This Is The Friendliest Small Town in Montana

As one of the best small towns in America, Whitefish, Montana, is a warm and welcoming community in the Flathead Valley of the Northern Rockies. Home to just under 10,000 residents, this alpine village has all the hallmarks of a western small town with big smiles under a big sky. In the summer, locals and visitors raft the rivers, lounge lakeside, or take in a rodeo. In the winter, the action is on the ski slopes, the alpine snowmobiling trails, or indoors at the lively local theater. With so much to explore and experience in this friendly town, it’s easy to see why Whitefish locals love showing it off to visitors.

A Brief History of Whitefish

Although Whitefish was officially incorporated in 1905, the history of the town goes back even further to the late 1880s when homesteaders set up camp in Flathead Valley. Choosing a strategic spot where the Whitefish River flowed into Whitefish Lake, these early settlers started a sawmill, and the town quickly grew around its lumber industry. By 1910, the railroad had arrived, and Whitefish was a busy village, home to 1,479 residents and a thriving business district.

Today, Whitefish is known as the gateway to the Rockies and is used as a base camp for visitors keen to explore Glacier National Park, Big Mountain, Whitefish Lake, and Flathead Lake. However, the town didn't become known as a recreational resort destination until the mid-20th century when properties like the Whitefish Mountain Resort and Whitefish Lake Golf Club began operating. From there, tourism boomed, and Whitefish became a year-round destination while retaining its old-fashioned hospitality and small-town charm.

Activities in Whitefish

The jewel in the crown of the Flathead Valley has to be the stunning National Glacier Park. This incredible preserve offers over 700 miles of trails over melting glaciers, through alpine meadows, along deep valleys, and by crystal clear lakes. What better way to see the park than with a knowledgeable local? Whitefish Outfitters offers guided tours, including a scenic driving tour, a snowshoeing trip, a snowmobile excursion, and more.

If you are visiting Whitefish in the summer months, there are plenty of beautiful mountain hikes in the area, but sometimes you just want a day at the beach. The Whitefish City Beach is a great place to picnic and paddle on the shores of Whitefish Lake. The beach has a boat launch, swimming areas, and a refreshment stand. You can also rent paddle boards and kayaks if you want to get out on the lake’s glacial waters.

Whitefish is known as an outdoorsy town, but there is a lot going on indoors, too. Founded in 2004 by Broadway veterans, the Alpine Theatre Project has put the town on the map as a dynamic arts and culture venue. This homegrown theatre group performs musical shows, plays, and more at the Whitefish Performing Arts Centre.

See more local talent with the Whitefish Theatre Company (WTC), a lively community troupe with a packed schedule of musicals, plays, comedies, dance performances, and music, as well as a Summer Concert Series that focuses on past classics from different decades. The WTC performs downtown, near Whitefish's historic railroad depot. Still a working station, the Depot Building is also home to the Whitefish Museum. This free museum shares stories from Whitefish through the centuries, tracing its history in photographs, artifacts, and other memorabilia.

Whitefish Events and Festivals

You can’t visit Montana without attending a classic cowboy rodeo. A local legend, the Brash Rodeo (in nearby Columbia Falls) is a family-owned operation offering all the hallmarks of a traditional rodeo event, including bull riding, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and chute dogging. Montana’s longest-running series open rodeo, the Brash Rodeo, holds regular shows, including a special Heritage Days event in the summer.

Another popular Whitefish tradition is the annual Huckleberry Days festival, now in its 36th year. Taking place in August, this three-day event is your chance to taste Montana’s famous fruit with samples of huckleberry ice-cream, pies, and pancakes. The fair isn’t just about berries however, it’s also an arts and crafts show where you can pick up one-of-a-kind jewellery, photography, pottery, and art.

There is more creativity on display at the Whitefish Arts Festival, which has brought local and international talent to the town for almost 50 years. The event runs over two days in July and features metal sculptures, paintings, photography, woodworking, pottery, jewelry, clothing, and home decorations. It also attracts a range of local food vendors selling delicious treats, including sausages, fried pickles, berry bowls, and shaved ice.

If you love sailing, you will love the Whitefish Woody Weekend, an antique and classic boat show that takes over Whitefish Lake in June. The show begins with a sunset lake cruise and continues with events, including a poker run, beach BBQ, and draws for public boat rides.

Wild but Welcoming

Whitefish is known primarily as an outdoor playground with jagged mountains, deep valleys, and glacial lakes on its doorstep. While many visitors enjoy these dazzling natural attractions, it is worth taking the time to get to know the town built among them. Whitefish has a rich heritage from its early days as a logging town to its reincarnation as a resort destination. Through it all, the town has resisted the temptation to become a secluded alpine hamlet, cut off from the rest of the world. On the contrary, Whitefish is happy to share its incredible scenery, thriving arts, fascinating history, and dynamic culture with visitors who come as strangers but leave as friends.