Montana’s Year-Round Playground
Communities: Bigfork, Ferndale, Swan Lake, Condon, Seeley Lake
Life on the water and epic winter recreation make the Seeley Swan Corridor a premier Glacier Country destination. Dotted with lakes and flanked by the Mission and Swan mountain ranges, the lushly forested landscape offers phenomenal snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, ice-fishing, golf and hundreds of miles of trails to hike, bike and snowshoe. This year-round playground is also one of Western Montana's most magical winter wonderlands. The quiet and breathtaking Seeley Swan Scenic Drive runs between the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Mission Mountains. "The Bob" is the largest roadless area in the lower 48 states and can be explored on your own or with the help of a guide like the friendly folks at Rich Ranch.
On the shores of Flathead Lake, the storybook village of Bigfork is home to an annual whitewater festival, a golf course, local shopping, art galleries and the Bigfork Summer Playhouse staging Broadway-caliber productions. Bigfork is also Western Montana's "North Pole" during the holiday season. Base Camp Bigfork is your go-to for outdoor gear, guides, rentals and dog sledding adventures. Ferndale is your gateway to the beautiful Jewel Basin hiking area. Swan Mountain Outfitters in Swan Lake is also at the ready to show you your next outdoor adventure. If you haven't experienced hiking with a llama, spend the day or an overnight with Swan Mountain Llama Trekking.
Midway between Swan and Seeley lakes, get off the beaten path at Holland Lake and hike to Holland Lake Falls. The views here are jaw-dropping. Note, there's a lodge at the lake, which makes for a great post-hike place to pull up a barstool or have a Montana-inspired dinner.
The Clearwater Canoe Trail offers a lazy float through a dense willow marsh, entering the north end of Seeley Lake—a year-round adventure destination. Lake and ice fishing are a big draw here, and water sports abound in the warmer months. The charming town of Seeley Lake is also home to one of the premier championship golf courses in Montana. In the winter, the Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Trails are a wonderland for cross-country enthusiasts, and snowmobilers flock to the region for some of Montana's best sledding.
South of Seeley Lake, popular recreation areas include Placid Lake State Park for camping and trout fishing; Salmon Lake State Park for camping and water sports; and Harpers Lake, a low-key fishing spot.
Highlights: Bigfork; Seeley Swan Scenic Drive; Holland Lake; Holland Lake Falls; Seeley Lake; Clearwater Canoe trail; snowmobiling; golf; ice fishing; countless lakes; historic sites and museums; ranch resorts
Length: 74 miles
Travel time: 1 1/2 hours
