Things to Do

Known as the "Crown of the Continent" Glacier National Park is home to majestic glacier carved peaks, beautiful alpine meadows, tree lined lakes, and wildlife not found elsewhere in the lower 48. The park is traversed from east to west by Going-To-The-Sun Road which is famous for its breathtaking mountain views and dazzling waterfalls, This is a hiker's park, with over 800 miles of well maintained trails. The park holds the largest concentration of grizzly bears in the lower 48 and mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, mountain lions and wolves also thrive in the wilderness here.

A gateway to Glacier National Park, Columbia Falls is just 15 minutes from the park's west entrance. This lively Montana town—home to locally owned shops, restaurants, a brewery and a popular summer farmers market—is an ideal launching point for recreating in Glacier National Park, floating the Flathead River, playing on Flathead Lake and exploring 2 million acres in the Flathead National Forest.

The famous Red Buses serve as an ideal way to see and learn more about Glacier National Park. In fact, the vintage 1930s buses are part of the human history and heritage of the park. As much of the park’s scenery is vertically oriented, the roll-back tops are perfect for providing full views of the stunning mountains, and the area’s signature Big Sky. The guides are seasoned park veterans, who are here because they love the park and enjoy sharing the park with visitors.

Glacier National Park is one of the most precious resources in the country and there is no better way to view the “Jewel of the Continent” than to see the sites while horseback riding. Swan Mountain Outfitters is a one of a kind family owned business dedicated to making our guided horseback tours the highlight of your Glacier National Park vacation.

Cradled between the Continental Divide and Whitefish Mountain Range and located a mile from the northwest entrance to Glacier National Park is the electricity-free community of Polebridge. Made up of a handful of houses, cabins, a hostel and small ranches along the North Fork Road, the hub of this area is the historic Polebridge Mercantile and its neighboring Northern Lights Saloon—both powered by generators. "The Merc" is a one stop shop for locals and visitors alike and is famous throughout the state and region for its freshly baked breads and pastries, sandwiches and authentic personality. When someone finds out you went to Polebridge, the first question is always: “Did you get a huckleberry bear claw?” The surrounding area consists of some of the most remote and beautiful country in the lower 48. Take a drive to Bowman Lake or hike the Quartz Lake Loop. Or meander up to the Canadian Border and explore the northern reaches of Flathead National Forest along the way. Backpackers get dropped off at the foot of Bowman or Kintla lake to journey to Hole-In-The-Wall and Boulder Pass, the crowning glory of North American Backpacking. Polebridge is located about 28 miles north of Moss Mountain Inn on the North Fork Road, which is part paved, part gravel.

Hit the links surrounded by majestic forests and towering mountains. Courses in nearby Columbia Falls, Whitefish, and Kalispell offer many choices for the vacationing golfer.

Kalispell and the Flathead Valley are home to Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, championship golf courses, two ski resorts, unlimited trails for hiking and lakes and streams for fishing, outstanding arts and culture, charming small towns and warm western hospitality.

Montana is the state that made fly fishing famous! The nearby Middle and North forks of the Flathead River offer some of the best and most scenic trout fishing anywhere. Our local fly fishing shop, Lary's Fly and Supply (larysflyandsupply.com) can hook you up with one of several guides, according to your interests. Glacier Raft Company (glacierraftco.com) offers guided rafting trips for fishing enthusiasts. Or, head out on your own. Great fishing access to the North Fork of the Flathead River starts about a mile north of Moss Mountain Inn and there are dozens of river access points between here and the Canadian border. Access to the Middle Fork of the Flathead River is a 15 minute drive from Moss Mountain Inn. For more information on fishing regulations and fishing licenses in Montana, visit fwp.mt.gov/fishing/license

Glacier Raft Company is Montana’s longest running and most experienced river outfitter, operating at the West Entrance to Glacier National Park for four decades. We help you make the most of your trip to Glacier National Park by offering some of the best white water rafting Montana has to offer and world-class Montana fly fishing tours.

