Some say you're more likely to see mountain goats than cars on the roads around Whitefish, Mont. This gateway town to magnificent Glacier National Park also abuts the longest designated wild river system in the U.S.
In other words, Whitefish feels very, very remote. Yet it is deceptively accessible: Glacier Park International Airport serves most major U.S. hubs, offering the country's closest direct service to a mountain resort community.
Most summer visitors to Whitefish are making the pilgrimage to Glacier--with good reason. For one thing, this national park doesn't see the kind of congestion that plagues many others. Yet vibrant wildlife and 50 active glaciers -- still hard at work carving spectacular scenery -- make it as awe- inspiring as any park in the system. In fact, Glacier is a World Heritage site, placing it in the ranks of the Taj Mahal, Serengeti Plains and Galapagos Islands.
The town of Whitefish is more than just a springboard to Glacier. It has a lively downtown, some fine restaurants (including the award-winning Tupelo Grille), professional guides for every imaginable outdoor activity and even its own network of excellent hiking trails. Most notable is the Danny On trail, a full day's hike to the 7,000-foot summit of Big Mountain, which offers amazing views of Glacier and, in August, rolling hills full of Montana's famous huckleberries.
Good deals can be had at some of the cookie-cutter hotels and condos in Whitefish. But we recommend Grouse Mountain Lodge (877-862- 1505), a quintessential Big Sky experience complete with antler chandeliers, moose heads and (stuffed) black bears in the lobby. The rustic trappings belie one of the most luxurious mountain resorts in the West, yet you can get a family-size loft that fits seven people for $229 a night.
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