BIGFORK // Area Intro

BIGFORK

Bookended by the Swan River to the east and the Flathead River to the west, Bigfork also sits on the beautiful shores of Flathead Lake. That in itself would be enough to make this small Montana town stand out; throw in the Swan Mountains rising dramatically above and you can see why Bigfork draws both visitors and locals-to-be from near and far to enjoy the many pleasures of the lakeside lifestyle and inspiring scenery.

Though only 4,600 year-round residents call Bigfork home, its seasonal popularity supports a flourishing historic downtown, complete with art galleries, locally owned shops, fine dining, live music, and theater, anchored by the Bigfork Summer Playhouse’s outstanding summer series of professional musicals. Outdoor recreation abounds, from the many ways to play on Flathead Lake to hiking and cross-country skiing the Jewel Basin trails, or hitting the links on the 27-hole championship course at Eagle Bend Golf Club. Nature also provides the perfect microclimate for the cherry orchards that spread down the eastern shores of Flathead Lake; it’s not summer without a stop at one of the many roadside stands for a freshpicked carton of delicious fruit.

ENJOYING THE LAKESIDE LIFESTYLE AT THE FOOT OF THE SWAN MOUNTAINS RUNNING THE WILD MILE

THE BIGFORK WHITEWATER FESTIVAL BRINGS EXTREME WHITEWATER ACTION TO TOWN

For over four decades, Memorial Day in Bigfork means an action-packed weekend of fun on the Swan River and Bigfork Bay at the Bigfork Whitewater Festival. What began as a group of kayakers running the rapids for free pizza and beer in the 1970s has evolved into a major race weekend that is part of the Western Whitewater Championship Series and draws both local and professional competitors. Racers paddle kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards in a variety of events, from the paddleboard race on Bigfork Bay to the giant slalom courses on the Class IV whitewater of the Wild Mile, as the last mile of the Swan River is commonly known.

With a trailhead right in town, the Swan River Nature Trail provides an easily accessible vantage point for watching the races. Once the old highway to the Swan Valley, the trail runs along the river’s edge and provides front-row seats for all the action. Another great spot to see the races is from the historic steel bridge in downtown Bigfork, which puts you in close proximity to the other festival-related fun as well as Bigfork’s eclectic shops, galleries, and restaurants.