Recreation & Attractions |
WHITEFISH COMMUNITY GUIDE
RECREATION
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT
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ou know, there’s more to Whitefish, Montana than just breathtaking scenery, a great ski hill, abundant wildlife and a spectacular alpine lake. But there’s no ignoring the obvious: the #1 attraction that brings visitors to our city – the Great Outdoors – also fuels an active lifestyle for residents that is second to none. Just minutes from downtown Whitefish lies worldrenowned Glacier National Park, 1,600 square miles of the most awe-inspiring mountain peaks, waterfalls, rushing streams and glaciers to be found in North America. As the shining jewel in the “Crown of the Continent” region, Glacier attracts millions of visitors from around the globe each year – folks who come to hike its 700+ miles of trails, sleep in magnificent 100-year-old log hotels, explore the crags and canyons that abound … and maybe catch a glimpse of a bighorn sheep, a herd of elk or a grizzly bear! But when the hordes of visitors go home in September, Glacier becomes “our park” for the next nine months … a place we can go to recharge the batteries whenever we feel the need; a place to explore at our own pace and in our own way, whether it be on snowshoes, skis or horseback, in a raft, on a bike or in a tent. If Glacier’s the crown, there are certainly plenty of other “natural jewels” to choose from in the Whitefish area, beginning with Whitefish Lake! The southern shore of the lake, and the ever-popular Whitefish City Beach, 8 whitefishchamber.org - (406) 862-3501
is just blocks from the heart of downtown Whitefish. Fed by the waters of Swift Creek, Lazy Creek and Hellroaring Creek, the lake is popular with users of all sorts: swimmers, kayakers, fishermen, water- and jetskiers, paddle-boarders, wind-surfers, ice fishermen, and every imaginable type of motorized – and selfpropelled – boat known to mankind. Whitefish Lake is 7 miles long, 2.5 miles wide and 222 feet deep at its deepest point. In addition to Whitefish City Beach – with it’s family-friendly (and roped-off) beach, manned lifeguard towers and picnic gazebos – the public can also access the lake at either Whitefish Lake State Park on the Lake’s west shore, or Les Mason State Park on the eastern shoreline of the Lake. In the summertime it’s all about being outside, and there’s no better way to see nature than to hike (or bike) on one of the area’s many trail systems. The Whitefish Trail currently offers over 26 miles of natural surface trail accessed by seven trail heads. These trails are located in forested, rural environments popular for mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding and walking and are appropriate for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and bikers and runners of all abilities. If a casual stroll is more to your liking, try the paved Whitefish Bike & Pedestrian Trail System, which meanders around town and along the Whitefish River. For a more heart pumping workout, head up to