Flathead Lake is one of the most dramatically framed bodies of water imaginable. Its basin carved by glaciers over 10,000 years ago, Flathead Lake is over 28 miles long and five miles wide, and holds the title of the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. The lake is fed from its northern end by the Main Flathead River and the Swan River and drains through its southern end into the Lower Flathead River.
Flathead lake is cupped on both sides by mountain ranges, to the east the lush Swan Range and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and to the west by the dry, rolling Salish Mountains, with views extending to the South of the impressive Mission Mountains and to the north of Flathead Valley & Glacier National Park.
Flathead lake is well known for its multitude of water sport options and the shoreline towns cater well to visitors looking to experience any of the following activities: fishing, sailing, motor-boating, sea-kayaking, jet-skiing, para-sailing, water-skiing & wakeboarding. A great number of state parks and beaches dot the shores of the lake, prime areas for summer picnics and lazy afternoons by the water. The east side of the lake is blanketed by well established cherry orchards, the bounty of which the lucky visitor can savor starting in early July. Visitors will find the west side has more shopping options, a small ski resort and the only winery in northwest Montana.
