There are certain times in life that change you. Moments in a crazy year that mold, inspire and leave you feeling more grateful that you could have ever imagined. And for us, this year that moment was a Week of Hope.

For the second year in a row – in partnership with HopeKids – we welcomed critically ill children and their families to Flathead Lake Lodge. And as fate would have it, this was done (for the second time in a row) in the middle of a pandemic. And for those few days, it was like nothing else existed. All that mattered was welcoming those families to this place that seemingly has some sort of magic to it.

While I was born and raised on the ranch (and am now raising my own family here), I never tire of seeing guests soak up our Montana way of life, and that’s never truer than when we’re joined by families during a Week of Hope. While Grandpa Les isn’t with us at the ranch anymore, his spirit is still here and the legacy he built – one made up of hard work, ingenuity and his commitment to treating people with kindness – lives on and shines a little brighter during this week.

As always, we could not (and do not) bring this event to life on our own. There are so many people who work behind the scenes to make a Week of Hope happen.

To our families – your determination, dedication and love of life is something that we felt honored to see and be a part of. Thank you for trusting us and allowing us to be part of your memories. To our staff, you’re one of the best parts of this place. As you do week in and week out, I had the pleasure of seeing your commitment not only to your jobs, but to the families you welcomed with open arms as you worked hard to ensure they left feeling better than they came. To each and every volunteer who played a part, you do not go unnoticed and the gratitude we have for you in matchless. And to our donors – a big thank you for the generosity you have in making this event come to fruition.

From the Averill family, we’re humbled, grateful and privileged to be a part of this with all of you and are looking forward to a Week of Hope 2022.

-Chase

While many visitors to Montana come during the summer months, here at Flathead Lake Lodge we’re also big fans of spring. The lake is beautiful, the ranch is starting to welcome various shades of green to our meadows and lawn, birds are migrating, the days are getting longer and the surrounding landscapes are accented by snow-covered mountains.

And while summer gets most of the glory in our corner of Big Sky Country, we wanted to share six of our favorite things to do in Montana during the spring from a local’s point of view.

1. Bike the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

Truth: our backyard national park is beautiful year-round. But in the spring, while road crews are working on removing snow from the Going-to-the-Sun Road, it’s also closed to vehicular traffic and instead is accessible by foot or bike. Make plans to pedal up the road – you can bring your own or rent bikes at a number of places in the Flathead Valley – and see the park from a different perspective. Good to know: carry bear spray, water and food, as services are limited during spring. Get the latest info on the park here.

2. Raft the Flathead River.

Raft trips start on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in the spring (they run from May – September) with half-day and full-day options. If you’re a guest at the ranch during one of our adults-only packages or the summer, you have the option to add rafting onto your stay as an offsite experience.

3. Visit Flathead Lake.

While the water in the lake is freezing this time of year – it’s fed by glacial runoff and snowmelt – it’s also beautiful. Plus, the sunrises aren’t quite so early this time of year which means you have a solid chance of catching the early-morning colors that cover the lake.

4. Explore Bigfork.

We know we’re partial since Bigfork is where we hang our hats, but a stroll through downtown is nothing but pleasant during the spring. Shop owners have their doors open and it’s a cheery atmosphere no matter where you go, from local restaurants to watering holes or the Swan River Nature Trail.

5. Visit the National Bison Range.

Sitting a one-hour drive south of our Montana guest ranch is the National Bison Range in Charlo. During spring, you’ll be able to see plenty of birds and wildflowers, as well as bison calves that are typically born between mid-April and mid-May. If you want to drive through the entire range, you’ll take Red Sleep Mountain Drive, a 19-mile-long one-way road, but keep in mind that it doesn’t open until mid-May. You can access West Loop and Prairie Drive anytime of the year. Insider tip: never approach wildlife.

6. Take a road trip.

From Bigfork, you can do a complete loop tour around Flathead Lake on U.S. Highway 93, Montana Highway 82 and Montana Highway 35. At times you’ll hug the shore of the lake, while at others you’ll be given a higher bird’s-eye view of the lake.

If you’re looking to see more of Montana, one of our favorite loop tours takes us over to the Rocky Mountain Front and back up to Bigfork. We suggest traveling north to Glacier and taking U.S. Highway 2 along the southern border of the park, connecting with U.S. Highway 89 (time it right and you can see thousands of birds at Freezeout Lake) before cutting closer to the mountains on Highway 287. From there, loop back up to Bigfork on Highway 200 and cruise up Montana Highway 83 through the Seeley-Swan Valley and back to Bigfork.

