Location: Bigfork
Top Things to do in Bigfork
Top 10 Things to do in Bigfork, United States
Bigfork is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Flathead County, Montana, United States. The population was 4,270 at the 2010 census, up from 1,421 at the 2000 census.
Restaurants in Bigfork
1. Bigfork Summer Playhouse
Overall Ratings
5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By bmac1260 - Lafayette
The Bigfork Summer Playhouse brings talented college student actors to Bigfork every summer to perform in a variety of musicals. They come from all over the United States and try out to be accepted. It's considered to be one of the best summer stock theaters for aspiring college age actors in the country. This summer's Mama Mia was sold out well in advance of every performance and we couldn't buy a ticket in advance. So, we went to the theater at 5:20 pm to get into a waiting list line that the theater began making at 6pm. We were the sixth in line. The first in line started the line at 5 pm. After the list was taken we were told to come back at 7:45 pm when they would know how many tickets they had. We went out to dinner, came back and we got in! It was phenomenal, better than any production of Mama Mia I've seen.
The theater is beautiful with plenty of room between rows. The talent and production quality of course vary from year to year and from musical to musical but invariably they are able to attract several actors who are excellent.It's well worth the cost of a ticket, which by today's city standards is a bargain.
If you are looking for something to do while in or near Bigfork, having dinner in a local restaurant before the theater is definitely worth doing. You can purchase tickets and select seats online.. Make a dinner reservation, however. The tourist trade in this area which is near Glacier National Park has grown significantly over the past few years. It's not uncommon for the best restaurants to be fully booked. Families with young children should check with the box office for appropriateness (adult content). Mama Mia was a tad over the top for young children but I've found that most of their productions are not. Good luck getting an aisle seat,
2. Swan River Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By RiverDays - montana
This walking trail is well-loved by many. One of its greatest assets is how wide it is. Two or three people can easily walk side by side, so it makes for a great place for conversation. I often think about how many problems have been solved, fences mended, inspirations shared, by folks walking this trail.
Plenty of dog walkers (I am one) but please, keep your dogs on leashes, and clean up after them. Loose dogs have created problems, and this is a beautiful place meant for everyone's enjoyment. Walk, jog, bike in sun and shade, level and gentle slopes, clean outhouse at the halfway point (one mile). Bring water if it's hot out.
3. Wayfarers State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By CATTSAR - Provincetown, Massachusetts
This is a great park right on Flathead Lake. Needless to say it is a hot spot for boating. However as the weather warms up other activities become readily available. Hiking, biking, swimming and camping are also popular. The park is conveniently located five minutes from Bigfork and less then 30 minutes from Kalispell on MT 35. Great way to spend a day.
4. Echo Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
An excellent bass fishing lake.
Reviewed By MTnsters - Medicine Hat, Canada
We stayed in a cabin on Echo Lake for several days. Along with boating, swimming and just lazing around it we so serene. Their was not a single mosquito which made it blissful. Big Fork was a short 10 minute drive to shop in its gift stores and look at local artwork. The townfolk are very pleasant and we want to return next summer.
5. Swan Lake
Overall Ratings
5 based on 32 reviews
A popular ice-skating lake during the winter.
Reviewed By travelshooter71 - Glendale, California
Nice place to visit and relax like most places in Montana! We enjoyed the Echo Lake Cafe which is a nice place to stop , have coffee and see the lake
6. Swan River
Overall Ratings
5 based on 26 reviews
Home of the annual whitewater races.
