Whitefish, Montana: Three Late Summer Days with Poppa & Momma Bear From the Trip: Whitefish, Montana
Overview
Season: Late Summer
Duration: Three Days / Four Nights
Temperature: 30.9 F - 82.9 F
Precipitation: 0.0 0
Adventure Level: Nature Light
Animals Spotted: Bald Eagle (2), Beaver (2),Fish - species unknown (many). (NOTE: We did not have any bear sightings but this is bear country. You're advised to pick up bear spray which is sold widely)
Whitefish showed it could be a great destination accommodating a group with different "adventure" levels. The following are highlights and comments of our three easy, beautiful late summer days in Northwestern Montana with Mom and Dad. All look forward to returning.
Lodging:
We stayed at the Firebrand Hotel located in the downtown area. If on a return trip, the group mutually agreed we'd want to stay at the sister property, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake which was beautifully located lakeside. We actually ate dinner twice at the latter and enjoyed the scenic lakeside location (Note: First time I'd tried elk and was pleasantly surprised - delicious and apparently a healthy meat. It has almost a sweet taste due to elk's diet comprised of many berries). There were three other lodging options that came on the radar and intrigued me:
Chef owned Bed and Breakfast - The Garden Wall Inn: Also with a downtown location a few blocks from our hotel, it oozed charm from the outside and the breakfasts look so good it's wrong you could say - their website says "you can eat the scenery." If I were returning with a romantic beau, this is probably where I'd target staying. Also, the "civilized wake up call" described on their site sounds perfect. But, seriously, this gets incredible reviews and I feels like a spot for an intimate, personalized stay
Eco luxury in Geo Domes - Clear Sky Resorts: . We spotted these en route to our hike at Flathead Forest. They also rent cabins and tree houses but their "luxury domes" are what caught my eye. Personally, I'm terrified of bears but here one could watch the bears, elk, deer and other wildlife safely from a suspended dome. Amazing! Apparently also pet friendly - although, I don't know what would transpire if my 60 pound hunting dog, Henry, saw "Huckle-bear."
Historic & surrounded by 1M acres of Wilderness- Izaak Walton Inn: Suggested to us by a local. This is a quirky, historic option in a great mountain location. Located one mile from Glacier National Park's southern entrance which is less hectic than the other park entry options. Also, I get the sense that there's quite a bit to do right outside your backdoors and for those craving to detach a bit, sounds like there is the option and ability to be more "off the grid." You can choose to stay in several lodging types including a historic lodge or converted train cabooses once serving as historic railcars now scenic cabins.
Itinerary:
Day 1: We started early with a half day rafting trip with XX. They provide a scenic float trip or a whitewater tour (as well as full day options too). We opted to stay together as a group with a leisurely float. While I've rafted previously in some more strenous conditions, I have to admit that the scenic float was beautiful. The other three guests joining us very interesting and well traveled and learned a lot of great travel trips. Also, our guide has rafted professionally traveling the world doing so; He was knowledgable and a great guide. Afterwards we grabbed a bite and some local beer at X, some fresh huckleberry licorice at the gift shop next door, and then drove right into Glacier National Park whose entrance was more or less adjacent. We spent the afternoon driving to X and around Glacier. I took a refreshing dip in the lake before we headed back to the hotel to clean up for dinner.
Day 2:
