lessons and a cattle drive. If I choose to just be a cowgirl for a day, I’ll go for a trail ride, and then end the night line dancing at Blue Moon Nite Club or take in a summer rodeo at their arena.
- Cycling—While downhill and cross country mountain biking are popular in Montana, I’d like to rent anelectric bike to trek through the paved roads of Glacier National Park. Several outfitters offer bike rentals for both mountain and e-bikes.
- Tasting Tour—The Flathead Valley has 17 breweries, distilleries, and wineries that can be enjoyed on a DIY pub crawl or you can opt into one of several Hop On tours on the Montana Brew Bus.
