11 Best Things to Do in Western Montana

Drive Going-to-the Sun Road

No Montana vacation would be complete without visiting Glacier National Park, and the best way to see it is by driving the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. This spectacular 50-mile drive originations at either the east or west entrance of the park, and takes you past miles of dramatic valleys, snowcapped peaks, cascading waterfalls, and massive turquoise lakes.

One of the most exciting parts of the drive is the halfway point when you’ve reached an elevation of 6,646 feet along the Continental Divide—the highest point accessible by car on Going-to-the Sun Road. To make the most of your journey, allow four to five hours so you can drive slowly and soak in your surroundings. There are plenty of lookout points along the way to pull over and take photos, and many hiking trails to explore.

If you want to enjoy the drive with fewer crowds, one of the best times to go Glacier National Park is in late June when it opens for the season. And if you’re looking to go with a group, hop on one of the Red Bus Tours and take a ride with a seasoned park guide.

Go Hiking and Boating in Glacier National Park

While Going-to-the Sun Road brings you through the highlights of the park, there are many gems worth exploring beyond the drive. A great way to cover a lot of Glacier in a few hours’ time is to book a boat ride that includes a guided hike. With Glacier Park Boat Company, you can take a scenic ride on a historic 1920s vessel through some of the park’s lesser-known sights, like Many Glacier and Two Medicine Lake. Most tours include an optional group or self-guided hike on lake trails you might have never have seen on your own.

With 700 miles of trails, it’s also worthwhile to do some hiking on your own in Glacier National Park. Pick up a trail map and plan your stay in advance. If you’re not sure which trails to take, check out some of Glacier’s best day hikes here. For a scenic and moderate trek, head to West Glacier and hike the roughly two miles to Avalanche Lake.

Visit Hungry Horse Dam & Reservoir

If you’re heading into Glacier from the west entrance, stop by the Hungry Horse Dam and Reservoir on your way. Located 10 minutes outside of the park in Hungry Horse, Montana, it’s the tallest dam in the state—stretching 564-feet high—and the 11th largest in the U.S.

The dam was completed in 1953 and is located on the South Fork of the Flathead River. The reservoir itself stretches 34 miles long and provides roughly 170 miles of shoreline, making it a great place to go hiking, fishing, and mountain gazing. Stop by the Visitor’s Center to learn about the dam’s construction and the important functions it serves today.

Explore Downtown Whitefish

Any local will tell you that Whitefish is a must-see when you’re visiting Western Montana. Located 25 miles west of Glacier National Park, this rustic mountain city is a popular summer and winter vacation spot, offering some of the best skiing and lakes in the state.

You’ll find plenty to explore in downtown Whitefish, from juice bars and ski gear shops to its art galleries and lively pubs. The city is also conveniently located right along Whitefish Lake—one of Montana’s most well-known lakes—giving you many waterfront hotels and dining spots to choose from.

If you’re visiting in the winter, hit the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort—situated a few miles north of downtown—or take the gondola up the mountain in the summer for views of downtown Whitefish and Glacier’s snowcapped peaks.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, make your way back into town where you’ll have plenty of Montana-style burger joints, fine dining restaurants, and cafes to choose from. Or head to one of my favorites—Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits—for unique small plates like the Bison Wellington and huckleberry bread pudding. There are also plenty of places to see live music, like Casey’s Bar, which has a rooftop bar that's simply perfect at sunset.

With so much to see in and around Whitefish, you should plan to spend a few days. For a cozy rustic retreat, stay at the Hidden Moose Lodge, which has an outdoor hot tub, fire pit, and wooden porch connected to all of its rooms. When you arrive to check in, you might be greeted by the smell of freshly baked quiche in oven, which is served to you at breakfast the next morning.

Bike Whitefish Trail

Aside from its vibrant downtown, Whitefish is also known for having one of the best bike trail systems in the country. Whitefish Trail provides 55 miles of bike paths that take you around Whitefish Lake and range from easy-to-moderate in difficulty, to challenging uphill terrain that will test your endurance. It’s also one of the best places to go hiking, camping, horseback riding, and swimming in Western Montana.

When you’re ready to take a break from the trails, head to Beaver or Little Beaver Lake on the west side and go for a relaxing dip in the pristine turquoise water. And if you’re looking to spend a few days on Whitefish Trail, book a stay at the Whitefish Bike Retreat. This quiet retreat has its own lodge, campground, bike rentals, personal bike storage, and gives you immediate access to the Whitefish Trail System, all for an affordable price.

Explore Flathead Lake

Montana is known for its lakes, and in the western part of the state you’ll find not only one of most beautiful lakes in the entire country, but the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. Flathead Lake—which lies 40 miles southwest of Glacier National Park—stretches 28 miles long and 15 miles wide, and boasts 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline. The lake is so massive that you could spend a whole week exploring all corners of it and still not experience everything it has to offer.

