Page 15 - Vacation Country Travel Guide
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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

      TRAVELGUIDEBOOK.COM                                                                                         13
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