$579,216Average Value$363Average Price per Sq Ft33Homes For Sale
Columbia Falls provides prime access to outdoor attractions
Rooted in a northwestern Montana valley, Columbia Falls is an area that places residents at nature’s doorstep. This area offers access to outdoor recreation year-round, from Glacier National Park to the north and Flathead River to the south. Columbia Falls’ residential streets come with views of the region’s mountains and a quiet atmosphere. At the same time, Nucleus Avenue provides proximity to grocery stores, restaurants and other businesses at the heart of the community. “Probably the biggest draw is Glacier National Park. We get like 3 million something visitors every year,” says Alden Blaize, a local Realtor with Real Broker, who has about six years of experience. “We’re the closest town to Glacier National Park.”
Uptown Hearth on Nucleus Avenue is known for breakfast sandwiches and coffee.
Shops and dining line Nucleus Avenue in historic downtown Columbia Falls.
1/2
Under the sun or in the snow, recreation options abound
Columbia Falls is known colloquially as the gateway to Glacier National Park — the park’s Apgar Visitor Center is about a 19-mile trip. The 1-million-acre expanse has more than 700 miles of trails, over 700 lakes, 13 frontcountry campgrounds and a 50-mile stretch called Going-to-the-Sun Road, known for its scenic drives. “The hiking is incredible,” Blaize says. Water sports are popular, too, and at 6,800 acres, Lake McDonald is the park’s largest body of water. It’s a draw for activities including kayaking, fishing and swimming. The lake is also known for its collection of colorful pebbles by the shore, an effect caused by their iron content. Glacier National Park has several trails open to cross-country skiing in the winter. Whitefish Mountain Resort, 16 miles from Columbia Falls, is another hot spot for skiing and snowboarding, with 111 named trails.
The Flathead River flows through Columbia Falls and attracts anglers for trout fishing. Flathead National Forest, located across the river, features 2.4 million more acres of land to explore, including a couple thousand miles of trails. Locals looking to stay a little closer to home can hit spots like Pinewood Park, which has a playground and a community pool open from June to August.
Drivers head toward Glacier National Park for hiking and mountain scenery.
Flathead River winds through Columbia Falls, a favorite spot for anglers.
1/2
Columbia Falls offers condos, manufactured homes and acreage
Many of Columbia Falls’ homes are concentrated at the center of the community, a mix of bungalows and gable-front houses primarily constructed across the early to mid-20th century. These houses are set closely together on an urban-style grid system of blocks, and they sell for $320,000 to $580,000. Columbia Falls’ outskirts offers a more rural atmosphere, featuring an eclectic selection of homes, many from the 1970s onward, on larger lots. Prices range from $350,000 to $1.4 million based on age, square footage and acreage. Subdivisions like Talbott Pines and Cedar Pointe Estates on the south side of Columbia Falls include New Traditional houses built within the last several years for $700,000 to $1.2 million. “There's been a lot of development recently,” Blaize says. “Once you get outside of town, you have the opportunity to get more acreage, 1 acre or more. But there still is good infrastructure for older houses as well. It’s a good mix.” Columbia Falls also has some condos and townhouses priced from $240,000 to $640,000 and manufactured homes for $300,000 to $650,000.
A blue New Traditional home reflects recent development in Columbia Falls.
A large gable-front home reflects early 20th-century design in Columbia Falls.
1/2
Heritage Days has many summertime activities
Heritage Days is a signature event in Columbia Falls in July. The three-day affair dates back to 1956 and includes a car show, a community market, live music and a rodeo. “It’s a pretty cool thing,” Blaize says. “The locals come out for it.” There’s also a weekly farmers market off Ninth Street, the Columbia Falls Community Market, held on Thursday evenings from May to September.
