Check out this Guide to Bigfork trip by DawnRae on Steller!

Guide to BigforkAuthorsDawnRae
DestinationsBigforkItinerary

Good Times

Ferndale Market
Tubing the Swan River is a must! You will love it, your kids will love it and you’ll talk about it for years. The Ferndale Market is the best spot to rent tubes and they have a shuttle for pick up and drop off. You can also buy or rent tubes elsewhere and utilize their shuttle.
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Bigfork Montana Rodeo
If you’re in Bigfork around the 4th of July the rodeo can’t be missed. This 4-day rodeo is on the PRCA circuit and usually has a concert or two worked into the event.
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Bigfork Summer Playhouse
Theatre, in Bigfork? Yes! This is a professional theatre that brings to best of broadway to Montana for the summer. Several Oscar winners have spent their summers on the stage in Bigfork. The shows are amazing and it’s a great way to spend the evening when you get off the lake.
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Flathead Lake
People come to Bigfork for the lake! Flathead lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Rent a boat, kayak, paddle board, swim, go on a fishing charter. The possibilities are endless.
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Boat Landing
Fishing access, boat launch, and one of the best public places to swim. There is not a beach but it’s far less crowded than Wayfarers. Parking is limited as it’s mainly a boat launch.
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Wayfarers / Flathead Lake State Park
This is a great park for day use or camping. It’s not the best place for swimming in Bigfork but jumping off the rocks (some people say cliffs but that’s a stretch) into the lake is fun. There is an $8 fee to get in the park.
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Hooked On Montana
Clay is THE best fishing guide on Flathead Lake! He’s knowledgeable, will make sure you catch fish, and is fantastic with kids.
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Base Camp Bigfork
Any non-motorized activity you want to do while in town, you can rent the equipment for it at Base Camp or take a guided tour with Mark & Otto. They have kayaks, paddle boards, tubes, and in the winter you can bundle up and go on a dog sled adventure.
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Blue Cat Boat Rentals
Blue Cat rents ski boats, jet-skis, and pontoon boats.
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Good Hikes & Runs

Swan River Nature Trail
Great out and back hike or place to run in the morning. Well maintained gravel trail with a gradual incline. Parking is limited at the trailhead as it’s in a neighborhood but you can park on Grand or Electric Ave and walk up to the trail. There are occasionally bears on the trail but rare in the summer when it’s well traveled. Mile 1: The first mile follows the “Wild Mile” of the Swan River. The Wild Mile, the portion of the river below the dam that drops 100ft over a mile, is a class IV whitewater. If you visit in late May, you can watch the Whitewater Festival where rafters and kayakers from all over the world compete. Mile 2: The second mile of the trail follows the swan river above the dam. It is calm and beautiful.
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Jewel Basin
With 50 miles of trails and 27 lakes the Jewel Basin has some of the best hiking in NW Montana. The views are incredible. You can do a trail run, a short day hike, or spend a few nights backpacking.
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Flathead Lake Interpretive Trail #77
Short hike just past Woods Bay. It does get crowded during the day.
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Good Eats

Echo Lake Cafe
This is the only place to eat breakfast. Ok, it’s not, but it’s the only place you are going to want to eat breakfast. Eggs served every way you can imagine. They do serve lunch here as well.
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The Raven
The best spot to eat and drink in Woods Bay. You can drive (although parking is limited) or boat up to the restaurant. The view is incredible but you will need sunglasses especially if the sun is setting. Fun Caribbean vibe and surprisingly good fish tacos.
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ShowThyme
THE best food in Bigfork—maybe in the state. You will need a reservation and you’ll need to make it in advance as it’s very popular with the locals as well.
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Garden Bar
This is a fun bar on Electric Avenue. There is almost always live music on the back deck in the evenings during the summer months.
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El Topo Cantina
Decent Mexican food. There is usually a wait for a table but it’s worth it!
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Rosa's Pizza
Call and order ahead. During the summer waiting 80-90mins is not unheard of, but it’s well worth the wait!
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Lake Baked
Coffee, pastries, and ice cream.
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The Sitting Duck
This is another boat up or drive up option in Woods Bay. It’s more kid friendly than the Raven and right on the water.
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Good Places

Eric Thorsen Fine Art Gallery
Eric’s work is amazing. He once entered a fish sculpture in a contest and they had to bring in a fish biologist to assure the judges it wasn’t a real fish. Pop in to his gallery as you wander down Electric Avenue.
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Electric Avenue
The cutest downtown you have ever seen. Grab some ice cream or a morning coffee and wander through the local shops. This is also where the local 4th of July parade is each summer. For the parade you will need to walk from where you are staying or park at the rodeo grounds and take the shuttle.
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