Living at its best
Flathead Lake is the gateway to Glacier National Park and offers you plenty of room to play – in, on, and by the water. Located just south of Kalispell, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. It is more than 300 feet deep, 28 miles long and up to 15 miles wide. That’s over 188 square miles of surface for pure enjoyment! It is slightly larger than Lake Tahoe. The lake’s sparkling waters and miles of tree-lined shore offer unlimited recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat. The lake is a fortuitous product of the activity of ice-age glaciers, and is fed by the Swan and Flathead Rivers. Overlooking the lake are the magnificent Swan and Mission Mountain ranges. It is the home of both Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Ski Area.
Come and Play on the Lake
Two highways traverse Flathead Lake’s east and west shorelines. In spring, the fluffy white blooms of the cherry orchards promise luscious fruit in July and August. There are also vineyards, apple, pear and plum orchards as well as vegetable, hay, honey, nursery tree, Christmas tree, sod/turf and wheat production bordering the lake. The six units of Flathead Lake State Park provide sites for picnics, boating, sailing, fishing, hiking, camping and swimming. Two golf courses offer spectacular views and challenging play.
All types of watercraft, propelled by motor, sail or paddle, ply the waters on Flathead Lake. There’s plenty of room on the lake for everyone to enjoy their own choice of boat. If you like your boating quiet, no problem – you can paddle your kayak in peace for hours at a time.
Flathead Lake is home to trophy-size trout, Machinaw, salmon, pike, bass, yellow perch and whitefish. The southern half of the lake is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation, home of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. On these waters, fishermen will need a tribal fishing permit which are available at most area sporting goods stores.
Wildlife Habitat
Wild Horse Island, Flathead Lake’s largest island, is a wildlife refuge for more than 75 species of birds along with deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes and bears. Enjoy them from the hiking trails that meander around the island, through forests and open meadows prairie, past early 20th century homesteads. Geese, osprey, herons, and eagles frequent the aptly named Bird Islands, a popular spot for peaceful paddling.
Flathead Lake is the gateway to Glacier National Park and offers you plenty of room to play – in, on, and by the water. Located just south of Kalispell, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. It is more than 300 feet deep, 28 miles long and up to 15 miles wide. That’s over 188 square miles of surface for pure enjoyment! It is slightly larger than Lake Tahoe. The lake’s sparkling waters and miles of tree-lined shore offer unlimited recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat. The lake is a fortuitous product of the activity of ice-age glaciers, and is fed by the Swan and Flathead Rivers. Overlooking the lake are the magnificent Swan and Mission Mountain ranges. It is the home of both Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Ski Area.
Come and Play on the Lake
Two highways traverse Flathead Lake’s east and west shorelines. In spring, the fluffy white blooms of the cherry orchards promise luscious fruit in July and August. There are also vineyards, apple, pear and plum orchards as well as vegetable, hay, honey, nursery tree, Christmas tree, sod/turf and wheat production bordering the lake. The six units of Flathead Lake State Park provide sites for picnics, boating, sailing, fishing, hiking, camping and swimming. Two golf courses offer spectacular views and challenging play.
All types of watercraft, propelled by motor, sail or paddle, ply the waters on Flathead Lake. There’s plenty of room on the lake for everyone to enjoy their own choice of boat. If you like your boating quiet, no problem – you can paddle your kayak in peace for hours at a time.
Flathead Lake is home to trophy-size trout, Machinaw, salmon, pike, bass, yellow perch and whitefish. The southern half of the lake is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation, home of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. On these waters, fishermen will need a tribal fishing permit which are available at most area sporting goods stores.
Wildlife Habitat
Wild Horse Island, Flathead Lake’s largest island, is a wildlife refuge for more than 75 species of birds along with deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes and bears. Enjoy them from the hiking trails that meander around the island, through forests and open meadows prairie, past early 20th century homesteads. Geese, osprey, herons, and eagles frequent the aptly named Bird Islands, a popular spot for peaceful paddling.