flathead national forest

To many, Northwest Montana means Glacier National Park. And deservedly so. But on my yearly trips to Whitefish to visit family, with kids....and dog....in tow, I looked for other options (Glacier does not allow dogs.). In ten years of trips with four hikes each visit, we barely scratched the surface. The unspoiled beauty of the Flathead National Forest made an indelible mark on me and my kids. It won't be too long until my kids take THEIR kids there, because they want to provide them with the same spectacular memory that is in their hearts.

This was a great place to visit and see the woods. Easy access. Great place to see native plants. We enjoyed out time in the big woods.

This is a place to go for anyone who needs to get away from the stress's of life. The views, the streams, the trails, it was just overwhelming to the senses to see such beauty. I could write a book about it, but without seeing a visiting it first hand you would never understand. Diffidently on my to do list again as repeat.

Beautiful and as wild as it can get. Occasional bears, deer, wolves, moose, foxes, rabbits, and pheasants - they are no harm at all. Best camping and hiking that's available. Nice views, but one thing for all the city people out there - there is nothing made for your comfort except for an occasional outhouse on the campgrounds. Best luck out there - it's awesome!

Although the scenery is great there is only so much you can say about trees and scenery. It was nice but not jaw-dropping.

This describes our experience at this campground perfectly.We have been camping here for 16 years and will never return.A true shame as the views and lake is one of the best and our family has hundreds of fantastic memories from Tally lake.Police state:From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaA police state is a state in which the government exercises rigid and repressive controls over the social, economic, and political life of the population. A police state typically exhibits elements of totalitarianism and social control, and there is usually little or no distinction between the law and the exercise of political power by the executive.The inhabitants of a police state experience restrictions on their mobility, and on their freedom to express or communicate political or other views, which are subject to police monitoring or enforcement. Political control may be exerted by means of a secret police force ( hiding behind trees with binoculars to find Any little thing ) which operates outside the boundaries normally imposed by a constitutional state.

There are just so many options for recreation in Montana and Flathead Nat Forest hosts some wonderful memorable options for solo trips or with your family. Just do realize you are heading out into the wild and you need to be aware and educated about your surroundings and how to protect yourself from the elements and wildlife!! One being, you gotta have Bear Spray when you are out and about especially when off the beaten path, it might just save your life. Make sure people know where you are going, don't become another missed hiker that was never found, seen or heard from again. Hike smart and enjoy all that the beautiful forest has to offer!

We had the most wonderful time. We drove up NPF roads until we were the only car on the road. Hiked to Clearwater Lake. Beautiful! Clear as air, photograph was great! Just being alone during the summer crowds was a treat.

I am a Montana native, but have been in most of the countries on the planet. There are beautiful, diverse, challenging elements to every country. This is the best. You could spend your life in northwestern Montana and never see all of it.

We use the forest for all kinds of entertainment, hiking, fishing and there is a lot of ground to cover. We really enjoy the south fork and also float the north fork of the flathead river.

I was driving south on Route 2, returning from Glacier National Park. In Hungry Horse, Montana I took a left onto the West Side Road and headed into the Flathead National Forest. A few miles down the road I arrived at the Hungry Horse Dam, the gateway to the Hungry Horse Reservoir Recreation Area. I had never heard of the dam before and was surprised to learn it was the third largest dam in the world when it was built in 1953. It’s an impressive structure rising 573 feet above the south fork of the Flathead River. A map of the area was posted on the dam and it was surprising as well. A person could spend a lifetime exploring this vast wilderness which boasts nearly 3,000 miles of hiking trails. I explored a minute part of it near the West Side Road and was rewarded with great views of the Hungry Horse Reservoir set against the distant mountains and eagles’ nests set atop the trees in the rich thick forest.

If you are visiting Whitefish, and it is a sin not to go to flathead national forest. You must go, period. You will find great hiking trails, the most pristine an amazing views, but before you go stop by the local army surplus store to get two cans of pepper spray, and the Forest Ranger said to be prepared just in case a bear came near you, they're so awesome and scary you will drop one can, but at least you know you have the second one at hand!

The Flathead National Forest is covered with some amazing trails for year-round hiking, snow shoeing and playing outdoors. Our favorite hike is the Bond Creek Trail, at the south end of Swan Lake. Great hike to a beautiful waterfall and two lakes.