Bigfork, Montana

Bigfork is northwest Montana's artistic capital. A quaint "Village-on-the-Bay" that's big on culture, art & scenic beauty!

Bigfork is a beautiful little artistic haven situated along an idyllic bay near the north shore of the Flathead Lake at the mouth of the Swan River. Bigfork is considered to be the art center of the Flathead Valley. A quaint little village strewn with galleries, art studios, crafty boutiques, restaurants and cafes, Bigfork has definitely carved out it's own niche as the hot-spot for art lovers and creative souls.

The Swan River flows right through the center of town and empties into the sparkling blue Bigfork Bay. Bigfork has it's own 27-hole championship golf course - Eagle Bend Golf Course - which stretches along the north shore of Flathead Lake, and provides some outstanding views of the lake and the majestic Swan Mountain range. Eagle Bend Golf course has been rated #1 for six consecutive years by Golf Digest magazine.

Bigfork was established at the turn of the century, around the same time that the hydroelectric plant was built at the mouth of the Swan River to provide electrical power for Kalispell. The village was planned out by Everit Sliter, who was a key player in the growth of the community. Everit acted as the towns postmaster, he started the town's first hotel and ran the general store, and was responsible for planting one of the first orchards in the area.

The Bigfork area is known throughout the entire northwest for it's abundant crop of Flathead cherries every year. The massive surface area of the Flathead Lake creates the ideal climate along the eastern shores of the lake allowing cherries to thrive in the environment. Much of the shoreline that stretches from Bigfork down to Polson at the opposite end of the lake consists of cherry orchards.

Bigfork is also known for it's culture and theatrical flair. The Bigfork Summer Playhouse has become one of the northwest's finest and most beloved repertory theatres. Other community highlights include weekly concerts throughout the summer in Everit Sliter memorial park, Bigfork Festival of the Arts every August, and the Bigfork Art and Culture Center.

Bigfork's small-town, laid-back "village-by-the-bay" atmosphere along with its artistic style and scenic beauty have made it one of Montana's most desirable communities for relocation. No wonder Bigfork was recently named "One of the 50 Great Towns of The West" and was listed in National Geographic's Guide to Small Town Escapes.