COLUMBIA FALLS TO TWO MEDICINE LAKE
The Middle Fork of the Flathead River marks the southwestern boundary of the park. With the Great Bear Wilderness on the other side, paddlers can raft Class II-III whitewater. Glacier Guides, in West Glacier, offers half-or full-day trips. One of the best ways to access the park is the Two Medicine entrance, a short nine-mile drive that ends at Two Medicine Lake, were the water is so clear that on some days the surface provides an exact simile of 9,513-foot Rising Wolf and 8,271-foot Sinopah Mountains.
EAT & STAY: Two Medicine Grill features locally raised beef and makes a mean huckleberry pie. With amazing views, cascading waterfalls, and acccess to lots of hiking trails, Two Medicine Campground is one of the most spectacular sites in the park.
GOING-TO-THE-SUN-ROAD
This iconic road, which is open only during the summer, winds from one jaw-dropping vista to another. Let someone else do the driving so you can take pictures by booking seats on one of Sun Tours' daily interpretive bus tours. For a stunning day hike, park at Siyeh Bend and lace your boots up for a 4.5 mile-hike up to Siyeh Pass. You'll be rewarded with fields of wildflowers and panoramic down valley views.
WHITEFISH
This resort city is a hub for recreation, with a seven-mile-long glacial lake, the ever-expanding Whitefish Trail and Whitefish Mountain Resort overlooking it all. Hike Danny On National Recreation Trail to the 6,817-foot summit of the resort or rent a mountain bike at Village Equipment rentals and explore the town's incredibly well-maintained network of multi-use trails. At Whitefish City Beach, rent a SUP or kayak at Paddlefish Sports. Back in town, treat yourself to an ice cream cone at Sweet Peaks Ice Cream and then take a leisurely stroll along the Whitefish River at nerby Riverside Park.
EAT & STAY: Order elk meatloaf and a glass of wine at Tupelo Grille. At Good Medicine Lodge, the breakfasts, like Montana Morning - a trout cake topped by a poached egg- are so delicious that they win national competitions.
EUREKA
Six miles south of the Canadian border, Eureka sits in the far northwest corner of Montana. With easy access to Glacier National Park and Kootenai National Forest, the recreation potential is endless. Stone Hill Climbing Area has 500 routes rated 5.10 and higher and great views to 90-mile-long Lake Koocanusa.
EAT & STAY: Cafe Jax serves up soups, salads, juicy burgers, and classic old-fashioned malts. Crystal's Grave Creek Cabins are brand-new and sit eight miles south of Eureka in the heart of the Kootenai National Forest.
LIBBY
For a sense of just how pristine the wilderness around Libby is: The Revenant and the River Wild were both filmed in Kootenai County. North of Libby, check out Kootenai Falls, which crashes more than 90 feet over the course of a mile. Hike across swinging the Kootenai Bridge and continue on Trail #218 up high cliffs overlooking the river to excellent viewpoints for bighorn sheep and peregrine falcons.
EAT & STAY: Rosita's has tasty homemade everything, from the chips and salsa to cheese enchiladas. Venture Inn has friendly staff and serves a complimentary continental breakfast.
