French
DeutschKalispell is the largest city in the Flathead Valley of northwest Montana, near Glacier National Park. The name means "flat land above the lake" in Salish, referring to Flathead Lake just to the south, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The city of about 25,000 people is full of shopping and restaurants.
A number of smaller towns surround Kalispell. This guide also includes additional restaurants and picturesque views in Evergreen, Lakeside, and Somers.
Understand
[edit | edit source]The Flathead Valley is a unique area of Montana created by the forces of glacier processes. The valley is a testament to the wonders nature can create. It offers a variety of recreational activities including skiing, fishing, camping, water sports, climbing and old fashioned exploring.
Local information
[edit | edit source]- Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, 15 Depot Park, toll-free: +1-888-888-2308.
Get in
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By plane
[edit | edit source]1 Glacier Park International Airport (FCA IATA) (roughly 10 mi (16 km) northeast of town on US-2). The nearest airport to Kalispell, Whitefish and Glacier National Park. It's also the nearest U.S. commercial airport to Calgary and Edmonton. It's served by:
- Horizon Air as Alaska Airlines (Seattle; seasonally from Portland)
- Allegiant (Las Vegas; seasonally from Los Angeles and Oakland)
- Delta and Skywest dba Delta Connection (Minneapolis-St Paul and Salt Lake City)
- Gojet and Skywest dba United Express (Denver)
There is no public transportation from the airport into town. Alternatives are rental car, taxi or ride sharing.
There is also a small general aviation airport:
- 2 Kalispell City Airport (FAA LID: S27) (1.3 mi (2.1 km) southeast of the city center along US Hwy 93). A city-owned airport for public general aviation use.
By car
[edit | edit source]Kalispell is at the junction of U.S. Highway 2 (US-2) and U.S. Highway 93 (US-93).
From Interstate 90, take Exit 96 on I-90 near Missoula and head north on US-93. US-93 heads northwest into British Columbia, eventually reaching Cranbrook.
From Interstate 15, take Exit 364 at Shelby and head west past Glacier National Park. US-2 continues west through the mountains into northern Idaho and eventually reaches Spokane from the north.
By bus
[edit | edit source]- Airport Shuttle Express, ☏ +1 403 509-4799. Scheduled bus & shuttle services between Kalispell, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Calgary Airport as well as local sightseeing tours for group charters.
- Greyhound Lines for travel up to Whitefish from Missoula through Avaro, Arlee, Ravalli, St Ignatius, Pablo, Paulson, Lakeside and Kalispell along US Hwy 93. Passengers transfer to Jefferson Lines in Missoula to get to additional destinations.
- Northern Transit Interlocal. Bus service from Shelby.
By train
[edit | edit source]The nearest 3 Amtrak Station is on the north side of downtown Whitefish, 16 mi (26 km) north of Kalispell along US-93. It is served by the Empire Builder, which runs once daily (towards each direction) between Spokane & Chicago via Glacier National Park (West Glacier stop) in one direction and Libby in the opposite direction. The westbound train splits in Spokane with one half continuing towards Seattle and the other towards Portland while the eastbound train joins in Spokane for the onward trip to Chicago.
Get around
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Walk, drive, bike, or take the Mountain Climber on-demand transit service to get around. The city isn't too large, so you shouldn't get lost.
See
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- 1 Conrad Mansion, 330 Woodland Ave, ☏ +1 406 755-2166. Tours May-Oct: 10AM-5PM.
- 2 Flathead Lake (15 miles south on US-93). Largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.
- 3 Glacier Range Riders, 25 McDermott Ln, ☏ +1 406 519-4115. See website for current season schedule. Enjoy a Pioneer League baseball game at Glacier Bank Park.
- 4 Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 2nd Ave E, ☏ +1 406 755-5268. Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM. Price: $5.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 Northern Pines Golf Club, 3230 Highway 93 N (5.5 mi (8.9 km) north along US-93), ☏ +1 406 751-1950. 18 holes, built in 1996, designed by Andy North and Roger B. Packard.
- 2 Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, 13990 Blacktail Rd (in Lakeside, turn west at Blacktail Grocery), ☏ +1 406 844-0991, skiing@blacktailmountain.com. Family friendly downhill ski area with 26 runs.
