Beautiful mountain town dealing with an influx of transplants
Located in the heart of the Flathead Valley, Kalispell is the county seat of Flathead County and its cultural and commercial center. The city is surrounded by natural beauty — the Salish Mountains to the west, the Flathead Range to the east, and Flathead Lake to the south. However, in recent years, out-of-state tourism in the area has been accompanied by out-of-state relocation, resulting in a rapid rise in housing costs and creating controversy among locals. “It’s changed a bit recently, but at its heart, Kalispell is still a small town with country charm,” says Flathead County native Debbie Street, a supervising broker at Wrangler Real Estate. “It’s the easiest place in 100 miles to get your shopping done, but it’s right next to the mountains and the lake, so you can get outdoors as much as you want.”
Flathead Lake and the Flathead National Forest are a short drive South and West from Kalispell.
Kalispell residents head to the Kalispell Center Mall for comfort shopping and big-box savings.
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New homes springing up around the city
The city’s housing market is made up of early-20th-century bungalows, midcentury properties and modern subdivisions. The downtown area is known for its older homes, including Craftsman bungalows and cottages, along with a variety of midcentury properties. Newer developments around the edges of the city feature modern two-story homes and townhouses and often offer access to community amenities like pools and walking trails. Condos and townhouses in Kalispell generally sell for $350,000 to $600,000, while single-family homes list for anywhere from $400,000 to over $1 million. The city has a continental climate, with warm, humid summers and long, cold winters. Property and violent crime rates in the city are both above state averages.
Kalispell dwellings include rows of eclectic Craftsman homes along friendly streets near shopping and schools.
Kalispell condo options are plentiful offering community and shared amenity spaces.
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Surrounded by some of the country's most beautiful wilderness
Kalispell is a city defined by its natural surroundings. While there are several small city-maintained parks in town, locals usually head to the mountains when they want to enjoy the outdoors. “There’s tons of public land everywhere — national forests, the national park. I don’t think there’s a town with better access to real wilderness in the continental U.S.," Street says. Kalispell is within an hour’s drive of Glacier National Park and two of the top skiing destinations in Montana: Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. Hiking trails line the mountains on either side of town, in Flathead National Forest to the east and Kootenai National Forest to the west. The Flathead River, which runs east of town, is a great spot for kayaking and trout fishing in the summer, while Flathead Lake is known for its crystal-clear waters.
Kalispell ski enthusiasts head up to Whitefish Mountain Resort just about a half an hour away.
The Flathead River flows past Kalispell into Flathead Lake where fishermen and adventure await.
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Flathead High and Community College
Kalispell’s public schools are divided into two districts: Kalispell Elementary School District, which has a B grade on Niche, and Flathead High School District, which has a B-plus. Flathead Community College is located on the north side of town and is the county’s only college.
Kalispell continuing education options include the Flathead Community College.
Kalispell youth enjoy a sprawling campus at Flathead High School.
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Historic downtown Kalispell
The city is centered around its historic downtown, which is home to an array of local shops and restaurants, along with cultural spots like the Northwest Montana History Museum and the Hockaday Museum of Art. Immediately north of downtown, the Kalispell Center Mall features a variety of chain stores and restaurants. Additional shopping can be found in suburbs around the city, which serves as the main retail hub for Flathead County. The Kalispell Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning from May through October at the Flathead Community College campus. Logan Health Medical Center, located on the north side of town, is one of only two hospitals in the region, along with the significantly smaller North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. While tourism is one of the biggest industries in town, the medical center is also a major employer in the area.
Kalispell students visit the Northwest Montana History Museum on a field trip downtown.
Kalispell residents receive healthcare and employment from Logan Health Medical Center.
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Northwest Montana Fair
The Northwest Montana Fair and Rodeo is held in August and features rodeo competitions, carnival rides and vendors.
Nearby Glacier International Airport
U.S. routes 93 and 2 connect Kalispell to the rest of the Flathead Valley. It’s about 120 miles to Missoula via the 93. Glacier Park International Airport is located less than 10 miles north of town and offers direct flights to 14 destinations in the U.S., though many of those routes are seasonal. While public transportation is limited, Eagle Transit provides bus services within the Flathead Valley, including routes to Whitefish and Columbia Falls.
