lakesidesomers@gmail.com PO Box 177 | Lakeside, MT 59922

VISITOR GUIDE

THE LAKESIDE-SOMERS

“MUST NOT BE MISSED” LIST

TOUR FLATHEAD LAKE

All Aboard! Departing daily during summer months from the Lakeside Marina is the Far West Cruise Boat. Great experience for all ages! *Cancelled for 2020 season* Tour FH Lake or Wild Horse Island with Captain Norms Fishing Charters this 2020 season!

GRAB A COFFEE

Iced or hot? Glacier Perks Coffeehouse and Farmhouse have you covered whatever your cup o’ jo preferences may be! Also, both serving fresh, homemade baked goods and breakfast!

CHEERS! EVERYONE

Whether you’re on your way up or down Blacktail Mountain, no one can resist the temptation of local handcrafted brews and delicious pub food served up at Tamarack Brewing Company. Or join Mavericks Roadhouse for drinks and a live DJ on Friday nights or Harbor Grille for weekly live music!

EXLPORE BLACKTAIL

Snow or sun – it doesn’t matter! Explore family-friendly Blacktail Mountain. When the snow flies, you’ll find yourself surrounded with flawless powder and views second to none! In the warmer months, there are many forest service roads and trails to explore for huckleberry picking.

SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP

Truly your one stop shop! Check out the fun boutique at Remedies Lakeside – offering a wide variety of local Montana gifts, unique home decor, jewelry, clothing, and anything pharmacy.

ENJOY FLATHEAD

Take in the unbeatable views and enjoy access to Flathead Lake! Choose from many great spots: Somers Bay Boat Launch, West Shore State Park, Volunteer Park, and Lakeside Marina.

INNER YOUR YOGI

Join Wildflower Society for an all-levels yoga class or during the summer months in Volunteer Park or Yoga + Mimosas on the Harbor Grille patio every Sunday.

HERE FISHY, FISHY

Book the fishing trip of a lifetime with one of our experienced, local fishing guides including A Able Fishing/Howe’s Fishing, Captain Norm’s Fishing Charters, and Mo Fisch Charters.

Get outside and find your Montana moment by celebrating our seasons!

RECREATION AND ACTIVITIES

Hitting the fresh powder up on Blacktail Mountain to those perfect afternoons soaking the sun up in the middle of the largest freshwater lake in the West, it’s difficult to find boredom around our beautiful community. Full of public-use and recreational acres, visitors and locals alike are found adventuring around miles of hiking, biking, and snow-activity trails. We guarantee that there is something for everyone!

BOATING AND SWIMMING ACCESS

Boating season is definitely one our favorite times of the year! Lakeside-Somers have multiple accesses to assist you in getting your boat in the water. Somers Boat Access is located right off of US 93, in Somers, across from Boon Road. You will find two wide boat ramps, a public dock, restrooms, and good parking. As for Lakeside, you will find the Lakeside Public Dock and Access. It’s located right off US Highway 93, across from Bierney Creek Road. It offers a boat ramp with dock, however has no public restrooms, and has very limited parking. Right next door you’ll find Lakeside Marina, offering boat slip lease options. Lastly, if you head 5 miles down US Highway 93 (south of Lakeside) you’ll find West Shore State Park which offers a public boat ramp and dock, in addition to camping and picnic areas.

KAYAK, SUP, AND OTHER WATER SPORT RENTALS

Get out on the lake, it’s definitely one of the many reasons we all live here! Got yourself a sunny, warm day with no agenda? Well, here’s one: rental something and get out and enjoy the water! Check out Sea Me Paddle in Lakeside, or Spoke and Paddle in Somers for all your rental needs – both within walking (and carrying) distance of either Volunteer Park or Somers Bay Lake Access. Want to rent a boat or jet-ski instead? Check out Wild Wave Boat Rentals.

BIKING

If you like steep climbs or if you don’t, we’ve got a trail for you! If you’re up for a more strenuous ride, make sure you check out the Lakeside to Blacktail trail; 5.25 miles of steep climbing and 20 minutes of descending makes it well worth the effort. You get the choice if you want to shuttle; simply drive all the way to the top of Blacktail Road and the trailhead is located right by the big white globe – you can’t miss it. The Lakeside to Blacktail trail, according to the National Forest map, ends or starts (depending on your direction) at the Foys to Blacktail Trail junction, which is around 3.70 miles. If you continue on, the top is about 1.5 more miles of very steep climbing. The trail is marked with signs at junctions and road crossings. 

