The travel trailer is the most-often rented RV in Bigfork and the surrounding area. These units come with appliances and beds. For instance, a 20-foot 2019 Forest River No Boundaries rents for $100 per night and provides a kitchen with a refrigerator, a range, an optional microwave, and a sink. It is cooled by a roof air conditioning system and offers hot and cold running water. The trailer sleeps two people comfortably on a queen-sized bed.Â
Bigfork lies in northwest Montana, high in the Rocky Mountains near the border with Canada and Idaho. The nearest significant city is Missoula, MT, with a population above 75,0000, lying 99 miles south of Bigfork. Located at the confluence of five mountain valleys, Missoula is a favorite vacation destination for families exploring the nearby mountainous terrain.Â
RVshare’s road trip from Kalispell, MT, to Olympic National Park describes traveling through Bigfork on the way west through cities like Spokane and Seattle, which are also significant vacation destinations.Â
Only 190 miles west of Bigfork, the spectacular vacation destination of Sandpoint, ID, sits on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. Lying amid three mountain ranges, Sandpoint draws snow and ice enthusiasts nationwide to its incredible ski slopes.
Bigfork, MT, grew considerably from a population of 1,421 in 2000 to 4,270 in 2019; the growth demonstrates the discovery of Bigfork as a dynamic vacation destination. Sitting on the northern edge of Lake Flathead and between the Flathead and Swan Rivers, the city offers extensive water activities, miles of hiking trails, and tons of ski slopes within easy driving distance.Â
Once a fur trading post, Bigfork adapted to become an agricultural center and is now considered one of the best cherry-producing areas worldwide. In the early 1900s, the town created several sawmills, gathering its raw materials from the neighboring forests. By 1960, many of the slopes were cleared of trees, and ski businesses sprang into existence. Today, Bigfork entertains visitors along its quaint town center where shops and restaurants line the street, such as:
While only 60 miles from the northern border with Canada, Bigfork remains uniquely American. It is one of the least-subsidized areas in the country, where individuality is celebrated yet the community fully supports group efforts.Â
Somers, MT, is an example of the railroads' influence over economic development in the early 1900s. The town grew as a center from which employees worked on the construction of the railroad until 1930 when the railroad lost business to the highways. Today, Somers, with a population of over 1,000 (double what it was in 2000), maintains amenities servicing the community and visitors, such as:Â
Kalispell, MT, lies 23 miles northwest of Bigfork. It was envisioned and established in 1898 as a central trade location for northwest Montana. Roads and railroads brought prosperity to the community, which today has a population near 20,000, providing services to travelers, such as:
The nearest national park to Bigfork is Glacier National Park, located just 30 miles to the north. It encompasses over 1 million acres of high peaks and glaciated areas straddling the United States and Canada border.
One of the most famous national parks is Yellowstone National Park, which is located about 377 miles southeast of Bigfork. This park is home to many endangered species, including bison, timber wolves, and grizzly bears. Geysers like Old Faithful spout hot water on a predictable timetable.
Grand Teton National Park, located 458 miles southwest of Bigfork, includes tremendous mountains seemingly springing straight up from the ground. Asides from the spectacular views, these mountains provide cover for animals that would otherwise be extinct. Visitors find hundreds of trails that lead into the mountains, providing excellent locations for photoshoots and stargazing.Â
Located 23 miles northwest of Bigfork, West Shore/Flathead Lake State Park, sitting on the shores of Flathead Lake, provides excellent boating and fishing opportunities and spectacular views of the surrounding area.
Just 80 miles southeast of Bigfork and near Missoula, Salmon Lake State Park nestles between the Mission and Swan Mountains alongside Salmon Lake. The lake is home to several fish species, including rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook trout, largemouth bass, whitefish, yellow perch, and northern pike.Â
Situated 246 miles west of Bigfork, Farragut State Park sits in the Idaho panhandle on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille. With over 1,000 miles of hiking trails, the park provides a beautiful experience for families exploring the Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock forests.
There are a number of important landmarks in Montana, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a must-see destination for anyone traveling through the state. The road travels 50 miles of Glacier National Park and is the only road in the United States designated as a National Historic Landmark, a National Historic Place, and a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. The views are amazing, and several adventures await visitors that make stops along the way to follow trails, fish, or picnic.
Following the Going-to-the-Sun Road brings you to iconic structures like the Great Northern Railway Buildings. This is a collection of five different designs that date to the early 20th century, long before Glacier National Park was established. The buildings illustrate the tenacity and determination of entrepreneurs seeking to connect the east and west via a railroad through the country's northern parts.
Built in 1913, the Lake McDonald Lodge is an example of the incredible structures constructed to attract visitors to northern Montana before Glacier National Park was formed. Still standing today, this iconic structure is reached via Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Rollins RV Park and Restaurant features a restaurant with views of Flathead Lake and an RV park that offers 43 back-in sites accommodating rigs up to 40 feet long. The sites provide full hookups with a choice of 30-amp or 50-amp service. Located just outside Bigfork, this park offers easy access to Flathead Lake and the trails that run through the forest crowding the shoreline.
Only 15 minutes outside Kalispell, Rocky Mountain Hi RV Park and Campground reserves 78 of its 98 RV camping sites for temporary visitors. While all the spaces provide full hookups, 30 of them are pull-through sites. Located alongside Spring Creek, the campground encourages kids to swim in the creek or to use the modern playground. A dog park is available for pets, and the campground provides Wi-Fi.
Edgewater RV Resort and Motel sits near the shore of Flathead Lake, about a 15-minute drive westward from Bigfork. The resort provides 35 campsites with 20 of them as pull-throughs. A ramp offers easy access to the lake for boats, kayaks, and canoes. Restrooms, showers, and a laundry facility are provided by the resort.
Montana has an excellent system of dump stations to make RV traveling easy. Nearly every RV park, resort, or campground provides a dump station for its guests. Businesses in towns and cities also provide this service. Deano’s Travel Plaza in Missoula has a dump station that is available 24/7 every day of the year. There is a fee of $5 for using the facility.Â
Whitefish Safeguard Storage, located in Kalispell, is the nearest RV storage facility to Bigfork. Customers have a choice between covered units that are 30, 40, and 55 feet long. There are more spaces for RV storage in an uncovered backlot. Prices to store an RV here begin at $65 per month. Check this list to find several Montana RV storage businesses.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Bigfork, MT, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Bigfork?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Bigfork from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Bigfork?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.