Flathead National Forest, Montana
Top Spots in and near Flathead National Forest
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Bigfork, Montana
Hike to Bond Lake
5.011.6 mi / 2300 ft gainFrom Kalispell, head south towards Swan Lake along Highway 83 until a sign for Bond Creek Trailhead is located on the east side oft the road near mile marker 71. Turning onto Forest Service Road #680 and after 1.5 miles, turning on FS Road #9507, the trailhead will be 2.3 miles after the intersec...Read more -
Bigfork, Montana
Swim in Graves Bay Swimming Hole
To get to this swimming hole you drive south from Hungry Horse on the West Side Road (Forest Road 895) 33.6 miles to the Graves Creek Campground. Park in the small parking lot with the bear box and outhouse, opposite the campground closer to the lake. Follow the path as it leads you past the casc...Read more -
Bigfork, Montana
Explore Graves Creek Falls
Graves Creek Falls are a series of pleasant waterfalls viewable without much effort. To get here From Hungry Horse drive south on the West Side Road (Forest Road 895) 33.6 miles to the Graves Creek Campground. From here turn right into the campground, park and take a short walk of a couple hundre...Read more -
Kalispell, Montana
Backpack to Black Lake
7 mi / 1500 ft gainBegin at Camp Misery (elev. 5,717 ft). This is a total misname by the way! It should be titled Camp On The Way To Awesomeness! Anyway, head .6 miles on Trail 8 to the intersection of trail. From here turn right on Trail 68 and hike .7 miles until the intersection where you turn right on Trail 7 f...Read more -
Kalispell, Montana
Backpack to Clayton Lake
9 mi / 1500 ft gainFrom the Camp Misery Trailhead (elev. 5,717 ft) take the left Trail 8 for .6 miles. At the junction continue left for a 1.3 mile gently ascent into Jewel Basin. Nearing Twin Lakes continue left on Trail 7 for .6 miles until you reach Trail 55. Continue right, and make sure that after a short .3 m...Read more -
Kalispell, Montana
Hike to Summit of Mount Aeneas
4.96 mi / 1700 ft gainThis hike can easily be overlooked since it is in such a geographically rich area, with Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness so close, but it is absolutely a hidden gem that doesn't get enough attention. Mount Aeneas sits at just over 7,500 feet and from the summit it gives amazi...Read more -
Kalispell, Montana
Flathead Lookout
5.02.4 mi / 666 ft gainFlathead Lookout is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Kalispell, Montana.Read more -
Flathead National Forest, Montana
Hike Montana's Swan Crest Trail
47 miGetting There: Coming from Seeley Lake, take the road towards Bigfork. Continue until you get to mile marker 27 and turn right into the Morrell/Clearwater turn off. Stay on the road most traveled until you dead end at the trail head roughly 7 miles up the road. Park here. The Trail: The trail ...Read more -
Bigfork, Montana
Aneas Loop
3.02.77 mi / 207 ft gainAneas Loop is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Bigfork, Montana.Read more -
Hungry Horse, Montana
Relax at Spotted Bear Beach
Spotted Bear Beach is a secluded white sand beach in the middle of Montana. To get here from the town of Hungry Horse, drive east on Highway 2 for ½ mile to the East Side Reservoir Road #38. Turn right (south) onto Road #38 and drive on through the town of Martin City. After two miles the pavemen...Read more -
Essex, Montana
Hike to Dickey Lake
5.2 mi / 1463 ft gain*Parking for this hike is very limited, as the parking area can hold one, maybe two, vehicles. This 5.2 mile roundtrip hike begins near Essex, Montana, at 4,620 feet of elevation, and leads to a small, hidden lake nestled in the Great Bear Wilderness. Immediately after leaving the parking area, ...Read more -
Somers, Montana
Paddle North Flathead Lake
5.0Flathead Lake is huge, and gorgeous. It's the biggest lake in Montana and certainly one worth spending some time on. The water is surprisingly warm, and the views are amazing. If you are passing through the area, find a place to rent some paddleboards and hit the water around golden hour in the e...Read more -
Essex, Montana
Cross Country Ski at Izaak Walton Inn
The Izaak Walton Inn was established in 1939 to accommodate workers and visitors from the rapid expansion of the Great Northern Railway. Conveniently built near Highway two, it is a short drive from both the West Glacier and East Glacier Entrances. If driving from West Glacier, continue on Highwa...Read more -
Somers, Montana
Kayak to Pig Island
Drive to the North Flathead Launch in Somers, MT (15 miles south of Kalispell). Launch the kayaks and head south towards the yacht club. Once past the yacht club, paddle eastward, you should come upon a wooden shack, a number of wooden poles, and an island. Continue eastward past these various fe...Read more -
Flathead County, Montana
Hike to Blaine Mountain
7.3 mi / 2350 ft gainTo reach the trailhead for this hike, it is about an hour's drive from nearby Kalispell. You will drive around Hungry Horse Reservoir on the West Side Road, and turn off onto Doris Creek Road. Be sure NOT to get this mistaken with the nearby Doris Ridge Road. Once turning onto Doris Creek Road, i...Read more -
Bigfork, Montana
Summit Swan Peak
18.49 mi / 6180 ft gainThis hike is about an hour drive south from Kalispell. Follow MT-83 S for about 47 mi. towards and past Swan Lake. Take a left on NF-554 and follow the road for 1.6 mi. and take a right on Squeezer Creek Rd. and follow the road for 4 mi. to a gated road and park near the gate. Follow the gated ro...Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Flathead National Forest
Bigfork, Montana
Swan Lake Campground
Overview
This recreation area is located near the village of Swan Lake at the north end of the scenic Swan Valley in northwest Montana. ...
Bigfork, Montana
Swan Guard Station
Overview
Swan Guard Station is located next to beautiful Swan Lake, in northwestern Montana, where visitors enjoy all kinds of recreation...
Bigfork, Montana
Anna Creek Cabin
Overview
Anna Creek Cabin is located 30 miles south of the town of Hungry Horse, perched above Hungry Horse Reservoir with sweeping views...
Bigfork, Montana
Mission Lookout
Overview
Mission Lookout towers above the forest canopy, providing guests with unrivaled 360-degree views of the beautiful Swan Range, Mi...
Hungry Horse, Montana
Riverside Campground (Mt)
Overview
Riverside Campground is located high in the Rocky Mountains, less than 30 miles from the Continental Divide, surrounded by tower...
Essex, Montana
Murray Bay Campground (Mt)
Overview
Murray Bay Campground is located high in the Rocky Mountains, less than 30 miles from the Continental Divide, surrounded by towe...