Local's Guide to Bigfork, Montana (and Glacier Park too!)
Food scene
In the heart of downtown Bigfork, fuel up on coffee fresh roasted in the shop. Sit inside or out to enjoy your drinks or take a walk up the hill to explore the Swan River Nature Trail.
21 íbúar mæla með
Fieldheads Coffee Roasting Co.
482 Osborn AveIn the heart of downtown Bigfork, fuel up on coffee fresh roasted in the shop. Sit inside or out to enjoy your drinks or take a walk up the hill to explore the Swan River Nature Trail.
Lunch options can be super limited in Bigfork some days of the week but the Garden is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Full bar, fried foods, burgers and salads (and breakfast on weekends too!). This place is family friendly, has a huge outdoor seating area and live music in the summer. No table service - order your drinks at the bar and food at the window. CASH ONLY (but there is an ATM inside).
37 íbúar mæla með
The Garden Bar
451 Electric AveLunch options can be super limited in Bigfork some days of the week but the Garden is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Full bar, fried foods, burgers and salads (and breakfast on weekends too!). This place is family friendly, has a huge outdoor seating area and live music in the summer. No table service - order your drinks at the bar and food at the window. CASH ONLY (but there is an ATM inside).
Locally brewed beer and casual fare with absolutely stunning views of Flathead Lake. Indoor and outdoor seating. Go downstairs for a completely different menu including super delicious deep dish pizzas (that take some time to cook, so don't go down there if you're in a hurry). You can also get frozen pizzas to-go, just order at the hostess stand.
84 íbúar mæla með
Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Pubhouse
116 Holt DrLocally brewed beer and casual fare with absolutely stunning views of Flathead Lake. Indoor and outdoor seating. Go downstairs for a completely different menu including super delicious deep dish pizzas (that take some time to cook, so don't go down there if you're in a hurry). You can also get frozen pizzas to-go, just order at the hostess stand.
Super friendly spot for specialty bottles of wine, beer and cider. They also have a tasting bar and small plates. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights they offer prix fixe dinner. Check their website for their weekly menu and call ahead for dinner reservations.
6 íbúar mæla með
Woods Bay Wine
14942 Montana Hwy 35Super friendly spot for specialty bottles of wine, beer and cider. They also have a tasting bar and small plates. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights they offer prix fixe dinner. Check their website for their weekly menu and call ahead for dinner reservations.
Locally sourced and organic groceries. They also have grab and go vegetarian and vegan salads, sandwiches, quinoa and rice bowls. Live music in the summer months!
10 íbúar mæla með
Max's Market
125 Village LnLocally sourced and organic groceries. They also have grab and go vegetarian and vegan salads, sandwiches, quinoa and rice bowls. Live music in the summer months!
Awesome outdoor deck overlooking the lake with a dock if you'd like to boat there rather than drive. Casual food with a full bar and live music.
63 íbúar mæla með
The Raven
15321 Montana Hwy 35Awesome outdoor deck overlooking the lake with a dock if you'd like to boat there rather than drive. Casual food with a full bar and live music.
If you're looking for a special dinner during your stay, this is the place. Received a James Beard nomination for Best Chef in the Mountain Region. Advance reservations highly recommended.
12 íbúar mæla með
Stone Hill Kitchen + Bar
7951 Montana Hwy 35If you're looking for a special dinner during your stay, this is the place. Received a James Beard nomination for Best Chef in the Mountain Region. Advance reservations highly recommended.
Best steak dinner in town overlooking the Eagle Bend Golf Course. Nice bar and bar menu also available.
8 íbúar mæla með
Schafer's Restaurant
279 Sylvan DrBest steak dinner in town overlooking the Eagle Bend Golf Course. Nice bar and bar menu also available.
Closest place to grab casual food and drinks. The gyro is always a favorite!
Buffalo Saloon and Casino
Closest place to grab casual food and drinks. The gyro is always a favorite!
Necessities
Right next door to Fieldheads Coffee, you can sit out on the patio with your latte while you wash the trail dust off your clothes!
The American Bigfork - Laundromat
440 Osborn AveRight next door to Fieldheads Coffee, you can sit out on the patio with your latte while you wash the trail dust off your clothes!
Yoga studio right in downtown Bigfork. In person classes are mornings Monday - Friday. Check their website for outdoor classes in the summer months!
Curative Yoga
470 Electric AveYoga studio right in downtown Bigfork. In person classes are mornings Monday - Friday. Check their website for outdoor classes in the summer months!
Need a drug store while you're in Bigfork? This is it! There's also a FedEx shipping center inside. Closed on Sundays!
Bigfork Drug
8111 Montana Hwy 35Need a drug store while you're in Bigfork? This is it! There's also a FedEx shipping center inside. Closed on Sundays!
