Read Our 2023-24 Community Guide

Columbia Falls is located in the Northwest Corner of Montana alongside the Flathead River.  Columbia Fall is a charming, growing city with local retail, lodging, restaurants and recreation.   Columbia Falls and our surrounding communities offer a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities to provide a fun-filled day, or week, for the entire family. Year-round, there’s always adventure and fun to find!

The City of Columbia Falls maintains approximately 28 acres of public parks within the city, including six playgrounds and paved pedestrian paths. There are baseball and soccer fields,  pickle ball courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, public parks and an outdoor band shell. The City also operates the Pinewood Family Aquatic Center, a 25 meter competitive swimming pool and a leisure pool with several fixed play features.

Other fun summer activities include Montana’s biggest waterpark, which has exciting slides, huge whirl pool, picnic grounds, beach volley ball, go carts, mini golf and more. Between Columbia Falls and Essex, adventurers will find opportunities for aerial adventures,  family attractions, rafting and scenic floating, mini golf, horse back riding, trails, bike riding, fishing and other outdoor adventures.

Spring, Summer and Fall Recreation

Summer in Columbia Falls and the Flathead Valley is simply, well, perfect.

Long sunshine-filled days up to 17 hours long (sundown as late as 10:15pm in June), warm (but not too warm) days with low humidity start with cool (but not cold) mornings and evenings that are perfect for rest and relaxation after a long, exciting day.

No matter what kind of summer excitement you like, we’ve got it. Hiking, camping, fishing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, photography, bird watching and much more await you in the greater Columbia Falls area, as well as in the Flathead Valley, Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier National Park.

Photo Credit: Dream Adaptive Recreation

Camping

Columbia Falls and the surrounding areas offer numerous camping opportunities, up the North Fork, in Glacier Park, at Hungry Horse Reservoir and on the Flathead National Forest Service land. 

Family Recreation

The City of Columbia Falls maintains approximately 28 acres of park land. To find out more about our parks – including our brand new River’s Edge park, check out the City of Columbia Falls’ website.

Golfing

Golf Flathead Valley.  Many golf courses are in our area, including the beautiful Meadow Lake Golf Course on the Meadow Lake Resort in Columbia Falls. 

Hiking

If you love hiking, you couldn’t have selected a better place. Hiking opportunities surround us, from a quick climb of Columbia Mountain to lift assisted elevation gains at

 Whitefish Mountain Resort, to wilderness hikes in Glacier and on the Flathead National Forest that range from a quick day hike to multi-day excursions.

River Trips

From Wild and Scenic to calm and serene, the three forks of the Flathead offer recreation, relaxation and excitement. There are four raft companies located in West Glacier, as well as raft and water toy rental opportunities for those who prefer to do it themselves.