Under An Hour From Glacier National Park Is Montana's Family-Friendly Lakeside Ranch With Western-Style Fun

Glacier National Park may be one of the biggest reasons travelers head to northwestern Montana. In addition to the park's nearly two dozen active glaciers, visitors are drawn to its over 700-mile trail network, while the park offers several camping options to sleep under the stars. But you don't have to stay within the park to spend the night surrounded by nature. About 45 minutes from Glacier's west entrance, Flathead Lake Lodge gives visitors a different way to experience the outdoors.

Located in Bigfork between Flathead Lake and Flathead National Forest, the family-owned dude ranch has operated for over 80 years. Guests can stay in one of over a dozen Western-style cabins, some of which have up to three bedrooms — an especially useful option for families or large groups traveling together. 

In addition to being an accommodation option for those visiting the nearby Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake Lodge's almost 2,000-acre property is an experience in itself. The grounds, described by one reviewer on TripAdvisor as "meticulously cared-for," offer gorgeous views of the Swan Mountains. There are also dozens of all-inclusive activities to take part in, including swimming, fishing, and horseback riding. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

One of the biggest perks of staying at Flathead Lake Lodge is that horseback riding is included throughout the stay, giving guests plenty of chances to explore the ranch. Rides are led by lodge wranglers, and guests aged 6 and older can participate. However, if you're not interested in sitting in the saddle yourself, you can watch the wranglers during their rodeo demonstration, which takes place weekly. 

Travelers may be more surprised by just how many activities there are beyond horseback riding. Guests can try team penning, take line-dancing lessons, or dance the night away at a barn party. There's also a sporting clays course, where an instructor guides guests as they shoot at clay targets, and instructor-led archery on a 10-shot 3D course. Before it's time to go back home, visit the boot branding area to turn your cowboy boots into a souvenir from the ranch.

Families traveling with younger guests also have activities geared specifically toward them. Programming is separated into Little Buckaroos for ages 3 to 5, 'Pokes for ages 6 to 10, and activities for tweens and teens 11 and older. Depending on their age, kids can take part in activities like laser tag, arts and crafts, campfire games, and even a slip 'n slide. One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote, "I've never seen my kids more active and engaged and excited for every single minute of every single day."

In addition to activities for kids and adults, the lodge also has a long-running tradition: its weekly steak fry. Guests travel in a vintage fire truck to an open meadow for dinner prepared on an outdoor grill. Beyond the weekly steak fry, meals at the lodge feature "Montana-raised local meats" like bison and seasonal dishes that one Google reviewer describes as "delicious, definitely gourmet, and efficiently served."

Summer stays are sold as weeklong, all-inclusive packages running from Sunday to Sunday. That schedule fits with the lodge's communal approach, since activities like the barn dance and steak fry are held for guests throughout the property. Like many other Montana dude ranches, the stay does come at a premium, though. Adult rates range from about $5,800 to $7,300 per person, while the price for children is between $2,700 and $6,000 for the week, depending on which type of accommodation guests choose.

Getting there is relatively easy for travelers flying in. Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, an underrated town in the Mountain West, is about a 30-minute drive away, and the lodge provides round-trip transportation from the airport on Sundays. Guests who want to explore the beautiful Glacier National Park can arrange a private tour through the lodge during their stay. However, those hoping to spend more time exploring may want to tack a few extra days onto their trip after checking out and use a rental car to continue on to the park.