Planning a trip to Whitefish, Montana and looking for some ideas on how to spend your days roaming around this quaint little western town? This guide will share with you the best adventure ideas for Whitefish and how to have the best summer in Montana!
Fun Facts about Whitefish, Montana
Summer in Whitefish is one of the best adventures you can add to your bucket list! Here’s a couple interesting facts to learn before you go:
- Whitefish is located in the Flathead Valley of Montana, in the northwestern part of the state.
- Downtown Whitefish has an amazing western vibe filled with lovely restaurants, shops, galleries and bars to explore.
- This little town is a friendly and welcoming community, a popular host to many live music and cultural events.
- The Great Northern Railway was significant in putting Whitefish, Montana on the map. The Whitefish depot, built in 1927, is still there today.
- Whitefish Lake is a stunning crystal clear lake, located just outside the town, and is perfect for swimming, boating and fishing during the summer.
- There is a network of hiking trails that surround Whitefish – making it the perfect place for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking and running!
- Glacier National Park is a stone’s throw away from Whitefish, MT, and the perfect destination for a summer adventure.
- Whitefish Mountain Resort has some of the best snow that the country has to offer (in our opinion), definitely hit up Whitefish if you’re looking for some POW days!
What is the Best Time to Visit Whitefish?
Whitefish is the perfect place to visit in the summer and winter! There are plenty of outdoor activities to do in both seasons, and all round really. That being said, it depends on what type of experience you are looking to have in Whitefish. Winter has incredible snow, which is perfect for skiing and snowboarding at Whitefish Mountain Resort. However, summer in Whitefish is absolutely amazing and has so many activities to offer like hiking, mountain biking and enjoying the lake. Either way, you will not be disappointed with what Whitefish has to offer.
Is Whitefish, Montana touristy?
Whitefish is a popular vacation destination and can attract a considerable amount of crowds depending on the time of the year. In the summer, tourists travel to Whitefish to enjoy the lake, outdoor activities and to access Glacier National Park. Long weekends in the summer should be avoided if you prefer less crowds.
In the winter, skiers and snowboarders head to Whitefish to hit the slopes. Depending on the snowfall, there can be an increase of visitors to the area. However, overall the town is very welcoming and you can seek out off-weekends that will likely be less crowded!
What is popular in Whitefish?
Now that we have gotten through the basics, let us get into the best adventure ideas for Whitefish and what outdoor activities to do while visiting! Here are some outdoor activities you can experience on your trip to Montana:
Visit Glacier National Park
Whitefish is the perfect starting point for your adventure to Glacier National Park. This stunning park borders the Waterton Lake National Park in Alberta, Canada and is over 4,000 square kilometers. Glacier National Park has over 700 lakes in the park, Lake McDonald being one of them, which is known for its fruity pebble rocks. The park is popular for its glaciers, which numbered as many as 150 in the 19th century but have sadly decreased to around 25 due to climate change. The Going-to-the-Sun road is the iconic scenic highway that allows visitors to take in the breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys. Tip: Don’t forget to look into getting a permit for vehicle access in the summer!
Glacier National Park is the perfect place for a day trip from Whitefish. At a 33 minute drive, you can access the park in no time and spend the day hiking, exploring and swimming. Some of the top hikes to explore in Glacier National Park are:
- Avalanche Lake – Moderate
- Highline Trail – Hard
- Iceberg Lake – Moderate
Go Mountain Biking at Whitefish Mountain Resort
The bike park at Whitefish Mountain Resort is the perfect place to spend the day having some party laps and crafting your skills! The park typically opens in May or June (depending on the year) and offers over 20 amazing downhill mountain bike trails. Lastly, it is the perfect place and has an amazing vibe for a post ride beer or cocktail. Check out their top rated trails on trailforks!
Hang out by Whitefish Lake
After getting out there and enjoying all the wonderful activities in Whitefish, you’ll want to mix up the day with some swimming and relaxation by the water! Although a majority of the shoreline to Whitefish Lake is owned by private residences, here are some beaches to check out:
- City Beach – located in downtown Whitefish and a public park with access to the lake
- Les Mason State Park – eastern shore of the lake with a swimming area and boat launch
Wander around Main Street and grab a bite
One of the most enjoyable activities to do in Whitefish is wander around the main street and take a look at the shops and indulge in some of the treats! There are a variety of shops to buy clothing, home goods and souvenirs. Additionally, there are some amazing restaurants, here are a few of our favorites:
- Coffee (and a MUST have breakfast sandwich) – Wild Coffee Cafe
- Brunch – Swift Creek Cafe
- Lunch – Rebel Roots Kitchen (check out her website for accurate hours)
- Dinner – Abruzzo Italian Kitchen, Latitude 48 Bistro
Go Hiking around Whitefish
If you don’t want to venture all the way to Glacier National Park everyday, there is the option to go on numerous hikes right around Whitefish! This is one of the best adventure ideas for Whitefish – who doesn’t love a great hiking day in nature?! With beautiful views of the lakes and the stunning surrounding area, here are some popular hikes to do while visiting Whitefish:
- Danny on National Recreation Trail – Hard
- Whitefish Valley Lookout – Moderate
- Beaver Lake Loop – Moderate
If you are looking for more hiking ideas, check out our guide for the best hikes to do in Invermere, British Columbia!
Mountain Biking at Spencer Mountain
Spencer Mountain is an awesome freeride mountain with trails that range from flowy to technical. If you don’t want to spend the day at Whitefish Mountain Resort and are wanting to get a bit of a workout with some climbing, take a look at these trails! Otter Pop is a rollercoaster-like, flowy trail with berms and the occasional feature. This is the best trail to start at while riding Spencer, nothing too technical, just fast and fun!
Go camping around Whitefish
Although there are no immediate campgrounds in the town of Whitefish, you can access some lovely spots within an hour and a half drive. That might not be ideal if you are only in Whitefish for a short amount of time and would like to maximize your time in town. However, if you are interested, we would recommend taking a look at the camping around Hungry Horse Reservoir. The area is managed by the Flathead National Forest and there are plenty of recreation campsites. You will want to spend some time in the area given that it is one and a half hours from Whitefish and one hour and twenty minutes from Glacier National Park. There is plenty to do in the area including relaxing by the water, swimming and boating. Definitely add this area to your list!
Hit the Rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena
If you want a real authentic experience, one of the best adventure ideas for Whitefish is to go to the rodeo at the Blue Moon Arena! This family owned rodeo draws an awesome crowd and is fun for all ages. The events include bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, barrel racing. The rodeo is at 7pm on Thursday evenings and it is best to arrive early to find parking. Tip: it is cash only at the door, so buy tickets online or bring cash.
Directions on getting here: “Summer Rodeos – The Blue Moon Arena is located just to the north of US2 and HWY40 between Whitefish and Columbia Falls, Montana. We are tucked away behind the world famous Blue Moon Nite Club and Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply. Just watch for the horse trailers and crowded parking lot. We are hard to miss.” From Glacier Rodeo Country, more info here.
Have a hot tub to cap off the evening
If you prefer a hotel over camping so you can be right in town, we would recommend booking at Grouse Mountain Lodge for access to their hot tub! What better way to cap off a day of adventures with a soak in the hot tub. Grouse Mountain Lodge is right outside town by the Whitefish Lake Golf Course and has a great ambiance. Additionally, they have great packages available for bike rentals, rafting etc. This is the perfect place to stay while on your trip to Whitefish for the summer!
Adios Chicos!
Those are the best adventure ideas for Whitefish this summer! We hope you have a fantastic trip and let us know in the comments what your favorite part was! Lastly, don’t forget to subscribe for more adventures like these.