7 Awesome Things To Do In Kalispell, Montana

Kalispell, Montana, is the perfect home base for visiting northwestern Montana. But just because it's a jump-off point for the region doesn't mean there aren't excellent local sites in Kalispell.

But what are they? Luckily, we've already traveled to Kalispell, Montana, and have researched the city's best places and the most fun things to do.

If you're planning a trip to Kalispell, Montana, for your next vacation or long weekend, here are seven awesome things to do:

  1. Conrad Mansion
  2. Northwest Montana History Museum
  3. Hockaday Museum of Art
  4. Lone Pine State Park
  5. Herron Park
  6. Wild Horse Island State Park
  7. Flathead Lake State Park

These seven places to visit will give you a great representation of the region around Kalispell. Please continue reading to learn more about these locations and why Kalispell is such a great destination.

A scenic view of Flat head lake at Kalispell, Montana

Why Should You Visit Kalispell?

Kalispell is in northwestern Montana, situated between Flathead Lake to the south and Glacier National Park to the North.

As the largest city in its corner of Montana, Kalispell has much to offer both culturally and historically. The opportunity to see the natural beauty surrounding the town and much of Montana is alone worth the trip.

You can visit Kalispell year-round, though depending on the time of year, it will be a different experience. Summers in the city are warm and dry, while winters are cold and sometimes very snowy, a typical weather pattern for a Rocky Mountain town.

7 Things to Do in Kalispell, Montana

The places and activities on this list form a nice mixture of historical, cultural, and natural points of interest. Kalispell has something for everyone, whether you're interested in art, boating, or history.

1. Conrad Mansion

Conrad Mansion is a 19th-century home in Kalispell, now converted into a museum. Charles Conrad was an early pioneer in Kalispell, who made his fortune in shipping before building the mansion in 1895. This mansion museum is the perfect place to learn a little about the human history of the community.

The Conrad Mansion, now (as of 2022) a house museum in Kalispell, a mountain city of about 25,000 in northwest Montana, was built on a 72-acre estate for the city's founder, shipping magnate Charles E. Conrad, and his family in 1895.  Prominent Spokane, Washington, architect Kirtland Cutter designed the home in the "Norman Romanesque" style inspired by grand homes in the French region of Normandy.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

The Conrad Mansion is typically open from Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, though hours may vary depending on the season. The museum offers guided and self-guided tours and admission costs from $12 to $20. Children and students can enter for free.

See more on the Conrad Mansion website. 

2. Northwest Montana History Museum

Check out the Northwest Montana History Museum for a broader history of the northwestern Montana region outside the Kalispell city limits. The museum contains exhibits from local Native American history to the many pioneers who settled there in the 1800s.

The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, so a weekend visit is impossible. Adult admission costs $5, but seniors get a discount, and museum members and children can enter for free.

See more on the Northwest Montana History Museum website. 

3. Hockaday Museum of Art

If you experience a rainy day during your trip to Kalispell but don't want to visit a history museum, the Hockaday Museum of Art is the perfect activity. The museum has various rotating exhibits but features a permanent Glacier National Park artwork exhibit.

The Hockaday Museum of Art, located in an original Carnegie Library Building in Kalispell, a mountain city of about 25,000 in northwest Montana.  The building is one of hundreds funded in whole or in part by eastern industrialist Andrew Carnegie in the early 20th century.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division 

The museum is open from 11 am to 3 pm on Tuesday through Friday and from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday. Regular admission is $5, with various discounts available, and children under 18 enter for free.

See more on the Hockaday Museum of Art website. 

4. Lone Pine State Park

Lone Pine State Park is located just southwest of Kalispell and nearly sits adjacent to its city limits. When the weather is favorable, you can see for miles over the Flathead Valley, where you'll find sites like Flathead Lake and even Kalispell. The park also has a visitors' center that is open year-round.

View of Kalispell, Montana and the Flathead Valley from viewpoint at Lone Pine State Park

The park is open year-round from 8 am to sunset, but the visitors center has hours that vary depending on the day. It costs $8 for a single vehicle to enter the park for the day. Montana residents are free if they have paid the Montana State Parks fee.

See more on the Line Pine State Park website. 

5. Herron Park

Herron Park is also located southwest of Kalispell, only a bit further away. The park has many long and short trails for hiking or cross-country skiing, and they even have equestrian shows from time to time. Herron Park is also a great place to visit if you have dogs.

hiking trails in montana

The park is officially open from 6 am to 11 pm daily, and admission is free.

See more on the Flathead County Parks website. 

6. Wild Horse Island State Park

Arrowleaf balsamroot wildflowers in spring on Wild Horse Island State Park near Dayton, Montana, USA

Wild Horse Island State Park is located on an island in the middle of Flathead Lake, which you will find directly south of Kalispell. That being said, you can only reach the park by boat, which you can rent at several locations around the lake. People mainly go to Wild Horse Island State Park to see the variety of wildlife that call the island home.

The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, but no camping is allowed. The $8 fee also applies to this park, just as it did with Lone Pine State Park.

See more on the Wild Horse Island State Park website. 

7. Flathead Lake State Park

A scenic view of Flat head lake at Kalispell, Montana

Flathead Lake State Park is the larger park system that contains several units like Wild Horse Island. The park surrounds Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the western USA. The five small campsite units that comprise the park surround the lake and are great places to visit, hike, and camp.

The parts of the park are open year-round for day use, but camping is limited to the warmer months. The $8 entry fee for day use still applies to Flathead Lake properties as with the other Montana State Parks. The price of campsites depends on size and style.

See more on the Flathead Lake State Park website. 

Where should I stay in Kalispell, Montana?

For a hotel with a historic feel, we recommend the Kalispell Grand Hotel. It is centrally located near downtown Kalispell, and the Hockaday Museum is only about three blocks away.

Find out more about the Kalispell Grand on booking.com.

For a hotel conveniently located near Glacier Park International Airport, we recommend the Country Inn & Suites Glacier Lodge. This hotel has all the amenities and is a top pick in the Kalispell area.

Find out more about the Country Inn & Suites Glacier Lodge on booking.com.

For that same quality and value but with a location closer to Kalispell proper, we recommend the Homewood Suites by Hilton Kalispell. It has the full amenities and is familiar to Hilton hotels.

Find out more about the Homewood Suites Kalispell on booking.com. 

In Closing

Kalispell, Montana, is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year, and there is never a shortage of things to do or see. We sincerely hope you enjoy your trip to Kalispell and that the activities on this list have helped you plan your adventure.

While you're here, please take a look at some of our other posts:

7 Fantastic Things To Do In Bozeman, Montana

Top 10 Things To Do In Butte, Montana

 
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