Written By
Andrew Moreno
Photography Contributed By
Luke George
Video By
TJ Wengert
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Welcome to 2139 Old Reserve Drive in Kalispell, Montana. This functional horse property and hobby farm offers a rare opportunity to enjoy country living with no covenants and plenty of room to make your Montana dream a reality. The 1,456 square foot log cabin features 3 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, providing a warm and comfortable living space filled with rustic character. While the home could
Located in the renowned east side of Kalispell, this beautifully updated 1-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom, third-floor condo at the historic Eastside Brick building offers 721 sq ft of fully furnished space, comfortably accommodating up to four guests. Ideal as a primary home or investment property it combines historic charm with modern comforts. Built in 1912 and renovated around 2000, the Eastside Brick
Heather Reddig
PureWest Real Estate at Meadow Lake - Columbia Falls
Welcome to 429 West Colorado Street, a timeless Kalispell charmer that beautifully blends classic character with everyday comfort. Built in 1949 and lovingly maintained by the same owner for more than 40 years, this inviting 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom single level home offers 1,038 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space on an oversized city lot. From the moment you arrive, you'll appreciate
Exceptional deal in The Woodlands 55+ living community. The Willow 204 is a 2-bedroom 2 bath recently built condo unit with open floor plan, kitchen with quartz countertops, soft closing cabinetry, laundry room, sunroom and private deck. The upgrades in this unit are impressive, with built-in closets and premium appliances included - refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, range, washer & dryer.
Beautiful Single-Level Ranch Home on Nearly Half an Acre! This spacious 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers an inviting open-concept design filled with natural light, tall ceilings, and comfortable living spaces throughout. The great room features a cozy gas fireplace and flows seamlessly into the dining area and stunning eat-in kitchen, complete with a large island, walk-in pantry with mini fridge,
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Experience the best of Northwest Montana living at 40 Coyote Canyon Road in Kalispell. Set on 1.63 private acres just minutes from downtown Kalispell, this custom log home offers 2,669 square feet of living space with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a versatile loft that provides flexibility for a home office, hobby space, or additional living area. Surrounded by mature trees and mountain views, the
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Great price for a 2 bedroom/ 2 Bath units at the coveted Woodlands Condominium Complex. If you're over 55 and enjoy active living, check out this convenient and community-oriented home in the Woodlands . This 9.5 acre campus offers walking paths, a 7000 square foot commons where you can sit by the fire in the enormous central library, enjoy a good movie with friends in the movie theater or
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Prime commercial opportunity with exceptional visibility and direct access from Hwy 2! This .84-acre parcel offers outstanding potential for retail, office, service business, or mixed-use development in a high-traffic location. Flat and usable with excellent exposure, the property provides easy ingress and egress and is ideally positioned for future growth. Need more space? The adjoining .94-acre
Prime commercial opportunity with exceptional visibility and direct access from Hwy 2! This .94-acre parcel offers outstanding potential for retail, office, service business, or mixed-use development in a high-traffic location. Flat and usable with excellent exposure, the property provides easy ingress and egress and is ideally positioned for future growth. Need more space? The adjoining .84-acre
Discover the outdoor lifestyle you've been looking for at Stillwater Crossing. These brand-new apartments in Kalispell offer ideal 1- and 2-bedroom homes for those that enjoy small town living and being close to nature. Get your hiking and biking in on the Kalispell trail system that connects the community to town and nearby sports complex. Plus, you're only a short distance from rafting on
Brand New Altus Apartment HomesDiscover a new level of living at Altus Apartment Homes, located at 715 Timberwolf Parkway. - 1 Bed / 1 Bath- Square Feet556 sq. ft.- Starting at$1595-2bed/2bath - Square Feet 1086 sq ft. -Starting at $1895Premier Parking: LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE.- Reserved premier parking available for just $50 per
Where Flathead Valley beauty meets everyday ease, Silverbrook Apartments offers more than just a place to live - it's a place to belong. Tucked into nature and rooted in mountain charm, our apartments in Kalispell deliver curated comforts, thoughtful amenities, and a lifestyle shaped by the rhythm of Montana living. Whether you're soaking in the quiet after a day on the trails or gathering with
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Property Id: 890089For Rent - Beautiful 2 Bed / 1 Bath Duplex in Kalispell | $2,050/monthEnjoy comfortable living in this well-maintained 2-bedroom, 1-bath duplex located in a desirable Kalispell neighborhood. Offering scenic views, a private fenced yard, and easy access to Highway 93 & 93 alternate.Property Features:• 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom• $2,050 per month•
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Property Id: 2594392Welcome to your new home - this bright, open layout with high ceilings, large windows for natural light, gas fireplace, and spacious great rooms is perfect! The kitchen is equipped with stainless steel appliances, soft-close shaker cabinets, and a walk-in pantry. The primary suite has a walk-in closet, double vanity, large linen closet, an oversized shower and deep
Property Id: 2221641Indulge in the charm of this 2-bedroom apartment within the Orchard Village Unit Four-plexes, located off Appleway in Kalispell. Located on the upper floor, this residence boasts a well-equipped kitchen featuring a dishwasher, stove, and fridge, complemented by the convenience of an in-unit washer and dryer, and excellent in-unit storage. Everything is brand new after
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