Montana's Year-Round Little Resort Village In The Rockies Is Full Of Art And Lakeside Charm

Montana — also known as the Treasure State due to its expansive and abundant natural beauty — is home to Yellowstone, the Rockies, and Glacier National Park. Most who visit this beautiful state come to explore the great outdoors, whether it be through more strenuous activities like hiking or climbing, enjoying some lake time recreation, or simply taking a step back into the Wild West. If you're searching for a place with a mix of art, recreation, great food, and festivals, look no further than the picturesque resort village of Bigfork, Montana. Set along the short Bigfork Bay on Flathead Lake (the largest natural lake in the Western United States), this cute town on the lake offers visitors the chance to unwind and enjoy a small piece of what makes the American Northwest so great. 

Per the Visit Montana website, the year-round resort village of Bigfork "has been distinctly honored with designations in the following publications: The 50 Great Towns in the West, 100 Best Small Art Towns, The Great Towns of America, and National Geographic Guide to Small Towns Escapes." This thriving community welcomes visitors to enjoy its fabulous art galleries, delicious restaurants, a 27-hole championship golf course, and exciting theater performances at the local playhouse. It is also a great place to stay for those looking to enjoy some time out on Flathead Lake. With fun activities year-round, this gorgeous lakeside town is one of the must-visit spots in Montana.

For a place with a small population of just over 5,000, Bigfork surprisingly has a thriving art community. The Bigfork Art & Cultural Center is a fabulous place for visitors to stop by and witness not only the talent of local artists but to learn about the history of the town as well. Part gallery, history museum, and local artisan gift shop, it's a great hub for local artists featuring rotating exhibits, workshops, and community events. There are many other smaller galleries dotted throughout town as well, such as Riecke's Bayside Gallery (which has a lot of mixed media pieces focusing on Montana's landscapes and wildlife) and the Eric Thorson Art Studio (which has many intricately detailed animal sculptures). Those looking for a night out on Broadway don't need to head to New York City — the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, also known for its thrilling performances, is a great place to spend an evening watching a high-quality performance. The playhouse has been recognized for more than 50 years as one of the Northwest's finest repertory theatres. 

If your arrival to this happening little town happens to be the first weekend of August, a can't-miss event is the Bigfork Festival of the Arts. Visitors can come and enjoy blocks of art, music, great food, crafts, music, and other types of entertainment. If music is more your vibe, Bigfork has you covered. Visitors and locals alike can attend the Riverbend Concerts in the Park events, with music from local musicians, every Sunday at 7 p.m. from mid-June to the end of August in the Everit L. Sliter Memorial Park. The town also hosts The Crown Jewel Concert Series, which puts on concerts with musicians from across the country, including local acts and touring musicians.

As mentioned earlier, Bigfork and the surrounding areas (aka Flathead Valley) are the perfect spots for year-round adventures. Spring and Summer bring the chance to spend more time in the warm sun, enjoying many recreational and leisurely activities. In spring, visitors can take their boats out onto the water and enjoy fishing, camping, hiking, biking, local farmers' markets, art galleries, and golfing. The town also hosts the Whitewater Festival (a very popular and exciting race that brings spectators from around the globe) and the Bigfork Brewfest (a beer-lover's paradise held every first Saturday of March). In the summertime, the waters (slightly) warm up, and visitors can spend their days soaking up the sun outdoors on the lake via boat or paddleboard, go horseback riding, enjoy arts festivals, and participate in white water adventures. 

In the fall, the valley bursts with color. And if that's not enough reason to make you want to enjoy time in this beautiful part of Montana, Bigfork also hosts an amateur food competition — where folks from around town bring their favorite homemade dish to be judged. There is also flyfishing, mountain climbing, hiking, biking, and simply enjoying the beauty of the mountains around you. Lastly, in winter, visitors can snowshoe, ski, snowboard, ice fish, sled, ice skate, dog sled, cross-country ski, and enjoy Bigfork as it turns into a cute Christmas town. For overnight stays, visitors can choose from campsites, RV hookups, lodges (like the Inn on Bigfork Bay or the Flathead Lake Lodge), vacation rentals, and cabins. The closest major airport to Bigfork is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), located in Kalispell — about a 35-minute drive from Bigfork. The nearest train station is the Amtrak Whitefish Station, about a 45-minute drive from Bigfork.