Summer in the Flathead Valley
Glacier National Park
With over 700 miles of trails, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and serene lakes, Glacier National Park offers adventures for everyone. The West Entrance to the park is a short 35-minute drive from Haymoon Resort. To learn more about Glacier National Park and to plan your trip, visit the following websites: Glacier National Park and Glacier Park Foundation.
If you’re driving a vehicle or a motorcycle, you need an Entry Reservation Ticket (in addition to your parks pass) from May 26 through September 10, 2023, from 6am-3pm, at the West Glacier and North Fork Entrances and from July 1 through September 10, 2023, from 6am-3pm, a the St. Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier entrances of the park.
New for the 2023 season, vehicle reservations will be available through two types of booking windows. A portion of reservations will be available approximately 120-days in advance, using a block-release system. The first block of advanced reservations will go on sale through Recreation.gov at 8 am Mountain Time on February 1, 2023. This round of reservations will be available to enter the Going-to-the-Sun Road for May 26 through June 30. The next release will occur on March 1, 2023 for July 1 through July 31 followed by a release on April 1, 2023 for August 1 through August 31. On May 1, 2023, reservations will be available for all areas for September 1 through September 10.
The remaining vehicle reservations will be released on a rolling basis at 8 am 24-hours in advance (e.g., remaining vehicle reservations for July 1 are available on June 30).
Here are some tips for making your reservation as they do sell out fast online:
- Set a reminder for when you need to make your reservation.
- Create your account in Recreation.gov ahead of time.
- Get comfortable with the system. If you hover over your desired date, it will tell you what date the ticket will be released.
- Be logged in before 8am. We do recommend trying to make your reservation when your block opens, but if you miss this, you can try again the day before.
- Select your date and click request tickets at exaclty 8am. (You only need 1 ticket per vehicle).
- If you do not get a ticket, but there are still tickets availabe, keep trying!!!
- Once the ticket(s) are in your cart, just remember to check out within the time allowed.
- If you don't get at ticket, plan to try again at 8am the day before, but also take into consideration the other options for visiting the park below!
Don't worry! Lots of people enjoyed the park last year without a reservation! There are also tons of other very beautiful places to go hiking or for a scenic drive. Here are some options for visiting Glacier National Park without a ticketed entry reservation in 2023:
- Enter the park before 6am or after 3pm. (Remember it gets light early and stay light out late here in Summer).
- Book a tour/activity along the GTSR in the park. Verify in the Valid Service Reservations in the Going-to-the-Sun-Road Corridor on the GNP website. You can also book tours with Whitefish Outfitters in the park as well as a few other non-park guide services. Just make sure to confirm with anyone that you book with that you don't need the ticket.
ALWAYS check the park's website for updates, weather, trail/road closures, and read through their information carefully before planning your trip! We try to provide helpful resources, but please verify informaiton with the Glacier National Park website.
General: Information Reservation System: Make a Reservation
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Enjoy the mesmerizing experience of traveling the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile, two lane, paved road that spans the width of Glacier National Park. Cross the Continental Divide at 6,646-foot-high Logan Pass in your own vehicle or take the free shuttle to take in the spectacular views of striking mountains, deep valleys, rushing rivers, waterfalls, and wildlife. The road is typically fully open from late June to mid-October. Check the park website for further information. See information about the reservation system above.
Golfing in the Flathead Valley
Northwest Montana has been named one of the world’s top 50 golf destinations by Golf Digest and is home to 10 championship courses, 5 of which are within a 15 minute drive from the resort. Visit Golf Northwest Montana for information on each course, to make a reservation, and book a tee time.
Hiking
When you think about hiking in Northwest Montana, you likely think of Glacier National Park! GNP is breathtaking, but there are lots of other places to hike as well with spectacular views, rushing water, peaceful woods, and so much more!
Whitefish Trails: 42 miles of trails through beautiful woods with 12 trailheads around the valley. For bikers, hikers, and horseback riding!
Big Mountain: With tons of hiking trails, gorgeous views of the valley, a restaurant at the top, and the option to take the ski lift up or down, Big Mountain has something for everyone.
Herron Park: A moderate rated hike with 4 well marked trails totaling in a 7.6 mile loop located in Kalispell, MT
Jewel Basin: In the Flathead National Forest, Jewel Basin includes 15,349 acres with 35 miles of trails and 27 lakes. One of the local favorites for hiking, backpacking, and camping!