During spring at our guest ranch, we offer specials and deals – including our adults-only packages that can be easily combined with any of above-mentioned activities and an Early Summer Package that runs from June 2 – 6 – to help our guests make the most of Montana’s secret season.

If you’d like to learn more, call us at 406-837-4391 or visit our website.

Until next time, happy trails.

-Chase

Like they always say, all good (and bad!) ideas start on a bar stool. Well, A Week of Hope can officially be added to that (good) list. I remember sitting in the crowd at a tourism conference listening to Samantha Brown from the Travel Channel talking about the importance of travel to kids. It reminded me of how my Dad always jokes that at Flathead Lake Lodge we “take care of the kids and just deal with the adults.” Not true, but kinda…

So how, after 75 years can you possibly say thank you to all those who have helped? From the neighbors, the Bigfork community, our staff, our guests, family members, vendors, local kids who just wanted to trade barn chores to learn to ride horses and on and on and on. For over 75 years it has taken so many people to help make Flathead Lake Lodge what it is today.

Our goal was that A Week of Hope could be our thank you. Our way of giving kids and their families who need it most a chance to experience Flathead Lake Lodge. What I don’t think we were prepared for is how much this week gave us.

75 years ago my Grandpa Les started this place with a strong back, ingenuity and above all else a way of treating people that 75 years later—  built on being genuine, kind, authentic, selfless and fun—hasn’t gone out of style. In a time where everyone seems caught up in what is wrong with each other and overwhelmed with negatively, Grandpa Les’s way of life stands strong at Flathead Lake Lodge.

This week, during A Week of Hope, in the middle of a pandemic, we hosted 20 families from across the country who have critically or terminally ill children. We had fun, we laughed, we adventured, we cried, we built relationships and we made memories. We leaned into what Flathead Lake Lodge stands for and I can honestly say the humanity of this last week at the ranch might have been the most special things we have ever done in 75 years.

There are so many thank yous that need to be mentioned for making this happen that I doubt I will remember them all, but I’m going to try. First and foremost to the families. Your enthusiasm, openness and determination is something every person should learn from. To our staff who went above and beyond to make this a week to remember in so many ways. To our vendors who donated trips, time and experiences that were amazing. To our volunteers and locals who helped babysit, donated golf carts and more. To all the donors who helped make this week happen. And lastly to our great partners, Hope Kids and Montana Children’s Hospital. Day in and day out they are doing great work; thank you for letting us talk you into letting this experience happen.

After being knocked down by numerous strokes, Grandpa Les re-learned how to write and in shaky, hard to read writing, when he could barely talk anymore, penned this:

            To My Grandchildren,

May you rise up to meet any challenge, live to your fullest potential, fly high, be reverent, honest and trustworthy. Be remembered for being loyal, helpful, courteous and kind to all you meet. Remain cheerful and fun to be with.

Lester W. Averill

It was an amazing 75th season, capped by the most memorable week of them all. I know Grandpa Les would be proud.

-Chase

For a variety of reasons, vacation plans have changed for many this summer. And as trips have been rescheduled and priorities for family vacations have changed, we’re happy to share that we have openings for this summer and that Flathead Lake Lodge has taken many steps to ensure the safety of our guests, employees and community.

As of June 1, 2020, Montana entered the second phase of our reopening plan and the 14-day quarantine on out-of-state travelers was lifted.

For this summer, Flathead Lake Lodge is opening for the season on Sunday, June 21 and guests, as always, will enjoy weeklong stays at our guest ranch on the shores of Flathead Lake. While things will look slightly different this year, we’ve been working behind the scenes to make sure that we can provide peace of mind with an authentic, unforgettable family vacation on our 2,000 acres of terrain, which breaks down to one person per every 10.5 acres (including our full-time staff, seasonal staff and weekly guests).

A few things you can expect on a summer vacation to our Montana guest ranch:

-Activities, programs and ranch spaces have all been evaluated and occupancy for all spaces has been adjusted to make sure that adequate space is available for all of our guests.

-For breakfast, lunch and dinner, we’ve added additional seating areas and have spaced the tables to provide for social distancing. For all dining experiences, we have implemented a “we serve you” policy. Plus, all self-service areas will served by a Flathead Lake Lodge staff member.

