Bigfork Activities- So much fun -so little time

Enjoy the beautiful weather and views from your deck. Remember to read that book, and take a day off!

Enjoy Flathead Lake from the water and rent a power boat, fish boat, or Jet Ski: Old Faithful Watersports at Saddlehorn Marina in Woods Bay 253-2702, Bigfork Outdoor Rentals in north Bigfork 837-2498, Wild Wave at Marina Cay in Bigfork 837-4843, or Flathead Boat Company in Polson 883-0999,

Bigfork Outdoor Rentals north Bigfork 837-2498 or Base Camp in Bigfork 837-9733 or Bigfork Water Sports in Woods Bay 249-3732

Swan Mountain Outfitters in Swan Lake 387-4405 or Bar W Ranch in Whitefish 863-9099 or Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork 837-4391

Rafting on the Flathead river south of Polson with Flathead Raft Co 883-5838 or near Glacier Park with Glacier Raft Co 888-5454

See the Flathead or Glacier Park like never before. Glacier Heli-Tours 387-4141, or Red Eagle Aviation in Kalispell 755-2376

Drive north to Whitefish and shop in the cute downtown and visit Whitefish Mountain Resort for summer activities. 862-2900

Experience fly fishing on the Swan River, public access points are on Hwy 209, east of Bigfork. For a guided fly fishing river trip, supplies or advice in Bigfork call Bigfork Anglers at 837-3675 or Two River Gear 837-3474 or Crane Mountain Guides 837-0918. For a lake fish charter call A-Able Fishing Tours at 257-5214 in Lakeside and Bigfork. Flathead Lake has fishing off the shore or dock Fishing Permits available at Papas Market in Woods Bay 837-4884

Pack your own lunch and drive to West Glacier. Turn left on the park road to Lake McDonald, and slowly work your way up the historic Going to the Sun Road to the Visitor’s Center at Logan Pass summit. Return the same way, or for a longer trip continue to East Glacier and then Hwy 2. Hiking opportunities of all levels surround you. Keep your eyes out for wildlife. Avalanche Lake and Hidden Lake are great hikes.

Rentals are located in Bigfork at Base Camp 837-9733. Be sure to visit the Swan River Nature Trail.

Enjoy our beautiful state parks and crystal clear (and cold) mountain water. Yellow Bay Park is very quiet and has a beautiful beach with picnic tables and boat ramp. Wayfarers Park is located just south of Bigfork and has a great beach and rocks to explore. Access the Swan River at the Pacific Park Access, 1 mile east out of Bigfork on highway 209 on the left towards Ferndale.

Take an evening for dinner and a see a show at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse 837-4886 in Bigfork Village. They have incredible summer stock talent with a friendly local crowd. Also try the Port Polson Players at 883-9212. Also visit all the fine shops and art galleries in Bigfork Village.

Visit one of the numerous courses which dot the Flathead Valley. Including Eagle Bend in Bigfork 837-7310, Polson Bay Golf Course 883-8230, Buffalo Hills in Kalispell 756-4530, Meadow Lake in Columbia Falls 892-2111, or Whitefish Lake Golf Club 862-4000, plus more….

Explore the extensive high mountain hiking at the incredible Jewel Basin. Located northeast of Bigfork on Hwy 83, turn north at Echo Lake Road and follow signs. The Beardance Area is located on Hwy 35 between Woods Bay and Yellow Bay. A short steep hike down to the lake or the longer trail up the hill to Crane Mountain. The nice flat Swan River Nature Trail starts in Bigfork Village. Walk east up the steep part of Grand Avenue onto the easy flat walk above the Swan River.

Take a day long drive around the lake and enjoy the small towns while viewing the incredible vistas of Flathead Lake. Stop by the Mission Mountain Winery 849-5524. Visit the Polson Historical Museum 883-3049, The Miracle of America Museum 883-6804, and The People’s Center, a native cultural center at Pablo 883-5344. Check out the old Jesuit Mission at St Ignatius and take a self-guided auto tour of wildlife at National Bison Range.

Take a fun filled sailboat trip on The Questa or Nor’easter, wooden 51' sloops, docked at FH Lake Lodge in Bigfork 837-5569. You can also try the Farwest 844-2628 a motored ship docked in Lakeside, or cruise on The Shadow at the KwaTaqNuk Resort in Polson 883-3636

Take advantage of numerous area festivals. Bigfork Brewfest in March, Taste of Bigfork in April, Cherry Blossom Festival in May, White Water Kayak Festival in late May, July 4 Independence Parade, Festival of the Arts in early August, Swan Lake Huckleberry-Fest in late August, Dragon Boat Races in September, Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival in early September, & Tamarack Time in October. For info contact the Chamber at 837-5888 or www.bigfork.org

Excellent downhill skiing, boarding, cross country skiing, tubing, etc at the world class resort above the town of Whitefish. Ski with the snow ghosts overlooking Glacier Park, and then apres-ski. 862-2900

Small town skiing/boarding with a great family atmosphere, less expensive and easier slopes. Located west of Lakeside. 844-0999

Visit this Historic Train Station turned Nordic ski Inn. Located in the shadow of Glacier Park on Hwy 2, call 888-5700

This local cross country ski area is located north of Bigfork at the base of Jewel Basin. North of Bigfork take highway 83 east then turn north on Echo Lake Road, turn right at Foothills Road, it is at the corner entrance to Jewel Basin. Rent cross country skis or snowshoes at Bigfork Base Camp 837-9733

The peace & quiet of winter in the park is something not to miss. The West Glacier park road is plowed to Lake McDonald Lodge. From there you can cross country ski or snowshoe on trails along the creek on the unplowed road. No services are available so bring your own stuff, or rent before you go.

The Flathead provides lots of open touring areas. Guided and non-guided snow-machine rentals are available at: J&L Rentals in Columbia Falls 892-7666, Swan Mountain Snowmobiling near Glacier Park 387-4405, or Extreme Motor Sports south of Whitefish 862-8594, or Winter Wonderland in Olney 881-2525