Page 15 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

provides a cool atmosphere in the trees adjacent to the
Stillwater River. In addition to picnic facilities, there
is a playground for youngsters.
Lone Pine State Park sits on a band of bluffs
overlooking Kalispell, offering spectacular views
of Glacier National Park, the northwestern edge of
the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area and the Flathead
Valley. The Interpretive Center and 1/2 mile loop trail
offer educational exhibits; there is also a sheltered
picnic area and archery range. A small entry fee is
required to access this day use park.
A recreation and retirement mecca, the area
offers two ski resorts, over 200 miles of groomed
snowmobile trails, swimming and health facilities,
plus world class hunting and fishing. Blacktail
Mountain Ski Resort is located south of Kalispell
near Lakeside and Whitefish Mountain Resort, one of
Montana’s largest, is just 22 miles north.
Perfect for walking, biking, horeseback riding or
cross country skiing, the Great Northern Historical
Trail covers 22 miles from the town of Somers on the
north shore of Flathead Lake west to Kila, bordering
the Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area. Quite a
bit of the trail is built on former railroad beds.
The Flathead Valley boasts eight golf courses, each
with its own unique characteristics. Within Kalispell,
Buffalo Hills Golf Course offers 27 holes, a pro shop
and club rentals, practice range, putting green, cafe
and bar. Flathead Lake
Nearby Glacier National Park preserves 1.2 million
untouched acres dotted with glacial lakes, dozens of
glaciers and 700 miles of hiking trails. Camping,
boating, horseback rides and rafting are available.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Farmers Market: April–October
Artists & Craftsmen Show: July
Arts in the Park: July
Northwest Montana Fair: August
Christmas at the Mansion: October
Libby
Location: Highways 2 and 37; 35 miles from
Idaho; 65 miles south of the United States-
Canadian border; 90 miles from Kalispell.
Greater Libby Area Population: 10,800.
Visitor Information: Libby Area Chamber of
Commerce, 905 W. 9 Street, PO Box 704,
th
Libby, Montana 59923; Phone: (406) 293-4167;
Website: www.libbychamber.org and www.
libbymt.com.
Libby is located in the scenic Kootenai River
Valley in some of the most beautiful rugged terrain
in northwest Montana. This friendly community is
surrounded by the picturesque Cabinet Mountain
Range and the sizeable Kootenai National Forest,
which provide extensive recreational lands for public
use. Maps of the forest are available, and visitors are
encouraged to make use of them whether the planned from the lookout on Highway 2, 13 miles west of
outing is for a one-hour hike to a glacial lake or a Libby. The falls may also be viewed from the north Troy
rugged overnight backpacking trip. shore by crossing the famed swinging bridge. Expert Location: Highway 2 and 56; 33 miles east
The Kootenai River offers outstanding Kokanee of Bonners Ferry, ID; 107 miles to Kalispell,
salmon fishing, along with boating and camping kayakers travel from around the world to test their MT. Population: 985. Visitor Information:
skills here.
at popular Lake Koocanusa. A private marina and Libby Dam, Lake Koocanusa and the Kootenai Troy Chamber of Commerce, 301 Kootenai
several public boat launching facilities are available River have all been designated “Watchable Wildlife” Ave. Troy, MT 59935. Phone: (406) 295-1064;
Website: www.troymtchamber.org and www.
for visitor convenience. At Libby Dam, located 17 viewing sites by the state of Montana. Bighorn sheep, cityoftroymontana.com
miles north on Highway 27, take time for one of the mountain goats, deer, elk, moose, bald eagles, osprey,
tours offered several times a day in the summer from black and grizzly bears are frequently seen. Popular activities in the area include hiking,
the interactive Visitor’s Center and bring a lunch to The Bull Lake Recreation Area, located between snowmobiling, boating, swimming, kayaking, rafting,
enjoy in the nice picnic area. The state record rainbow Libby and Troy off Hwy 56, offers camping, boating, canoeing, fishing and big game hunting. The fishing
trout was caught at Libby Dam, weighing 33.1 swimming, and water skiing. Just beyond Bull Lake, is superb in Kootenai River or in the many lakes and
pounds. the turnoff for Ross Creek Giant Cedars Scenic Area streams just minutes from town.
Spectacular Kootenai Falls, the last undammed leads to a lush hideaway with a self-guided nature The Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, located two
falls on a major river in the Northwest, may be viewed trail and picnic area. miles from town, is known for big game hunting

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