-To ensure that public traffic to the ranch will be limited, we are not taking individual public sailing reservations this season. The only folks who will be on our horseback trail rides, sailing vessels and more will be guests of the ranch.

-We’ve always been big of washing our hands around here, but this year we’re taking it a step further and adding both handwashing and hand sanitizing stations throughout the ranch.

-You’ll see friendly faces making their way through all public spaces during your stay, as we have a dedicated employee who will be continually cleaning and sanitizing all high-traffic areas of the ranch. We’re also ramping up sanitation practices throughout the ranch, including horseback rides, shuttle vehicles, mountain biking and more.

-All of our employees and staff have gone through training practices that will help ensure that we meet all standards in sanitation, hygiene, social distancing and more (you can read the full plan here). We’re also recording and logging the health and temperature of all employees at a health station each day. In addition, upon arrival, all guests will be temperature screened.

As we’ve taken several steps to ensure the safety and well-being of our greater Flathead Lake Lodge family, we also want you to have the opportunity to vacation as a family, soak up plenty of Montana moments and have a wonderful experience. (See a sample itinerary here.)

For more information about available dates for this summer, call Jodi at 406-837-4391 or email us at info@flatheadlakelodge.com.

Until next time,

Chase

 

If there are two things we know to be true at Flathead Lake Lodge, it’s that fall in northwest Montana is spectacular and adults deserve vacations, too. But not just any vacation. We’re talking about the types of getaways that allow you to relax, lounge, adventure, dine on incredible food and have fun.

As such, we’ve created FOUR GETAWAYS that are just for the grown-ups this September.

Fall Retreat: Come Unplug & Reconnect in Montana: September 10 – 14, 2020

Designed to let you truly unplug, this long weekend getaway offers a digital detox—free from technology—perfectly paired with horseback riding, playing on Flathead Lake, gourmet food and wine pairings, yoga, guided hikes and more.

Cost: $2,880 per person. All-inclusive – includes meals, accommodations, recreation, tax and gratuity.

Fall Getaways: Come Relax – September 6 – 10, 2020; September 14 – 18, 2020

This package combines a typical stay at Flathead Lake Lodge with the vibrant colors of fall on the ranch’s 2,000 acres. Highlights include multi-course dinners with wine pairings, guided mountain biking, horseback rides, an onsite massage and tours of the elk preserve.

Cost: $2,880 per person. All inclusive – includes meals, accommodations, recreation, tax and gratuity.

Fall Fun: Montana Adventure: September 18 – 22, 2020

This adults-only adventure-filled long weekend will include mountain biking on our miles of trails, guided horseback trail rides, tours through the elk preserve and exploring the waters of Flathead Lake. Additional highlights include live music, dips in the lakeside pool and creative multi-course tasting menus from Chef Rob.

Cost: $2,880 per person. Includes meals, accommodations, recreation, tax and gratuity.

One of the elements we’re most excited about for these fall packages is what Chef Rob has planned for the culinary offerings.

Chef Rob has been working on food and wine pairings and tasting menus…he let us have a peek and our mouths start watering when we read what he has up his food-loving sleeve.

A few pairings of note from the Montana Royalty Tasting Menu: Oysters & Bubbly (oyster, trout roe, lemon – sparkling wine), Beets, Milk & Honey (beet, apple, chevre, honey – Verdejo) King Trumpet “Duxelle” (King trumpet mushroom, shallot, fine herbs, pine nut, raising – Sauternes), Montana Short Rib (elk, carrot, onion, potato, huckleberry – Rhone Red) and S’more of What? (graham cracker, marshmallow, chocolate – Pedro Ximenez).

For more information about our fall adults-only vacation packages, email us at info@flatheadlakelodge.com or call 406-837-4391.

Until next time,

Chase

If you would have told us 10 years ago – or even this time last year – that we’d be entering our 75th anniversary year with a viral pandemic that’s sweeping the world, chances are we would not have believed it. And yet, here we are. We’re marking a major milestone in guest ranch history, family history and even Montana history, all while the world comes together to face an invisible foe with the type of courage, grit and determination that means working together, staying home and taking care of each other.

While the world moves on around us, we know that we’re in a time unlike any other. As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, it seems fitting to look back at historical glimpses of the lodge and the legacy that was built by our grandfather Les Averill (who was a pilot in World War II), carried on by Doug and is now being firmly carried forward by the third generation.