One of the best ways to see the lake is to spend an afternoon driving around it. There are public access points to pull over and rent kayaks, and many small towns worth stopping through. You can also take a short boat ride over to Wild Horse Island—Flathead Lake’s largest island, which is home to wild horses and other wildlife—and spend your afternoon hiking and swimming.

Visit Polson

The quiet town of Polson sits on the southern shore of Flathead Lake, and offers some of the best lake and mountain scenery in Montana. Start your day with a peaceful stroll along the walking path, then head into town and shop the art galleries and boutiques, or take a yoga class in one of the studios along the main strip. Polson has plenty of waterside restaurants to choose from when you’re ready for lunch.

Between May and October, plan your trip to Polson on a Friday during the weekly farmer’s market that brings more than 50 local vendors together. Come ready to shop for locally made artwork and produce, and sample local favorites like Polson’s Flathead Lake Cheese and baked goods made with Flathead Lake cherries and huckleberries.

Explore Bigfork

Head 45 minutes north of Polson to Bigfork, another must-see stop along Flathead Lake. Named one of the "100 Best Small Art Towns in the Nation,” Bigfork is known for its thriving arts culture and exciting year-round events.

Catch a Broadway show between May and September at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse—a popular venue for nearly 60 years—or see some live music or a dance performance at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. If you’re visiting in May, you can’t miss the annual Whitewater Festival, where avid kayakers compete down Swan River.

Bigfork also hosts its famous Festival of the Arts in August, and offers plenty of excitement in the winter between its chili cook offs, holiday wine stroll, and tree lighting ceremonies. And if you’re looking to do some outdoor activities on the lake or in the mountains, Bigfork Base Camp provides everything from mountain bike, kayak, and paddle board rentals, to customized dog sledding excursions in the winter. 

The village itself has many specialty gift shops to browse through, and when you’re ready to eat, take your pick from many cafes or BBQ joints, or head to the Flathead Lake Brewing Company for some local craft beer and bar bites.

Visit the Breweries, Distilleries & Wineries

If there’s one thing Montanans are especially good at, it’s making craft beer and spirits. Some of the best-known microbreweries and small batch distilleries are in the Flathead Valley. Many are located around Flathead Lake–including one winery–and are a short distance to each other.

Here are the best ones to visit:

Breweries:

Flathead Lake Brewing Company – Bigfork, MT

Kalispell Brewing Company – Kalispell, MT

Tamarack Brewing Company – Lakeside, MT

Bayern Brewing, Big Sky Brewing Company, Imagine Nation Brewing Co., & Missoula Brewing Company – Missoula, MT

Bonsai Brewing Project & Great Northern Brewing Company – Whitefish, MT

Distilleries:

Whistling Andy Distillery – Bigfork, MT

Glacier Distilling Company – Coram, MT

Montgomery Distillery & Rattlesnake Creek Distillers – Missoula, MT

Spotted Bear Spirits & Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits –Whitefish, MT

Wineries:

Ten Spoon Vineyard and Winery – Missoula, MT

Mission Mountain Winery – Dayton, MT

Check Out Downtown Missoula

Missoula is a vibrant metropolitan area, home to the University of Montana, the largest international airport in Western Montana, eclectic eateries, and a lively nightlife.

River sports enthusiasts will find their paradise in Missoula because of its close proximity to Clark Fork, one of Montana’s longest rivers. And if you’re looking to take a scenic hike, you can hop on the “M” Trail and climb to the top of Mount Sentinel—located on the east side of the University’s campus—for an aerial view of the Missoula valley.

Missoula also has many cutting-edge restaurants and breweries to choose from. Head out for some small plates and live music at Top Hat Lounge, which lives up to its “Eat Like a Rockstar” motto. Or for a heartier option, grab some bison and elk sliders at James Bar, or head to Biga Pizza for some of the best brick-oven pies you’ll ever taste. For a little taste of everything, bring the family to Caras Park in the summer for Downtown ToNight—Missoula’s weekly summer event–where you’ll get to sample tons of food and drinks from local vendors and enjoy music on the hill.

Visit the National Bison Range

While you’re likely to spot black bears, moose, and other wildlife in Glacier National Park, the best place to guarantee animal sightings is in the National Bison Range in Moiese, Montana. Since 1905, this 18,500-acre reserve has been a sanctuary to hundreds of bison, elk, bighorn sheep, whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, and different species of birds. You can take a self-guided or group tour through the reserve and see the wildlife up close (at one point my car was surrounded by a whole herd of bison). Drive slowly and bring binoculars.