The northwestern part of Glacier National Park is located in Flathead County. Consisting of over a million acres of land, natural lakes and two mountain ranges, the park offers expansive views, lush campsites and scenic hiking trails. Of note are the many hotels and Swiss-inspired chalets that exist throughout the park that were built in the early 1900's to promote tourism. Among them are the Lake McDonald Lodge and the Many Glacier Hotel, the oldest hotel in the entire park. Glacier is also home to a collective ecosystem known as the "Crown of the Continent Ecosystem," which consists of vast areas of untouched wilderness. Major activities include camping and fly fishing, as well as guided tours by a fleet of restored 1930's coaches along the park's paved roads, including the scenic Going-to-the-Sun road -- the only road to run through the heart of the park.
Situated east of Glacier National Park in the Flathead County town of Whitefish, the Whitefish Mountain Resort is a premier ski resort located at The Big Mountain and is noted for hosting the U.S. Alpine Championships. Continually run by Winter Sports, Inc. since 1947, the resort boasts a number of activities including a zip-lining, scenic summer lift rides along The Big Mountain and a one-of-a-kind "Walk in the Treetops" experience in which visitors walk along a canopy boardwalk 70 feet above the forest floor. Of particular interest is the Kandahar Lodge -- an ornate Swiss chalet with rustic charm featuring a gourmet café called Café Kandahar.
Wild Horse Island is located in Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Montana as well as all the western 48 states. The island encompasses over 2,000 acres of land and is home to sheep, deer, American bald eagles and at least three wild horses whose ancestors used to roam the island. While camping is restricted due to the island's limited access, the scenic trails along the shoreline as well as the mountain views provide a number of activities for boaters, hikers, swimmers and those seeking to enjoy a picnic or day trip on the island. Of particular interest is Pointer Scenic Cruises' all-inclusive boat ride to the island.
Housed in a domed, red brick building that was once home to the Carnegie Library, the Hockaday Museum of Art was founded to preserve Montana culture through the art of Montana artists. Established in 1968, the museum is located in Kalispell, the largest city in Flathead County. While the exhibits at the museum are shown on a rotating basis, the museum is home to a permanent exhibit called "Crown of the Continent: Glacier National Park Gallery," which showcases the painters, sculptors, photographers and writers of Glacier National Park. Other permanent features of the museum include the Off the Wall Gift Gallery which sells jewelry, pottery and other gifts created by Montana artists, and the Discovery Gallery, which offers children the opportunity to participate in various hands-on projects that change with the museum's rotating exhibits. Of particular interest is the annual Arts in the Park Festival, an event tht benefits the museum.
