Seniors Stop In Colorful Kalispell

 Senior travelers find Kalispell in the heart of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, poised in the northwest corner of Montana, about an hour south of the Canadian border.

 At more than 5,000 square miles, Flathead County’s 90,000 residents have plenty of elbow room and Kalispell, whose population is just over 22,000, is the seat of Flathead County, Montana.

Kalispell is a progressive, thriving community, the very essence of Big Sky Country – with the best backyard in the country. To the east: the soaring peaks of Glacier National Park.

To the south: Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, a glacial jewel and one of the purest anywhere. To the north: Whitefish Mountain, renowned for its epic powder and short lift-lines in winter, plus summertime mountain biking, zip lining and other fun  activities.

 Seniors Surrounded By Natural Beauty

The original inhabitants were the Salish, Kalispell, Blackfoot and Kutenai Indian tribes. They hunted for the region’s buffalo, deer and elk. In 1855 the Indians were forced to move to the Flathead Reservation.

Kalispell was established in the early 1890′s after the arrival of the railroad. Tourism and businesses began to thrive thanks to the trains. Farming, sawmills and flour mills were important factors for the economy. The city’s name is a Salish Indian word which translates to flat land above the lake.

Kalispell serves as a base for recreational activities in the region. Everywhere around senior visitors will find historic charm, affordable adventure and soul-stirring beauty.

 Flathead National Forest Draws Seniors

Encompassing the valley is the Flathead National Forest – 2.3 million acres of federally protected public land, home to abundant wildlife, including grizzly and black bears, moose, deer, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and wolves.

The Thompson Chain of Lakes is dedicated to fishing. The region is popular for hunting. Senior visitors enjoy the walking trails at Woodland City Park. Then there’s golfing at the Big Mountain Golf Club, mountain bike racing and triathlons  during the summer along with an active nightlife and numerous art galleries and boutiques.

Kalispell enjoys a relatively mild climate: glorious summers with warm days and cool nights and little humidity; golden autumn days turning crisp by late October; winters made for skiing, snowboarding, snowcatting and ice fishing; and springs with daffodils dusting the valley while fresh snow dusts the surrounding peaks – an extraordinary season when you can ski and golf – in the same day!

TripAdvisor suggests that seniors check out The Conrad Mansion, the 1895 family home of Charles E. Conrad, a founding father of Kalispell and pioneer businessman. Guides in period dress offer tours of this sprawling home that has been fully restored. Enjoy Kalispell! -jeb

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