Hot tub + sauna · Sleeps up to 10Hot tub + saunaFire pit + game roomNear Flathead Lake public beachesSleeps up to 10
Northwest Montana, sorted

Choose your kind of day.

34 hand-checked places — from Going-to-the-Sun Road to the public beach up the west shore — each with an official link and door-to-door directions from the house. Access is seasonal in the Flathead Valley: park roads, beaches, marinas, lifts and some businesses open and close with the weather, so check the official link before you go.

The Tamarack has no private, deeded or property-specific lake access. Flathead Lake is enjoyed via nearby public beaches, public boat ramps, marinas and parks, all open to everyone.

Planning the route rather than the house? Read the 72-hour Flathead Valley itinerary or how to choose a Flathead Valley base on Trailstead Stays, then come back to plan your days from the house or see what’s on.

Showing 34 of 34

Glacier
Longer driveFrom the house

Glacier National Park — West Entrance

The closest gateway into Glacier, with Lake McDonald and the Apgar Village shoreline just inside.

West Glacier, MT 59936

Local move: Leave the house before 7 a.m. in summer — parking at Apgar and Logan Pass fills early. Entry rules are set season by season, so check the park’s current fees and entry page before you drive up.
Glacier
Longer driveFrom the house

Going-to-the-Sun Road

Fifty miles of cliff-hugging alpine highway over Logan Pass — the drive people come to Montana for.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, West Glacier, MT 59936

Local move: Pack lunch at the house; food options over the pass are thin and lines are long.
Glacier
Longer driveFrom the house

Lake McDonald Boat Tour

Historic wooden launches cruise Glacier’s largest lake with a naturalist on board.

Lake McDonald Lodge, Glacier National Park, MT

Local move: Book the evening sailing — the light on the Garden Wall is the whole trip.
Glacier
Longer driveFrom the house

Avalanche Lake Trail

A 4.5-mile round trip through cedars to a cirque lake ringed by waterfalls — Glacier’s best family hike.

Avalanche Creek, Going-to-the-Sun Road, MT

Local move: Start at the Trail of the Cedars boardwalk so the kids get the easy loop first.
Glacier
Longer driveFrom the house

Polebridge & the North Fork

Off-grid outpost famous for huckleberry bear claws from the Polebridge Mercantile.

Polebridge, MT 59928

Local move: Gravel road, no cell service — fill the tank in Columbia Falls first.
Lake & Water
Short drive to public accessFrom the house

Flathead Lake

The largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi — swimming, boating and paddleboarding from off-property public beaches, ramps and marinas.

Flathead Lake, Lakeside, MT 59922

Local move: Mornings are glass; afternoon wind picks up from the south almost every summer day.
Lake & Water
Short driveFrom the house

Somers Beach State Park

Montana’s newest state park: a long gravel-and-sand beach at the north end of Flathead Lake.

Somers, MT 59932

Local move: Great sunset swim after a Glacier day — it is on the way home.
Lake & Water
Boat access onlyFrom the house

Wildhorse Island State Park

A 2,100-acre island in Flathead Lake where bighorn sheep, mule deer and a handful of wild horses roam free.

Wildhorse Island, Big Arm, MT 59910

Local move: Charter from Big Arm or Dayton; day use only, no overnight stays.
Lake & Water
Short driveFrom the house

Lakeside Boat Rentals

Pontoons, ski boats, kayaks and paddleboards from a public marina in Lakeside, separate from the home.

Lakeside, MT 59922

Local move: Reserve a pontoon weeks ahead for July and August weekends.
Lake & Water
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Flathead River Float

Mellow scenic floats and family rafting on the Middle Fork near West Glacier.

West Glacier, MT 59936

Local move: Half-day scenic floats suit mixed-age groups; whitewater runs higher in June.
Outdoors
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Blacktail Mountain Lookout

A forest-service road climb to a summit view over the whole of Flathead Lake and the Mission Range.

Blacktail Mountain, Lakeside, MT 59922

Local move: Bring a jacket — it is 15 degrees cooler and windier at the top.
Outdoors
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Jewel Basin Hiking Area

15,000 acres of alpine lakes and ridgelines set aside for hikers only — no bikes, no motors.

Jewel Basin, Bigfork, MT 59911

Local move: Camp Misery trailhead to Picnic Lakes is the classic half-day out and back.
Outdoors
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Lone Pine State Park

Easy trails and an overlook across the Flathead Valley to Glacier’s peaks.

300 Lone Pine Rd, Kalispell, MT 59901

Local move: Good rainy-day option — short loops and a visitor center.
Family
Short driveFrom the house

Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster

A gravity coaster that winds a mile through the trees above Lakeside — riders control the speed.