As we think about 75 years of the lodge, we also wanted to share some of our favorite photos with you. Whether you want to walk down memory lane with us or if you’re just in need of a good distraction, we hope you like them as much as we do.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

From our family and our extended lodge family to yours, we wish you health, safety and the ability to find joy in every day, even in the middle of a storm.

Until next time,

-Chase

Here in Montana, as we welcome the first snowfall of the season, we can’t help but look back on this last summer and the memories we made with all of our guests. It was a summer full of new friends, lots of laughs, some crazy weather and memories that can only be created right here at Flathead Lake Lodge. As we prepare for cooler weather and the quick arrival of winter, here’s a look at our favorite moments from summer 2019.

Around the Campfire 

If you ask us, there’s nothing better than a cozy campfire in the wilds of Montana. This summer, we enjoyed them morning and evening, complete with coffee or hot chocolate, pancakes, marshmallows and chocolate and good conversation with friends and family. Whether you found yourself bundled up around an early morning fire at breakfast camp or enjoying the Singin’ Sons of Beaches musical group on Monday nights, we want to thank our guests for joining us around the campfire this summer.

Playing on Flathead Lake 

We’re unbelievably lucky that Flathead Lake Lodge is located on the shores of a lake, and a beautiful one at that. Our guests enjoyed Flathead Lake all summer long, either by sailing on our two classic Q-class sloops, the Questa and the Nor’Easter, or by joining our waterfront team in the jet boats and making turns on the clear waters of Flathead Lake. One of our other summer highlights: hitting the Swan River on stand-up paddleboards. 

Wildlife on the Ranch 

We love our friendly, four-legged friends including Crosby, Rosie and our herd of horses. But here at the ranch, we enjoy seeing our other neighbors just as much as our guests do. This year, we had a few black bears who couldn’t resist the smell of bacon sizzling at breakfast camp and one curious bear even had to come investigate for himself. A little further into the mountains, friendly mountain goats showed off their skills for hikers who were summiting Mount Aeneas in the Swan Mountain Range.

Trail Rides All Day Long 

One of our favorite ways to get around the ranch is on the back of our horses. We had plenty of memorable horseback trail rides this summer, from breakfast rides and lunch rides to scenic outings through our elk preserve and leisurely rides along our mountainous property overlooking Flathead Lake. Our wranglers take great pride in the experience guests have on our  trail rides and we’re sure that they have as much fun on our rides as our guests.

Hanging with Doug

For years, Doug Averill has been posted at the Main Lodge fireplace just about every morning, ready to greet everyone as they collect their cup of coffee and breakfast. This summer, that was no different. Everyone’s favorite cowboy kept himself busy around the ranch, catching up with old friends and meeting the newcomers with the same smile that plenty of guests have come to recognize and admire. Doug has been a pinnacle of Flathead Lake Lodge for most of his life, shaping it into the place that’s loved by many, from our family to our staff and guests. And as with many summers before, we saw those beloved rides he and Oz give the kids at team roping every Tuesday. 

It seems like this summer passed in the blink of an eye—hopefully this winter does the same. 2020 is Flathead Lake Lodge’s 75th anniversary and we have exciting things in store to celebrate as we prepare to make more memories to share for years to come. If you’re interested in joining us next summer, visit us here or call us at 406-837-4391. For those of you we haven’t met yet, we look forward to welcoming you to the lodge. And for those of you who are returning guests, we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Happy Fall, 

-Chase

 

 

 

From all of us at Flathead Lake Lodge, thank you for your kind comments, DMs and messages about our upcoming 75th anniversary and “A Week of Hope.“ We’ve been overwhelmed with the feedback and response around this event and we wanted to take some time to share more about “A Week of Hope” and how it all came about.

As we were getting ready for the arrival of this monumental anniversary year, it was important to us to be able to celebrate the legacy that was started by Grandpa Les Averill in 1945 and we knew we didn’t want it to be about us. We wanted it to be bigger to commemorate 75 years in a way that best shared our family traditions and way of life, while also giving something back. To sum it up, that’s how we dreamt up “A Week of Hope.”

We also feel fortunate to partner with two organizations to help us bring 20 critically ill children and their families to the ranch from June 7 – 14, 2020: HopeKids and Montana Children’s.

