Fun Things to See and Do Near LaSalle RV Park
Northwest Montana is a paradise for those who love to get out and experience the great outdoors. Whether you prefer the more adrenaline-pumping, extreme adventures like water skiing, mountain biking and snowmobiling, or if you are more into the relaxing adventures like a nice leisurely float on a lake, or a peaceful afternoon hike through the back country. Northwest Montana is sure to have something to satisfy your craving. And the great news in, no matter what it is you are looking to do, it can probably be found within just a short drive of LaSalle RV Park and Campground.
Hiking
We have a plethora of hiking options for you to discover and enjoy just minutes from the RV park.
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park itself boasts more than 730 miles of back country hiking trails that criss-cross the park and offer something for everyone.
There are extreme mountaineering trails that lead to some of the highest and most domineering peaks in the park like Mount Gould, Mount Jackson and Reynolds.
There are also many rugged intermediate trails that lead through the back country and take you to fascinating destinations overlooking many of the parks glaciers, picturesque hidden valley’s and back country lakes. Some great options include the trails to Grinnell Glacier or the rail to Iceberg Lake in the Many Glacier region, the Highline Trail near Logan Pass, or the hike in to upper Two Medicine or Oldman Lake in the Two Medicine area.
For those who prefer to enjoy the national parks beauty without all of the huffing and puffing and straining of the muscles, there are even a few options that are pretty laid back and easy, yet still offer some beautiful scenery and a great experience like the Trail of the Cedars near Lake McDonald, or the trail to Hidden Lake which starts near Logan Pass.
The Whitefish Trail
For something a little closer to town, try the Whitefish Trails, a network of 40+ trails that zig-zag back and forth through the mountains and forests surrounding Whitefish Lake and the town of Whitefish, Montana. These beautifully maintained trails are part of a projected 55+ mile loop that will one day encircle the full boundary of Whitefish Lake and provide access to many of the smaller back country lakes within the area as well. Most of the trails in this trail system are easy to moderate trails and many of the trail heads can be found near the edge of town in Whitefish making them very easy to access and enjoy.
Jewel Basin
The Jewel Basin is an area located east of Kalispell Montana and west of the Hungry Horse Reservoir near the north end of the Swan Range. The area includes more than 15,300 acres of protected public lands that houses 27 lakes and more than 35 miles of trails to enjoy. This area is designated for recreational hiking use only, with motorized vehicles and horses being prohibited.
Columbia Mountain
Set at the far north end of the Swan Mountain Range in the northeast corner of the Flathead Valley you will find Columbia Mountain and the Columbia Mountain hiking trail. this approximately 5 mile (one way) trail will take you from the trail head starting near the middle fork of the Flathead River, up along the side of Columbia Mountain all the way to the summit. The trail is rather steep in areas, with a total elevation gain of about 1,900 feet.
This is the closest of the trailheads to LaSalle RV Park, being located just a few short miles down the road.
The trail provides some exceptional views of the Flathead Valley, the Hungry Horse Reservoir, and the peaks of Glacier National Park.
Fishing
You will find many opportunities for fishing throughout the area, and most of them are not far from the RV Park either.
The Flathead River flows through the Flathead Valley not more than a 4 miles from LaSalle RV Park. The Flathead River begins at the confluence of the three smaller rivers that share its name… the Middle Fork, the South Fork and the North Fork of the Flathead River. Although they each share a common moniker, they are in fact three separate and distinct rivers. The Flathead River is a good place to cast your line and fish for some rainbow and cutthroat trout. Further south below Flathead Lake you will also find opportunities for pike and largemouth bass and brown trout.
Speaking of Flathead Lake, the fishing here is excellent with opportunities for lake trout, pike, yellow perch, whitefish, rainbow trout, bull trout, bass and kokanee salmon. Most of the year you will want to use a trolling boat with down riggers as these guys like to stay deep in the cooler waters, however there are some great opportunities for fly fishing in the early fall.
Other great fishing waters in the area include Lake McDonald inside Glacier National Park, The Hungry Horse Reservoir, Lake Koocanusa and Whitefish Lake.
For more information on fishing guides in the area check out the following links:
Boating
The lakes here in northwest Montana are not only good for fishing however… they are also a great place to take your ski boat, your pontoon, or your jet-skis for an afternoon of wave jumping, wake boarding, and sunset cruises. Northwest Montana has an abundance of surface water for you to choose from all within a short drive from the RV park. Which means no matter where you choose to go, you will have plenty of room on the water for your recreational adventures.
Some great options for lake recreation in the area include Flathead Lake, Ashley Lake, The Hungry Horse Reservoir and Whitefish Lake. Lake McDonald and Two Medicine Lake inside Glacier National Park even offer unique lake cruises on old wooden tour boats… a real treat that compliments the ambiance and nostalgia of the area.
For more information on how you can reserve a specialty cruise or charter boating service on one of northwest Montana’s beautiful lakes you can check out the links below.
Rafting
The Middle Fork and North Fork Flathead Rivers provide some great opportunities for whitewater rafting as well as opportunities for more laid back leisurely floats as well. Whether you plan on floating your own vessel down the river, or you are looking to go with an expert guide or outfitter, you will have plenty of options at your disposal.
If you are planing to navigate the river on your own, it would behoove you to chat with a local area guide or a park ranger to get a rundown on the lay of the river and potential problem spots that you might need to look out for. There are often spots along the river where you might run into dangerous log snags, or full on log dams that have formed and could be a point of real danger if you are not aware of their location and how to avoid them.
If you would rather go with a guided service that knows the area and the rivers well and can show you the best places to put-in, take-out, and what to watch out for and avoid along the way, then you have a few options to choose from:
Golfing
If golfing is your favorite way to pass the time, then you are going to love the Flathead Valley. There are more than a half dozen golf courses within a short 20-30 minute drive from LaSalle RV Park. Two of the closest options also happen to be among the most popular options options in the area… The Whitefish Lake Golf Course in the town of Whitefish and Meadow Lake Golf course in Columbia Falls.
The Whitefish Lake Golf Course is the only 36-hole course you will find in northwest Montana. The course is made up of two distinct 18-hole options, a north course and a south course. Both of which are beautifully maintained and offer stunning views and expert challenges.
Meadow Lake golf course is a beautiful course as well situated amongst the pine trees along the north side of Columbia Falls. The course offers 18-holes of golf with stunning wide open fairways, beautiful water features and views into the peaks of Glacier National Park.
Other popular places to play that are also within a short drive from LaSalle RV Park include Norther Pines Golf approximately 15 minutes away, Buffalo Hill Golf Course about 12 miles from the park, The Village Greens – a 14 minute drive, and the West Glacier golf course about 27 minuets away.
Winter and Summer Recreation and Adventures on Big Mountain!
The Whitefish Mountain Resort on Big Mountain near Whitefish Montana is a fabulous, all-season outdoor playground. In the winter months you will find more than 3000+ acres of skiable terrain to explore and more than 300+ inches of annual snowfall to enjoy.
During the summer months the mountain transforms into a summer playground! Spend the day flying around the mountain…literally on their zip-line adventure course! There are 7 unique zip-lines strung about the mountain, some as long as 1500 ft and rising 300+ feet in the air! There is also a treetop aerial adventure course, a summer tubing hill, multiple alpine slides, and many miles of downhill track for mountain biking adventurists.
There are also lots of opportunities for picking fresh huckleberries, right along the main ‘Danny On’ hiking trail!
Another popular way to spend the day on the mountain during the summer is to enjoy a scenic gondola or chair-lift ride to the summit house for an enjoyable lunch overlooking the Flathead Valley and the peaks of Glacier National Park!