Swan Mountain Range: The Swan Mountains have so much to offer. Jewel Basin is a favorite, but there are many other hikes in this area!
There are also quite a few other trails in the Flathead National Forrest, State Parks, and along highway 2 toward Essex (a number of these are technically in Glacier National Park, but you do not have to go into the park to get to them). You might check out All Trails which is an App you can use to locate hikes, understand difficulty, and look at reviews from other people.
Kuhn's Wildlife Management Area: Located on Farm to Market Road, this area is great for both hiking and mountain biking.
Kootenia National Forest:West of town, towards Libby, the Kootenia National Forest offers a variety of hiking trails, probably the most popular being Kootenia Falls.
Biking
There are so many places to bike in the area! Whether you are a seasoned mountain or road biker or just looking to get some exercise and see some beautiful country, there is a trail for you! Here are some links to help you plan your next excursion.
Mountian Bikers
Big Mountain: Whitefish Bike Park offers 30 miles of trails, including a 10 mile cross country network and 22 downhill trails serviced by 2 chair lifts.
Herron Park: Located in Kalispell off of Foyes lake road.
Whitefish Trails System: Spencer Mountain is a popular part of the Whi
Reid Divide: Awesome trail located near Tally Lake.
Scenic Rides
Glacier National Park: The best time to bike the Going to the Sun Road is in Spring before it opens to Vehicles! Bring or rent a bike or e-bike and experience the GTTSR in a whole new way.
Rails to Trails: Check out the link for a map of the rails to trails system.
Whitefish Lake: 22 mile scenic out and back around Whitefish Lake.
*** Check out the rental and guided tour links below for more rides, routes, terrain, and difficulty information.
BIKE RENTALS, LESSONS, and GUIDED TOURS
Glacier Cyclery: Mountain Bikes, Hybrids, Cruisers, Kids Bikes, and Accessories
Whitefish Outfitters: E- Bikes, Guided Cycling Adventures, Clinics, Lessons
Sportsman Skihaus: Basic Bikes, Fatbikes, Kids Bikes
Whitefish Bike Retreat: Guided Tours, Lessons, Clinics, and other Activities
Great Northern Cycle: Bike Rentals
Glacier Outfitters: Bike Rentals for Going to The Sun Road
Horse Back Riding
Horse Back Riding is one of the most fun ways to explore the Flathead Valley, Mountains, and surrounding areas!
Artemis Acres: Offers trials rides in Kalispell with views of Flathead Lake
Swan Mountain Outfitters: Glacier National Park trail rides, both in West Glacier and Many Glacier
Bar W Guest Ranch: Ranch in Whitefish offering trail rides
Snowy Springs Outfitters: Offers day rides and guided pack trips, located in Essex, MT
Want a different experience? Try Llama Trekking! Visit Swan Mountain Outfitters for more information and to reserve your trip.
Rodeo and other horse spectator activities
Blue Moon: Summer Rodeo Series
Majestic Valley Arena:Rodeo, Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, and other events and activities
Rebecca Farm: International 3 Day Event - July 20 - 24, 2022
Great Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo: August 17 - 21, 2022 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell
Fishing
Northwest Montana has many beautiful lakes for fishing, there's small and quiet lakes, the largest freshwater lake West of the continental divide, and everything in between! In the Flathead Valley you are sure to find a great fishing spot- with a view!
GUIDED FISHING
Lakestream Fly Shop: Fly shop in Whitefish offering several great flyfishing trip options! If you are looking for an unguided experience, these guys are happy to help steer you in the right direction of good fishing.
Montana Fishing Guides: Guided fly and float fishing tours with experienced fishermen.
Hooked On Montana: Clay offers an awesome fishing experience on Flathead Lake!
WaterSports
We are surrounded by some awesome lakes and rivers!
Whitefish Lake: About a 10 minute drive. City Beach and State Park both have good swimming.
Flathead Lake: About a 35 minute drive to Somers Boat Launch, huge lake, rentals swimming areas, boat tours, guided fishing and so much more.
Tally Lake: About a 45 minute drive, deep lake, swimming area, usually rentals in summer.
Flathead River: Can be great for floating late July and August. (Always use caution).
