Things to Do in Whitefish, Montana
The best things to do in Whitefish, Montana, are driving Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, riding the lifts at Whitefish Mountain Resort and spending an afternoon at City Beach on Whitefish Lake. Whitefish is a city of 7,751 people in Flathead County, on the west side of the Continental Divide.
The town grew up around the railroad. The Great Northern rerouted its main line through here in 1904. Early on the town was nicknamed Stumptown for the tree stumps left in its streets. The historic depot still serves Amtrak’s Empire Builder, and it’s the busiest Amtrak station in Montana.
Glacier National Park and Going-to-the-Sun Road
Whitefish is the closest real town to Glacier’s west entrance at West Glacier, a drive of under an hour. The park’s signature road runs 50 miles across the mountains and takes about two hours without stops. It tops out at Logan Pass, 6,646 feet up, where mountain goats and bighorn sheep are regulars.
★ Good to know The alpine section usually opens fully by early July and closes around the third Monday of October. Access rules at Logan Pass change from year to year, so check the park’s site before you go.
Whitefish Mountain Resort
The resort sits on Big Mountain above town. It opened on December 14, 1947, with a new T-bar lift and about a thousand townspeople on hand. Today it has 3,000 acres, 110 named trails and a long-term average of nearly 300 inches of snow a year.
★ Good to know In summer the resort runs a scenic lift with views into Glacier, alpine slides, zip line tours, an aerial adventure park and more than 20 miles of lift-served bike trails.
City Beach and Whitefish Lake
Whitefish Lake is a glacial lake about 7 miles long, and City Beach sits near its outflow. There’s a sandy beach, a designated swimming area with docks, gazebos, picnic tables and a public boat launch. Lifeguards are on duty in summer, and a stand rents kayaks and paddleboards.
★ Good to know Dogs aren’t allowed at City Beach or its picnic areas, so plan on leaving them at your lodging.
The Whitefish Trail
This free trail system surrounds the town. The city and Whitefish Legacy Partners started it in 2010. It now has 47 miles of non-motorized trail and 15 trailheads close to town, and the long-term goal is a 55-mile loop around Whitefish Lake.
★ Good to know Check the trail conditions page on the Whitefish Legacy Partners site before you head out, especially in spring.
Whitefish Depot and Stumptown Historical Society Museum
The historic depot is still a working Amtrak station, and the Stumptown Historical Society counts saving it as its greatest achievement. The Whitefish Museum inside tells the town’s story, from the railroad to early Big Mountain lifts and the Winter Carnival. Admission is always free.
★ Good to know The museum keeps limited midweek-to-Saturday hours, so check the society’s site before planning around it.
Whitefish Lake State Park
This 10-acre state park on the lake’s west shore has a beach, a boat launch and 25 campsites in mature woods. The lake is rarely windy, so it’s popular for water-skiing. The park also connects to the Whitefish Trail system.
★ Good to know Trains pass close to the campground and sometimes stop beside it, so light sleepers should bring earplugs.
Also in town
Downtown Whitefish is walkable from the depot, and the town has three craft breweries, Bonsai Brewing Project, Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Co. and SunRift Beer Co.; Tour Glacier rents paddleboards, kayaks and pedal boats at the state park in summer.
How far is Whitefish from Glacier National Park?
The park’s west entrance at West Glacier is under an hour’s drive east of Whitefish. From there, Going-to-the-Sun Road runs 50 miles across the park to St. Mary.
When is Going-to-the-Sun Road open?
The lower sections stay open all year. The alpine section over Logan Pass usually opens fully by early July and closes around the third Monday of October, depending on snow.
Is Whitefish Mountain Resort open in summer?
Yes. Summer brings scenic lift rides, alpine slides, zip line tours, an aerial adventure park, hiking and lift-served mountain biking. Huckleberry picking on the mountain is a summer tradition when the berries are ripe.
What else is worth seeing in Montana near Whitefish?
Polson, on the south shore of Flathead Lake, makes a good pairing. See things to do in Polson, or browse more small towns in Montana.
Where to find them
- Glacier National Park West Glacier, MT 59936 Website Directions
- Whitefish Mountain Resort Website Directions
- City Beach Website Directions
- The Whitefish Trail Website Directions
- Stumptown Historical Society Museum (Whitefish Depot) Website Directions
- Whitefish Lake State Park 1615 W. Lakeshore, Whitefish, MT 59937 Website Directions
Plan your trip: for events and current visitor info in Whitefish, see Whitefish Chamber of Commerce →
Some links in this section are affiliate links. If you book through them, Best Small Towns in America may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