Grocery stores and gas stations sell beer and wine only. Want liquor? Go to the Liquor Barn! They also have a great wine selection (no beer at liquor stores though...there's a gas station across the street for that).
Liquor Barn
22 Swan WayGrocery stores and gas stations sell beer and wine only. Want liquor? Go to the Liquor Barn! They also have a great wine selection (no beer at liquor stores though...there's a gas station across the street for that).
Fully stocked grocery store including deli and bakery. Wine and beer only. Package Liquor available at The Tall Pine next door or the Liquor Barn.
39 íbúar mæla með
Bigfork Harvest Foods
8111 Montana Hwy 35Fully stocked grocery store including deli and bakery. Wine and beer only. Package Liquor available at The Tall Pine next door or the Liquor Barn.
Sightseeing
A beautiful, mostly flat trail that follows the famous Wild Mile of the Swan River before it empties into Flathead Lake. Easily accessible from downtown Bigfork. There is some street parking, but if it's full in the summer, just park along Electric Avenue and walk up the hill to the trailhead. Don't miss the short side trail that will take you out to a giant rock overlooking the river. There's no sign, but there is a bench and a bicycle rack located where you make the turn off the main trail.
There are restrooms, trash cans and doggie bags available along the trail.
23 íbúar mæla með
Swan River Nature Trail
Swan River Nature TrailA beautiful, mostly flat trail that follows the famous Wild Mile of the Swan River before it empties into Flathead Lake. Easily accessible from downtown Bigfork. There is some street parking, but if it's full in the summer, just park along Electric Avenue and walk up the hill to the trailhead. Don't miss the short side trail that will take you out to a giant rock overlooking the river. There's no sign, but there is a bench and a bicycle rack located where you make the turn off the main trail.
There are restrooms, trash cans and doggie bags available along the trail.
Close to Bigfork and quieter than Glacier, there are thousands of acres and hundreds of trails to explore. Highly recommend Mt. Aneas trail where it's likely you'll cross paths with mountain goats and have fantastic views all along the trail (including looking straight into Glacier Park at the top). Or hike to one of the 27 lakes stocked with trout.
Access from the Camp Misery trailhead off Foothill Road. Road is narrow and bumpy and parking area can easily fill on sunny summer days.
105 íbúar mæla með
Jewel Basin
Close to Bigfork and quieter than Glacier, there are thousands of acres and hundreds of trails to explore. Highly recommend Mt. Aneas trail where it's likely you'll cross paths with mountain goats and have fantastic views all along the trail (including looking straight into Glacier Park at the top). Or hike to one of the 27 lakes stocked with trout.
Access from the Camp Misery trailhead off Foothill Road. Road is narrow and bumpy and parking area can easily fill on sunny summer days.
Closest and easiest lake access for boating, fishing and swimming. Large boat dock and a decent amount of parking with hiking trails up and down the sides of the hills leading to the lake. There's a handful of picnic sites and shallow swimming areas. Restrooms and trash cans too! Beaches here are rocky, not sandy, so you'll probably want some water shoes.
18 íbúar mæla með
Wayfarers / Flathead Lake State Park
8600 Montana Hwy 35Closest and easiest lake access for boating, fishing and swimming. Large boat dock and a decent amount of parking with hiking trails up and down the sides of the hills leading to the lake. There's a handful of picnic sites and shallow swimming areas. Restrooms and trash cans too! Beaches here are rocky, not sandy, so you'll probably want some water shoes.
A lesser visited trail down to the lake, just south of Woods Bay. Only a quarter mile walk down to the water, but the last bit is a scramble down a few log steps set into the side of the hill. Definitely not a place for strollers or carrying a lot of gear, but if you want to get away from the crowds, this is a great little beach spot. No restrooms or trashcans. The Bear Dance Trailhead is across the highway from this spot. There is a parking area and it's clearly marked - the trail down to the lake is actually the Flathead Lake Interpretive Trail.
Bear Dance Trailhead
23184 Montana Hwy 35A lesser visited trail down to the lake, just south of Woods Bay. Only a quarter mile walk down to the water, but the last bit is a scramble down a few log steps set into the side of the hill. Definitely not a place for strollers or carrying a lot of gear, but if you want to get away from the crowds, this is a great little beach spot. No restrooms or trashcans. The Bear Dance Trailhead is across the highway from this spot. There is a parking area and it's clearly marked - the trail down to the lake is actually the Flathead Lake Interpretive Trail.
Run the rapids on the Wild Mile of the Swan River. Wednesday evenings from 5-9pm in July & August, the generators are turned off (water flows permitting) and you can run the rapids in a kayak or raft. Put in river left, below the dam in Bigfork.
6 íbúar mæla með
Swan River
Run the rapids on the Wild Mile of the Swan River. Wednesday evenings from 5-9pm in July & August, the generators are turned off (water flows permitting) and you can run the rapids in a kayak or raft. Put in river left, below the dam in Bigfork.