Hungry Horse Dam is on the South Fork of the Flathead River, 15 miles south of the west entrance to Glacier National Park and 20 miles northeast of Kalispell, Montana. The dam was built as part of the Hungry Horse Project to provide hydroelectric power and flood control. At 564 feet, the dam is the 10th highest in the U.S. In addition to static and interactive exhibits that cover local area history and the construction of Hungry Horse Dam, the Visitor Center offers free tours of the dam's crest.

In Columbia Falls, visit the popular Community Market at the Coop, corner of Nucleus Avenue and Highway 2, just west of Glacier Bank. Runs Thursday nights 5 pm to dusk, late May - late September. The Columbia Falls Farmer's Market is on Mondays 5 - 8 pm, mid May - mid September at Marantett Park, 1101 Nucleus Avenue (corner of S Nucleus and 13th St SE) The West Glacier Farmer's Market happens Fridays 3:30 - 6:30 pm early June - early September at 765 Belton Stage Road

Over 30 miles long and 300 feet deep, Flathead Lake is the largest natural lake in the western United States. Go boating, fishing, or visit the beaches or state parks that dot the shores. Located about 50 miles south of Moss Mountain Inn

Connect with your inner artist at Stumptown Art Studio, a nonprofit community art center in Whitefish. Make pottery at their walk-in ceramics studio or check their schedule for special events for kids and adults.

When the snow melts, Whitefish Mountain Resort becomes home to thrilling zip lines and an alpine slide, world-class downhill and cross-country mountain biking, and the unique Walk in the Treetops.

In the winter, Glacier National Park becomes a skiing and snowshoeing paradise with unlimited front and backcountry opportunities. Going-To-The-Sun Road is plowed from the West Glacier entrance to the Lake McDonald Lodge area. Groomed cross country ski trails are available from the Lake McDonald area. Backcountry skiing and snowshoeing challenges include the Sperry Chalet and Mount Brown Lookout trails as well as the Apgar Lookout Trail. Less challenging trails around West Glacier include Camas Road and the Inner North Fork Road. In the Northwest of the Park a number of backcountry ski trials run from the Polebridge Ranger Station.

Whitefish Mountain Resort is a large 3,000 acre resort just north of Whitefish Montana.  The ski area uses three faces of Big Mountain, for a wide variety of terrain, from well groomed slopes on the front of the mountain to advanced skiing areas with cliffs and chutes in Hell Roaring Basin on the west face.  Annual snowfall averages 300 inches. Although only about 10 miles from Moss Mountain Inn as the crow flies, there are no roads directly across the mountains.  The drive to Whitefish Mountain Resort through Columbia Falls and Whitefish is about 27 miles and  takes about 40 minutes from Moss Mountain Inn.

Located above the western shore of Flathead Lake, Blacktail Mountain is the place locals flock to for reasonably priced lift tickets and outstanding views of the Flathead Valley.  The lodge and parking areas are at the top of the mountain and the lifts bring you back up.  From Moss Mountain, the drive is about 42 miles, taking just short of an hour.

Swan Mountain Snowmobiling, located in the heart of Glacier Country, provides the best in Montana snowmobiling. Whether you want to be personally taken care of on one of our guided snowmobile tours or brave the backcountry on your own with our snowmobile rentals, we have what you need for the ideal Montana snowmobiling experience!

Few places have more Nordic skiing opportunities than the Glacier area. Choose from groomed or backcountry trails in Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest, or groomed trails of the Glacier Nordic Club at multiple locations in the area. Here at Moss Mountain Inn, we usually just go out the back door! Altai Hok backcountry skis with universal bindings are available at the Inn for guest use.

Our deep winter snow makes snowshoeing a very popular winter activity. Choose a guided tour with Glacier Adventure Guides in Glacier National Park or set off on your own in the park or in Flathead National Forest. We have snowshoes available for use at the Inn, whether you want to tool around on trails near the inn or head into the park.

