Lion Mountain
A close-to-town choice for a forest walk or ride when a full park day is unnecessary.
Things To Do in Whitefish
Swim at City Beach, hike or ride the Whitefish Trail, explore the historic depot and Central Avenue, or spend the day at Big Mountain.
Choose by season: City Beach and the Whitefish Trail suit a summer town day; Big Mountain carries the ski season and adds lift-served summer activities; Glacier needs a separate early start.
Glacier day
Leave Whitefish early for one selected road or trail, then check current NPS parking, shuttle, road, and alert pages before departure.
Whitefish Lake
Swim at City Beach, walk the shoreline, rent a paddlecraft, or stay for the long summer evening without leaving town.
Big Mountain
Ski in winter; in summer check current dates for mountain biking, scenic lift rides, hiking, and other resort activities.
Downtown and depot
Walk Central Avenue for shops, galleries, coffee, and restaurants, then visit the historic Great Northern Railway depot and its museum exhibits.
City Beach and Whitefish Lake
City Beach is the simplest in-town summer outing: sand, swimming, picnic space, and broad lake views. Paddlecraft rentals and boat access add a longer water day, but wind can rise quickly and the lake remains cold.
Central Avenue and the historic depot
Start at the Great Northern Railway depot, where the Stumptown Historical Society preserves local rail history, then walk into the Central Avenue commercial district for galleries, shops, coffee, and lunch.
Trails close to town
Choose a Whitefish Trail loop by distance and conditions
The community trail network reaches forest, lakes, and foothill terrain from several trailheads around Whitefish. Lion Mountain is a convenient first look near town; Beaver Lakes and Spencer Mountain support longer hiking or riding days. Check the Whitefish Legacy Partners trail report, seasonal closures, and permitted uses before setting out.
Beaver Lakes
Lake and forest terrain with multiple route choices; select a distance before leaving the trailhead.
Spencer Mountain
A stronger mountain-bike choice where directional trails and current conditions matter.
Bookable experiences
Tours and activities that fit this trip
Whitefish-based outings and clearly labeled regional departures can complement the lake, trail, mountain, and downtown choices above. Confirm each meeting point before booking.
Things To Do
Illuminated Glass Kayak Sunset Tour
Experience a unique kayaking adventure with LED-illuminated clear kayaks on Whitefish Lake at sunset.
Things To Do
Glacier Park & Wild Montana: 5-Day Hiking Experience
A guided 5-day hiking tour in Glacier National Park featuring historic lodging, healthy meals, and optional wellness activities.
Things To Do
Half Day Whitewater
A half-day whitewater rafting trip near West Glacier, giving Whitefish visitors a river adventure that fits around Glacier National Park sightseeing.
Things To Do
LED-Illuminated Night Kayak Tour
An after-dark kayaking experience featuring LED illumination.
Glacier Guide
Glacier National Park: Combo Driving Tour + Snowshoe Trek
A 5-hour guided tour combining scenic driving and a snowshoe trek in Glacier National Park with all gear and transportation included.
Glacier Guide
From Whitefish: West Glacier & Polebridge Day Tour
Private guided day trip exploring Glacier National Park, Hungry Horse Dam, Lake McDonald, and Polebridge Mercantile with transportation from Whitefish.
Glacier Guide
Whitefish: Private East Glacier & Two Medicine Driving Tour
Private 8-hour guided day tour from Whitefish to Glacier National Park's East Glacier and Two Medicine areas with scenic stops and light refreshments.
National parks pass
One pass to check before Glacier National Park
Compare Glacier entrance costs with the America the Beautiful annual pass. Vehicle reservations are not required in 2026, but ticketed shuttles, camping, tours, and other reservations may still cost extra.
Verify pass acceptance and any timed-entry rules before you go.
Second Star gear guide
Mountain Town Day Kit
Mountain-town packing list
Trail shoes, porch layers, and overlook stops.
Light trail shoes, water, rain backup, a fleece, sunscreen, binoculars, and car pieces for town-to-trail mountain weekends.
Trail Running Shoes
$150.00
Daypacks & Packs
$86.93
Packable Rain Jackets
$65.99
Open mountain-town guideMore picks on Second Star Guide →