WATER SPORT RENTALS IN WHITEFISH:
Whitefish Marine: Motorized Boat Rentals
Marina at Whitefish Lake Lodge: Sport Boats, Cruising Boats, Jet Skis, SUPS, and Kayaks
Whitefish Lake State Park: Typically Kayaks and Paddleboards for rent
Whitefish Lake City Beach: Kayaks, SUPs, chairs, river tubes, and more!
Whitefish Outfitters: Kayaks, SUPs, chairs, river tubes, and more!
Sportsman Skihaus: SUPs, Inflatable Kayaks, Packrafts, Demo Canoes
Flathead lake also offers a variety of rentals and swimming areas. The closest is the Somers Boat Launch.
*If you bring your own watercraft, please remember to get it inspected before putting it in the water.
Whitefish Mountain
Whitefish Mountian (Big Mountain) is very close to the Resort and has something for everyone! One of our favorites is probably the scenic lift. We love to take the ski-lift or gondola up to the restaurant at the top for lunch in the Summer. On a clear day,the views are incredible. Remember to bring a jacket though!
- Scenic Lift Rides
- Zipline Tours
- Alpine Slide
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Aerial Adventure Park
Scenic Drives
- Vist the Bison Range
- Drive the loop from Whitefish to Eureka to Libby and back to Kalispell and enjoy the Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway.
Take hwy 93 North to hwy 37 to hwy 2 East and back to hwy 93 North
- Enjoy the view of Flathead Lake along Hwy 93 from Kalispell to Polson.
- Take a drive down to Seeley Lake. Driving along the Swan Mountain Range and Swan and Seeley lakes is beautiful. There are a good number of hikes along the way as well. Enjoy lunch in Bigfork or at the Echo lake Cafe on your way down or back!
Town
Explore the picturesque towns of Whitefish, Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Bigfork which are all in close proximity to Haymoon Resort. Enjoy shopping, dining, live entertainment, and seasonal festivities year-round.
White Water Rafting
The Flathead River is great for White Water Rafting! Here are some guides that would be happy to take you our on the river! All are located up near the West Entrance to Glacier National Park.
Great Northern Whitewater Rafting
Farmers market
There are variety of nearby Farmer’s Markets in Summer with fresh baked goods, fruits, vegetables, and hand-crafted items.
Whitefish Farmers Market: Tuesdays, 5-7:30 PM, May 31st – Sept 27th
North end of Central Ave, Whitefish
Kalispell Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9 AM – 12:30 PM, May 1st – Oct 9th
Flathead Valley Community College, Kalispell
Columbia Falls Community Market: Thursdays, 5 PM - Twighlight, May 19th – Sept 29th
830 1st Ave West, Columbia Falls
Bigfork Farmers Market Cooperative: Wednesdays, 3-6 PM, Mid May – Mid October
Across from Harvest Foods at 8098 Hwy 35, Bigfork
Glacier Farmers Market: Daily, 3-6 PM, May – August (TBD). 765 Belton Stage Rd, West Glacier
Rock Climbing
If you are thinking about going rock climbing during your stay, check out one of these local rock climbing guides. Each have adventures to fit all different levels, abilities, and rock climbing amitions and offer custom guided rock climbing trips. Some offer clinics and gear rental as well.
Plane/Helicopter Tours
See the the Flathead Valley and surrounding areas in a whole different way! Take a plane or helicopter tour!
Off Road Vehicles and Jeeps
Explore the area on an ATV or other off road vehicle.
Rent a Jeep during your trip!
Other Activities
- Bowling - Pin and Cue Bowling
- Axe Throwing - Hanks Hatchets
- Whiskey Tasting - Glacier Distilling Company, Spotted Bear Spirits, Whitefish Handcrafted Spirits
- Brewery Tours - Big Sky Brews Cruise
- Painting Parties - Tipsy Brush
- Aerial Classes and Private Parties - Levitation Nation
- Bingo - Fat Boys, Eagles
- Trivia - Sacred Waters, Bias Brewing
- Events at Majestic Arena
- Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Events
- Enjoy the Arts - Whitefish Theater Company, Alpine Theater Project, Stumptown Art Studio
- Enjoy a Spa Day - Natural Elements Massage and Spa, Glacier Med Spa and Wellness,
- Take a Yoga Class - Yoga in Whitefish