Epic Things to See + Do During the Winter in Kalispell, Montana
Explore the most epic things to see and do in Kalispell, Montana, during the wintertime. Whether you're an adventure seeker or just looking to cosy up by the fire, there's plenty to do in this snowy wonderland.
When you think of Montana towns, chances are the picture in your head is of Kalispell, whether you know it or not. Legends of the Fall or A River Runs Through it— make your mental visions come to life with a visit to this city of roughly 24,000 people in the northwest of the state. The downtown is comprised of restored buildings from the 1800s. It’s known as the gateway to Glacier National Park, one of Montana’s greatest gems. Just south of Kalispell is Flathead Lake, another state treasure.
While most blogs will tell you that the summer is ideal for a Kalispell visit, I’m here to tell you not to write off shoulder season! The town is blanketed by a soft sheet of snow and there are fewer tourists passing through. Yes, temperatures drop and the cold can be biting but, as they say all over the Midwest, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just poor clothing.”
The question for most planning a visit is: what can you actually do in Kalispell during the winter? That’s why I’ve put together this comprehensive post to put your mind at ease and to help you fill your itinerary with all the outdoor recreation your heart could desire.
Disclosure: My time in Kalispell was part of a partnership with Discover Kalispell. Thank you to all the local businesses that kindly helped support my stay. All opinions are my own.
how to get to Kalispell ↴
A state as big as Montana requires a journey of some kind to get to. There are a few ways to get to this mountain town. Kalispell is serviced by Glacier Park International Airport (FCA). Personally, I recommend driving to Kalispell if at all possible— you’ll want a vehicle for exploring the nearby area anyway. There is also the Amtrak train system which is an eco alternative to flying if you happen to be in proximity to a train depot.
where to stay in Kalispell ↴
Kalispell Grand Hotel
classic rooms, historical, landmark building
In 1912, The Kalispell Grand Hotel hosted luxury passers-through and charged nearly double the rate of other lodgings at the time— USD $2 per night. Back then, they got away with those “high price points” thanks to their indoor plumbing and central location. Decades later, the hotel resorted to charging patrons by the hour. Today, after renovations and restorations, the hotel is a beautiful piece of local history where you can rest your head at the end of a long day. The oak staircase is a central feature of the lobby area, which is home to an antique piano and 24-hour coffee and tea bar. Breakfast pastries including a delicious sour cream coffee cake are waiting for you each morning as the light twinkles in from the Main Street windows. The jet bathtub in my suite at the Kalispell Grand would easily have fit two people in for a soak after long hikes— a perfect way to warm up in the winter.
Sherman Lodge
long-term stays, apartment-style, groups
Similar in location, the Sherman Lodge is an alternative to the Kalispell Grand Hotel. The Sherman Lodge might be a better fit for a long-term stay or for those who wish to cook their own meals, as lodging is more apartment-like than a traditional hotel. The top room, also referred to as the Sherman Loft, is especially nice as it has views from all sides {that natural light tho!!}. This room has access to the outdoor patio space and comes with three beds, which makes it ideal for families or friend groups.
We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
where to eat + drink in Kalispell ↴
I ate my way through Kalispell. I also consumed more coffee than should be humanly possible…but if you know me, you know it’s actually entirely possible. It’s worth noting that not everywhere had veggie options right on the menu, but everywhere I went was accommodating in making menu items vegetarian upon request.
Some of my favorite places to eat and drink in Kalispell include:
winter things to see + do in Kalispell ↴
horseback trail ride with Artemis Acres
If you follow me on Instagram, you will have already heard me rave about Artemis Acres and their incredible trail rides. The passion they have for the ranch’s horses was felt immediately upon arrival. Cecil Noble, the ranch owner, is a fourth-generation Montanan with over 40 years of experience working with horses.
The knowledge that he and his team of wranglers shared with me during my ride kept me fascinated the entire journey. One of my favourite facts from the trail was about the therapeutic properties of horseback riding. Apparently, regular horse rides have correlated with lessened depression and anxiety. Overall, it’s a calming experience while still feeling like an exciting adventure.
Horse trail rides start at USD $55 for 1 hour and go up to as much as USD $140 for a half-day ride with a provided snack.
Book | Artemis Acres
stroll the downtown area
Wrap up warm and stroll along Kalispell’s Main Street. This downtown area is filled with locally-owned boutiques and small businesses that are happy to have your support. As a bonus to your shopping, Montana has no sales tax!