They say practice makes perfect! Train up for the Blacktail Hill Climb, taking place in August when participants race from the bottom of Blacktail Road up to the summit, equalling more than 13 miles of uphill biking. A great time for those looking for a challenge with the possibility of winning some loot!

Also, many old logging roads and US Forest Service Roads crisscross the Flathead National Forest west of Lakeside and Somers and make great mountain biking terrain. Access can be found by taking Spring Creek Road to Cramer Creek Road west of the Fish Hatchery or by driving up Blacktail Road, west of Lakeside.

For less of a incline, and perfect for road bikes, paved bike paths and connecting low traffic paved roads extend for 7 miles from North Juniper Bay Road (right off Hwy 93), at the south end, to the Ashley Creek bridge on US 93, at the north end. A small parking area next to Sliters Hardware in Somers is located about midway on the bike path. More road bicycling opportunities on paved low traffic roads can be found in the Lower Valley area by riding northeast from Somers on Somers Road. Find more information by viewing Biking the Big Sky brochure.

PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS

Ready to make the most of that perfect blue sky day? What a better agenda than a picnic and the possibility of some swimming or tennis? Both Lakeside and Somers have a bounty of community areas that won’t fail to give you and the family a fun afternoon.

Ben Williams Park: Accessed from Soren Lane, off Blacktail Road in Lakeside. Facilities include playground equipment, picnic shelter, 2 tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and restrooms.

Lakeside Waterfront Park: On Flathead Lake just north of the intersection of Bierney Creek Road and US 93 on Lakeside Blvd. in Lakeside. Swimming area with dock, lawn beach, and restroom. Day use only, no lifeguard, no boats – limited parking.

Lakeside Volunteer Park: Located on Flathead Lake off of Hwy 93 at the end of Adams Street. 1.5 acres with facilities including paths, restrooms, 1 large and 2 smaller pavilions, beach, and docks, all ADA accessible. Day camping only, no overnight camping. Paved parking area. Conveniently located next to Glacier Perks, head over for an afternoon snack of iced coffee and homemade scone. Check it out 24-7, via our live webcam. For more information regarding pavilion requests here.

Somers Swimming Access (“Somers Beach”): On Flathead Lake just east of the Somers Fishing Access and boat ramp on US 93 in Somers. Swimming area with gravel beach, day use only, no lifeguard, no restrooms (restrooms at fishing access and boat ramp), and no motorized boats – adequate parking. Also nearby is your one stop shop, Spoke and Paddle, for all your rental needs or if you’re looking to book one of their multiple tours.

West Shore State Park: Open year around and located right on the west shore of Flathead Lake, 5 miles south of Lakeside on US 93. Find your very own stunning camping spot (both tent and RV), tucked in the forests of fir, pine, and larch trees, some even right on the shoreline, add to the Flathead Valley experience. West Shore offers glacially-carved rock outcrops that provide spectacular views of Flathead Lake and the Mission and Swan Mountain Ranges. The shoreline is rocky, and fishing and boating are very popular. For more information, visit: http://stateparks.mt.gov/west-shore/

For additional Flathead Valley area park information, please visit: http://www.kalispell.com/parks/.

HIKING

Call it walking in the woods, forest bathing, hiking…whatever you call it, Montana was made for it. With infinite hiking terrain, take the opportunity to explore our beautiful lands. Near by, you will find dozens of US Forest Service trails up Blacktail Mountain (west of Lakeside). Whether you’re looking to pick huckleberries or something more strenuous to build a sweat up, there is always an epic view at the end of any trail. Foys to Blacktail Trail is popular for hikers, bikers, and casual dog walks – it runs downhill from the top of Blacktail Mountain to Herron Park near Foys Lake. Also, don’t forget that West Shore State Park, Glacier National Park and the Jewel Basin are just a short car ride away for additional adventures.

Additional hiking related links:

Montana Recreation

CAMPING

West Shore State Park campground is located above Flathead Lake in a fir, pine, and larch forest on 129 acres at 3,130 feet in elevation. There are 31 campsites; 7 tent only, at this park with an RV/trailer size limit of 40 feet. Seasonal electricity and potable water available. Remember, be bear aware and utilize the food storage systems implemented.

