The Best Reasons to Visit Bigfork Montana

Have you ever heard of a little town called Bigfork Montana?  If not, you’re in for a sweet treat.  Grab a hot tea, put up your feet and take in all the beauty you’re about to experience because this is a gorgeous part of the country to add to your bucket list.

If you’re looking for more adventures in Montana, Why You Should Visit Whitefish Montana and Glacier National Park Montana Fall Photo Tour will help you on your journey.

The Best Reasons to Visit Bigfork Montana - Photo of the Bigfork Inn and Restaurant

Bigfork is located near the city of Kalispell, Montana, which is the gateway of Glacier National Park.  To the north of Kalispell is Whitefish and to the south is Bigfork Montana.  

Bigfork Montana was featured in the movie Christmas in Montana from Hallmark

I was watching Christmas in Montana, and I was so surprised to see the town they featured in the movie was Bigfork, Montana.  

While they actually film in Canada, I would have swore it was Bigfork.  It has the same quaint feel and they do Christmas big in Bigfork.  

It’s located on the north end of Flathead Lake which is the largest lake west of the Mississippi River.  The length of the lake is 27 miles long and up to 15 miles wide.   The deepest part of Flathead Lake is 164 feet.  

This is one big and beautiful lake. The water is fed from glaciers, so the water is a beautiful blue and you can see clear to the bottom.

Where is Bigfork Montana located? 

Bigfork Montana is located at the north end of Flathead Lake in Flathead County in the United States.  It’s in the northwest part of the state, located near Glacier National Park and Kalispell.  Whitefish Montana is also close to Bigfork.  

What airport is near Bigfork Montana?  

The airport in Kalispell, Montana is a dreamy airport.  It’s super easy to get to from Bigfork, Montana.  

What’s the elevation of Bigfork Montana?

 The elevation of Bigfork is 2,979 feet.  

“I’ve stood outside my house in Montana looking at the northern lights…crackling against the night sky. To me, that’s magic.”

Christopher Paolini
Bigfork, Montana Road Trip

Are you ready to take the tour of Bigfork Montana?  After looking at these photos, you’ll be adding it to your bucket list: 

Here’s The Bigfork Inn, a gorgeous restaurant located in the heart of Bigfork.  With menu items like Chinese Tootsie Rolls and Gypsy Schnitzel, you’re sure to find something to love.

This is one of my favorite cookbooks that offers the flavors from Montana restaurants – it’s called Savor Montana II Cookbook: More of Montana’s Favorite Restaurants Their Recipes & Histories.

The Bigfork Inn, located in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Rustic buildings dot the Bigfork Montana downtown area…

Downtown Bigfork Montana @montanahappy

Bear fountains never get old…

Bear Fountain in Downtown Bigfork Montana


Here’s a few pictures of the storefronts in downtown Bigfork Montana…

Downtown Bigfork Montana @montanahappy
Downtown Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Anyone hungry for some homemade preserves?

Downtown Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

How about some huckleberry fudge?

Huckleberry fudge on @montanahappy.com

Maybe some huckleberry honey for your tea?

Huckleberry honey @montanahappy.com


A visit to the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts…

Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts on @montanahappy.com

Grayson checks out a few of the supporters of the Performing Arts Center…

Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts on @montanahappy.com

How about taking in a movie?

Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts on @montanahappy.com

What time is it?

Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Picking up a few gifts for the family…

Downtown Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com
Electric Avenue Gifts Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com



Pocketstone Cafe is a wonderful place to get a bite to eat…

Pocketstone Cafe in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

When you just can’t get enough of Montana…

Montana Scene in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com
Montana Scene in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com
Montana Scene in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Getting a little bit thirsty…

Garden Bar Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

How about a treat?

Brookside Yard Bakery on @montanahappy.com

Be careful where you park your rig…

Cowboy Parking in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Can there ever be too many bear fountains?

Bear fountain in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com


A free book exchange…

Book Exchange in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Wild Horse Island State Park is the largest island in Flathead Lake. It is home to wild horses of course, bighorn sheep, deer and bald eagles. It is only accessible by boat and is day-use only.

The island is approximately 2,164 acres and was originally used by the Salish-Kootenai tribes to pasture horses to prevent them from being stolen from other tribes.

Wild Horse Island Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Another amazing rustic building…

Rustic building in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com
Rustic building in Bigfork Montana

Let’s make a stop at the Flathead Lake Brewing Company…

Flathead Lake Brewing Company @montanahappy.com
Flathead Lake Brewing Company @montanahappy.com

Take in the view…

Flathead Lake Brewing Company @montanahappy.com
Flathead Lake Brewing Company @montanahappy.com


Bigfork Orchards is just one of the orchards that sell famous Flathead cherries. Cherries grow in abundance around Flathead Lake because of the moderate temperatures throughout the year. Cherry season is typically in late July and August – so to taste these delicious fruits, make sure to plan your trip accordingly.

Bigfork Cherries in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Let’s head over to the all-inclusive Flathead Lake Lodge. While many of us may not be able to afford a vacation like this…it never hurts to take a peek…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com


Grayson couldn’t believe what she was seeing…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Horses were everywhere…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Welcome to the Flathead Lake Lodge…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

You can’t get more quintessential Montana than this…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana
Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana

A chandelier can never be too big…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Hello Mr. Grizzly Bear…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Let’s go out in back…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com
Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana
img_1099

Now this is a relaxing view…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com
Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Here’s a couple of the cabins…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

Need a ride to somewhere fun?

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

It’s time to leave Bigfork Montana and make another stop…

Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com
Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com
Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com
Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

We’re now headed over to Somers, Montana…

Rustic Barn in Somers Montana @montanahappy.com
Rustic Barn in Somers Montana @montanahappy.com

This is a wonderful place for a relaxing stay at the top of Flathead Lake…

Somers Bay Log Cabin Lodging @montanahappy.com
Somers Bay Log Cabin Lodging

Ready to hit the water?

Montana Boat on Flathead Lake on @montanahappy.com

Thanks for coming along the journey. Please share on social media if you liked the tour. Make sure you subscribe to get upcoming posts on Whitefish, Montana and Glacier National Park.

Here’s a wonderful guide to Montana written by seasoned travel writers: Moon Montana.

Bigfork Montana @montanahappy.com

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Reasons to Visit Bigfork Montana - Top Photo is the Bigfork Inn and Restaurant and bottom photo is a horse farm with rustic wagon.  Pin for Pinterest.

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17 Comments

  1. Lovely photos, I’ve been wanting to make it to Montana for some years actually. But, like anyone from the U.S It’s so hard to decide where to go in our gigantic country on our time off..! hoping to get to Big Sky in the next couple of years

  2. Ahhh, the Flathead Valley. My favorite place on Earth ! I’ll be back in September. Till then your pictures will keep me smiling. Thanks, Jess

  3. It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you just shared
    this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this.
    Thank you for sharing.