Explore Small Towns and Communities Near the Park
Glacier National Park is a wonder all its own, with plenty of exploration and adventure to keep you busy for the entirety of your stay. But the communities that surround the park are infused with the same spirit of otherworldly splendor. Our charming small towns welcome visitors with restaurants, shops, museums, galleries and, best of all, authentically Montanan western hospitality.
A Nordic Ski Wonderland from Glaciers to Geysers
Montana’s pristine cross-country and skate ski trails crisscross the enchanting wintry landscapes between Glacier and Yellowstone national parks.
To the east, St. Mary, Babb, Browning, Cut Bank and East Glacier Park provide multiple launching points for exploring the Blackfeet Nation—complete with guided tours and incredible history—and central Montana.
To the west, Essex, West Glacier, Lakeside, Hungry Horse, Coram, Martin City, Columbia Falls, Polebridge, Bigfork, Whitefish and Kalispell are ideal towns from which to base your trip. Along with easy access to the park, each community offers access to incredible outdoor recreation in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, expansive trail systems in the Flathead Valley, water recreation on Flathead Lake, on-mountain offerings at Whitefish Mountain Resort and incredible food and drink scenes.
BABB |
glaciermt.com/babbDrink + Eat Local
- Grab dinner at Two Sisters Cafe, an eye-catching roadside eatery that’s been satisfying diners for more than 25 years.
- Enjoy a big juicy steak at the Cattle Baron Supper Club, a steakhouse born out of the Babb Bar, once one of the rowdiest watering holes in Glacier Country.
Get Your Shop On, Tax Free!
- Shop for necessities and souvenirs at the locally-owned and nearly century-old Thronson’s General Store.
Outdoor Adventure
- Buy a tribal permit and fish Duck Lake, known for its unusually large brown and rainbow trout.
BIGFORK |
bigfork.orgVisitor Information
Bigfork Chamber of Commerce | 8155 State Highway 35, Bigfork | 406.837.5888
Arts + Culture
- Take in a show at Bigfork Summer Playhouse, the finest live professional repertory theater in the northwest.
- Go on a gallery stroll; Bigfork boasts a surprising array of art galleries.
Drink + Eat Local
- Taste award-winning craft brews at Flathead Lake Brewing Company.
- Tour Whistling Andy Distilling and sample their Hibiscus Coconut Rum.
Get Your Shop On, Tax Free!
- Shop downtown for unique jewelry, clothing and gifts.
Outdoor Adventure
- Charter a classic Q-Class Sloop and sail Flathead Lake with Flathead Lake Sailing and Charters.
- Rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards or mountain bikes from Base Camp Bigfork.
- Fish Flathead Lake with Bagley Guide Service.
- Challenge yourself on holes designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus at Eagle Bend Golf Club.
Browning |
blackfeetcountry.comVisitor Information
Blackfeet Country | 108 All Chiefs Square | 406.338.7406
Arts + Culture
- Learn about the history and culture of area tribes at the Museum of the Plains Indian and the Blackfeet Heritage Center & Art Gallery.
- Admire Plains Indian artwork at Lodgepole Gallery and the Blackfeet Heritage Center & Art Gallery.
Get Your Shop On, Tax Free!
- Shop the unusual array of goods at Faught’s Blackfeet Trading Post and Western Curios.
Indoor Pursuits
- Play more than 300 slots at Glacier Peaks Casino.
Outdoor Adventure
- Stop at the viewing area on U.S. Highway 2 to look for free-roaming bison on the Blackfeet Nation Bison Reserve.
Sweet Dreams
- Spend the night in a traditional Blackfeet tipi—complete with a fireplace in the center—at the Lodgepole Tipi Village.
COLUMBIA FALLS |
columbiafallschamber.orgVisitor Information
Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at Marantette Park | 233 13th St. E., Columbia Falls | 406.892.2072
Drink + Eat Local
- Stop for lunch, dinner or drinks at Backslope Brewing.
Family Fun
- Take on a treetop adventure with unforgettable views from Glacier Ziplines.
- Don’t miss out on family fun at Montana’s largest waterpark, Big Sky Waterpark.
- Experience the anomaly for yourself at Montana Vortex and House of Mystery—it’s internationally famous.
- Looking for a good old-fashioned swimming pool? Visit Pinewood Park Aquatic Center.
Outdoor Adventure
- Go green at the “must play” Meadow Lake Golf Course.
- Enjoy picturesque Montana fly-fishing and rafting on the Flathead River.
Coram |
glaciermt.com/coramVisitor Information
Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at Marantette Park | 233 13th St. E., Columbia Falls | 406.892.2072
Drink + Eat Local
- Savor handcrafted whiskey and spirits “so close to Glacier you can taste it!” at Glacier Distilling.
- Savor the bison gyros at Josephine’s, an eatery housed in an old homesteader cabin.
Family Fun
- Crank up the fun level! The Amazing Fun Center has a maze, go-karts, mini golf, bumper boats and bankshot basketball.
Outdoor Adventure
- Get an adrenaline rush at Glacier Highline, an aerial adventure park boasting 50 activities.