Nucleus Avenue is a center of commerce
Downtown Columbia Falls stretches along Nucleus Avenue. A sign proclaiming that “Adventure Lives Here” welcomes drivers. The avenue is lined with fixtures like Gunsight Saloon, whose Wild West-style decor includes wood paneling and stained-glass chandeliers. Uptown Hearth has popular breakfast sandwiches, and Backslope Brewing on nearby Ninth Street offers more than a dozen beers on tap. The Smith’s on Nucleus Avenue is an option for a range of grocery needs, while Sundrop Health Foods specializes in organic items. A visit to Bad Rock Books comes with the opportunity to pet the store cats while perusing the shelves of used titles. Lary’s Fly and Supply features a robust selection of gear for tackling the waters around Columbia Falls.
Locals chat over coffee at Uptown Hearth on Nucleus Avenue.
Live music and dancing often fill Gunsight Saloon on Nucleus Avenue.
1/2
Columbia Falls elementary schools have active parent organizations
The Columbia Falls Public Schools system has a B-minus grade on Niche. Students in the area may go to the C-plus-rated Ruder Elementary or the C-minus-rated Glacier Gateway Elementary for kindergarten through fifth grade. Both schools have active parent-teacher organizations that support school fundraisers and other activities. Columbia Falls Junior High carries a B grade and offers its own football, basketball and volleyball teams. The B-minus-rated Columbia Falls High School has a Career and Technical Education Department with a building trades program.
Ruder Elementary School has experienced teachers and staff for its students.
Glacier Gateway Elementary School is part of the Columbia Falls Elementary School District.
Columbia Falls Junior High School serves 543 students and has a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Columbia Falls High School is home to its mascot, the Wildcats.
1/4
Montana Highway 40 and U.S. Route 2 connect drivers to key points
Columbia Falls’ Ninth Street flows into U.S. Route 2 and Montana Highway 40. Drivers in Columbia Falls can follow Highway 40 toward the town of Whitefish, 10 miles away. Whitefish offers more restaurants and shops and is home to Logan Health-Whitefish, which includes an emergency room. Glacier Park International Airport, 8 miles away on Route 2, has daily flights to destinations like Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City and Minneapolis.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
Photography Contributed By
Becky Gaskill
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Alden Blaize,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Columbia Falls, MT sell after 60 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Columbia Falls, MT over the last 12 months is $544,350, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This 0.49-acre parcel offers a tranquil setting along the Flathead River with 117' of river frontage. Launch your Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and other small watercraft directly from your backyard. Put your toes in the crystal clear water and watch the trout rise and the eagles fly! The terrain is level and with some mature trees, offering both open space and natural privacy. The property's
186' of sandy low-bank Flathead River Waterfront! Fishing, Kayaking, Boating, Rafting, etc - right in your own picturesque parked-out backyard w/views of Columbia Mountain! Located just a mere 20 minutes from world-renowned Glacier National Park & only 30 minutes away from Whitefish Skiing. Don't miss the public boat launch right across the street! 3 distinct, charming Log Style Homes grace this
Fantastic investment opportunity for vacation rentals or personal getaway use! This fully furnished cabin comfortably sleeps up to five and is perfectly suited for generating rental income on your own property.The cozy mudroom opens into an inviting space featuring vaulted tongue-and-groove wood ceilings, shiplap-accented walls, and durable vinyl plank flooring for easy maintenance. The
Located in beautiful Columbia Falls, Montana, The Highline offers top-of-the-line studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Enjoy the natural beauty, local charm, and crisp mountain air all from the comfort of your luxury home!Here you will find excellent amenities, flexible lease terms, a dog park, and a truly unbeatable location. Our clubhouse is available to all residents and
Property Id: 1589851Don't miss out on this stunning 2 bed, 2 bath unit in Columbia Falls! Fully furnished with modern appliances, vaulted ceilings, and a cozy fireplace. Enjoy off-street parking, on-site laundry, and a secure building. Pets allowed! Close to GNP and downtown Columbia Falls with easy access to Big Fork, Kalispell and Whitefish. Call now to schedule a viewing!
Property Id: 974632?? Winter RV Sites in Columbia Falls, MT - 20 Minutes from Glacier National Park! ??Available Dec. 6, 2025 - May 31, 2026Enjoy the quiet side of Montana this winter in one of our fully equipped RV sites — the perfect long-term stay for remote workers, or traveling professionals!Located just 20 minutes from Glacier National Park and minutes from
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
