Overview
Columbia Falls is a town in northwest Montana. About 5,300 people lived there in 2020. The town is only 10 miles from Kalispell and 17 miles from Glacier National Park making it incredibly popular for tourism. This article also includes the nearby community of Hungry Horse.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Columbia Falls
Hungry Horse Reservoir and Dam
Tour Montana's highest dam. There's also boating and fishing in Flathead National Forest.
International Larix Arboretum
Amazing Fun Center
maze, mini-golf, go-carts, bumper boats.
Big Sky Waterpark
waterslide, mini-golf, rockwall.
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 — 5 mi away. Directions
- MSO Missoula Montana Airport, Missoula — 100 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 163 mi away (major hub). Directions
U.S. Route 2 (US-2) runs through the center of Columbia Falls. It is about 10 miles east of US-93.
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 Amazing Fun Center, Big Sky Waterpark
- Lunch Laurie's Deli
- Afternoon Hungry Horse Reservoir and Dam, International Larix Arboretum
- Dinner Nite Owl & Back Room Cafe
- Evening Backslope Brewing
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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
Get in
U.S. Route 2 (US-2) runs through the center of Columbia Falls. It is about 10 miles east of US-93.
The nearest airport is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), 8 miles to the south.
See
See International Larix Arboretum
Do
Buy
Summer brings the most people so some businesses will be closed, or have reduced hours, during winter months.
Eat and drink
Eat Nite Owl & Back Room Cafe
Eat Three Forks Grille
local hand-cut steaks, wild game and fresh seafood
Drink Backslope Brewing
Microbrewery and restaurant.
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Whitefish
City / town · 30 listings · 7 mi away
Kalispell
City / town · 28 listings · 13 mi away
West Glacier
City / town · 22 listings · 14 mi away
Bigfork
City / town · 6 listings · 21 mi away
Glacier National Park
Park · 36 listings · 29 mi away
St. Mary
City / town · 4 listings · 44 mi away
East Glacier
City / town · 13 listings · 45 mi away
Polson
City / town · 11 listings · 47 mi away
My experience
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