Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
vacation rental companies in town are
Montana's Best Vacation Homes
(7573 Hwy.
35, Bigfork, 888/837-6424,
www.montanasbestvacationhomes.com
,
from $1,595 weekly);
Bayside Property Management
(406/883-4313,
www.rentalsinpolson.com
); and
Clear-
water Montana Vacations
(459 Electric Ave.,Ste. J, Bigfork, 866/330-5999,
www.clearwatermontanavacations.com
), which offer everything from lakeside studios to
cabins in the woods and lakefront lodges.
Five miles south of Bigfork, the
Mountain Lake Lodge
(14735 Sylvan Dr., Bigfork,
406/837-3800 or 877/823-4923,
www.mountainlakelodge.com
, $129-285) is elegant and
cozy with great vistas of the lake and plenty of amenities, including an outdoor infinity
pool, a hot tub, a putting green, and a fire pit along with two restaurants on-site. Pets are
welcome for $15 per day per pet. Also south of town, a good value just a short walk from
the pebbled shores of Flathead Lake is
Woods Bay Resort
(26481 East Shore Rd., Big-
fork, 406/837-3333, $95-150), which offers modest accommodations, from a queen motel
room to a two-bedroom cabin, in an idyllic setting. Consider it camping without the tent.
Just down the road is the funky
Islander Inn
(25999 MT 35, Bigfork, 406/837-5472,
www.sleepeatdrink.com
,
$65-175), which boasts colorful and cozy boutique-style bunga-
lows, each designed to reflect Anguila, Crete, Jamaica, Maui, Wild Horse, Zanzibar, or Bali.
There is a gift shop, bakery, and restaurant on the property, so you may not want to leave.
Right in town, and on the water, is the
Marina Cay Resort
(180 Vista Ln., 406/837-5861,
www.marinacay.com
,
$110-500). The largest property in the vicinity, and the hub of water
sports activities, Marina Cay boasts a number of accommodations, including condos and
townhomes, as well as dining. The resort is within easy walking to the lake and the town's
shops and restaurants. For a phenomenal guest ranch experience,
Averill's Flathead Lake
Lodge
(150 Flathead Lodge Rd., 406/837-4391,
www.flatheadlakelodge
,
weeklong all-in-
clusive trips from $3,444 adults, $2,562 teens, $2,338 children 6-12) is a historic family
ranch set right on the water. From sailing to horseback riding, fly-fishing to mountain bik-
ing, this ranch is exceptional.
If you can get a tent site, camping is one of the best ways to stay as close to Flathead Lake
as possible and truly enjoy the region. Among the most popular are
Wayfarers State Park
(Hwy. 35, 0.5 mile south of Bigfork, 406/837-4196,
www.fwp.mt.gov/parks
,
May 1-Sept.
30, $15 tents or RVs),
Finley Point State Park
(Hwy. 35, 11 miles north of Polson, then
4 miles west on County Rd., 406/887-2715,
www.fwp.mt.gov/parks
,
May 1-Sept. 30, $15
