Kalispell, Montana is a city in northwestern Montana and the county seat of Flathead County. The community was originally formed as the Kalispell Townsite Company by a businessman named Charles Edward Conrad and his three associates. Shortly after it was established, the townsite was platted, and Conrad began selling lots. In 1892, Kalispell was officially incorporated as a city, and it has been consistently growing in population ever since. The name Kalispell comes from the Salish word for "flat land above the lake." Today, Kalispell is the largest city in northwestern Montana with a population of around 25,000 as of 2022.
Kalispell is perhaps most known for its proximity to the magnificent Glacier National Park, which you'll definitely want to visit while you're in the area. There are lots of other fantastic opportunities for outdoor recreation around the city as well. For example, you could head to the Whitefish Mountain Resort for a fun day of skiing or snowmobiling. You could also spend an afternoon fishing, boating, or swimming in Flathead Lake or explore the scenic trails of Jewel Basin. Alternatively, you may want to enjoy some snowshoeing at Lone Pine State Park or take a kayak out onto Flathead River.
While you're in Kalispell, you should spend some time exploring Main Street, a busy area teeming with galleries, boutiques, and great restaurants. A couple of eateries you should be sure to try are the Desota Grill and the Knead Cafe. If you want to learn more about the area, take a couple of hours to browse the Kalispell Museum. Another interesting museum to check out is the Conrad Mansion Museum, which originally belonged to the founder of the community, Charles Edward Conrad. Other interesting educational attractions in the area include the Hockaday Museum of Art and the Northwest Montana History Museum.
Campgrounds Near Kalispell, Montana
When you're looking for accommodations in the Kalispell area, one quality option is Rollins RV Park & Restaurant. Situated in a tranquil location near the water, the park offers 43 full-hookup RV campsites available for $55 per night. The sites can fit RVs as long as 40 feet, and the amenities include an on-site restaurant and free Wi-Fi. Plus, there are excellent nearby opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.
Another top-notch campground in the area is the West Glacier KOA Resort, which features 156 RV campsites available for between $59.89 and $116.89 per night. The coolest thing about the campground is that it provides easy access to the wondrous Glacier National Park. However, it also has lots of nice amenities, including a pool, hot tub, and convenience store.
There's also the Columbia Falls RV Park, which can accommodate RVs up to 80 feet long. The quiet campground contains 77 full-hookup RV campsites available for $45 per night, and while you're there, you'll have convenient access to activities like golfing, skiing, and fishing. You'll also have free Wi-Fi and cable television available during your stay.
State Parks Near Kalispell, Montana
West Shore / Flathead Lake State Park surrounds the pristine waters of Flathead Lake beneath towering rocky mountains. The nature area is one of several state parks that border the massive lake, and it's a very popular destination for boating and fishing. There's a boat launch at the site, and if you don't have your own watercraft, you can also rent a pedal boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard. There are great opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching around the park as well.
Situated on the shores of its peaceful namesake lake, Salmon Lake State Park is a tranquil nature area and a wonderful spot for outdoor recreation. The large reservoir offers excellent opportunities for water-based fun, including boating, watersports, and angling for largemouth bass, mountain whitefish, kokanee salmon, yellow perch, and various other fish species. If you're a birdwatching enthusiast, you'll want to keep your eyes open for great blue herons, bald eagles, common loons, and other unique birds. Additionally, the lovely park features several miles of great hiking trails to explore.
Farragut State Park lies among the Coeur d'Alene Mountains near the shores of Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho. The park offers beautiful scenery, interesting history, and opportunities for various recreational activities. Visitors can partake in hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, disc golf, and horseback riding. And when they're finished, they can head over to the on-site museum to learn about the area's unique history.
National Sites Near Kalispell, Montana
If you have an interest in the Old West and the history of cowboy life, you should certainly check out Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. The site preserves the Grant-Kohrs Ranch, which was one of the largest running ranches in the United States during the 19th century. There are lots of cool spots to see, including the Main House, Bunkhouse Row, and the Icehouse. You'll also want to explore fascinating trails in the area, like the Ranch House Trail, the Red Barn Trail, and the Old Hay Stacker Trail.
History buffs will surely enjoy spending some time at Nez Perce National Historical Park. In total, the park boasts 38 locations spread throughout several states, but Montana is home to the Big Hole National Battlefield. There, you can see the place where the Nez Perce warriors fought off soldiers so that their women and children could safely escape. During summer, there are often speakers present at the battlefield. The Bear Paw Battlefield, which was where the first battle of the Nez Perce Flight of 1877 took place, is also located in Montana and worth checking out.
If you cross through Idaho and into northeastern Washington, you can stop by the Lake Roosevelt National Recreational Area. The picturesque park surrounds the lovely Lake Roosevelt, which was created by the Grand Coulee Dam. The area is one of the region's nicest spots for outdoor recreation. While you're there, you can enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking in a beautiful setting. You can also learn about the fascinating history of the area, which involves Native Americans, settlers, and the building of the nearby dam.
National Forests Near Kalispell, Montana
Kootenai National Forest is a massive natural area comprising approximately 2.2 million acres. The expansive forest contains sizable lakes, breathtaking mountain vistas, and large stretches of dense woodlands. During much of the year, the forest is a superb haven for hiking, fishing, boating, biking, and camping. Then, during winter, it transforms into an excellent destination for cross-country skiing and ice fishing.
Another huge national forest in Montana is Lolo National Forest, which covers roughly 2 million acres and contains four different wilderness areas. There are more than 700 scenic hiking trails in the forest, including gems like the Maclay Flat Nature Trail and Lolo Peak Trail #1311. Hiking is far from the only popular activity in the forest, though; visitors frequently partake in camping, biking, fishing, boating, skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. While exploring the beautiful nature area, keep your eyes open for grazing bighorn sheep and colorful songbirds flying overhead.
Clearwater National Forest, which was combined with Nez Perce National Forest in 2012, comprises approximately 4 million acres in northern Idaho. The vast forest is mainly known for being the traditional home of the Nez Perce Native Americans, and today, a large portion of it is designated as wilderness. Clearwater National Forest features a variety of diverse ecosystems, including arid deserts and humid cedar forests. While visiting the area, you could go rafting on the Selway River, cast your fishing line in the Salmon River, and navigate wonderful trails like the Feather Creek Short Loop and Elk Creek Falls. You can also go hunting or enjoy some serene camping in the tranquil nature area. Alternatively, if you visit the forest during winter, you'll find excellent opportunities for skiing and snowmobiling.
