Bigfork offers high-end living and beautiful scenery
Bigfork is an outdoorsy community situated at the northeast corner of Flathead Lake, where the Flathead and Swan rivers flow into Montana’s largest lake. This scenic location in the heart of the Flathead Valley has drawn significant investment from luxury developers in recent decades, transforming a formerly sleepy mountain community into a hotbed of high-end real estate. While some properties are used as rentals or as seasonal residences, most are occupied by year-round residents, many of whom have relocated from other parts of the country to enjoy the Flathead Valley’s endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. “Bigfork’s quiet compared to Kalispell — not that Kalispell is exactly a big city — but there’s still a lot to do there,” says broker and luxury real estate specialist Heidi Lane of eXp Realty. “They’ve got a supermarket, some cute boutiques and a lot of great eateries. It used to be more of a remote getaway, but now it has more of a small-town feel.”
Modern luxury condos and custom estates with views of the lake
While a few older homes can be found scattered around Bigfork, the vast majority of the housing inventory here is less than 20 years old and luxury oriented. Many homes offer views of the lake or the Eagle Bend Golf Club, which winds through the western part of Bigfork. Most condos and townhouses in the area go for between $500,000 and $1 million, about the same price as smaller single-family homes in the area. Luxury properties, which range from custom-built cabins to sprawling estates, can go for anywhere from $1 million to upward of $3 million. Wildfire risk is present in parts of town and can affect insurance prices.
Flathead Lake watersports and tons of hiking nearby
Flathead Lake is a focal point of the community, offering everything from swimming, boating and fishing in the summer to snowmobiling and ice fishing in winter. “Bigfork is a place that centers around the outdoors,” says Lane. “People move out here to get closer to nature, and it’s easy to see why.” Within Bigfork itself, Sliters Park, located downtown, offers a playground and picnic area, while Wayfarers/Flathead State Park, just south of the village, is known for its rocky cliffs and access to the lake. The Swan River Nature Trail offers scenic routes for hiking, biking and horseback riding, while the river itself is popular with whitewater enthusiasts. Nearby Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park provide extensive wilderness areas for exploration. The town is also home to the Jack Nicklaus-designed Eagle Bend Golf Club, and there are two ski resorts within a 30-minute drive.
Education in Bigfork
Bigfork Elementary and Bigfork High School both have B grades on Niche, while Bigfork Middle School has a B-plus. Bigfork High School runs a dual enrollment program for college credit in partnership with Flathead Community College in Kalispell.
Modern eateries and shops along Route 35
Retail in Bigfork is largely centered around state Route 35, which runs through the center of the community. A few shopping centers on the north side house the local supermarket, Bigfork Harvest Foods, along with most of the larger retailers in town, which range from hardware stores to clothing shops. In recent years, Bigfork has become known for its restaurants, which are scattered more liberally around the community. Dining options range from the historic Burgertown Dairy Freeze, which has been serving the area for decades, to more modern spots like the Grateful Bread Restaurant and the Flathead Lake Brewing Company Pubhouse. Locals looking for more diverse shopping and dining options generally head to Kalispel.
Kayaking festivals and car shows
Bigfork hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from the Memorial Day Bigfork Whitewater Festival to the Labor Day Rumble in the Bay car show. During the summer months, the Bigfork Summer Playhouse offers a schedule of live theater performances. The Bigfork Monday Market provides a regular opportunity to purchase local produce and crafts.
Getting to Kalispell and Glacier International Airport
State Route 35 is the primary road connecting Bigfork with other towns in the region. It’s about 20 miles to Kalispell and Glacier Park International Airport, the only major airport nearby. Kalispell is also home to the nearest major hospital, though it has a smaller satellite clinic in Bigfork.