- Bicycle 7 miles to West Glacier on the Gateway to Glacier Trail.
Sweet Dreams
- Go glamping with Glacier Under Canvas.
Cut Bank |
cutbankchamber.comVisitor Information
Cut Bank Area Chamber of Commerce | 59 Golf Course Road | 406.873.4041
Art + Culture
- Step back in time at the 14-acre Glacier County Historical Museum and Archive.
- Learn about the Cut Bank Army Airfield’s role in World War II at the Airmen’s Museum.
Drink + Eat Local
- Savor a pint of craft beer—brewed with local barley—at Cut Bank Creek Brewery.
Family Fun
- Take a selfie with a 27-foot-tall penguin statue that claims Cut Bank is the “coldest spot in the nation.”
- Buy tickets for a scenic roundtrip train ride on Amtrak’s Empire Builder from Cut Bank to Whitefish, skirting the southern border of Glacier National Park.
Outdoor Adventure
- Hike the Cut Bank Trail System along the scenic Cut Bank Creek Coulee.
Sweet Dreams
- Fly a small plane into Cut Bank International Airport and stay the night. The airport offers overnight sleeping rooms, showers, free camping and courtesy cars for local use.
East Glacier Park |
eastglacierpark.infoVisitor Information
East Glacier Park Chamber of Commerce | 909 State Highway 49 N. | 406.226.4403
Drink + Eat Local
- Chow on buffalo tacos at Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant, a classic East Glacier Park eatery.
- Moose-watch from the deck of Summit Mountain Lodge & Steakhouse while enjoying local beef and views of East Glacier Park.
Outdoor Adventure
- Play the nine holes named after Blackfeet Indian chiefs at Glacier Park Lodge Golf Course, the oldest grass greens course in Montana.
- See Montana from horseback. Glacier Gateway Trail Rides’ Blackfeet guides lead riders to marvelous views along the edge of Glacier National Park.
Sweet Dreams
- Set your eyes on, or better yet, rest your head at the architecturally stunning Glacier Park Lodge, a historic hotel built in 1913 by the Great Northern Railway.
Essex |
glaciermt.com/essexVisitor Information
Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at Marantette Park | 233 13th St. E., Columbia Falls | 406.892.2072
Outdoor Adventure- Indulge your inner cowboy or cowgirl on a cattle drive with Bear Creek Guest Ranch.
- Horseback ride, raft, hunt or fish the Great Bear Wilderness with Snowy Springs Outfitters.
- Cross-country ski miles of groomed trails along the southern border of Glacier National Park.
- Scan for mountain goats at the nearby Goat Lick Overlook.
- Satisfy your need to sleep and eat at the historic Izaak Walton Inn. Spend the night in a caboose or railroad car and fill your belly at the railroad-themed Dining Car Restaurant.
Hungry Horse |
glaciermt.com/hungry-horseVisitor Information
Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at Marantette Park | 233 13th St. E., Columbia Falls | 406.892.2072
Art + Culture- Visit Montana’s highest dam: Hungry Horse Dam and Visitor Center.
- Indulge in huckleberry pie at The Huckleberry Patch, Montana’s first huckleberry cannery.
- Camp, boat or hike: recreation abounds!
- Head out for huckleberry picking, a quintessential Montana experience.
- Kayak or stand-up paddleboard Hungry Horse Reservoir.
- Sled the Flathead Valley with Swan Mountain Snowmobiling.
KALISPELL |
discoverkalispell.comVisitor Information
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor Bureau | 15 Depot Park, Kalispell | 406.758.2811
Art + Culture- Visit Conrad Mansion for a slice of history and railroad glory-days architecture.
- Discover Glacier National Park art and memorabilia at the Hockaday Museum of Art.
- Learn the local history through interactive exhibits for the entire family at the Museum at Central School.
- Enjoy small-town charm and western hospitality with a self-guided walking tour of Historic Downtown Kalispell.
- While downtown, find several handcrafted ways to wet your whistle: Kalispell Brewing Company, Bias Brewing, SunRift Beer Company and Vilya Spirits. And with the number of coffee shops and restaurants that have opened their doors on Main Street, your night out will plan itself!
- Visit Historic Downtown Kalispell for locally made crafts, clothing, jewelry and souvenirs.
- Peruse the North-End District for national-brand camping supplies, clothing and footwear.
- Get a bird’s-eye view of the entire valley at Lone Pine State Park.
- Explore Foy’s to Blacktail Trails at Herron Park—only 10 minutes from town.
- Bike from downtown Kalispell to Flathead Lake on a non-motorized “Rails to Trails” paved trail system.
- Golf Kalispell’s two 18-hole courses, Buffalo Hill Golf Club and Northern Pines Golf Club.
LAKESIDE / SOMERS |
lakesidesomerschamber.orgVisitor Information
Lakeside and Somers Chamber of Commerce | 100 Bierney Creek Road, Lakeside | 406.844.3715
On the Lake- Cruise the lake on a Far West Boat Tour.
- Cast a line from a chartered fishing boat.