We’re working with both of those organizations to bring a handful of Montana children and families, as well as kids throughout the rest of the country, to the ranch to experience it like any other guest, complete with horseback trail rides, water activities, family-style dining and playing in the place we’re lucky enough to call home.

And while we have amazing partners who are committed to help us bring “A Week of Hope” to life, we still need more to bring this event to life. So, we’re inviting you to join us. The largest costs for this event include travel to bring the children and their families to Flathead Lake Lodge and we’re looking for donors and sponsors to help us in spurring hope in the lives of critically ill children as we help them create memories to last a lifetime and beyond.

We have various donor and corporate sponsorship levels available and are also looking for Delta SkyMiles to bring them here.

Please consider joining us to bring “A Week of Hope” to life as we welcome these very special guests to Flathead Lake Lodge.

Happy Trails,

-Chase

 

Montana Guest Ranch Partners with HopeKids and Montana Children’s to Host 20 Children and Their Families with Life-threatening Medical Conditions in 2020

Tuesday, September 10, 2019—Bigfork, Montana—Flathead Lake Lodge, a family-owned guest ranch in Montana, is honored to announce that it will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2020 with “A Week of Hope,” an event that will welcome families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition to their 2,000 acre ranch in Bigfork. Slated for June 7 – 14, 2020, “A Week of Hope” was created to honor the ranch’s 75th anniversary and to give back and commemorate the last 75 years of family and Western traditions.  

“As we thought about how to celebrate our 75th anniversary, we knew it had to be bigger than us,” said Chase Averill, the third-generation General Manager at Flathead Lake Lodge. “For our family, it was important that we celebrate the legacy that was started by Grandpa Les when he opened the lodge is 1945 and continued by my own father, Doug as he helped carry on the Western way of life.”

To bring “A Week of Hope” to life, Flathead Lake Lodge has partnered with HopeKids, a national organization that provides ongoing events and activities for families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition—and Montana Children’s, Kalispell Regional Healthcare’s pediatric facility offering high-quality inpatient and outpatient pediatric specialty care in northwest Montana. HopeKids works throughout the United States, with chapters in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Tennessee and Texas.

Through their cooperative efforts with HopeKids and Montana Children’s, Flathead Lake Lodge will welcome up to 20 children who have a life-threatening medical condition and their families for a week at Flathead Lake Lodge where they will experience the ranch like any other guest, complete with authentic Western experiences, horseback trail rides, water recreation, a barn dance and more.

“HopeKids prides itself on being an organization that builds deep relationships and community not only amongst the families we serve but also with our supporters,” said Josh Taylor, President of HopeKids, Inc. “We are thrilled to be working with Flathead Lake Lodge, an organization with values that not only align with ours but is also helping provide hope to families across the United States who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition. The partnership between HopeKids and the lodge is just another example of the power of giving and the impact it can have on those around us.” 

Throughout “A Week of Hope,” Montana Children’s will be facilitating medical care and support to the guests, as well as providing onsite physicians at Flathead Lake Lodge.

To help bring “A Week of Hope” to life, additional sponsors and donors are needed to help cover travel and hard costs for these children and their families. Flathead Lake Lodge has set up a donation page where individuals, companies and more can make tax-deductible donations, become a corporate sponsor or donate Delta SkyMiles.

Learn more about Flathead Lake Lodge at www.FlatheadLakeLodge.com and become involved with “A Week of Hope” at www.FlatheadLakeLodge.com/AWeekOfHope.

# # #

About Flathead Lake Lodge
A family-owned and -operated guest ranch, Flathead Lake Lodge is located in Montana on the shores of Flathead Lake—the largest freshwater lake in the West. Encompassing 2,000 acres of terrain, Flathead Lake Lodge has been welcoming guests from around the world for nearly 75 years with its one-of-a-kind hospitality. A family travel destination, the lodge also hosts groups, corporate retreats, meetings, events and destination weddings. More information can be found at FlatheadLakeLodge.com or on Facebook and Instagram.

 

 

As summer continues here in Montana, we are excitedly awaiting the arrival of our latest additions to Flathead Lake Lodge, our three brand-new, all-inclusive, adults-only fall packages. Autumn in Montana is one of the most  breathtaking times of year and we’re looking forward to sharing it with our guests through these three packages: the Montana Adventure in the Crown of the Continent (September 1 – 5, 2019), Relax and Restore in Montana’s Wide-open Spaces (September 12 – 15, 2019) and Unplug and Reconnect: Retreat to Montana (September 25 – 29, 2019).  