Reviewed By RiverDays - montana
We lived on the Swan River for 12 years, and each summer I'd "rescue" dozens of floaters coming past our home because they missed the take-out spot. The recommended take-out -- where you will need to park your 2nd vehicle -- is on Highway 83 at the wide spot between Wolf Creek Drive and Landmark Lane. If you miss getting out here, you will have another 5 - 6 hour inner tube float, or about a 3 hour paddle to get to the next public take-out, which is the Swan River Bridge, close to Bigfork. What people don't realize is that once you pass the Landmark Lane take-out, the river is very slow, calm, and makes numerous twists and turns. It would usually be dinner time when I'd spot a group of sun-baked floaters, who were clueless about the fact they'd be arriving at the bridge around 11 p.m or midnight. Of course I'd turn off the BBQ, holler out to them, and offer to rescue them from our dock and drive them to their vehicle. We live in town now, so you'd be at the mercy of some other kind-hearted river-dweller. You can put-in at the Ferndale Market, or at the big parking turn-out on Hwy 83 that is just north of the intersection of Hwy 209 and 83. Always best to talk to locals who have actually floated the river to get the latest conditions and advice!
7. Jewel Basin Hiking Area
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Linda T
We hike the Jewel every year. There is a hike for every level. The hike to Mt. Aeneas is our favorite with never ending views of Glacier Park to the north and Flathead Valley to the west and wilderness all around. I believe we've seen mountain goats every year. Just be prepared. One year, we were on the mountain over Labor Day Weekend and a blizzard (yes, a blizzard) blew in unexpectedly.
8. Whistling Andy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Whistling Andy is truly a grain to glass distillery. Their spirits are derived from real, unmilled grains from local farmers with whom they have real, personal relationships. All components are hand selected and hand made from start to finish with no shortcuts or automation. There is a face to every step of the process; real people and real stories. Unlike many grain to glass initiatives and high-class liquors, Whistling Andy is very innovative, even industry leading with their products. Whether it's finding age old recipes or unique new blends derived from what's in season, there is always something exciting coming out of this distillery. Named after the father of head distiller Brian Anderson, Whistling Andy Distilling prides itself on the importance of family, personal and community relationships.
Reviewed By cdajen - Hamilton, Montana
I can't say enough about this great little distillery. I am not a huge fan of liquors, but this place changed my mind, The staff we dealt with (Tommy) was incredibly friendly and very knowledgeable about the distillery and all their products. I highly recommend having a "farmer's daughter' made with their cucumber gin, and a tasting flight to sample all they have to offer. Take the tour and get even more info on this highly rated and decorated distillery. The number of national awards they have received is very impressive. The bottles of their liquors are reasonably priced and while we planned only to leave with one...we bought 4. Don't miss this little gem of a distillery if you visit Bigfork.
9. Flathead Ford Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By joy12Blairsville_GA - Blairsville, Georgia
What a wonderful collection of cars, pick ups, trucks, bicycles, tractors and a large collection of gasoline memorabilia. Not to mention a very old Seburg juke box, lots of mannequins with vintage clothing, a huge Coca Cola collection on display and so much more. Lyle and his lovely wife Loretta were at the museum when our family reunion group of 17 adults and one seven year old arrived to visit the museum. Both were so very welcoming, friendly and spent lots of time with us. My husband and his three brothers and one sister are in their 60's, 70's and 80's so all the old cars and trucks were definately a trip down memory lane for them. Especially seeing as all the brothers all had cars and trucks that they worked on themselves.
All the displays are arranged very nicely in an airconditioned building and in the lobby area is some seating in case you need to sit down. Loretta turned the juke box on for us to enjoy and we were able to play and listen to some of our old favorite songs.
Whether for a short visit or a long visit, this is one fabulous museum and Lyle and Loretta are so nice.
10. Kootenai River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Originating on the west slope of the Canadian Rockies and fed by glacier streams, this is one of the best dry fly trout rivers in the western United States.
Reviewed By MaryEllenM27 - Kalispell, Montana
The Kootenai River arises up in Canada somewhere north Cranbrook, British Columbia. The Libby Dam and beyond that, down stream is where you will see that particular river. Naturally you go to Libby Mt., 100 miles North and West of Bigfork and then follow the river over to Bonner's Ferry Idaho.
It is a good river for fishing though and river rafting. Several movies have been made on/near the Kootenai River. "The River Wild" and most lately, scenes from the Oscar Winning "Revenant".
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