Outdoor Recreation in Northwest Montana

A home at Big Hawk has the priceless advantage of year round outdoor enjoyment and uncommon natural wilderness. Distinct seasons bring a winter wonderland to this region of Montana, which then turns into perfect summer days of water sports on crystal clear lakes and hikes through ancient forests and rolling meadows.

Boating and Fishing | Winter Sports | Golf | Nearby Towns and Daytrips | More Information

Boating and Fishing

More than a mile wide and 10 miles long, Swan Lake is literally in your backyard at Big Hawk. Its deep clear waters have rainbow and cutthroat trout, and there are several boat ramps. A few miles west of Swan Lake, across the beautifully forested Mission mountain range, Flathead Lake is the largest body of natural water found west of the Mississippi. Motorized, paddle and sail watercrafts enjoy Flathead's 188 square miles of sparkling waters, and just beneath the surface are trophy-size lake trout, whitefish, rainbow trout, northern pike and bull trout.

The southern part of the lake is on the Flathead Indian Reservations, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. Wild Horse, a large island on the lake, is a wildlife habitat to over 75 species of birds, along with bighorn sheep, coyotes, bear and deer. Designated a Wild and Scenic corridor, three forks of the Flathead River provide for extraordinary fly-fishing and rafting. Area rafting companies offer novice and experienced rafting trips, some include fishing guides and hiking and backpacking trips into Glacier National Park. Click here to view a map of the many fishing opportunities near Big Hawk. See the section below on Glacier National Park for even more water recreation.

Winter Sports

From mid-November through early April, Northwest Montana becomes a winter playground with dry, perfect powder, challenging moguls, and a great variety of groomed runs and trails. Big Mountain features 67 runs on more than 3,000 skiable acres, and Blacktail Mountain has runs for skiers and snowboarders, miles of trails for cross-country skiing, and beautiful views of Flathhead Lake. More than 200 miles of trails are open to snowmobiling in the Flathead National Forest.

Golf

Flathead Valley's northern latitude is graced with 16 hours of summer daylight and amazing summer weather. These gorgeous summer days have inspired numerous golfing opportunities and earned Flathead a spot in Golf Digest's top "50 Golf Destinations" in the world. There are 9 championship courses, all within a 45 minute drive. One mile from Bigfork, Eagle Bend Golf Club is a 27 hole course, ranked #1 in Montana for 6 consecutive years, and includes 9 holes created by Jack Nicklaus Jr. and his design firm, Nicklaus Design. Buffalo Hill is the most popular course in the Flathead Valley, a 27 hole course with panoramic views and towering pine-lined fairways. Big Mountain Golf Club offers a challenging 18-hole layout, with traditional Scottish links along the scenic Stillwater River.

Glacier National Park

Flathead Valley is the gateway to the west entrance of Glacier National Park, a World Heritage Site and the crown jewel of the Rocky Mountains. The park is home to pristine lakes, grand mountain vistas and a well preserved ecosystem that includes 272 species of birds, mountain goats, grizzly bears and elk. Ancient glaciers carved the park's valleys and peaks long ago, and today 37 named glaciers remain, the largest being Blackfoot Glacier. Old-growth forests of cedar and hemlock offer silence and shelter for hikers. An engineering marvel, the 52 mile Going-to-the-Sun Road winds along Lake McDonald and climbs the Loop to Logan Pass, atop the Continental Divide. Backcountry hikers can take advantage of more than 700 miles of trails and designated campsites. There are more than 175 named mountains, 762 lakes and 1,513 miles of streams and rivers within the park, providing for a lifetime of outdoor exploration and enjoyment. Beyond the park, more natural wonders can be found at the alpine lake-studded Jewel Basin Hiking Area and the massive Bob Marshall Wilderness complex that is larger than the state of Delaware.

For more information and local events, visit:

Flathead Convention and Visitor Bureau
Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Whitefish Chamber of Commerce
Big Mountain Ski Resort
Blacktail Mountain
BigSkyFishing.com
Flathead Valley Golf Association

Nearby towns and daytrips

At an altitude of 2,900. the picturesque town of Bigfork is only 8 miles from Bighawk, overlooking a bay where the waters of Swan River flow into Flathead Lake. Have a pleasant meal overlooking Eagle Bend golf course at the Grill at the Bend, or afternoon tea at Chris' Tea Cottage. Browse local artwork at one of the many galleries in town, or shop the charming boutiques. The Bigfork Farmer's Market occurs every summer Wednesday on Grand Avenue. At the base of Big Mountain Ski and Summer Resort lies Whitefish, a town of more than 7,000 residents. Summers at Whitefish are filled with activity. The annual Huckleberry Arts Festival showcases a variety of arts and crafts, live music and food. Two weekly Farmer's Markets run throughout the summer, and Whitefish Gallery Nights occur on the first Thursdays between May and October. A company of nationally-recognized talent performs at the Alpine Theatre Project. September brings A Taste of Whitefish, where dozens of the town's premier restaurants offer sample dishes. Just north of Flathead Lake, the town of Kalispell is a hub of activity within the valley and its largest city. Kalispell has three museums: the Hockaday Museum of Art, the Central School Museum and the Conrad Mansion. The Hockaday hosts an Arts in the Park festival each summer. Kalispell has an active downtown and several shopping centers, including Kalispell Center Mall which has numerous department stores and specialty shops. Flathead Valley's Raceway Park offers a unique NASCAR short-track experience for racing enthusiasts. For more family fun, the Northwest Montana Fair is held at the Kalispell county fairgrounds.