1kalispellarea.gifTRAVEL_MT2004-12-22T11:43:0427YVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://fcvb.orgYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.bigfork.org/YVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://glacier.visitmt.comYLOCAL NEWSPAPERShttp://www.bigforkeagle.com/10000280<DIV class="cityaspfont"><ul class= "fotocolumn"><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Bigfork_Downtown.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Local Businesses</p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: John Ansotegui</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Bigfork_summertheater.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Bigfork Summer Playhouse</p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Bigfork Summer Playhouse</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Bigfork_WayfarersStatePark.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Wayfarers State Park</p></li></ul> <p>The name Bigfork is derived from the Salish name for the area. There are reports of a homestead and orchard immediately north of Bigfork as early as 1885. Everit L. Sliter set out 500 apple, cherry, plum and pear trees in 1892 on Flathead Lake's east shore. In 1902. he platted the Bigfork townsite at the mouth of the Swan River. The east shore has since become a major cherry growing area. <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=3069">Wayfarers State Park</a> lies just south of town.(Copyright 2009, <I>Montana Historical Society: Montana Place Names from Alzada to Zortman</I>, Montana Historical Society Research Center Staff)</p><P>Bigfork has been distinctly honored with designations in the following publications: The 50 Great Towns in the West, 100 Best Small Art Towns, The Great Towns of America, and National Geographic Guide to Small Towns Escapes. Bigfork is an exceptionally lovely, upscale, year-round resort village that is brimming with art galleries, fine restaurants, golf, high-end boutiques, and live theater.</p><P>Bigfork is located on the Flathead Lake in the center of an outdoor enthusiast's paradise with plenty of fishing, boating and hiking opportunities to enjoy. Located in the community is the impressive and challenging <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=576">Eagle Bend Golf Course</a>.</p><p>The <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=8976">Bigfork Summer Playhouse</a> is considered one of the Northwest's finest repertory theaters. The fast-paced, light singing, dancing and acting provide great family entertainment. The Broadway musicals which are presented Monday through Saturday feature some of the most outstanding young talent in the country.</p><P>Bigfork is the gateway to the 91-mile <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=11897">Seeley-Swan Scenic Drive</a>. 'The Swan' runs between two majestic mountain ranges, past pristine lakes and heavily wooded slopes.</p><p>Tourism and cherry orchards now support the local economy.</p><map name="nearbycities"><area shape="rect" alt="Eureka, Montana" coords="12,6,78,19" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=109"><area shape="rect" alt="Fortine, Montana" coords="24,24,70,39" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=125"><area shape="rect" alt="Trego, Montana" coords="7,45,40,62" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=331"><area shape="rect" alt="Stryker, Montana" coords="48,46,93,61" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=318"><area shape="rect" alt="Olney, Montana" coords="58,62,98,73" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=244"><area shape="rect" alt="Babb, Montana" coords="194,24,225,38" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=13"><area shape="rect" alt="St. Mary, Montana" coords="204,38,249,53" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=374"><area shape="rect" alt="East Glacier, Montana" coords="223,89,248,137" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=99"><area shape="rect" alt="Apgar, Montana" coords="127,60,165,72" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=9"><area shape="rect" alt="Essex, Montana" coords="173,133,200,151" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=107"><area shape="rect" alt="West Glacier, Montana" coords="133,73,206,87" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=375"><area shape="rect" alt="Polson, Montana" coords="58,221,104,243" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=260"><area shape="rect" alt="Hot Springs, Montana" coords="19,211,56,231" href=239185BIGFORKGLACIER180Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge1576Eagle Bend Golf Club1752Marina Cay Resort & Conference Center1786The Sitting Duck1788Crane Mountain Guide Service LLC11024Flathead Lake Resort11861Montana Outback RV Park & Campground12354Holland Lake Campground12627Swan Lake Campground12762Timbers Motel12927Experience Montana Cabins12929Woods Bay Point Retreat12934Flathead Lake Charters13068Flathead Lake State Park13069Wayfarers State Park13070Yellow Bay State Park14564Holland Falls National Recreation Trail15998Crane/Yew Snowmobile Trail16346Swan Lake Ranger District16545Howe's Fishing - A Able-Mo Fisch Charters16713Wildhorse Island Boat Trips Pointer Scenic Cruises17334Echo Lake Cafe18934Bigfork Whitewater Festival18976Bigfork Summer Playhouse19892Eva Gates Homemade Preserves110412Flathead Lake Accommodations110594Bigfork Inn111905Mission Valley Scenic Drive111933Mountain Lake Lodge112085The Orchard House112141Wild Trout Adventures112294Riecke's Bayside Gallery112698Authentic Montana Log Cabin112716Bigfork Village Rapids113832Swan Lake113834Holland Lake113863Bjorge Gallery113865Eric Thorsen Gallery & Studio113892Mission Lookout113894Owl Creek Cabin113911Bowman Orchards113912Bigfork Orchards113916Viki's Montana Mountain Classics113918Bay Books and Prints113929S.M. Bradford Co.113973Lindbergh Lake Campground113974Owl Creek Packer Camp & Stock Trailhead114029Electric Avenue Gifts114556Many Springs Flathead Lake Resort114790Lake Baked114815Bridge Street Cottages115067The Islander Inn115068The Raven115121Flathead Lake Brewing Co. & Pubhouse116013Bigfork Stage Cabins116070Grateful Bread116334Sugar & Spice116840Six Mile Estate117092Brett Thuma Gallery117287Channel Outfitters117298Historic Yellow Bay Lodge117437Osborn Landing 213117652Tall Pine Lounge & CASINO117899Base Camp Bigfork LLC118199Bigfork Farmers' Market Cooperative118238Hidden River Lodge118423Mystic Mountain Retreat118824Montana Dragon Boat Festival119080Jane's Place Montana119194El Topo Cantina119271Whistling Andy Distillery119491Wildflower Cottage119793Laughing Horse Lodge Dining120309Bigfork Condo120489Lake Heaven120564Swan Riverfront Vacation Home120577Moose Camp120686Cozy Mountain Condo120696Bigfork Bird Nest120725Glance Inn on Electric Avenue120840Schafer’s Restaurant120934Wild West Panfish Trail-Echo Lake121047The Nest on Swan River121086The Farm House Apartment at the Barn121187Neilson Orchards121190The Fox's Den121218Wild Mile River Retreat121269Bonfire121419Backcountry Flying Experience121453Bigfork Summer Pro Rodeo121652The American121825Buffalo Lodge of Bigfork121873Bent Fly Fishing121876Bigfork Stagecoach Rides121924Samaa Retreat Center122276Red Owl Retreat122499Sonder Montana Co122577Eagles Nest MT LLC122582Riverstone Outfitters1MT59911