7170 US-93, Lakeside, MT 59922

Local move: Closest attraction to the house; go early or right before close to skip the wait.
Outdoors
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Purple Mountain Lavender

Lavender fields with the Swan Range behind them — u-pick, oils and a small farm shop in season.

Kalispell, MT 59901

Local move: Peak bloom is early to mid July; mornings photograph best.
Winter
Longer driveFrom the house

Whitefish Mountain Resort

3,000 skiable acres, snow ghosts and night skiing above Whitefish Lake.

1015 Glades Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937

Local move: Park at the base by 8:45 a.m. on powder days or take the SNOW bus from town.
Winter
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Blacktail Mountain Ski Area

A locals’ hill above Lakeside where you park at the top and ski down — no lift lines, big lake views.

1500 Blacktail Rd, Lakeside, MT 59922

Local move: Best value ski day in the valley and the closest slope to the house.
Winter
Longer driveFrom the house

Glacier Nordic Center

Groomed cross-country and snowshoe trails on the golf course in Whitefish.

1200 US-93, Whitefish, MT 59937

Local move: Rentals on site — an easy morning before an afternoon in town.
Family
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Woodland Park & Water Playground

Splash pad, playground, ponds and shaded picnic lawns in the middle of Kalispell.

299 Woodland Park Dr, Kalispell, MT 59901

Local move: Free, and the easiest way to burn off an hour before dinner in town.
Family
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Bigfork Village

Galleries, ice cream, a summer playhouse and a walkable main street above the Swan River rapids.

Electric Ave, Bigfork, MT 59911

Local move: Park once and walk — the whole village is four blocks long.
Food & Drink
Short driveFrom the house

Tamarack Brewing Company

The namesake taproom down the road in Lakeside — burgers, wings and Montana beer.

105 Blacktail Rd, Lakeside, MT 59922

Local move: Closest sit-down dinner to the house; call ahead for a big group.
Food & Drink
Longer driveFrom the house

Whitefish Restaurant Row

Central Avenue’s run of steakhouses, sushi, wine bars and après spots.

Central Ave, Whitefish, MT 59937

Local move: Reserve well ahead in July, August and ski season — the town fills.
Food & Drink
Along US-93From the house

Flathead Lake Cherry Stands

Roadside stands selling Flathead cherries, pies and jam through July and August.

US-93, Flathead Lake, MT

Local move: Cash still moves fastest at the smaller stands on the east shore.
Food & Drink
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Sacred Waters Brewing

Kalispell taproom with a big patio, food trucks and space for a whole group.

2400 Fairway Dr, Kalispell, MT 59901

Local move: Dog-friendly patio if the pup came along.
Culture
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Conrad Mansion Museum

A restored 1895 Norman-style mansion built by Kalispell’s founding family.

330 Woodland Ave, Kalispell, MT 59901

Local move: Guided tours only; the Christmas season decorations are worth timing for.
Culture
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Bigfork Summer Playhouse

Professional summer musical theatre in a village playhouse, running since 1960.

526 Electric Ave, Bigfork, MT 59911

Local move: Dinner in Bigfork first, then a 8 p.m. curtain — book the show weeks out.
Golf
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Eagle Bend Golf Club

Nicklaus-designed 27 holes along the Flathead River with mountains on every side.

279 Eagle Bend Dr, Bigfork, MT 59911

Local move: The valley’s marquee round — book the morning wave in summer.
Golf
Longer driveFrom the house

Whitefish Lake Golf Club

Montana’s only 36-hole public facility, tree-lined and walkable with a classic clubhouse.

1200 US-93 N, Whitefish, MT 59937

Local move: Lunch on the deck after the North Course is part of the tradition.
Golf
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Buffalo Hill Golf Club

Old-school championship layout along the Stillwater River in Kalispell.

1176 N Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901

Local move: Closest full 18 to the house with reliable same-week tee times.
Shopping
Longer driveFrom the house

Downtown Whitefish

Outfitters, galleries, bookshops and Montana-made goods along Central Avenue.

Central Ave, Whitefish, MT 59937

Local move: Thursday farmers market in summer takes over Depot Park.
Shopping
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Kalispell Center & Main Street

The valley’s practical stop — groceries, gear, a brewery row and big-box resupply.

Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901

Local move: Stock the chef’s kitchen here on the way in from the airport.
Day Trips
Longer driveFrom the house

National Bison Range

A 19,000-acre wildlife range with bison, elk and pronghorn on a scenic loop drive.

