Whitefish, Montana is located next to more than two million acres of wilderness in nearby Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. With its incredible location near the “crown of the continent” in the northwest corner of the Treasure State, some people mistakenly assume that while beautiful, it is an isolated place with no access and few conveniences. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Despite its seemingly remote location, Whitefish boasts among some of the closest direct air service into a mountain town (just 11 miles) as well as lying 120 miles from Interstate 90. Beyond the abundance of unsurpassed recreation, it offers eclectic shopping, restaurants that defy expectations, and a variety of remarkable lodging options for an unforgettable vacation experience—a five-star town in the heart of the Rocky Mountain wilderness.
Whitefish is only 23 miles from world-famous Glacier National Park. Known as the Crown of the Continent, the park’s scenery, wildlife and history are not to be missed. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, a national historic landmark, can be traveled by personal car, hiking shuttle, or a delightful narrated “jammer” red bus tour. Glacier is ranked by many travel magazines as one of the most beautiful places in the world and offers more than 700 miles of hiking trail by foot.
The Whitefish area is a true water lover’s paradise. Rivers are abundant with native Westslope Cutthroat, Rainbow, Bull Trout, Whitefish, and Pike and the waters have been documented as some of the cleanest in the world. The area is home to over 1500 lakes within a 50-mile radius, including the 3350 acre Whitefish Lake and Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi with 185 miles of shoreline. River rafting enthusiasts will enjoy Class II, III and IV rapids on the longest Wild and Scenic River system in the U.S.
Beyond the rivers and hiking trails, the long, sunny days of Montana’s signature summer weather allow for a variety of other adventures ranging from mountain biking, horseback riding, and golf. Nine championship courses within an hour’s drive give the golfing enthusiast plenty of options, exemplified by Whitefish Lake Golf Course’s 36-hole complex. Mountain biking and road touring are also popular activities, and a variety of outfitters offer guests a first-hand feel of the old west on guided horseback rides.
The Walk in the Treetops adventure at Whitefish Mountain Resort is a three-hour, half-day adventure experience where a naturalist offers a unique view of a majestic, managed forest on a suspended boardwalk that climbs 70 feet high into the treetop canopy. Gondola and chair lift rides to the summit of Big Mountain offer soaring views back into Glacier National Park, with outdoor summer concerts and festivals in the mountain village.
At the end of the day, eating well is a Montana tradition and Whitefish pushes this to the limits with more than 40 restaurants, from steak to sushi, offering both old classics and upscale fine dining. Most people would expect a good steak here. What they find is often far beyond their expectations at restaurants offering eclectic, creative, and unique culinary creations using locally grown and harvested products, showcased at the weekly Farmer’s Market. Huckleberries are a unique treat in the summer months and are used in a variety of dishes and drinks. After tasting creations made from the freshest ingredients available, shopping opportunities, art galleries, and night life hotspots are as abundant as the fish.
The quaint, undiscovered western town of Whitefish offers visitors a change from the fast-paced, hustle and bustle of urban life, but with all the amenities. A visit here will make you realize why the most beautiful places in the world are still kept just a little bit secret.