Some of my favorite shops I visited were:
Sassafras
Sage + Cedar— I picked up a bath bomb from here and it was *chef’s kiss*
Honey Home
Rocky Mountain Outfitters
The Montana Scene
The Toggery
hike around Lone Pine State Park
I’d never been to Lone Pine State Park, but I was lucky to visit a number of times while in Kalispell during my most recent visit. The early morning hike I took while the sun was gleaming through the trees and melting the remaining snow was a particularly special few hours in my memory. Entry to the park is free for residents of the state, as is parking. For visitors outside of Montana, entry with a vehicle is USD $8. Nonresident entry to the park is only USD $4 for those who enter on foot or via bicycle.
hit up Foy’s the Blacktail trails
There are 18 miles of trails with views of Flathead Lake, Glacier National Park, Foys Lake, and Whitefish Mountain Resort. Lace-up your boots, layer up your clothes, and hit the trails— it’s free fun!
go ice fishing
If you think that fishing is only for the summer months, think again. Ice fishing isn’t only for the elite outdoorsmen, and you shouldn’t be intimidated. Instead of attempting to figure it out for yourself, which could be a bit dangerous out on the ice, consider booking with a local outfitter (experienced guide who provides instruction and equipment).
Book with an outfitter | Montana Fishing Guides
drive to Hungry Horse Reservoir
Twin Peaks fans will have heard of Hungry Horse (it’s where Leo Johnson was locked in jail, remember?). Located roughly 20 minutes from Kalispell, the Hungry Horse Reservoir is surrounded by the forest-swathed Rocky Mountains. In the winter, the water is frozen over and it looks like something out of a wintertime fairytale— think Frozen minus the singing snowman. You probably won’t be able to drive the entirety of the perimeter of the reservoir in the winter, but you should definitely head up to Hungry Horse to take in that fresh mountain air. It’s a photo op you won’t want to miss.
visit the Hockaday Museum of Art
The focus of the Hockaday Museum is to preserve the legacy of Montana artists and continue to keep local artistry alive. The gallery features artwork that has been inspired heavily by Montana This is a great idea for families since there are hands-on activities for young ones.
More details | Hockaday Museum of Art
check out the Conrad Mansion Museum
The 13,000 square-foot Conrad Mansion is the legacy landmark of Charles Conrad, considered by most to be the founder of Kalispell {though we know there were Indigenous people in the area before he arrived and it became the town of Kalispell}. Mr. Conrad moved to what was then the Montana Territory when he was just 18 years old. He went on to build a trading and freighting empire that made him a legend in the area. The Mansion is now considered a historical and cultural landmark of the town and you can either book a tour with a guide (from February onwards) or take a self-guided tour of the Victorian-style residence.
Book your tour | The Conrad Mansion
spend the day at Glacier National Park
Any extra time you have in your itinerary I would highly recommend spending in Glacier National Park. Glacier remains one of my favourite places for outdoor recreation in the United States. Every time I return, I forget why I ever left Montana in the first place. There is so much to see and do inside the 1,583-square-mile park and its 700+ miles of hiking trails. Although much of it is inaccessible during the winter, there is still plenty of beautiful scenery to take in and wild ground to explore, including the immaculate Lake McDonald.
don’t go without it ↴
reusable water bottle | You might not realize it, it’s especially important to stay hydrated in the winter. In an attempt to keep Montana’s natural landscapes clean, bring your own reusable water bottle to fill up at your accommodation before you head out on your day’s adventures.
travel Insurance| I recommend travel insurance every time you take a trip because it is ALWAYS when you don’t buy insurance that you end up needing it most. I typically get mine from either World Nomads or Allianz for domestic journeys.
puffer jacket | The closer you are to the mountains, the more unpredictable the weather can be in Montana. Bringing a quality puffer jacket in the wintertime is super important.
proper footwear + socks | I swear by my Columbia hiking boots. They have great ankle support, but more than anything, they keep my feet warm!
gloves | Keeping your extremities warm is the key to enjoying your time outdoors in colder temperatures. For me, it’s my hands that tend to get icy. The Carhartt Utility Gloves kept my hands so super warm during all my Kalispell excursions— they are holy grail, I swear.
map ↴
Find all the best things to do in Kalispell, Montana in the winter on the map below.
