FLATHEAD LAKE

There is a lake in Northwest Montana that’s deeper than the Yellow Sea and the Persian Gulf. It’s bigger than Lake Tahoe and every other lake west of the Mississippi. In fact, it is so massive that the earth’s rotation affects its currents, a phenomenon normally seen only in oceans. This means that there is plenty of room for all sorts of fun, with almost 200 square miles of water, 185 miles of shoreline, and a number of lakeside communities to choose from.

The neighboring towns of Somers and Lakeside sit on the northwest corner of the lake. With growing economies, these once-seasonal towns now attract year-round, community-building residents. Scenic Highway 35 runs alongside cherry orchards to Polson, the charming town anchoring the southern end of the lake. Located halfway between Whitefish and Missoula, Polson is well-positioned for easy access to both poles of Northwest Montana. The lake offers some of the finest sailing on the continent, endless kayaking adventure, and lakeside lifestyle in all the bays and ports. Golfing, hiking, biking, and more are also common pursuits during the glorious summer. Flathead Lake locals are perfectly positioned for winter recreation as well, with proximity to Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, a homegrown spot with north-facing powder skiing.

With source waters in the Crown of the Continent, literally millions of acres of wilderness feed Flathead Lake. Crisp and clean, these shores are uncommonly serene.