Overview
Bigfork is a small town on northeast shore of Flathead Lake in Northwestern Montana. About 5,100 people lived there in 2020.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bigfork
Bigfork Art & Cultural Center
Exhibits mainly for area artists. Offers workshops and lectures. Next door to 2 art galleries and 1 jewelry gallery.
Bigfork Summer Playhouse
Known for bringing the best of Broadway to "the theater by the Bay."
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 20°F. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Superior)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FCA Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell — 19 mi away. Directions
- MSO Missoula Montana Airport, Missoula — 79 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 163 mi away (major hub). Directions
From US-93 on the western side of the lake, take Hwy 82.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Bigfork Art & Cultural Center
- Afternoon Bigfork Summer Playhouse
- Evening Flathead Lake Brewing Co. & Pubhouse
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cherry orchards abound in this area. Throughout Montana you will see products made with Flathead Cherries. The Flathead refers to the region grown, not a particular variety of cherry. Delicious flavor from this ideal location make whatever the product worth trying.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Bigfork is located on a blue bay where the Swan River flows into Flathead Lake, named "One of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in the Nation". The western border of the town is marked by the Flathead River.
Local information
Get in
From US-93 on the western side of the lake, take Hwy 82.
From the eastern side of the lake, take either Hwy 83, a long but beautiful drive, or Hwy 35 from Polson.
The nearest airport is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell.
Get around
While the population of the town is small you will still need a car, or bicycle, to get around.
See
Do
Eat
Cherry orchards abound in this area. Throughout Montana you will see products made with Flathead Cherries. The Flathead refers to the region grown, not a particular variety of cherry. Delicious flavor from this ideal location make whatever the product worth trying.
Drink
Drink Flathead Lake Brewing Co. & Pubhouse
Microbrewery and restaurant. 16 beers on tap plus wine and liquor. Cocktails created using locally distilled alcohol. Main floor has pub with pub food. Downstairs is the Pizza Cellar, which still has a full bar and 14 beers on tap. Both floors have decks to savor the view of the lake as you savor your drinks.
Sleep
Nearby
Kalispell
City / town · 28 listings · 14 mi away
Columbia Falls
City / town · 13 listings · 21 mi away
Polson
City / town · 11 listings · 26 mi away
Whitefish
City / town · 30 listings · 27 mi away
West Glacier
City / town · 22 listings · 30 mi away
Glacier National Park
Park · 36 listings · 45 mi away
East Glacier
City / town · 13 listings · 47 mi away
Ravalli
City / town · 4 listings · 55 mi away
My experience
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