Discover Big Sky
Country, Montana
Discover Big Sky Country & Flathead Lake, Montana
Welcome to the beautiful town of Polson, located in northwest Montana on the south end of Flathead Lake. Named after pioneer rancher David Polson, it was incorporated in 1910 and is the county seat of Lake County.
According to a recent census, the town’s population is just over 5,000. It is the center of one of Montana's most fertile farming areas and a prime cherry-growing region. Polson celebrates this bountiful harvest every summer with the Flathead Lake Cherry Festival.
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake (by surface area) in the western US and is also one of the cleanest in the world. Twenty-eight miles long and 15 miles wide, it is renowned for its fishing.
Public lands around the Lake include a National Wildlife Refuge on the North Shore, six State Parks (including Yellow Bay) managed by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP), and nine Fishing Accesses managed by FWP or the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
From swimming to fishing to whatever kind of boating or floating you're in to—motor-boating, stand-up paddle-boarding, kayaking or sailing—the exquisite waters reflecting snowcapped peaks, forested slopes and our wild blue sky are nothing short of stunning year-round.
In the summer, roadside stands along the east shore offer a variety of locally grown cherries, apples, plums, and other fruits.
Winter on and around the lake is a wonderland of adventure. For downhill ski enthusiasts, Blacktail Mountain Ski Area (just west of Lakeside) offers a family-friendly mountain experience with excellent lake views. Nordic skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers enjoy numerous groomed and backcountry trails throughout the region. Even though the lake doesn't completely freeze over due to its size, ice fishing fun can be enjoyed on the bays that do freeze over. For a truly unique winter activity, try dog sledding.
Montana ... Where the Elevation is Usually Higher Than the Town's Population!
(Did You Know that in Montana Cows Outnumber Humans 3:1?)
Top 12 Things To Do In Big Sky Country
1. Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is largest natural freshwater lake (by surface area) in the western US is also one of the cleanest in the world. Twenty-eight miles long and 15 miles wide, Flathead Lake is renowned for its fishing. With over 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline recreation on and around the lake includes: sailing, power boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and camping. In the summer, roadside stands along the east shore offer a variety of locally grown cherries, apples, plums, and other fruits.
2. Kerr Dam (Seli'š Ksanka Qlispe' Dam)
Kerr Dam is now renamed to reflect the tribe owning and running it, but locals know it as Kerr Dam. It's a concrete gravity-arch dam located at river mile 72 of the Flathead River (116 river kilometers). Built in 1938, it raises the level and increases the size of Flathead Lake near Polson, Montana. The dam was designed to generate hydroelectricity but also serves recreational and irrigation uses. The dam was originally named after Frank Kerr, president of the Montana Power Company, which undertook the construction, with federal assistance during the Great Depression.
3. Bison Range
The Bison Range (BR) is a nature reserve on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana established for the conservation of American bison. Formerly called the National Bison Range, the size of the bison herd at the BR is 350 adult bison and welcomes between 50-60 calves per year. Established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1908, the BR consists of approximately 18,524 acres (7,496 ha) within the Montana valley and foothill grasslands.
4. Glacier National Park
Glacier is a little over 1 hr from Polson! People come from all over the world to see and experience this natural beauty. The park encompasses more than 1 million acres (4,000 km2) and includes parts of two mountain ranges (sub-ranges of the Rocky Mountains), more than 130 named lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals. This vast pristine ecosystem is the centrepiece of what has been referred to as the "Crown of the Continent Ecosystem," a region of protected land encompassing 16,000 square miles.
5. Polson Bay Golf Course
Experience Montana golfing the way you would imagine it should be… the way it is at Polson Bay Golf Course. Open to the public since 1938 and a Flathead Valley favorite for decades, its 27 breathtaking holes boasting spectacular lake and mountain views. This course is comprised of the only fairways adjacent to the shores of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi! Along with the incredible scenery and immaculate playing conditions, Polson Bay Golf Course offers superior value in a relaxed atmosphere and has been accredited with a 4 STAR RATING in “Places to Play” by Golf Digest.
6. Miracle of America Museum
The Miracle of America Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of one of the largest collections of American history. Gil & Joanne Mangels founded the Miracle of America Museum in 1981. Through the years, the museum has had as many as 18,000 visitors annually from the entire 50 United States, all 10 Canadian provinces, and as many as 51 countries. The museum also attempts to give back to the local community and sponsors several educational tours for elementary and secondary-level schools throughout Montana.
7. Port Polson Players
An amazing and truly giving part of our community! Every year, they work with and produce a play with the local k-8 grade students. They put it together in three weeks and perform for the community. Most of my children have participated in this! The other performances the theater performs throughout the year are completely volunteer-based and raise funds to maintain the century-old historic building that they perform in. The building is also located on the "old nine" part of our golf course, overlooking Polson Bay.
8. Wild Horse Island
Wild Horse Island, the largest island in Flathead Lake, encompasses over 2,000 acres north of Polson and is reachable only by boat. This unique landmass is heavily forested and large enough to host wildlife, including mule deer, bighorn sheep, and a few feral horses. Our favorite is to put in kayaks at Big Arm State Park and paddle out to the island. There are great views and hiking trails. A special treat is to see the wild horses that actually live on the island. There are also deer and lots of wildflowers.
9. Polson Hill Lookout
Polson hill lookout is a perfect spot to see the Mission Mountains, which are part of the Rocky Mountains, through the Narrows on the lake (a spot where Finley Point comes out and meets several small islands, making several narrow spots to pass from Polson Bay into the rest of the lake.) On a clear day you can see all the way into Glacier National Park. Several months out of the year, there are amazing alpine glow sunsets that illuminate our gorgeous mountains and they almost seem to be singing.
10. Quinn's Hot Springs
Quinn's Hot Springs is a quick 45-minute drive from Polson. It is actually located in the small town of Paradise and soaking in their pools truly is paradise! The restaurant is magnificent as well.
A great spot to rest and relax. They are recently added several new cabins and it is a great spot to run away to!
11. St. Regis Travel Centre
St. Regis is less than 90 mins from Polson and is a family favorite stop! Yummy ice creams, huckleberry treats, lots of cool made-in-Montana products, and snacks galore make this a must-stop location for tourists and locals alike. They also have Montana's largest trout fish tank!
12. Skiing & Snowboarding
Whether seeking knee-deep powder or a nice long groomer, Montana has a long list of skiing and snowboarding options - without the long lift lines. From small mom-and-pop hills with pristine powder and short lift-lines to large-scale resorts with some of the biggest and best skiing and snowboarding experiences around, explore Montana's ski areas and resorts to find a winter experience like none other.
Flathead Lake Area, Polson on the Map
“I’m in love with Montana.
For other states
I Have admiration,
respect, Recognition,
even some affection.
But with Montana,
it is love.”
– John Steinbeck
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