This week’s focus takes us to just outside of Kalispell, Montana to Lone Pine State Park. With 7.5 miles of trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding it also boast breathtaking overlooks, where you can see Flathead Lake, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Jewel Basin – Montana, and Glacier National Park on clear days. This week’s park feature is sponsored by Western Montana’s Glacier Country.
Located near Kalispell, Lone Pine State Park provides incredible views of the Flathead Valley, as well as year-round and wide-ranging outdoor recreation activities.
Originally owned as part of a large sheep ranch by Ernest and Hazel White, in 1941 the White’s donated the land that now makes up Lone Pine State Park, for public use and education. The Whites stipulated that the land be developed for public use and to teach an appreciation for the benefits of conservation.
Did you know?
Does Lone Pine host extensive educational and recreation opportunities throughout the year? In the next month alone, events range from fly tying to avalanche awareness to birding and snowshoeing. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for more listings.
Add to your itinerary today – click for park coordinates!
Looking for activities at Lone Pine? You’ll find:
✅ Archery
✅ Bird Watching/Wildlife Viewing
✅ Cross Country Skiing
✅ Hiking
✅ Horseback Riding
✅ Horseshoes
✅ Mountain Biking
✅ Snowshoeing
✅ Plus so many more!
The visitor center has a gift shop and provides visitors with highlights of the wildlife and forest ecology of the park.
A great spot for meetings or social gatherings (can host up to 100 people), the visitor center has a spacious meeting room with audio/visual capabilities and wrap-around decks!
7.5 miles of trails can accommodate short or long hikes where you’ll find great views of wildflowers and local wildlife.
Snowshoe rentals are available for $5 per person or $10 per family during the winter months.
With adult workshops, children’s activities, and interpretive programs throughout the year, Lone Pine State Park is an ideal stop for field trips, out-of-state visitors, or Montana residents interested in learning more about northwestern Montana.
DID YOU KNOW?
You wouldn’t know from looking around the heavily forested Lone Pine today, but when the land was originally donated, there were barely a handful of trees.
At one of the main overlooks, there was a single pine growing out of a cliff and this tree gave the park its name. Although this “lone pine” is no longer standing, a plaque now marks its location.
Curious what other visitors had to say?
“Good easy access. Close to Kalispell. Easy hikes, great scenery. Wear comfortable shoes, no need for special equipment.”
“You can park at the lower gate, around the corner in the upper lot, or drive-by Foy’s Lake and take the main entrance to the top (ample parking and handicap accessible). Not only does Lone Pine have an abundance of trails for all abilities, but it has a great Visitors Center at the top as well. The staff is very knowledgeable about plants, wildlife, and other hiking opportunities in the Valley. A great place to walk your dog, view the city, or have a picnic!”
“Lots of fun and lots of wildlife. I recommend going out early before it gets too hot and the wildlife enters the woods to lay down.”
“Lone Pine is pet-friendly and has excellent educational programs, well-maintained trails, guided hikes, and special youth programs. We have attended programs on wild raptors/rehab and release after injury and on the Karelian Bear Dogs. It is also right on the way to the hidden Foy’s Lake, just slightly below it to the northwest.
At Foy’s Lake (a County maintained park) you can also enjoy swimming, boating (no rentals, just your own), fishing (the lake is stocked yearly with trout) or have a picnic. Ice fishing in Winter. In Summer Lone Pine is also near the Herron Park Equestrian Park and its trails.
Just a few of the other things you can do at Lone Pine: Take the Archery trail, bird watching, cross-country ski/snowshoe in winter, play horseshoes, mountain bike, Take panoramic photos, Have a picnic, or go for a run.”
Lone Pine State Park
Quick Facts
Park
Park
Open Year-Round
8 a.m. to Sunset
Visitor Center
Open Year-Round
Wednesday – Saturday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday
12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving,
December 24, 25 & 31 and
January 1
Location
300 Lone Pine Road
Kalispell, MT 59901
Open Year-Round
270 Acres
ADA Accessible
Pets Allowed
Toilets (Flush & Vault)
Water Gift Shop
Visitor Center
How Does the Foundation Help State Parks Like Lone Pine State Park?
In the last year, the Foundation helped fund new visitor information kiosks throughout the park as well as helped to pay for educational supplies, things like radar detectors, for classes on bats that Lone Pine features in the summer months.
And it’s supporters just like you that helped make all this work possible.
