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Montana’s State Parks: Backyard Treasures.
WHITEWATER RAFTING
A GLACIER PARK RIVER EXPERIENCE
< THRILLING WHITEWATER AND SCENIC RAFTING > < FARM-TO-TABLE DINING ON THE RIVER > < INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED GUIDES > < GUIDED FLY FISHING TOURS > < CAFE OFFERING ESPRESSO, BREAKFAST & LUNCH >
LOG CHALETS “EVERYONE was having a great time. Regardless of your physical fitness, this is a great way to glide down the river, get splashed a bit, and enjoy the magnificent scenery. The lunch cooked on the banks of the river was FANTASTIC - one of the most well marinated steaks I’ve ever had!” Traveler from New York We didn’t know what to expect being our first whitewater rafting but it was great fun and the kids wanted to go back and do it again every day on our Glacier vacation. We’ll be back! Traveler from Kansas City, Kansas
THE RAILWAY CAFE
MENTION THIS GLACIER GUIDE AD FOR FREE WETSUIT & BOOTIE RENTALS ON YOUR TRIP!
www.greatnorthernraft.com | 1-800-735-7897 12127 Highway 2 East | West Glacier, Montana 26
Spread throughout Western Montana’s Glacier Country you’ll find 21 state parks, with each providing access to some of the best naturebased experiences available in Big Sky Country. For a water-based adventure, visit one of the six state parks on Flathead Lake. With more than 185 miles of shoreline, it’s no surprise that the lake is a water lover’s dream destination. Overnight campsites can be found at Wayfarers, West Shore, Big Arm, Finley Point and Yellow Bay state parks, while Wild Horse Island—the largest island on the lake—is a 2,160-acre day-use state park that is accessible by boat and provides an incomparable hiking experience. The island is also home to bighorn sheep, mule deer, bald eagles and a herd of five wild horses. Additional water fun can be found at Placid Lake State Park near Seeley Lake, Logan State Park near Libby and Painted Rocks State Park south of Darby. To peruse some of Montana’s history, be sure to check out Fort Owen State Park in Stevensville, Travelers’ Rest State Park in Lolo and Council Grove State Park in Missoula. For a heartpumping hike near Kalispell, make the short drive to Lone Pine State Park and explore its 7.5 miles of trails, complete with expansive views of the Flathead Valley and Swan Mountains. And if you’re a bird watcher, plan to visit Thompson Falls State Park on the Clark Fork River near Thompson Falls. For a complete overview of Glacier Country’s state parks or to book a campsite, visit www.stateparks.mt.gov.
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On the way to Glacier Park
111 Hungry Horse Blvd. Hungry Horse, MT
406-387-4079
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GLACIER COUNTRY Glacier Park International Airport
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Missoula International Airport
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Fishing:
Always Time Well Spent. We’re not one to toot our own horn, but when there is something as incredible as our fishing, we simply have to tell you about it. In your previous travels, you may have heard about one of our state’s most famous rivers—the Blackfoot (compliments of A River Runs Through It). But we’ve got more than that: meet the Bitterroot River. Supporting a native westslope trout population with a healthy balance of sizeable cutthroat and rainbows, outstanding fishing can be found in these winding waters. Mix the thrill of casting your line with the area’s paintinglike views of wide, steep canyons and snow-capped peaks—reaching as high as 10,000 feet—and you have your own piece of fishing heaven.
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Travel a few hours north of the Bitterroot River and you’ll come to the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Originating in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and known for its stunning teal color, the Middle Fork runs A couple fishes on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River near Glacier National Park. © GLACIER COUNTRY TOURISM parallel to Glacier National Park and offers incredible fly-fishing for its population of westslope cutthroat trout, Our best advice: be sure to bring your gear. You never rainbow trout, lake trout and whitefish. know when you may stumble on a prime fishing spot or discover a deep mountain lake on your morning hike. Other waterways prime for your fishing adventures And if you don’t have gear? Not a worry. All of our guide include the Clark Fork River, Rock Creek, the Thompson services can outfit you with anything you need. For River, Lake Koocanusa, Noxon Rapids Reservoir and more on fishing in Glacier Country, visit Duck Lake. www.glaciermt.com/fishing/php.
Motorcycling:
Ride In Western Montana.
Come. Relax. Enjoy.
