Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Trip to Whitefish, Montana

Vacationing in the Montana outdoors doesn’t mean you have to give up your half-caff lattes and high-speed Internet. Whitefish, Montana, makes a great base for multi-day adventures in this beautiful state. The mountain town combines small-town charm, big-city amenities, and wilderness adventure, making it an attractive option for visitors.

Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain rises over the community, offering year-round recreation and a variety of lodging and dining choices. Moreover, the west entrance to Glacier National Park is just a short drive away. After days spent hiking or exploring the park, you will appreciate returning to Whitefish’s comfortable accommodations and fantastic dining options. Nearby, Whitefish Lake and Flathead Lake, as well as the Flathead River, provide additional outdoor fun. The city itself also offers many activities and attractions, including acclaimed golf courses, live theater, shopping, and bicycle trails.

2. Fun Things to Do

Visitors to Whitefish can enjoy numerous attractions without leaving the city limits. Indoor activities provide a welcome break in an adventure-packed schedule or are a great option when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Stumptown Historical Society and Whitefish Museum

Located in the restored Great Northern railroad depot, this museum allows you to learn more about the area’s logging and railroad history.

Downtown Farmer’s Market

Held from May through September, Whitefish’s open-air market features local produce, flowers, crafts, food booths, and live entertainment.

Live Theater

The O’Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center serves as the venue for productions from the Whitefish Theatre Company and the Alpine Theatre Project. The facility also hosts art shows, local fairs, dance performances, workshops, concerts, and films.

The Wave Whitefish Community Aquatic & Health Center

The Wave offers a full-service fitness and recreation facility as modern and well-equipped as you’ll find anywhere. In addition to exercise classes, it features fitness equipment, a gymnasium, racquetball, handball, and squash courts, a juice and coffee bar, a childcare center, a pro shop, a salon, and massage and physical therapy services. The aquatic center includes a water park for kids, a lap pool, a warm water pool, and a Jacuzzi. Visitor passes can be purchased at the front desk.

Special Events

Throughout the year, Whitefish and the nearby mountain resort host a variety of events, including:

• Whitefish Winter Carnival
• Festival Amadeus
• Huckleberry Days
• Brewfest
• Feast Whitefish
• The Great Northwest Oktoberfest

3. Summer Recreation in Whitefish

In addition to Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain, there are many outdoor activities to enjoy within walking distance or a short drive from downtown Whitefish.

Bicycling

The streets in and around Whitefish are friendly for both casual and serious cyclists. The town’s Fish Trails provide an excellent network of bike and pedestrian paths alongside Whitefish River, by city parks, and through the town. Bike rentals and equipment are available at Glacier Cyclery in downtown Whitefish, where you can also receive information about other trails and routes.

Golfing

Visitors have several championship golf courses to choose from, including:

• Whitefish Lake Golf Club’s two 18-hole courses
• Meadow Lake Golf Course (Columbia Falls)
• Glacier View Golf Course (West Glacier)
• Big Mountain Golf Club (Kalispell)

Fly Fishing

The local lakes and rivers host various fish species including whitefish, lake trout, bull trout, rainbow trout, northern pike, coho salmon, cutthroat trout, and arctic grayling. Equipment, instruction, and guided fishing trips can be found at Whitefish’s Lakestream Flyshop. Additionally, visitors can swim, boat, water ski, and kayak on Whitefish Lake.

4. Summer Activities

Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain is a hub for summer recreation. The resort’s “Glacier Chaser” gondola and chairlift operate during the summer, offering a 15-minute scenic ride to the 7000-foot summit. The Summit House features a restaurant, shop, restrooms, and a Nature Center. At the summit, breathtaking views of Glacier National Park peaks, Whitefish Lake, and the Flathead Valley await.

Hiking

Big Mountain boasts hiking trails from the village to the summit, with shorter loop trails accessible from the Summit House. The Danny On National Recreation Trail offers a scenic route sprinkled with wildflowers to reach the summit.

Mountain Biking

The Big Mountain trail system features over 20 different routes for mountain bikers. Rentals are available at Snow Ghost Outfitters in the Village.

Horseback Trail Rides

“Bar W Ranch” provides trail rides suitable for individuals with minimal horseback experience.

