Majestic mountainous surroundings in Telluride, Colorado For those seeking magnificent scenery without the crowds of better-known tourist towns, visit any one of the most beautiful small towns in the Rockies with the best views of mountain vistas. In these quiet mountain hamlets, travelers can hike sun-drenched trails, go rock climbing, try mountain biking, or whitewater rafting during the day, and then relax at a local cafe, brewery, or bed and breakfast at night. The range is also a prime skiing destination, which is one of the must-try bucket list experiences in the United States. Whether travelers are looking for outdoor adventures, historical sites, or just a peaceful mountain retreat, these destinations offer refreshing mountain air and jaw-dropping vistas.įrom Utah to Montana and Colorado to California, the American Rockies are filled with under-the-radar towns where visitors can take in dramatic panoramas of snow-capped peaks, rolling green hills, and pristine lakes. The majestic American Rocky Mountains are home to numerous charming small towns that provide breathtaking alpine scenery. Quirky and charming: Taos, New Mexico, Whitefish, Montana, Georgetown, Colorado, and Ouray, Colorado offer unique art scenes, recreational activities, and stunning mountain vistas. Scenic small towns: Truckee, California, Estes Park, Colorado, and Bozeman, Montana provide beautiful mountain views, outdoor recreation, and a laid-back ambiance. Kootenai Falls, and its swinging bridge, sit along the Kootenai River, with the bridge offering a bird’s-eye view of the falls below.ĭistance from Kalispell: 1 hour, 45 minutes (100 miles)Īnd while Glacier National Park will always and forever be the Crown of the Continent, there’s so much to discover outside its 1 million acres.Hidden ski gems: Park City, Utah, Jackson, Wyoming, and Telluride, Colorado offer stunning mountain views and world-class skiing in the American Rockies. While most travelers to Kalispell head north and east into Glacier National Park, one of the state’s coolest places is a scenic drive north and west. This gorgeous day hike will reward you with views of the lake below, the waterfall and surrounding mountain peaks that stretch into the Flathead National Forest.ĭistance from Kalispell: 1 hour, 15 minutes (75 miles) A scenic dirt road off of Highway 83 will take you to Holland Lake and the Holland Falls National Recreation Trail which leads to Holland Falls. Dogs are allowed on trails in national forests, if they are leashed.ĭistance from Kalispell: 45 minutes (27 miles) There are abundant day hikes in the basin and you’ll be rewarded with views and quiet moments, as no motorized traffic or bikes are allowed. This 15,000-acre area is ideal for hiking, camping and fishing, with more than 20 lakes located in the Jewel Basin. Directly east of Kalispell in the Flathead National Forest is the Jewel Basin. The summit is accessible by hiking trails or you can catch a scenic chairlift ride up to the top.ĭistance from Kalispell: 30 minutes (22 miles) On clear days, rumor has it you can even see into Canada. Located on Big Mountain, Whitefish Mountain Resort offers a phenomenal view out over the Flathead Valley and into Glacier National Park. Pro tip: if it’s busy at the start of the reservoir, keep driving on either the west side road or east side road and you’re sure to quickly be in an area with no one else around.ĭistance from Kalispell: 20 minutes (20 miles) There’s plenty of room to explore, camp, hike, swim, boat and fish. Sitting in a beautiful canyon on the South Fork of the Flathead River near the town of Hungry Horse, Hungry Horse Reservoir is 34 miles long and stretches into the Flathead National Forest. The lake is home to numerous islands, some of which are public lands (like Wild Horse Island State Park) while others are privately owned.ĭistance from Kalispell: 10 minutes (9 miles) Highway 93 or Montana Highway 35 and take advantage of scenic pullouts along the way or you can get out onto the water on a private boat tour, guided kayaking tour or with your own watercraft. You can cruise the lake in its entirety on U.S. The largest natural freshwater lake in the West, there are endless jaw-dropping views of Flathead Lake. We invite you to take in these Montana views that will leave you thinking you’re in a national park:įlathead Lake and its islands. While our favorite national park is open year-round, and you are always welcome to visit, we feel like we need to tell you something: there’s so much to see outside of Glacier National Park.
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