Montana Flathead Valley

03/06/2023

While visiting the Flathead Valley this summer, make sure to plan ahead for your day(s) in Glacier National Park. Be sure to visit www.recreation.gov for vehicle reservation and nps.gov/glacier for current park information.

What do you plan for when visiting a national park?

Planning ahead and adjusting your expectations just might be the key to a good visit! There's no better resource than the park's official website: www.nps.gov/glac

08/11/2022

Cherry Season is just wrapping along the east shore of Flathead Lake making this the perfect weekend for a road trip to load up on some delicious Flathead Cherries before they are gone.

Cherry orchards and Flathead Lake go together like motherhood and apple pie. Cherries thrive along the shores of the largest fresh-water lake in the United States west of the Mississippi. In late spring the masses of fluffy pinkish-white blossom...

07/15/2022

Chances are, if you're traveling through Glacier National Park, you'll most likely see Mountain Goats scaling high, sheer cliffs. They are also known for their photogenic qualities.

That Friday Feeling...

Glacier’s mountain goats are starting to shed their winter coats and relax in the summer sun!

They primarily live in alpine and subalpine environments making daring traverses of cliffs. These skilled climbers use their large, muscular forequarters to climb steep slopes of 60 degrees or more. Mountain goats have hooves that split into two toes, or cloven hooves, that can spread out when needed. This, along with soft, flexible inner pads, allows the goats to grip on to rocky ledges and cliffs, with the occasional stop to get some shut-eye.

Help to protect wildlife and yourself in Glacier by giving them space. Visitors are required to keep a distance of at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from any other wildlife including mountain goats.

This photo was taken with a telephoto lens.

06/07/2022

There is no better place than the Flathead Valley on the 4th of July and the best firework shows can be found all around Flathead Lake.

Fireworks are fun, but best left to the professionals, as Western Montana is very susceptible to wildland fires this time of year. Here’s where you can catch all the 4th of July fun in Western Montana. bit.ly/3NqFvJt

📷: Trevon Baker Photography

05/31/2022

Flathead Lake stretches 28 miles north from Polson.

05/23/2022

The Bigfork Whitewater Festival will celebrate its 47th year May 27-29, 2022! The last mile of the Swan River, known as the "Wild Mile", is a class IV section of whitewater. This beautiful and challenging whitewater venue has a scenic nature trail paralleling the north side, giving spectators front row seats for some of the best whitewater action in the area.

05/16/2022

The Swan Range provides the eastern border for Montana’s Flathead Valley. While the valley is turning green, snow still hugs the rocky peaks which rise to 8,000 or 9,000 feet. www.fcvb.org

05/02/2022

Montana has more than 170,000 miles of streams surrounded by magnificent views. Time to plan a trip to Montana’s Flathead Valley for fishing, floating or just to dip your toes into that clear cold water. www.fcvb.org

04/25/2022

About 15,000 years ago, a glacier pushed its way south to the area just north of what is now Polson, MT. The gravel and dirt pushed in front of the advancing glacier formed a glacial moraine. Today, standing on top of the moraine, visitors can see the remains of that glacier as Flathead Lake, largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. www.fcvb.org

04/18/2022

Congratulations to the Miracle of America Museum in Polson for their selection into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. The Museum was honored for its efforts in preserving Montana’s rich and diverse legacy for future generations. Cowboy Hall of Fame board member Jim Valentiner made the presentation to Museum founder, Gil Mangels www.fcvb.org

04/11/2022

It’s that time of year again. The osprey are returning to the Flathead Valley from their winter homes in Central and South America. They can be seen nesting near Flathead Lake as well as smaller lakes and streams. Take some time and watch them as they hunt and catch that perfect fish. www.fcvb.org

03/29/2022

"Streams represent constant rebirth. The water flows in, forever new, yet forever the same; they complete a journey from beginning to end, and then they embark on the journey again."- Tim Palmer, Lifelines Here in the Flathead Valley, the snow melt creates rushing streams throughout the valley. Take the time to enjoy the sounds and sights of nature waking up from a winter's nap. www.fcvb.org

03/22/2022

While the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road is not yet open, visitors to Glacier National Park can still enjoy the clear cold waters of Lake McDonald on the west side of the park. www.fcvb.org

03/14/2022

Bird Woman Falls, in Glacier National Park, was formed by a glacier thousands of years ago. With a total drop of 960 feet, the falls today is fed by the yearly runoff of the snowfall captured in the hanging valley above the falls. There are no trails to the falls, so it can only be viewed from a distance. The name is thought to honor Sacajawea, whose name is roughly translated into “bird woman”. www.fcvb.org

03/07/2022

Play a round (or two or three) of golf in Montana's Flathead Valley. With more than nine courses to choose from, you'll find the golf is great and the views spectacular. www.fcvb.org

02/28/2022

We have wonderful vistas throughout Montana's Flathead Valley. But sometimes it's best to stop and take a good look at the little things. They will always make you smile. www.fcvb.org

02/21/2022

For the second year, Glacier National Park will utilize a ticketed entry system during the summer months. The program will be in effect from May 27, 2022 through September 11, 2022. Tickets will be required for travel over the Going-the-Sun Road and at Polebridge Ranger Station. Ticket sales begin on March 2. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.recreation.gov

02/14/2022

“No matter how sophisticated you may be, a large granite mountain cannot be denied – it speaks in silence to the very core of your being” Ansel Adams www.fcvb.org

02/07/2022

To the East, the Swan Range borders Montana's Flathead Valley. www.fcvb.org

02/02/2022

An icy Flathead Lake stretches north from Polson. While ice usually covers the areas close to shore, Flathead Lake usually remains ice-free for the most part. www.fcvb.org

01/24/2022

Of the almost 170,000 miles of rivers in Montana, one of the most spectacular is the Flathead River, a portion of which is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The designated river includes the North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork above the Hungry Horse Reservoir just outside of Glacier National Park. It is known for great recreational opportunities, historic sites, fisheries and wildlife and flows through and near Glacier National Park, and the Bob Marshall and Great Bear Wilderness Areas. www.fcvb.org

01/19/2022

When you come to Montana’s Flathead Valley, you’ll likely encounter this beautiful plant known as beargrass. Depending on the altitude, this Montana native can be found blooming in meadows as early as May and as late as August. The first visitors to describe the plant were Lewis and Clark who referred to it in their journals. While bears do not eat this particular plant, they sometimes use the leaves for denning material. However, sheep, deer, elk and goats are known to chomp on beargrass. Since native peoples used the leaves for basket weaving, another common name for the plant is basket grass. You might also hear it called bear lily, pine lily, elk grass and turkeybeard. www.fcvb.org

01/10/2022

Enjoy a winter day on a snowmobile in Montana's Flathead Valley, riding with Swan Mountain Snowmobiling. Or learn more about the history of these wonderful machines on January 15 at the Miracle of America Museum. For one special day some of the museum's static displays will once again come to life taking visitors over the snow during a special day celebrating winter recreation. www.fcvb.org

12/27/2021

“Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour.” Attributed to John Boswell Enjoy winter here in Montana's Flathead Valley. www.fcvb.org

12/21/2021

Slow down. Breathe. Enjoy this very special time of year. www.fcvb.org

12/06/2021

Look up. Look down. You'll always find see something new and interesting in Montana's Flathead Valley. www.fcvb.org

11/29/2021

The winter waters of Flathead Lake stretch 28 miles north from Polson. Flathead is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. www.fcvb.org