In case you’re looking for that perfect adults-only retreat, here are five reasons to visit Flathead Lake Lodge.

1. Fall is for the Grown-ups

If you’ve been to Flathead Lake Lodge during the summer, you know by know that our summer season is geared toward families. But heck, we also think adults deserve the chance to enjoy the beauty of Flathead Lake Lodge sans kids. Which is why our three fall packages are geared specifically toward adults, with each offering a distinct experiences based on adventure, relaxing and reconnecting.

2. Fall Foliage: We’ve Got It

Chances are, Montana is not at the top of your fall-foliage viewing destination list but we’re here to tell you that it should be. Honestly, there’s nothing quite like Big Sky Country in the fall. Here in northwest Montana, you’ll see our mountains and valleys welcome vibrant shades of yellows, golds, oranges and reds. Combine fall colors with crisp mornings, sunshine-filled days and fewer people visiting and you’ve got yourself a beautiful getaway. Plus, each of our three packages includes elements of exploring the outdoors, whether it be on a guided horseback trail ride, quiet morning walks, yoga overlooking the lake or a tour along Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

3. Bison   

American bison (also commonly nicknamed buffalo) are a rich part of America’s landscape and have an incredible history in this part of the West. One of our packages—the Montana Adventure in the Crown of the Continent—is just that, an adventure. This five-day, four-night package takes place over Labor Day weekend and includes Glacier National Park and a visit to the ranch’s herd of bison on the Blackfeet Nation.

4. Peace and Quiet

Truth be told, summer is busy. We’re lucky that our guest ranch sits on 2,000 acres along Flathead Lake and offers a private reprieve, even in the height of July. But during fall, the peace and quiet found in this place and in northwest Montana can be felt and we’re convinced that Big Sky Country is the best place to get away from it all. Throughout your time at Flathead Lake Lodge, you’ll hear some of the most perfect sounds in the world: birds chirping in trees, horses whinnying in the distance, a soft breeze moving through the trees and water from Flathead Lake lapping up onto the shore. 

5. Finding Your Own Montana Moment

Around here, we’re big on inviting people to discover their own #MontanaMoment. Whether that’s seeing gorgeous fall colors during a hike or taking in the smell of the mountain air from the back of a horse, we want each of our guests to leave Flathead Lake Lodge feeling relaxed and recharged, and with your own #MontanaMoment firmly in hand. No matter when you visit or what fall package you book, we’ll work hard to ensure you leave with plenty of memories and unforgettable moments.   

If you haven’t yet, call us at 406-837-4391 or drop us an email and we’ll walk you through each of the packages to help you pick the best one for you. Here’s to a beautiful fall at Flathead Lake Lodge. 

Happy Trails, 

-Chase

 

 

There’s no shortage of things to do in Montana, whether it’s your first time visiting or your 50th time. While we get to experience Montana all summer long at Flathead Lake Lodge, we know squeezing everything into a one-week stay can be challenging. Between Montana’s  lakes and rivers, charming small towns and thousands of acres of wilderness, there’s plenty of options to choose from when visiting Montana. We’ve gathered up some of our favorite summer activities to help you make the most of your trip to Montana and Flathead Lake Lodge.

1.  Sail on Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake is 197 square miles of water, meaning there is plenty of room for everyone to play on, in or around it. The lake is a great place to take a leisurely boat cruise on Flathead Lake Lodge’s very own Mustang, bounce behind a ski boat on an innertube or set sail. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and canoes are a great way to experience the quiet bays along the shore, while seven Montana state parks (which are all open to visitors) are scattered in or around the lake.

Sailing with Flathead Lake Lodge is open to anyone wanting to spend a day on the lake. Whether you’re a guest at the lodge or just passing through, you’re more than welcome to set sail with us. Learn more about our restored Q-Class Sloops, the Questa and the Nor’ Easter V, and book your voyage here.

2.  Hike the Swan Mountains

We’re lucky at Flathead Lake Lodge to be surrounded by nearby mountains that offer us beautiful views every day. When you’re a guest here at the lodge or just visiting the area, northwest Montana has some of the best hikes around. Our 2,000 acres have hiking trails for guests, while the nearby Swan Mountains have easy hikes for beginners and longer treks for more advanced hikers, with every trail offering something different. A local favorite: the Jewel Basin. While you’ll find plenty of people on our trails, it’s always a good idea to carry bear spray.