Motorcycles cruise the open road along Highway 200 in Western Montana. © GLACIER COUNTRY TOURISM
In a location filled with backroads galore, uncrowded routes and more scenic beauty that you can imagine, it’s no wonder that Western Montana is prime motorcycle riding country. Our routes—ranging from interstate cruises to quiet rides through forested timbers—give motorcyclists the opportunity to connect with the spirit of Montana while breathing in the fresh mountain air and discovering our bevy of small towns. Riders looking for an easy ride are welladvised to take I-90. Even though you’re riding the freeway, the route is ideal with four lanes, ample shoulders, plenty of pullouts, gorgeous views and abundant chances to explore communities along the way. If you’re looking for a relaxing day ride, take Highway 93 from Missoula south to Sula. For an advanced route, cruise along the forested road of Highway 83 as it winds its way through the SeeleySwan Valley. And for one of the most stunning rides you’ll ever take, ride the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Other not-to-be-missed rides include Route 135 between St. Regis and Paradise and Highway 35 along the east shore of Flathead Lake. For more information on motorcycle routes in Western Montana, visit www.glaciermt.com/motorcycles.php.
Area activities: Golf, Fishing, Hiking, Biking, Bird Watching, Sight Seeing, Boating, Kayaking, Horseback Riding & More!
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A look at the beautifully preserved music room in the Daly Mansion. © GLACIER COUNTRY TOURISM
Variety:
Six Experiences You Won’t Find Anywhere Else. 1. STROLL THROUGH MONTANA HISTORY at the Daly Mansion in Hamilton. The mansion was the summer residence of Marcus Daly—one of Montana’s Copper Kings—and features impeccably restored public spaces on the main floor, as well as 25 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms. It’s also home to the 27-acre Margaret Daly Memorial Arboretum. 2. WATCH BLACKFEET SINGERS AND DANCERS perform at the St. Mary Visitor Center in July and August as part of Glacier National Park’s “Native America Speaks” program. 3. GET DOWN WITH GUITAR LEGENDS at the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival and Workshop in Bigfork. The annual summer festival features nightly performances from some of the world’s best guitarists. 4. RIDE THE ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA. Bike through 10 tunnels and over seven steel trestles on this 15-mile downhill trail in the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana and Idaho. 5. RUB ELBOWS WITH MONTANA HEROES at the Smokejumper Visitor Center in Missoula. Guided tours are offered during the summer and provide an intriguing look at the work of a smokejumper, including a reconstructed lookout tour and the parachute loft.
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6. CRUISE THE WATERS OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK on classic wooden boats with Glacier Park Boat Company. Each summer, the impeccably kept boats welcome visitors to the glacial-fed waters of Lake McDonald, Two Medicine Lake, St. Mary Lake, Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.
Take a piece of Montana home. EVENTS 5Th ANNuAl Bigfork BrEwfEST Saturday, March 7th TASTE of Bigfork Sunday, April 26th iNdEpENdENcE dAy pAradE Saturday, July 4th at 12 Noon
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37Th ANNuAl Bigfork fESTiVAl of ThE ArTS Saturday and Sunday, August 1st and 2nd 2Nd ANNuAl chAlk ‘N rock fESTiVAl Saturday and Sunday, September 19th and 20th ANNuAl holidAy lighTS pAradE Saturday, december 5th ViSiT SANTA iN Bigfork friday, december 5th, 12th and 19th For more details contact the Bigfork Area Chamber
www.bigfork.org • (406) 837-5888
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A hiker takes in the view of Holland Lake and the Mission Mountains. © GLACIER COUNTRY TOURISM
PACK YOUR BAGS AND GET OUT THERE. Whether you’re hiking Glacier National Park or enjoying a game at the University of Montana, there’s a local experience waiting for you. Kalispell | Missoula
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W H I T E F I S H , M O N TA T NA Partially Located on National Forest Lands Photo © GlacierWorld.com
MEET FLATHEAD LAKE, THE LARGEST NATURAL FRESHWATER LAKE IN THE WEST. Sitting at 30 miles long and paralleled by the stunning Mission Mountains, Flathead Lake is pristinely gorgeous. But its beauty isn’t the only thing the lake has going for it. Covering nearly 200 square miles, Flathead Lake has won awards for clarity and purity. It’s also a popular recreation destination, with abundant opportunities for sailing, boating, kayaking and fishing, as well as hiking at Wild Horse Island— the largest island on Flathead Lake. Today the island is home to a day-use state park and offers bird watching, photography and wildlife viewing. For a relaxing and insightful tour, take a trip with Far West Boat Tours in Lakeside or set sail with Questa Sailing Charters at Flathead Lake Lodge south of Bigfork. And if you’re looking to land a trophy lake trout, take a trip with Bagley Guide Service in Bigfork. The southern end of Flathead Lake is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation; be sure to pick up a recreation permit from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Flanking the lake are its shoreline neighbors—Big Arm, Bigfork, Dayton, Elmo, Lakeside, Polson, Rollins, Somers and Woods Bay—any of which are a great place to put in for a day on the lake and return for dinner and stargazing. During July and August, be sure to stop at one of the roadside fruit stands along Highway 35 or Highway 93 and pick up Flathead cherries that grow in orchards along the shore of Flathead Lake. Above: Flathead Lake provides plentiful opportunities for sailing, boating, kayaking and fishing. Right: Flathead cherries are known for their dark coloring and sweet flavor.