- 3 Blacktail Mountain X-Country Ski Trails, Blacktail Rd (about 8 miles up from US-93, upper parking area another 1.5 miles), ☏ +1 406 250-8025, info@northshorenordic.org. daily, Dec 1-Mar 31. Classic and skate skiing trails groomed daily. Maintained by the non-profit North Shore Nordic Club.
- 4 Lone Pine State Park, 300 Lone Pine Rd, Bschwartz2@mt.gov. 7.5 miles of trails available for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Visitor Center. Action Trackchair all-terrain wheelchair available for reservation.
- 5 Somers Fishing Access Site (1 mile south of Somers). Concrete dock for boat launch. Can also fish from shore (with license).
- 6 West Shore State Park, 17768 MT Hwy 93 (6 miles south of Lakeside), agrout@mt.gov. 129 forested acres with hiking trails. Extensive shoreline is excellent for picnicking and swimming. Rental stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats during summer. Deep water boat launch. Camping available.
- 7 Woodland Water Park.
- Woodland Skatepark. Built by Dreamland
Buy
[edit | edit source]North Kalispell is the shopping area of the city. Stores include most of the nationwide chains.
- 1 Kalispell Center Mall, 20 North Main St. A traditional shopping mall, anchored by JCPenney. It also includes a Red Lion Hotel.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Budget
[edit | edit source]- Cislo's Family Restaurant, 2046 U.S. Hwy 2 E (in Evergreen), ☏ +1 406 756-7330. American diner fare.
- Frugals, 1815 US Hwy 93 South. Fast fresh burgers and shakes. Drive thru only.
- Norm's News, 34 Main St. A combination soda fountain and newsstand, this establishment offers the usual soda fountain fare (shakes, soda, floats, burgers, etc.) and a wide selection of candy, magazines, and newspapers.
Mid-Range
[edit | edit source]- Desoto Grill (The Desoto), 227 1st St W, ☏ +1 406 314-6095. Closed Tuesdays. BBQ. Great beers and locally owned. Off the beaten path, where the locals gather. Indoor and outdoor seating.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Bias Brewing, 412 S Main St, ☏ +1 406 730-3020, info@biasbrewing.com. 11AM-7PM daily. Craft beer. Lots of rotators and experiments.
- 2 Moose's Saloon, 179 N Main St, ☏ +1 406 755-2337, Info@MoosesSaloon.com. Open daily: bar 10AM-midnight; kitchen 11AM-11PM. Patrons seem to be preoccupied with carving their initials into the woodwork while not having a draught or some pizza. Montana mainstay since 1957.
- 3 Tamarack Brewing Company, 105 Blacktail Rd, Suite #1 (in Lakeside, 14 miles south), ☏ +1 406 844-0244. Opens daily 11AM. Craft beer and pub fare. Happy hour 3-5PM weekdays. Has creekside patio for summer use and fireplace in colder months. Common in small towns not to have a fixed close time, just call ahead if it is in the evening.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn & Suites, 4824 US Highway 93 S (US Hwy 93 & MT-Hwy 82), ☏ +1 406 857-2400, fax: +1 406 857-2401. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 3PM. $84-$130.
- 2 Red Lion Hotel, 20 North Main St (east end of the Kalispell Center Mall on Center & Main), ☏ +1 406 751-5050, fax: +1 406 751-5051. $75-$135.
- Rocky Mountain Hi Campground and RV Park, 825 Helena Flats Rd (north of Evergreen), ☏ +1 406 755-9573, info@glaciercamping.com. Laundry, showers, playground, wifi, dock to creek for swimming/fishing/canoeing.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Kalispell is part of the market region of Spokane, Washington, despite being in a different time zone. Local Montana over-the-air TV networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox have their weekday primetime from 7PM to 10PM, while those from Spokane are from 9PM to midnight (which is quite unusual).
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]Roads outside of town are mostly two-lane and winding. Naturally, use extra caution when snowing.
Go next
[edit | edit source]- The world-class Whitefish Mountain Resort
- Glacier National Park
- Cranbrook in British Columbia, Canada
- Missoula
- Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
| Routes through Kalispell |
| Sandpoint ← Libby ← | W  E | → Columbia Falls → Shelby |
| Cranbrook ← Whitefish ← | N  S | → Jct  E → Polson → Missoula |
| END ← | N  S | → Bigfork → Polson |