3.  Explore Glacier National Park  

A beautiful 45-minute drive is all that stands between our guest ranch in Bigfork and the Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park. Established in 1910, Glacier is a great location for a day visit or even adding on a couple day’s stay after leaving Flathead Lake Lodge. Anchoring the park, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is its most popular attraction and takes visitors across the Continental Divide along one of the most beautiful drives in the country. You can drive yourself, take a red bus tour, set out with Sun Tours or use the park’s free shuttle service.

4. Visit Wild Horse Island

Wild Horse Island, which is the largest island on Flathead Lake and a day-use state park, is one of the coolest places in the area and is home to a herd of wild horses that roam the island freely. The Salish-Kootenai Tribe used to use the island to pasture their horses and protect them from being stolen by other tribes. The only way to reach the island is by boat; you can take your own or you can hop on a charter and see many parts of the lake that are often overlooked on the way.

5. Go Whitewater Rafting

If you’re looking for adventure, rafting Montana’s rivers is the way to go. The run-off season creates a range of rapids that offer different experiences for all ages and comfort levels. During your stay at the lodge, we can help you book a trip with our friends at Glacier Raft Company. They offer full-day and half-day trips on the river as well as a Ride and Raft option, which combines a scenic horseback ride near Glacier National Park in the morning and a raft down the rapids in the afternoon.

6. Cast a Line and Fly-fish 

Montana is home to some of the best fly-fishing trout streams in the West. Whether you’ve been throwing flies your whole life or are just learning, Montana’s rivers and streams are a great place to spend a morning, evening or whole day trying to land that perfect trout. We offer fly-fishing lessons at the lodge (included with your stay) and can connect you with our onsite fishing guide from Andy Guy Outfitting, who will take you on an off-site excursion to catch your very own Montana trout.  

7. Road Trips and Flathead Cherries

No matter where your adventures take you, a road trip in Montana is always a good idea. Here in the Flathead Valley, we’re known for Flathead cherries, which are a sweet, dark cherry that grows in orchards along the shores of Flathead Lake. Before you head out, we recommend stopping by one of the many cherry orchards or roadside stands along Highway 35 to pick up your own bag of Flathead cherries. The sweet fruits are one of the most popular treats of summer and you’ll find them in pies, drinks and candy all around the lake. A favorite local drive is Highway 35 from Bigfork to Polson and then back north along U.S. Highway 93, which gives you an entire loop around Flathead Lake. Additional nearby favorites include the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, the St. Ignatius Mission and the National Bison Range.

8. Shop Made-in-Montana Items

One of the best things about traveling to any destination is picking up locally made gifts, treats and apparel and it’s just the same here in Montana. The list of made-in-Montana items is long, from soaps and skincare to T-shirts and jewelry and huckleberry candy. Bigfork, which is located just up the road from Flathead Lake Lodge, has one of the cutest downtowns around and its local shops have a wide variety of made-in-Montana items.

9. Taste Montana

Wherever you are in Montana, you’re never far away from good food. At Flathead Lake Lodge, we’re lucky to have some of the finest chefs in our kitchen creating amazing meals each week for our guests.

If, however, you find yourself out and about around Bigfork, be sure to stop at Flathead Lake Brewery for a locally crafted beer and Brookside Yard, a lodge-owned cafe overlooking the Swan River’s “Wild Mile” in downtown Bigfork. The Yard serves up fresh cinnamon rolls and flatbreads and has live music every Friday and Saturday night, which pairs perfectly with Montana cocktails and local beer.

10. Catch a Show at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse

Our small town of Bigfork is home to a playhouse that has showcased some big-name actors and productions and today, the Bigfork Summer Playhouse puts on some of Broadway’s most beloved plays and musicals featuring college-aged actors and performers from all over the country to provide daily performances. If you’re into musicals and plays, it’s a must stop when you’re visiting northwest Montana.

There’s plenty to keep you busy both at the lodge and around it. Between our horseback riding, mountain biking, sailing and other activities offered each day of your stay, we promise you’ll have a week unlike any other. Learn more about the all-inclusive activities for guests here. To book your stay and begin planning your Montana adventure, call us at 406-837-4391.

Happy summer,

-Chase