Kalispell

Kalispell is a town in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The name of the town means "flat land above the lake" in Salish, a Native American language. The population is about 23,000 (2016).

Understand

Kalispell is the largest city in the Flathead Valley. The Flathead Valley is a unique area of Montana created by the forces of glacier processes. The valley is a testament to the wonders nature can create.

Today, the Flathead Valley offers a variety of recreational activities including skiing (considering world class Whitefish Mountain Resort is nearby), fishing, camping, water sports, climbing and old fashioned exploring. The city of Kalispell is full of shopping and restaurants and is also just north of Flathead Lake, which is the USA's largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

A number of smaller towns surround Kalispell giving visitors a chance to explore. Find additional restaurants and picturesque views in Evergreen, Lakeside, and Somers.

Get in

Kalispell's Main Street

By plane

The 1 Kalispell City Airport FAA LID: S27 is a city-owned airport for public general aviation use. The airport is 1.3 mi (2.1 km) southeast of the city center along US Hwy 93.

For commercial flights, the nearest airport to Kalispell, Whitefish and Glacier National Park is: 2 Glacier Park International Airport (FCA  ^IATA) (roughly 10 mi (16 km) northeast of town on U.S. Highway 2.). The nearest U.S. commercial airport to Calgary and Edmonton, served by:
Horizon Air as Alaska Airlines (Seattle); Seasonally from Portland
Allegiant (Las Vegas; seasonally from Los Angeles and Oakland)
Delta and Skywest dba Delta Connection (Minneapolis-St Paul and Salt Lake City)
Gojet and Skywest dba United Express (Denver)
There is no public transportation from the airport into town. Alternatives are rental car, taxi or ride sharing.  

By car

You can take either Exit 96 on I-90 near Missoula and head north on U.S. 93, or take Exit 364 on I-15 at Shelby and head west past Glacier National Park. U.S. 2 continues west through the mountains into northern Idaho and eventually reaches Spokane from the north, while U.S. 93 heads northwest into British Columbia, eventually reaching Cranbrook.

By bus

• Airport Shuttle Express, ☏ +1 403 509-4799. Scheduled bus & shuttle services between Kalispell, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Calgary Airport as well as local sightseeing tours for group charters. (updated Sep 2018)
• 3 Flathead Transit, (Bus stop) Brian's 76, Inc at 2075 Hwy 2 East, ☏ +1 406 675-2700 x1352, +1 406 275-8700. Bus operated by the Confederated Salish & Kootnai Tribes with the help of Montana D.O.T. and in partnership with Greyhound Lines (as booking agent) for travel up to Whitefish from Missoula through Avaro, Arlee, Ravalli, St Ignatius, Pablo, Paulson, Lakeside and Kalispell along US Hwy 93. Passengers transfer to Jefferson Lines in Missoula to get to additional destinations. $31 o.w.. (updated Sep 2018)
• Northern Transit Interlocal. Bus service from Shelby. (updated Dec 2021)

By train

See also: Rail travel in the United States

The nearest 4 Amtrak Station is in Whitefish, 16 mi (26 km) north of Kalispell along Hwy 93. The train station is at 500 Depot St in the north side of downtown Whitefish. It is only served by:

• Amtrak Empire Builder which runs once daily (towards each direction) between Spokane & Chicago via Glacier National Park (West Glacier stop) in one direction and Libby in the opposite direction. The westbound train splits in Spokane with one half continuing towards Seattle and the other towards Portland while the eastbound train joins in Spokane for the onward trip to Chicago.

Get around

Walk, drive, bike, or take the Mountain Climber to get around. The city isn't too large, so you shouldn't get lost.

See

Flathead Lake

• 1 Conrad Mansion, 330 Woodland Ave, ☏ +1 406 755-2166. Tours May-Oct: 10AM-5PM.  
• 2 Flathead Lake. 15 miles south of Kalispell on US Hwy 93. Largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.  
• 3 Glacier Range Riders, 25 McDermott Ln, ☏ +1 406 519-4115. See website for current season schedule. Enjoy a Pioneer League baseball game at Glacier Bank Park. (updated Aug 2023)
• 4 Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 2nd Ave E, ☏ +1 406 755-5268. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. Price: $5. (updated Jun 2023)

