1libbyarea.gifTRAVEL_MT2004-12-22T11:43:0469YVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://fcvb.orgYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://glacier.visitmt.comYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.columbiafallschamber.comYTRANSIT INFORMATIONhttp://flathead.mt.gov/eagleYTRANSIT INFORMATIONhttp://iflyglacier.com10000700<DIV class="cityaspfont"><ul class= "fotocolumn"><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Columbiafalls_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/Big_Sky_Waterpark.jpg" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Big Sky Waterpark</p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Big Sky Waterpark</p></li></li></ul> <p>Known variously in its early history as Monaco and Columbia, this town takes its present name from its location on the South Fork of the Flathead River, one of the headwaters of the Columbia River and from its location in the shadow of Columbia Mountain. Although there are no falls on this portion of the river, when James Kennedy applied for a post office in 1891, he was advised that adding "Falls" to the town's name would prevent confusion with Columbus, Montana. One of Columbia Falls' claims to fame is that it is where Montana' first movie, Where Rivers Rise, was filmed in 1921. In 1953, the US Bureau of Reclamation finished the Hungry Horse Dam south of town and 2 years later the Anaconda Company's aluminum plant opened to make use of low-cost electricity produced at the dam. The town's main industries for many years have been wood products and aluminum production.</p><P>Columbia Falls is a small community located just 17 miles south of West Glacier. Not only is Columbia Falls "The Gateway to Glacier National Park", it is the pathway to a rustic and scenic alternative route to <a href="/national_parks/glacier/">Glacier National Park</a> at the Camas Creek Park Entrance. County Road 486, also called the North Fork Road, follows along the North Fork of the Flathead River. This river is the western boundary of the park and has been designated a 'Wild and Scenic River'. It is about 20 miles to Camas Creek Park entrance. </p><P>Columbia Falls offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including some beautiful golf courses in the area, <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=11612&SiteID=1">Meadow Lake Resort</a> and <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=215">Glacier View Golf Course</a>. Take a tour of the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=10846">Hungry Horse Dam</a> while in the area. The <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=45">Big Sky Waterpark</a> provides a fun-filled day for the entire family in the summer, with waterslides and tubing rides, bumber cars and minature golf. There are over 80 miles of groomed snowmobiling trails providing a winter playground for the family during the winter months. </p><p>Columbia Falls and the surrounding areas also offer numerous camping opportunities. Whether you prefer "roughing it" in a tent, or desire all the amenities of your RV, Columbia Falls area will be a terrific area to start your vacation. And if you are looking for fly fishing, whitewater or a scenic float, Columbia Falls is just the place. It is the gateway to the to the Flathead Rivers, part of the Nation's Wild and Scenic River System. With over 225 miles of river to choose from there is something for everyone.</p> <P>As in the past, Columbia Falls is still home to industrial businesses, including the Plum Creek Timber Company and Stoltze Land and Lumber. The residents here pride themselves in maintaining a small town atmosphere and a sense of community spirit.</p><map name="nearbycities"><area shape="rect" alt="Yaak, Montana" coords="43,28,81,46" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=371"><area shape="rect" alt="Rexford, Montana" coords="100,12,147,33" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=277"><area shape="rect" alt="Eureka, Montana" coords="132,35,198,52" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=109"><area shape="rect" alt="Troy, Montana" coords="14,78,51,101" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=333"><area shape="rect" alt="Libby, Montana" coords="22,112,74,144" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=198"><area shape="rect" alt="Heron, Montana" coords="6,157,34,177" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=164"><area shape="rect" alt="Noxon, Montana" coords="24,181,74,197" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=240"><area shape="rect" alt="Fortine, Montana" coords="148,57,193,69" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=125"><area shape="rect" alt="Trout Creek, Montana" coords="39,213,104,226" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=332"><area shape="rect" alt="Thompson Falls, Montana" coords="58,233,142,248" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=327"><area shape="rect" alt="Trego, Montana" coords="125,76,161,93" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=331"><area shape="rect" alt="Stryker, Montana" coords="171,78,214,92" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=318"><area shape="rect" alt="Olney, Montana" coords="181,93,221,104" hr220135COLUMBIA FALLSGLACIER45Big Sky Waterpark1216Glacier Peaks RV Park1236Grouse Mountain Lodge1268Montana Vortex and House of Mystery1358Glacier Basecamp Lodge & Campground1940Badrock B&B11101Glacier Inn Motel12472Glacier Park Lodge12482Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins12506St. Mary Village12925North Forty Resort13017Columbia Falls RV Park13198Dollar Rent-A-Car13208Enterprise Rent-A-Car19356Wonderstone at Glacier19523Glacier Institute19884Many Glacier Hotel19966The Nite Owl/The Back Room, Inc. Restaurants110127The Great Northern Dining Room at Glacier Park Lodge110251Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins110290LaSalle RV Park & Campground111038Glacier Adventure Guides111612Meadow Lake Resort112907Glacier Park, Inc.112908Red Bus Tours112911Glacier Park Collection113475Jackie's Spoon Lake Cabin115146Glacier Chalet115530Moss Mountain Inn116356Mountain View RV Park116556Glacier Tamarack Tranquility116925Mountain Cleft Wilderness Retreat117062Dancing Bones Ink, Inc Art Gallery117112Mountain Mocha118299Cannonview Lodge118301Aspen Shores Cabin, LLC118312Serene Lakefront Cabin, LLC118324Spoon Lake Camp118415Swan Mountain Snowmobiling118862Tamarack Meadow Lodge118958Joes Auto Rentals119081A Charming Montana Farmhouse119145Glacier Guest House119559Laurie's Deli119572Meadow Lake View119943Glacier Peek Getaway120122Glacier's Edge Cabins120193Relaxing River Retreat120256Glacier Getaway Vacation Home120307Glacier View Guest Home120392Glacier Retreat120396Backslope Brewing120555Gorgeous Meadow Lake Home120777Dancing Spirit Ranch120806R Lazy S Inn Montana, LLC120949Bearfoot Cabin121003Montana Treehouse Retreat121041Wild Rivers Film Tour121076Log Cabin on Spoon Lake121080Cozy Home Near Glacier121087The Castle121162The Great Bear Inn121277Reclusive Moose Cabins121515Brash Rodeo Summer Series121520Glacier View Farm House121534Blue Moon Bull Bash121584The Cottage Columbia Falls121603Glacier Gatherings121705Trollie Properties121724Rocky Mountain Extreme Bull Riding1218105 R_R121828Bad Rock Bed and Breakfast121885Hidden Retreats By Glacier Park121886Fort Williamson Glacier Vacation Rentals121891Stage Road Estate121925Whispering Pines RV Park121954A7 Cycles121994White Raven Winery122094Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce122109Glacier Rental Properties122118406 Yoga Conference122273The Roost Cabins LLC122323406 Hideout by Back40 Rentals122349Glacier Ridge Resort122350River View Retreat, LLC122360Clark Farm Silos122562Camisade LLC122563Bellamina LLC122575Bitner Holdings LLC122690Montana Coffee Traders - Columbia Falls122701Glacier View Ranger Retreat122731Glacier Hikes & Bikes1MT59912