Taking place on weekends from mid-January into February, the Whitefish Winter carnival events include a grand parade, art expo, snow sculpting contest, a gala, a pie social, skijoring (see below) and more!

The most doggone fun in Montana! Dogsled adventures offers multiple tours seven days a week all winter from their location in Olney Montana, northwest of Whitefish. Dog Sled Adventures has over 120 dogs, many of them rescue dogs.

Skate indoors and rent skates at the Stumptown Ice Den in Whitefish, see stumptowniceden.org for public skiing schedule. Skate outdoors and rent skates at the Woodland Ice Center in Kalispell, see flatheadflames.org for public skating schedule. If you have your own skates, Spoon Lake, a few miles from Moss Mountain Inn usually has a skating area plowed by local residents.

Connect with your inner artist at Stumptown Art Studio, a nonprofit community art center in Whitefish. Make pottery at their walk-in ceramics studio or check their schedule for special events for kids and adults.

Skijoring is a sport that combines an interesting mix of two of Montana’s favorites: horses and skiing. The public is invited to check out the continued revival of skijoring at the Whitefish Winter Carnival. For over ten years, the weekend in January features exciting combination of horses, riders, and skiers mixed with speed, jumps, and of course, snow!

Choose from Pizza, salads, pasta, and hot subs. Open 3 - 9 pm, closed Mondays

Famous around here, the comfortably calm casual atmosphere of Tien's Place elusively conceals the true genius of the maverick chef behind one of the Flathead Valley's most highly acclaimed restaurants. Known by locals and visitors alike as some of the most complex flavors and textures anywhere. Vietnamese born Chef Tien has a rare talent for creating a unique twist on the most famous dishes from Asia and America.

Welcome to Backslope Brewing! We create and serve handcrafted beer in the shadow of Glacier National Park. If you have taken advantage of what Montana has to offer, the hiking, skiing, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, rafting, kayaking, sailing, and the breathtaking scenery, you will understand why we love this place. Come see us for incredibly tasty brews before, during and after all your adventures and tell us all about them. We love to swap stories over beer.

Acting as stewards to traditional hospitality, the dining room offers world-class cuisine in a warm and welcoming environment. Every evening staff lines the balconies to welcome the evening train, just like they did in 1910. Steeped in in the romaticism of a bygone era, it is the perfect setting for a special evening; whether you're celebrating an anniversary or the completion of a ten mile hike.

Gunsight Saloon is in the heart of downtown Columbia Falls on Nucleus Avenue. We opened our doors in June 2018 in a building with a lot of history—at one point The Last Chance Theater, then The Sportsman, and most recently The Bandit Saloon. We revamped the entire space with an old school, western feel, two bars, and a beautiful patio. With casual bar food, twenty beers on draft, a small wine and cocktail selection, and live music several days a week, Gunsight is the place to pitstop for a drink or hang out for the afternoon. We do not take reservations, please feel free to walk in with as many as you like any day of the week! Order your drinks at the bar and your food at the counter in back by the casino.

Rooted in Tradition, Serving up Quality Vaqueros (formally Los Caporales) restaurant is located at 535 Nucleus Ave in Columbia Falls, Montana. Vaqueros has been in business for 12 years and is family owned and operated. We pride ourselves in giving you the finest, freshest, and most authentic Mexican food. We prepare our salsas, sauces, and guacamole using quality ingredients, as well as crisp our own chips and shells in-house. ¡Mi casa es su casa!

The Nite Owl restaurant was purchased by Steve Marquesen in 1979. When our family took over The Nite Owl was just a small hometown cafe. Today we have the same good home cooking in the Nite Owl, with a friendly atmosphere. Over the years we have added a casino with 20 poker and keno machines. In 1984 we started the Back Room, we specialize in BBQ ribs, chicken, pizza and assorted salads. Today the Nite Owl is still a family run business. We are locally owned and operated and if you stop in you will still see Steve working away with his Partners Jay and Jana!