Book a guided tour or rent kayaks and SUPs. They also offer a barrel sauna for rent and dogsled tours in the winter months!
27 íbúar mæla með
Base Camp Bigfork, LLC
8525 Montana Hwy 35Book a guided tour or rent kayaks and SUPs. They also offer a barrel sauna for rent and dogsled tours in the winter months!
Bigfork Outdoor Rentals delivers ski and pontoon boats, waverunners, paddleboards and kayaks directly to the lake.
11 íbúar mæla með
Bigfork Outdoor Rentals
110 Swan River RoadBigfork Outdoor Rentals delivers ski and pontoon boats, waverunners, paddleboards and kayaks directly to the lake.
Guided horse and llama tours (yep, let the llamas carry your gear while you hike!). Swan Mountain Outfitters is the designated horse trail guide service for Glacier National Park, but also offers tours in some of the more "off the beaten path" areas including the Swan Valley and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. They also offer hunting and fishing tours.
10 íbúar mæla með
Swan Mountain Outfitters LLC
26356 Soup Creek RdGuided horse and llama tours (yep, let the llamas carry your gear while you hike!). Swan Mountain Outfitters is the designated horse trail guide service for Glacier National Park, but also offers tours in some of the more "off the beaten path" areas including the Swan Valley and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. They also offer hunting and fishing tours.
Favorite Energy Spots
On the way to the Strawberry Lake Trailhead (about 3 miles up) you'll see the parking area for the Krause Basin Interpretive Trail. It's an old growth forest saved from logging in the 1960's. It's a short 1/4 mile loop through the cedar and hemlocks, but you could bring a blanket and a picnic and likely have the entire place to yourself.
Lots of ancient energies and good vibes here, but the more quiet you are, the more magical it will be. Leave your phone in the car and be totally immersed in this special spot!
8 íbúar mæla með
Strawberry Lake Trailhead
Krause Basin RoadOn the way to the Strawberry Lake Trailhead (about 3 miles up) you'll see the parking area for the Krause Basin Interpretive Trail. It's an old growth forest saved from logging in the 1960's. It's a short 1/4 mile loop through the cedar and hemlocks, but you could bring a blanket and a picnic and likely have the entire place to yourself.
Lots of ancient energies and good vibes here, but the more quiet you are, the more magical it will be. Leave your phone in the car and be totally immersed in this special spot!
Experience multiple vortexes at this internationally famous site! Guided tours every 30 minutes and a well-stocked metaphysical shop. Keep your eye out for Bigfoot!
35 íbúar mæla með
Montana Vortex and House of Mystery
7800 Hwy 2 EExperience multiple vortexes at this internationally famous site! Guided tours every 30 minutes and a well-stocked metaphysical shop. Keep your eye out for Bigfoot!
Across from the Montana Vortex is the trailhead for Columbia Mountain. Hike a short way up the trail (10-15 minutes) to the second switchback to enjoy the views of the valley. Hike a few miles to reach a waterfall just off the trail.
15 íbúar mæla með
Columbia Mountain
Berne RoadAcross from the Montana Vortex is the trailhead for Columbia Mountain. Hike a short way up the trail (10-15 minutes) to the second switchback to enjoy the views of the valley. Hike a few miles to reach a waterfall just off the trail.
Borgartillaga
Bókaðu áður en þú leggur af stað
Glacier National Park Ticketing System
In 2023, you'll need an advance reservation to access the Going to the Sun Road, the North Fork, Two Medicine and Many Glacier between May 26th and September 10th between 6am and 3pm.
No tickets required if you have reservations for lodging, camping or guided tours (boat, horse, hike).
Get all of the details on the Glacier National Park website.
Samgöngur
Glacier National Park - Go Early or Go Late!
Tickets are not required to enter the park before 6am or after 3pm. I love arriving to the west entrance of the park around 5pm to drive the Going to the Sun Road.
Because there's light until 10pm in the summer months, you can still get to Logan Pass and hike up to the Hidden Lake overlook, but with far less traffic and people. Watch the sun set as you head down the mountain and stop for dinner at Lake McDonald Lodge or a picnic on the beach at Apgar on your way home.
Ekki missa af
Live Glacier Park Updates on Twitter
Weather and traffic conditions change fast in Glacier. The park is great about posting nearly live updates of closures and restrictions at twitter.com/glaciernps
Samgöngur
Get Glacier Park Access with Guides
Fish, hike, raft, bike, and rent gear with Glacier Guides or book a horseback ride with Swan Mountain Outfitters. When the park is packed, they may get you places otherwise sold out or unavailable (like chalet reservations as part of a tour or van pickup and drop off when parking is totally full!)