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Flathead Lake
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The Flathead Lake Region is located in Montana and is named after a freshwater lake located west of the Missouri River. Flathead Lake is the remains of Lake Missoula and is 30 miles long and 16 miles wide. Flathead Lake is located in the center of the region. The Glacier National Park, Flathead Reservation, and Blackfeet Indian Reservation are some of the geographic landmarks within the region. St. Mary, Lonepine, Hotsprings, Ronan, and Ariee are a few of the cities located within the Flathead Lake Region. The Flathead Lake Region has short and warm summers and cold and dry winters. The best time to visit the region for the pleasant weather is from July to mid-August.[4]

What Flathead Lake is known for

The region is named after Flathead Lake, where visitors can find good fishing possibilities. Some of the fish frequently caught in the lake include trout, pike, whitefish, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and bull trout. The trout's average weight is three to eight pounds, but Flathead Lake has been known for the occasional massive lake trout that is caught, reaching up to 20 pounds. In order to catch fish at Flathead Lake, it typically requires a boat and gear to get into the deep waters where the fish are. Whitefish are another popular catch at the lake, weighing around ten pounds.[12] 

One of the popular attractions within the Flathead Lake Region is the National Bison Range. The range was established for American bison in 1908 and covers 18,800 acres. The National Bison Range has a visitor center and locations for viewing many wildlife features, including coyotes, black bears, elk, mule deer, and more.[7] 

The Conrad Mansion Museum is a historical site where guests can tour the mansion and the gardens and get a feel for life in 1895. Charles Conrad founded Kalispell and then built his dream home with his wife, Lettie Conrad. Charles and Lettie Conrad had four children. The youngest child, Alicia Conrad Campbell, donated the house to the City of Kalispell so that the legacy of the Conrads can live on.[8] The Hockaday Museum of Art has exhibits, public programs, events, educational opportunities, and a gift shop for visitors to explore. There are also opportunities for artists to display their artwork.[9] The St. Ignatius Mission Parish is a Roman Catholic church open for visitors from 9 am to 5 pm. In 1845, Father De Smet and Adrian Hoecken founded St. Ignatius Mission Parish.[10] 

The Flathead Lake Region has a lot of opportunities for outdoor adventure in the region and nearby. Yellowstone Park is one of the most popular National Parks to visit, with parts of the park on Montana's south parts. Other outdoor activities include hiking trails, state parks, lakes, and rivers. July and August are some of the best months to visit Montana because of the pleasant weather and the mild crowds.[11]

Geography

Flathead Lake is located in the northwest part of Montana. Some of the region's natural landmarks include Flathead Reservation, Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Glacier National Park, and Flathead National Forest. The Flathead Lake Region offers plenty of outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing opportunities. A few of the region's cities include West Glacier, Browning, St. Ignatius, Seeley Lake, and Lonepine. Kalispell is a city located on the west side of the region. 

The summers are short and warm, while winters are cold and dry. The warmest months are June, August, and September, with an average temperature of 73 degrees. It doesn't typically get hotter than 84 degrees. November through February are the coldest months, with an average temperature of 40 degrees. The end of December tends to be the coldest time of the year, with temperatures getting as low as 17 degrees.[4] 

The Glacier National Park is located within the region and has a wide variety of wildlife and recreation for visitors to experience. Many of the plants and animals at the Glacier National Park are native to the park. Mammals that can be found include grizzly bears, moose, wolverines, and Canadian lynxes. Trees found in the park include the Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, subalpine fir, limber pine, cottonwood, and aspen.[2] 

The Flathead Indian Reservation has several native fish species, including bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout, northern whitefish, and northern pikeminnow. Other animals found at the reservation include ducks, geese, white-tailed deer, elk, and coots.[3]

History

The Flathead Lake Region is named after what was once called "Salish Lake." The lake was named after the Salish Indians who resided in the area. The European Americans called the Salish Indians the "Flathead Indians" because of a misinterpretation of the Native American's sign language. The Flathead Lake is a product of both the Flathead River and the Swan River. The Flathead Lake is stocked with bull trout and cutthroat trout, which are both native fish to the area.[1] 

Kalispell is one of the largest cities in northwest Montana, with a population of around 20,000. Kalispell has a racial makeup of 94.2% White, .2% African American, 1.3% Native American, 1% Asian, .1% Pacific Islander, .6% from other races, 2.6% from two or more races, and 2.9% Hispanic or Latino.[5] One of the biggest companies within the region is Kalispell Regional Healthcare, with around 2,000 employees.[6]

#1
4.8 (260 Reviews)

Flathead Lake Resort features approximately 20 rentals with overnight prices ranging anywhere between $35-$400. The rentals emulate a rustic, vintage style, some of which include the original interior of when they were first built in the 1970s. Most visitors come during the summer season when many outdoor activities and water sports such as canoeing, paddle boarding, or boating are available. Water sports are one of the main attractions in Montana. The owner of Flathead Lake Resort has mentioned that Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake are the two leading providers for outdoor activities. Flathead Lake Resort gives guests beach access and private access to the lake without them having to go through a state park to get there. In 1948 the construction of Flathead Lake Resort began from the very first owner, Martin, who had the desire to own and operate a motel with his wife, Mary. Years later, Jenny discovered the property and dreamed of owning it in the future. In 2016 her dream came true, and Jenny and Chris have been running the resort ever since.

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#2
4.7 (204 Reviews)

Alameda's Hot Springs Retreat is located in Hot Springs, Montana. In general, the town is notable for its mineral water, which is pumped throughout the city. Alameda's Hot Springs is part of this water system, allowing visitors to bathe in the mineral water. There are 14 distinct rooms at the retreat each varies in size and style but have the same amenities; kitchens, dishes, cooking supplies, a seating area, mini-fridge, and bed are available in each room. Alameda's Hot Springs Retreat has functioned as a retreat since 2015, the building was original constructed as a motel in 1937. The property is open year-round.

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#3
4.6 (404 Reviews)

The Great Bear Inn is located in West Glacier, Montana. The property consists of three separate cabins. The biggest of the bed and breakfast cabins has five guest rooms and three floors. The other two cabins have one bedroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom. All of the buildings are located on a total of 10 acres of land that is located just 7 miles away from Glacier National Park. The staff and management hope to create an enjoyable experience for all of those who choose to stay with them.

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State

Montana