Do

• 1 Big Mountain Golf Club, 3230 Highway 93 N (5.5 mi (8.9 km) north of Kalispell along US Hwy 93), ☏ +1 406 751-1950. 18 holes, built in 1996, designed by Andy North and Roger B. Packard. 
• 2 Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, 13990 Blacktail Rd (in Lakeside, turn west at Blacktail Grocery), ☏ +1 406 844-0991, skiing@blacktailmountain.com. Family friendly downhill ski area with 26 runs. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Blacktail Mountain X-Country Ski Trails, Blacktail Rd (about 8 miles up from US 93, upper parking area another 1.5 miles), ☏ +1 406 250-8025, info@northshorenordic.org. daily, Dec 1-Mar 31. Classic and skate skiing trails groomed daily. Maintained by the non-profit North Shore Nordic Club. (updated Jul 2023)
• 4 Lone Pine State Park, 300 Lone Pine Rd, Bschwartz2@mt.gov. 7.5 miles of trails available for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Visitor Center. Action Trackchair all-terrain wheelchair available for reservation.  
• 5 Somers Fishing Access Site (1 mile south of Somers). Concrete dock for boat launch. Can also fish from shore (with license). (updated Jan 2024)
• 6 West Shore State Park, 17768 MT Hwy 93 (6 miles south of Lakeside), agrout@mt.gov. 129 forested acres with hiking trails. Extensive shoreline is excellent for picnicking and swimming. Rental stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats during summer. Deep water boat launch. Camping available.  
• 7 Woodland Water Park. 

Buy

North Kalispell is the shopping area of the city. Stores include most of the nationwide chains.

For those who prefer the more traditional shopping mall, the Kalispell Center Mall is at 20 North Main Street. Anchored by JCPenney, it also includes a Red Lion Hotel.

Eat

Budget

• Cislo's Family Restaurant, 2046 U.S. Hwy 2 E, ☏ +1 406 756-7330. In Evergreen. American diner fare. (updated Jan 2024)
• Frugals, 1815 US Hwy 93 South. Fast fresh burgers and shakes. Drive thru only. (updated Dec 2018)
• Los Caporales Mexican Restaurant. (at least 3 locations) Real Mexican food, like enchiladas mole or verdes with real corn tortillas. 
• Norm's News, 34 Main St. A combination soda fountain and newsstand, this establishment offers the usual soda fountain fare (shakes, soda, floats, burgers, etc.) and a wide selection of candy, magazines, and newspapers. 

Mid-Range

• Desoto Grill (The Desoto), 227 1st St W, ☏ +1 406 314-6095. Closed Tuesdays. BBQ. Great beers and locally owned. Off the beaten path, where the locals gather. Indoor and outdoor seating. (updated Jul 2020)

Drink

• 1 Bias Brewing, 412 S Main St, ☏ +1 406 730-3020, info@biasbrewing.com. 11AM-7PM daily. Craft beer. Lots of rotators and experiments. 
• 2 Moose's Saloon, 179 N Main St, ☏ +1 406 755-2337, Info@MoosesSaloon.com. Open daily: bar 10AM-midnight; kitchen 11AM-11PM. Patrons seem to be preoccupied with carving their initials into the woodwork while not having a draught or some pizza. Montana mainstay since 1957. 
• 3 Tamarack Brewing Company, 105 Blacktail Rd, Suite #1 (in Lakeside, 14 miles south), ☏ +1 406 844-0244. Opens daily 11AM. Craft beer and pub fare. Happy hour 3-5PM weekdays. Has creekside patio for summer use and fireplace in colder months. Common in small towns not to have a fixed close time, just call ahead if it is in the evening. 

Sleep

• 1 Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn & Suites, 4824 US Highway 93 S (US Hwy 93 & MT-Hwy 82), ☏ +1 406 857-2400, fax: +1 406 857-2401. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 3PM. $84-$130. 
• 2 Motel 6, 1540 US 93 South, ☏ +1 406 752-6355, fax: +1 406 752-6358. $63. 
• 3 Red Lion Hotel, 20 North Main St (east end of the Kalispell Center Mall on Center & Main), ☏ +1 406 751-5050, fax: +1 406 751-5051. $75-$135. 
• Rocky Mountain Hi Campground and RV Park, 825 Helena Flats Rd, ☏ +1 406 755-9573, info@glaciercamping.com. North of Evergreen. Laundry, showers, playground, wifi, dock to creek for swimming/fishing/canoeing (updated Jan 2024)

Connect

• Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, 15 Depot Park, toll-free: +1-888-888-2308. 

Kalispell is part of the market region of Spokane, Washington, despite being in a different time zone. Local Montana over-the-air TV networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox have their weekday primetime from 7PM to 10PM, while those from Spokane are from 9PM to midnight (which is quite unusual).

Stay safe

Roads outside of town are mostly two-lane and winding. Naturally, use extra caution when snowing. It is advisable to turn on lights during the day in any rain. This gives better visibility of your vehicle to oncoming traffic.

Go next

• Glacier National Park
• Cranbrook in British Columbia, Canada
• Missoula, Montana
• Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Routes through Kalispell

Sandpoint ← Libby ←	W  E	→ Columbia Falls → Shelby
Cranbrook ← Whitefish ←	N  S	→ Jct E → Polson → Missoula
END ←	N  S	→ Bigfork → Polson