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Greetings, Beacon nation! A long time ago, hailing from ports of coastal influence far, far away from the northern Rockies, the U.S. travel-and-leisure industry reached a consensus that Memorial Day, held on the last Monday of May to honor America’s casualties of war, ought to punctuate a weekend widely regarded as a de facto gateway drug to summer — a seasonal passage when the cabana wear condemned to mothballs last Labor Day resurfaces from storage and a full slate of garden parties and grilling commences in earnest. But despite what the hospitality hawks peddled, the month of May simply isn’t often conducive to croquet and cookouts here on the 48th parallel. Indeed, residents of northwest Montana have historically observed a soggier, more tarpaulined tradition, salvaging storm-soaked family car-camping expeditions by engineering rain shelters and vestibule villages that resemble Rube Goldberg apparatus; or by huddling around Sterno-heated bratwurst buffets as rain pools on portable gazebo roofs, periodically drenching its hunkered inhabitants. Imagine our surprise, then, when the holiday weekend delivered a string of summer-appropriate weather, flooding the Flathead Valley in sunlight and baking us under temperatures that crept into the high 70s.
For me, the only downside of this reversal of forecast fortunes was a neglected to-do list of chores, including cleaning the garage and editing the upcoming edition of Flathead Living magazine, the completion of which is, to me, a more honest harbinger of summer. So, before we succumb to the familiar summertime rhythm of baseball and barbecue, here’s a review of some of the top Flathead Living features from the past year:
Stay tuned as the latest edition of the magazine drops in mid-June, right around the official, solstitial start to summer. In the meantime, let’s check in with the region’s developed campgrounds, which are always popular among Montana’s hearty denizens, whether it’s a downpour or a Vitamin D-soaked holiday. I’m Tristan Scott, with you for this Tuesday edition of the Daily Roundup.
With the unofficial start of camping season upon us, public land managers have opened campgrounds across the region’s parks and forests.
The Flathead National Forest has begun opening its suite of 31 developed campgrounds that offer a range of services, accommodations, and access. These range from campgrounds with road access, wi-fi, and cell phone coverage to more primitive locations with limited services.
Of the 31 campgrounds, 13 are under management by a concessionaire through a special use permit. There are currently two concessionaires that provide customer service and high-quality recreation experiences. Flathead Valley Campgrounds operate the Tally Lake, Big Creek, and Devil Creek Campgrounds, along with several sites around the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Big Sky Recreation Company runs the campgrounds at Holland Lake, Swan Lake, and Lindbergh Lake.
In addition to designated campgrounds, dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Flathead National Forest on a first-come, first-served basis. If you plan on camping away from a designated campsite, take care to research the area beforehand and follow all posted rules and regulations during your stay. For example, the Blankenship Bridge on the Flathead River northwest of Columbia Falls, which is the posterchild for early-season boondocking, remains under an emergency closure due to high water until June 27.
To reserve a campground visit the website at Recreation.gov.
In Glacier National Park, seven of its 13 campgrounds are available by reservation only, while six are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These first-come, first-served campsites are located in more remote areas of the park and offer fewer amenities, and so far only two have opened this season: Bowman Lake Campground and Kintla Lake Campground, both located in the North Fork area.
Learn more about camping in Glacier National Park here, and check out camping opportunities at Montana’s state parks here.
Agency Approves Permit for New Holland Lake Lodge Owners
Flathead National Forest Supervisor Anthony Botello said the decision does not authorize any expansion of the historic lodge or activities beyond the scope of the existing special-use permit
After Decades of Delays, ‘Whitefish West’ Highway Project Clears Final Speed Bump
Slated for completion in fall 2026, work is underway to rebuild Highway 93 west of Whitefish, improving safety and recreation access along the city’s gateway corridor
What You Can Buy for About $750,000:In Romy Caro’s latest real estate roundup, she features a Bigfork home with updates throughout, a well-kept property in the heart of Whitefish and a Somers condo with private Flathead Lake access. See all the listings here.
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