© GLACIER COUNTRY TOURISM
© GLACIER COUNTRY TOURISM
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OUR STORY WAS CENTURIES IN THE MAKING. SOME SAY OUR HISTORY DATES BACK to Lewis and Clark’s voyage through Montana, while others say that going back 200 years is just dusting the surface. Regardless of your view, Montana’s cultural heritage is a rich, colorful tapestry sewn from art, music, dance, storytelling, industry and leisure. And best of all, each piece can be found here in Glacier Country.
NATIVE CULTURE: A RICH PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. Quiet abounds across the prairies and meadows, while a soft breeze carries the gentle beating of a drum. Slowly the sound intensifies and is soon joined by singing. As you approach, you are graced by dancers adorned in bright, colorful attire performing a traditional dance.
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These are the sights and sounds of an American Indian pow wow, a time-honored event that takes place throughout Montana’s Glacier Country. And while the site itself is stunning, what is most remarkable is that the story told by the pow wow dates back generations and emanates the spirit of American Indian history.
Glacier National Park is called the “Backbone of the World” by the Blackfeet Tribe.
© GLACIER COUNTRY TOURISM
Prior to becoming a state, several tribes called Big Sky Country home. Today, Montana has seven Indian reservations and 12 tribes: Assiniboine, Blackfeet, Chippewa, Cree, Crow, Gros Ventres, Kootenai, Little Shell, Northern Cheyenne, Pend d’Oreille, Salish and Sioux. Each of these tribal nations observes its own distinct story, voice, heritage and traditions. For more information on Montana’s First Nations, visit http://visitmt.com/places-to-go/indian-nations. On the Flathead and Blackfeet Indian reservations, both located within Glacier Country, Indian culture is shared and experienced against the backdrop of sacred landscapes, often through pow wows or similar gatherings. Several tribes, including the Blackfeet and Confederated Salish and Kootenai, speak their native language and honor their own traditions, working to preserve and share ancestral stories. During the summer months, visitors to Glacier National Park can learn about the history and culture of the Blackfeet, Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille tribes by attending one of the presentations of the Native America Speaks program. Learn more at www.glaciermt.com/american-indian.php.
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THERE’S MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE.
Souvenirs Gifts Beadwork Clothing
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P.O. Box 670 • 133 West Central Browning, MT 59417 406-338-2275
Storytelling is a large part of the American Indian culture and plays an important role for Montana’s native populations. Through storytelling, visitors to Montana can learn about the history, traditions and culture of the tribes. Both of Western Montana’s Indian Reservations—the Flathead and Blackfeet—have ample opportunities to learn from the tribes. To learn more about the Blackfeet Tribe and its heritage within Glacier National Park, book a day trip with Sun Tours. In Browning, be sure to take the time to peruse the artifacts, artwork and crafts at the Museum of the Plains Indian, Lodgepole Gallery and Tipi Village, Western Curios and Faught’s Blackfeet Trading Post. On the Flathead Indian Reservation, explore Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana in Charlo and PolsonFlathead Historical Museum in Polson. You can also learn more about the history of Montana’s First Nations with a visit to St. Mary’s Mission in Stevensville and Holt Heritage Museum in Lolo. Above: Truman “Mouse” Hall is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe and offers trail rides in East Glacier Park. Taking a tour with an American Indian guide is an outstanding way to learn about native culture, history and traditions. © TIA TROY