This charming little town, that looks like it belongs in a Hallmark movie, is exactly where you want to visit next! Surrounded by mountains, wildlife, incredible food options, and even a National Park, this place has everything you need. Best of all, this town is incredibly dog-friendly and it seems as though everyone brings their furry friends wherever they go. We would consider this place a best kept secret, so let us tell you why you should visit Whitefish, Montana before the secret gets out!
Get Moving
Whether you enjoy snow or summer sports, Whitefish provides options year-round. You can choose from many walking and biking trails nearby and throughout town. With plenty of options to choose from, The Whitefish Trail is great for both active and more relaxed lifestyles. Some of our favorites include Lion Mountain, Spencer Mountain, and the nearby Columbia Falls. These trails range from 1 mile to 16 miles and have a little or a lot of elevation gain. Be sure to bring your bear spray. After all, you are in bear country!
Meanwhile, on the northwest end of town, you’ll find Whitefish Lake. It has nearly 16 miles of shoreline, most of which is private. However, there are three public access points: Whitefish Lake State Park, Les Mason Park, and City Beach.
Kayaking north on the Whitefish River to the lake is incredibly relaxing and you’ll find locals on the water anytime the sun is out. You can bring your own or rent kayaks, paddleboards, and even boats in town to enjoy time on the water. City Beach has a public boat dock and the water is perfect for all watersports. It’s also a popular swimming spot for locals.
Pro tip: Come here in the evening for some of the best places in town to watch the sunset!
This town is great no matter what time of year you come. The cooler fall and winter months allow for winter sports such as cross country skiing, mountain skiing, and snowboarding, all on Big Mountain. The town and the hiking trails turn into a winter wonderland when it snows! The nearby Columbia Falls has a trail with a waterfall that freezes over into the most beautiful icefall!
Eat Local
We are all about small town restaurants and can’t express enough the high level of incredible food there is here! Jalisco Cantina has a wide variety of specialty cocktails and an extensive tequila list, plus homemade tortillas and some of the best tacos in the U.S.! Abruzzo Italian Kitchen has the best local pizza that tastes like it came from Italy. Fleur Bake Shop is the town’s local bakery, with fresh baked breads, daily pastries, breakfast and lunch options.
Our favorite spot for breakfast was definitely Buffalo Cafe, which has a plethora of menu items to choose from and a classic mountain diner feel. The best local ice cream is at Sweet Peaks Ice Cream. Huckleberry with fudge and peanuts was Natalie’s favorite!
If you’re headed up Big Mountain or out to Glacier National Park, stop by Markus Foods at Baker and Railway for quick hot, cold, or snack food and drink choices. Third Street Market is another option filled with healthy natural food and supplement options.
In the next town over, Columbia Falls, there are also some great food and brewery options. Backslope Brewing has us constantly craving to return for more! It’s a must-go every time we visit! Plus, it’s conveniently located on the way to/from the airport and Glacier National Park.
Shop Local
Looking to take home a souvenir? Walk down Central Avenue to the Out West Trading Co. and The Montana Scene stores. They have Montana everything and so much more! Downtown also provides plenty of other clothing and food souvenirs of all kinds.
If you didn’t know, huckleberrys grow along the mountains. You‘ll be astonished to discover just how many items huckleberry can be found in! These little berries are the most delicious things ever. They look like small blueberries, but they smell and taste sweeter! Even the bath and body items that are huckleberry scented smell divine. Huckleberry pie is one of the most expensive pies you can find, but it’s worth a try while you’re here.
Getting Here
Getting to Whitefish by air means you’ll be flying into the small airport of Glacier International. Its airport code, FCA, stands for Flathead County Airport. It goes by both names, which can be confusing when booking, so just confirm the airport code. This small airport is serviced by Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country, and United.
If you’re looking for an alternative means of transportation, Amtrak services Whitefish and the train depot is right downtown!
Whitefish Lake State Park has campground options available for tent camping or RVs. This cute park is right on the lake with a small beach, dog-friendly areas and showers. There is one other RV park close to town and several others within thirty minutes around Glacier.
On the south end of Whitefish, there are traditional hotel options just a short drive away from downtown. To get more of the local feel and vibe, several Lodge, Inn, and Motel options are within the downtown area. There are also residents who own second properties and rent them on Airbnb or VRBO. Depending on where you are in town, the requirement for length of stay varies from just a couple of days up to a 30 day minimum, so take a look around at different options.
Visiting Glacier
With the west entrance to Glacier National Park being just 26 miles away, how can you not go?! This stunning National Park is filled with the famous colored rocks, glacial blue waters, and towering snow-capped mountains.
First, you should stop at the lodge and walk around the shore of Lake McDonald. The view across the lake with surrounding mountains is seen along the drive in but stopping for a picture is a must!
Trail options in the park range from a scenic but short 0.60 mile trek on the Trail of Cedars to getting lost all day among the glaciers. There are short hikes like Rocky Point that provide access to Lake McDonald at the shoreline and its famous colored rocks. Then, there are all-day ventures, such as Apgar Mountain Lookout and Grinnell Glacier.
Before you go, check the Glacier National Park website to ensure whatever trail you’re planning to trek is open. From late October through June, the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed limiting what trails are available. However, if the weather is good enough, you can rent an E-bike and tour it on your own if the road has been cleared.
While we haven’t been able to fully explore all of the trails in the park yet, Avalanche Lake Trail is our current favorite hike. In late November, it was snowing and felt like a winter wonderland. The lake was frozen over and there was the peaceful silence you can only experience among the mountains. It was so quiet we could hear avalanches occurring elsewhere in the park. Spring time offers a greener view of the area and the opportunity to see more wildlife, like bears! Seeing a bear from a safe distance was our hope each visit and it finally happened on our way out!
The mountains are calling and you must go! In case you haven’t started planning your trip to Whitefish yet, we hope this information helps. Bring your outdoor gear and an empty stomach so you can fully enjoy this beautiful mountain town. There are so many reasons why you should visit Whitefish, Montana and we hope this convinces you!