- Play on the water with kayaking and SUP rentals/tours with Sea Me Paddle.
- Access the lake at Somers Bay, Lakeside Marina, Volunteer Park and West Shore State Park.
- Relax with a craft beer on Tamarack Brewing’s creekside patio.
- Dine on dishes made from locally sourced ingredients at Beargrass Bistro.
- Kick off your day with brunch from Farmhouse.
Martin City |
glaciermt.com/martin-cityVisitor Information
Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at Marantette Park | 233 13th St. E., Columbia Falls | 406.892.2072
Only in Martin City- Cheer on the contestants at the Barstool Ski Races during Cabin Fever Days in February.
Sweet Dreams
- Stay in a historic log cabin surrounded by forestland at Abbott Valley Homestead.
Polebridge |
glaciermt.com/polebridgeVisitor Information
Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at Marantette Park | 233 13th St. E., Columbia Falls | 406.892.2072
Drink + Eat Local- Stop at the beloved Polebridge Mercantile and try a huckleberry bear claw.
- Drink, dine and listen to live music on the lawn of the Northern Lights Saloon.
- Stay at the off-the-grid North Fork Hostel & Square Peg Ranch and meet visitors from all over the world.
- Rent the Ben Rover Forest Service cabin.
St. Mary |
glaciermt.com/st-maryDrink + Eat Local
- Eat hearty at Johnson’s of St. Mary. The Johnson Family has been dishing up their signature American-style fare since 1950.
- Walk the paved paths at St. Mary Overlook for marvelous views of the valley below.
- Ride the East Side Shuttle between St. Mary Village and Two Medicine for easy access to two Glacier National Park entrances.
WEST GLACIER |
glaciermt.com/west-glacierVisitor Information
Visitor center at the Historic Belton West Glacier Train Depot | 12544 U.S. Highway 2 E. West Glacier | 406.888.5756
Drink + Eat Local- Indulge in fine dining at the Belton Chalet, a Great Northern Railway hotel dating back to 1910.
- Head to the family-friendly Crown of the Continent Discovery Center to book guided trips, relax with coffee, spirits, or ice cream, shop for souvenirs, visit the petting zoo and more!
- Gear up for your outdoor adventure at the Glacier Outdoor Center.
- Shop the Glacier National Park Conservancy Gift Store for Glacier National Park souvenirs.
- Sign up for an adventure! Many outfitters offer guided whitewater rafting, fly-fishing, trail riding and hunting excursions of varying lengths, including half-day, full-day and multiday.
- Cruise around West Glacier on a moped from Glacier Moped Rentals.
- Rent a bicycle from Glacier Outfitters and ride 7 miles to Coram on the Gateway to Glacier Trail.
- Enjoy a romantic getaway in a private designer log chalet at Silverwolf Log Chalets.
WHITEFISH |
explorewhitefish.com | whitefishchamber.orgVisitor Information
Whitefish Chamber of Commerce | 307 Spokane Ave., Suite 103, Whitefish | 877.862.3548
Exploration is easy with visitor kiosks throughout town featuring maps, travel guides and activity/event posters.
Getting There: Glacier Commuter Shuttle- Catch a ride with daily service from Whitefish to Apgar Visitor Center and Whitefish Mountain Resort (July 1 to September 4).
- Bring your wheels on bicyclist-friendly buses with racks for up to three bikes.
- Taste the age-old tradition of a “gravity-flow” brewhouse at Great Northern Brewing Company.
- Get centered at Bonsai Brewing Project, a community-raised brewery featuring craft beer, live music...and yoga.
- Taste the rugged landscape and the heart and soul of Montana at Spotted Bear Spirits.
- Dine, drink and dance at Casey’s, Whitefish’s go-to nightclub.
- Play on Whitefish Lake, with three public-access points.
- Explore 42 miles of dog-friendly trails and scenic overlooks on The Whitefish Trail.
- Drive one home on Whitefish Lake Golf Club’s 36-hole course.
- Soar through the trees, high above the slopes on Zip Line Tours.
- For “an obstacle park in the trees” visit Aerial Adventure Park.
- Take sliding to a whole new level on the Alpine Slide.
- A must-do Montana attraction—Scenic Lift and Gondola Rides.
- Taste Montana with mountaintop dining at the Summit House.
- Go for a ride on smooth-flow, lift-accessed mountain-biking trails.
- Take a hike, literally, with miles of trails to explore.
Weekly Events (Seasonal)
TuesdayWhitefish: Shop local at the Whitefish Downtown Farmers Market.
Kalispell: Picnic in the Park at free outdoor evening concerts in Kalispell.
Kalispell: Picnic in the Park at free outdoor lunchtime concerts in Kalispell.
Bigfork: Shop local at the Bigfork Farmers Market.
Cut Bank: Shop Local at the Cut Bank Farmers Market.
Columbia Falls: Shop local at the Columbia Falls Community Market.
Kalispell: Kick up your heels at Kalispell’s Thursday Fest, a weekly street festival boasting music, food and local brews, arts and crafts.
West Glacier: Shop local at the West Glacier Farmers Market.
Saturday