Rollins Restaurant & RV Park is located on the west shore of Flathead Lake, 11 miles south of Lakeside. They have 43 full hookups and a cabin, and their park is tiered with lots of grass and shade. Also, The Rollins Restaurant has a reputation for some of the best burgers on the lake. There is both indoor and outdoor seating for those who love to soak up the sun. Serving up old fashioned milk shakes, including huckleberry, won’t leave anyone hungry, nor disappointed.

WINTER ACTIVITES

In Montana we definitely don’t have a shortage of winter, so we embrace it! When the snow starts to fall, we get our gear and go. With 300 inches annually, you’ll find Lakeside-Somers to have some of the best snow activities! Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling across wintery terrain allows for breathtaking views and epic adventures. Throughout our frozen lakes you will find them sprinkled with fisherman ice fishing and pond hockey players.

DOWNHILL SKIING + SNOWBOARDING

At the end of Blacktail Road, winding up 14 miles up the side of the mountain you arrive at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. Lift served skiing, ski and snowboard rentals, lessons, alpine restaurant and bar. The lodge at the top of the mountain is located adjacent to the parking area and has facilities for both skiers and non-skiers to enjoy. If you’re looking for a family-friendly, affordable skiing about the shores of Flathead Lake, you’re going to love Blacktail Mountain. With 1,440 vertical drop, there is a slope for everyone. Check out their live webcam to keep up with the snow conditions, and watch out for their event calendar buzzing with competitive and family races, slopeside poker runs, treasure hunts, and many more great events throughout the winter season.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING + SNOWSHOEING

Find perfectly groomed trails on US Forest Service land for cross-country skiing. Restrooms available, with limited parking. Trails are groomed and maintained by the North Shore Nordic Club. There is no charge for skiing; however, donations are needed and appreciated go to the North Shore Nordic Club. 

If you’re up for a snowshoe adventure, head up Blacktail Road; many opportunities for snowshoeing exist on Forest Service logging roads and in open areas, limited parking along Blacktail Road. Extensive parking is available at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area.

SNOW MOBILING + OFF ROAD TERRAIN

 

Wild Bill Off Road Vehicle Trails welcomes both snow mobile enthusiasts and off-terrain vehicles. US Forest Service trails off Blacktail Road about 12 miles up Blacktail Road. Winter parking is available at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. Snowmobiles are prohibited on the cross-country ski trails. For rental information contact Winter Wonderland SportsMore information available here.

CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

If the weather is less than ideal, or if you’re simply looking for a change of activity, you will find that there is still plenty of fun activities around. Catch a show at one of the area’s famous theatres. A summer favorite is the Bigfork Summer Playhouse – look up their schedule, order tickets, and get ready for a show! Known by many as the “theatre by the bay,” it’s sure not to disappoint. Also, we can’t forget about The Glacier Symphony and Chorale – they perform overs 30 concerts annually, and are not to be missed!

Museums are a great way to spend a day in the Flathead Valley; take a stroll through The Conrad Mansion, The Museum at Central School, or The Hockaday Museum of Art. Another must is to check out Purple Mountain Lavender, located in Lakeside and has a beautiful overlook of Flathead Lake. They grow all natural lavender and turn their harvests into lovely lavender products. Browse their fields of lavender and shop through the barn full of homemade lavender gifts; contact Debbi here to set up a viewing appointment!

And if you’re feeling like you need a little pampering on your stay here in Lakeside-Somers (or had one too many wipeouts on the ski slopes) we’ve got you covered! Schedule a therapeutic massage at Riverbend Health & Medical Spa or inner your yogi with an all-levels yoga class or workshop at Wildflower Society.

Last and not least, don’t forget to mark your calendars for one of the most popular, traveling vintage markets in the Northwest: The Market Beautiful (formerly The Vintage White’s Market). Promised to be loaded with your next favorite find, The Market Beautiful is filled with over 150 vendors, live music, food and fun for all ages! With 2 markets, in one year, don’t miss out on the July market, hosted in Somers or the Christmas extravaganza held at the Kalispell County Fairgrounds.

West Shore Community Library: 100 Bierney Breek Road (844-3917). Book lending, reading and study area, computers for Internet access, and community information.

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