Summer Activities

Summer Activities & Places to see in the Flathead Valley

Summertime in the Flathead Valley offers limitless possibilities! Come prepared for sun-filled days - 16 hours of daylight which means plenty of time for rafting, fishing, kayaking, hiking, swimming, horseback riding, etc. Visiting Glacier National Park is also a must. There you can hike to Avalanche Lake, stroll the Trail of the Cedars and see the amazing visitor’s center at Logan’s Pass. Logan's Pass is the highest point on the Going-to-the Sun Road at 6,646 feet. Going to the Sun Road is 50 miles from the west to the east entrance. Without stopping it will take you 2 hours to drive this road. The entire road will be open for public vehicle traffic from Friday, June 13 to Monday, September 15, 2009. Along the way you will encounter wildlife and awe inspiring beauty. Bring your camera because there will be many “photogenic moments.” This is one vacation whose memories will last a life-time!

Whitefish Arts Festival / Whitefish: July 3-5. The season kicks off over the Fourth of July weekend in the picturesque town of Whitefish with their 30th annual Whitefish Arts Festival. Held at Parkside Credit Union Park next to the Amtrak station, over 100 artists will be arriving from all over the U.S., In addition to arts and crafts from around the country, the Whitefish Arts Festival is a great opportunity to enjoy entertainment as well. Different community groups perform throughout the afternoons, such as the Whitefish Dance Studio and American Karate Academy. There are local musicians singing and playing and even a chance for budding artists to paint their own creations with free easel painting, sponsored by Stumptown Art Studio. Fireworks light up the skies at night. For more information please call 406-862-5875, fax 406-862-3515, or visit http://www.whitefishartsfestival.org.

Arts in the Park, Hockaday Museum Art/ Kalispell: July 24, 25, & 26 This is Northwest Montana’s largest and longest running art and entertainment fair, an art show perfect for browsing and buying high quality jewelry, clothing, photography, paintings, pottery, glass, and other artwork. In its 38th year Kalispell’s Arts in the Park serves as the main fundraising event for the Hockaday Museum. Held at Depot Park in downtown Kalispell; This summertime favorite is the Hockaday Museum's oldest major fund-raiser. Visitors enjoy browsing the artistic creations; taking in a variety of great entertainment; and sampling fabulous food. Children love face painting and hands-on art activities designed just for them. For more information, phone: 406-755-5268, fax: 406-755-2023, visit http://www.hockadaymuseum.org.

Bigfork Festival of the Arts / Bigfork: August 1 & 2 Celebrating our 31st year, the annual Bigfork Festival of the Arts is a favorite among artists and visitors alike. Chosen by Sunset Magazine as one of the most picturesque towns in the Northwest, Bigfork features its Summer Playhouse, numerous art galleries, restaurants, and unique shops on the shore of beautiful Flathead Lake. Our well attended Festival fills the main streets of the town with a fine selection of art, crafts, food, music and other entertainment on both Saturday and Sunday. For additional information, call the Festival of the Arts Voice Mailbox at 406-881-4636 or visit http://wwwbigforkfestivalofhearts.com.

Golfing in the Flathead Valley

With nine public courses offering challenging layouts and unique golfing experiences, it’s no wonder visitors to Montana’s Flathead Valley often bring golf clubs along with fishing poles and camping gear. Named to Golf Digest’s top “50 Golf Destinations” in the world based on courses, service, transportation, setting, quality accommodations, travel to and around the destination, and value, Flathead Valley golf has it all. With one simple phone call to the Flathead Valley Golf Association's central reservation number, you can book advance tee times at any of the nine courses: Eagle Bend, Meadow Lake, Big Mountain, Polson Country Club, Glacier View, Mission Mountain, Buffalo Hill, Village Greens and Whitefish Lake. Just dial 1-800-392-9795 for tee time reservations, further information on golf packages, or accommodations Monday-Friday, 9 am - 5 pm (MST).

Hiking in the Flathead

Glacier National Park is the perfect place to see nature at its finest. There are over 730 miles of hiking trails. The trails vary from one to multi-day hikes and easy walking to more strenuous hiking. There are five self-guided walks that feature signs along the way to tell you about the trail and various fauna and wildlife. They are: The Trail of the Cedars, Huckleberry Mountain, Hidden Lake, Sun Point, and Swiftcurrent Nature Trails. These trails encourage hikers to experience Glacier National Park at their own pace. The Trail of the Cedars is wheelchair accessible. Attendants at the front gate of Glacier Park can help you with maps and any needed information. You can also talk to our staff about their favorite hiking locations!!

Farmer's Market

Locals and visitors alike enjoy going to local Farmer's Market where they find locally grown produce, prepared food, music, etc. These markets can be found in Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, and Whitefish.

Bigfork Farmer's Market Cooperative provides two market opportunities per week. They meet at 400 Commerce (Bigfork High School Parking Lot). Saturday markets will begin May 16th and continue through October 17th. Saturday markets will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday markets will begin June 17th and continue through August 26th. Wednesday markets will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vendors sell locally grown produce and raw honey from their own gardens and farms. Processed food items are from the kitchens of the vendors and include baked goods and canned jams, jellies, and preserves. Arts and crafts items have been designed and/or were manufactured by the vendors. Items available include pottery, furniture, metal ornamentals, photography, sculpture, jewelry, clothing, and gift baskets.

Columbia Falls Farmer's Market is an open air market with a variety of locally grown and hand made goods. It is located at Discovery Square at 540 Nucleus Avenue every Thursday, 5 pm to 7:30 pm. June 18 through September 17, 2009
Kalispell Farmer's Market is every Saturday (9am-12:30pm) and Tuesday (4:30pm-6pm) at the Kalispell Center mall (located at Center St. & 5th Ave) beginning on April 18th and continues through October 17th. Vendors sell locally grown produce from their own gardens and farms. Other items available include pottery, jewelry, clothing, plants, etc.

Whitefish Farmer's Market has two locations. You can enjoy the bounty of summer every Tuesday from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m., from May-September at the Whitefish Downtown Farmers Market where local farmers and craftsmen showcase their products at the North end of Central Avenue. Live music, prepared food, and the season's freshest products are featured. The second location is at the Mountain Mall Parking Lot mid-May to mid-September Thursdays: 4pm to 6:30pm.

Northwest Polka Festival / Kalispell: July 17-19 The 5th Annual Northwest Montana Polka Festival will be held in the Flathead Valley. There will be music and dancing for all ages with an emphasis on polkas and waltzes; however many styles of music will be presented. Some of the crowd pleasers will include country, big band, standards, Latin, Hawaiian, and Cajun. Two bands will be featured at this new event - The Al Lindborg Band from Polson, Montana and Don and The Hi Rollers from Billings, Montana. The dances will be held at the Kalispell Eagles Aerie #234. The dances on Friday will be held from 4:00pm to 11:00pm, Saturday's dances will be from 1:00pm to 12:00am, and Sunday's dances will be from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. Adult admission for a 1 day pass is $10.00, 2 day pass is $18.00, and a 3 day pass is $25.00. For more information please call 406-883-6151 or e-mail bjl15@centurytel.net.