58355 Bison Range Rd, Charlo, MT 59824

Local move: The Red Sleep Mountain Drive takes two hours — start it before 4 p.m.
Day Trips
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Hungry Horse Dam & Reservoir

One of the country’s tallest concrete arch dams, with a 34-mile reservoir behind it.

Hungry Horse, MT 59919

Local move: Combine it with a Glacier morning — the overlook is a ten-minute stop.
Day Trips
Drive from the houseFrom the house

Polson & the South Shore

The south end of Flathead Lake: cherry orchards, a lakefront town and the Mission Mountains.

Polson, MT 59860

Local move: Loop the lake in one day — up the east shore, back down the west.

Verified local guide

Restaurants, outfitters, venues and public lands across Flathead Lake / Glacier Country, each with its official website and the date we last checked the link. We are not affiliated with any business listed, and availability is never guaranteed — book direct with them.

Food & Drink

  • Tamarack Brewing Company Lakeside

    Lakeside’s brewpub, in the village below the house, pouring its own beer alongside a full pub menu.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Somers Bay Cafe Somers

    Small-town breakfast and lunch café at the north end of Flathead Lake, handy on the way to Kalispell.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Bonsai Brewery Whitefish

    Whitefish taproom with a big lawn and a kitchen — an easy stop after a day on the mountain.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Bigfork village dining Bigfork

    Chamber-listed restaurants along Electric Avenue, from casual patios to reservation-only dining rooms.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Downtown Kalispell dining Kalispell

    The valley’s widest choice of restaurants, listed by the local destination marketing organization.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Whitefish dining Whitefish

    Central Avenue restaurants and bars, listed by the Whitefish visitor bureau.

    Link verified 2026-08-30

Lake & Outfitters

  • Flathead Harbor Lakeside

    A public west-shore marina with boat rentals and fuel. Not affiliated with the home, which has no private lake access.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Glacier Park Boat Company West Glacier

    Historic wooden launches running scenic tours on Lake McDonald and other park lakes; seasonal.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Great Northern Resort rafting West Glacier

    Guided whitewater and scenic float trips on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Glacier Raft Company West Glacier

    Long-running river outfitter offering rafting, fishing and family float trips near the park’s west entrance.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • North Flathead Yacht Club Somers

    Community sailing club at Somers Bay with a public race schedule through the summer.

    Link verified 2026-08-30

Trails & Outdoors

  • Flathead Lake State Park Flathead Lake

    State park units ringing the lake with swim beaches, boat ramps and day-use areas; Montana FWP fees apply.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • The Whitefish Trail Whitefish

    Community trail network with many trailheads around Whitefish, good for hiking and mountain biking.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Highline Trail, Glacier National Park West Glacier

    The classic ledge traverse from Logan Pass; open only when the upper Sun Road and trail are clear of snow.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Somers Beach State Park Somers

    Montana’s newest state park at the north shore, with a long gravel beach and shallow swimming water.

    Link verified 2026-08-30

Winter

  • Blacktail Mountain Ski Area Lakeside

    The local hill above Lakeside — you park at the top and ski down; short lift lines and lake views.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Whitefish Mountain Resort Whitefish

    Big Mountain’s full resort: 3,000+ skiable acres in winter, lift-served biking and a summer alpine slide.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Whitefish Lake State Park Whitefish

    Lakefront day-use and camping area minutes from downtown Whitefish.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Montana road & pass conditions Statewide

    Official MDT road report for live winter driving conditions on US-93 and mountain passes.

    Link verified 2026-08-30

Culture & Towns

  • Glacier Art Museum Kalispell

    Regional art museum focused on Montana and Glacier National Park artists.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Conrad Mansion Museum Kalispell

    Restored 1895 Norman-style home with guided tours through the warm months.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Downtown Kalispell Kalispell

    Main Street shopping, galleries and the valley’s practical errands — groceries, gear and pharmacies.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Bigfork village Bigfork

    Walkable arts village on the lake’s northeast corner, with galleries and a summer playhouse season.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Polson & the south shore Polson

    South-end lake town near the cherry orchards, at the far end of the west shore drive.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Downtown Whitefish Whitefish

    Central Avenue’s shops, bars and après scene at the base of Big Mountain.

    Link verified 2026-08-30

Parks

  • National Bison Range Moiese

    Tribally managed wildlife range south of the lake with a scenic drive through bison and elk country.

    Link verified 2026-08-30
  • Glacier National Park West Glacier

    The park’s west entrance is the closest gateway from Lakeside, with Lake McDonald just inside.

    Link verified 2026-08-30

Planning around a festival or a ski week? See what’s on, then build your itinerary.