Walk in the Treetops

Visitors can step onto a boardwalk suspended high in the treetops. The footbridges connect trees and span a total length of 800 feet, with a high point of 70 feet above the forest floor, offering once-in-a-lifetime views. The tour starts with a safety orientation, followed by a brief nature hike to the boardwalk.

Additional Summer Activities

• Two zip line tours
• Aerial Adventure Park
• Alpine Slide

5. Winter Activities

Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain is a top destination for winter sports enthusiasts. The free SNOW Bus provides transportation between the town of Whitefish and Big Mountain Village. Visitors can find equipment rentals, lessons, and guides at the resort, which features ski-in/ski-out lodging, shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Besides skiing and snowboarding, activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating, and dog sledding are also available.

Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding

Known for short lift lines and deep snow, Whitefish Mountain Resort offers diverse terrain, including groomed cruisers, open bowls, glades, steeps, and beginner areas.

Cross-Country Skiing

Various cross-country ski trails are located in and around Whitefish.

6. Glacier National Park Day Trip

Everyone should experience Glacier National Park at least once in their lifetime. Whitefish, located a short drive from the park’s west entrance, serves as an excellent base for visiting the park. After exploring, you can return to Whitefish for comfort, relaxation, and great dining.

One Day in Glacier National Park

If you have only one day to visit, opt for a driving tour along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which offers stunning views of glaciers, lakes, peaks, and valleys. This steep mountain road connects the towns of West Glacier and St. Mary, crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Along the route, visitors can access:

• Picnic sites
• Hiking and nature trails
• Apgar Visitor Center
• Lake McDonald Lodge
• Logan Pass Visitor Center
• Saint Mary Visitor Center

Shuttle Bus Tours

If you prefer to leave the driving to the experts, two companies offer guided shuttle bus tours through the park that highlight the best scenic spots.

• Sun Tours – Travel in comfort on a modern shuttle while Native guides share insights about Blackfeet culture and history.
• Red Bus Tours – Experience the Going-to-the-Sun Road in an open-aired, vintage red bus.

7. Shopping

Whitefish offers unique shopping opportunities for jewelry, pottery, candies, handcrafts, and outdoor gear. Local favorites include the Purple Pomegranate, featuring the work of local artists, and Stumptown Snowboards, which specializes in outdoor recreation clothing and gear.

8. Dining

Whitefish boasts a remarkable variety of superb restaurants. Whether you seek haute cuisine, hearty breakfasts, fresh salads, ethnic dishes, or pub fare, options abound. Some of the best eateries in Whitefish include:

Whitefish Lake Restaurant

Located at the Whitefish Lake Golf Club, this elegant venue offers steak and seafood dishes, a full bar, and banquet facilities.

Cafe Kandahar

Situated in Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain, this café provides divine food and exquisite service in a relaxed atmosphere.

Buffalo Café

Known for hearty breakfast options, this Whitefish hangout serves egg dishes, gravy-smothered biscuits, and oversized pancakes.

Tupelo Grille

This downtown restaurant showcases steak, seafood, and pasta with Cajun and Southern influences.

9. Hotels & Lodging

Whitefish is renowned for its friendly hospitality, evident in its hotels and lodging offerings.

The Lodge at Whitefish Lake

This deluxe lakeside accommodation offers a full-service restaurant, private beach, spa, and boat rentals.

Hidden Moose Lodge

Nestled in a scenic forested setting, this charming rustic B&B lodge provides a cozy stay.

Kandahar at Whitefish Mountain Resort

Enjoy elegant rooms with access to Big Mountain’s amenities and year-round recreation opportunities.

Good Medicine Lodge

Cozy accommodations, exceptional breakfasts, welcoming common areas, and friendly hosts make this lodge ideal for couples and small families.

10. How to Get There

Whitefish is situated in Montana’s Flathead Valley, in the northeast of the state.

By Car

Located 14 miles north of Kalispell, Whitefish can be reached via Highway 93.

By Train

Amtrak’s Empire Builder route conveniently stops in downtown Whitefish, running daily between Seattle and Chicago.

By Air

Glacier Park International Airport, located in Kalispell, offers daily commercial flights, along with private charters and sightseeing tours.

Local Ground Transportation

Local companies provide transportation including:

• Airport Shuttle Service
• Flathead-Glacier Transport Co.
• Kalispell Taxi
• Wild Horse Limousine

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary services for review purposes. While this has not influenced the review, iBestTravel believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.