Columbia Falls, an entry to Glacier National Park, is only 15 minutes from the park’s west entrance.
This vibrant Montana community is home to independently owned stores, eateries, a brewery, a well-attended summer farmers market, and a golf course listed as a “must play” by Golf Digest.
The City of Columbia Falls maintains about 28 acres of parkland, including six playgrounds and paved walkways.
Baseball and soccer fields, playgrounds, picnic spots, a waterfall, and an outdoor band shell are all present.
Below are the best things to do in Columbia Falls, MT.
Things to Do in Columbia Falls, MT
1. Backslope Brewing
Credit: BackslopeBrewing / Facebook
You’ll want to relax with your friends or family after a tiring day of skiing and adventuring.
What better way to unwind than by enjoying local food and craft beer? You should go to Backslope Brewing if you’re seeking such things.
In addition to being a chill location, Backslope Brewing also provides tranquil views of the Swan Mountain Range.
Both indoor and outdoor seating options offer a tranquil atmosphere for both visitors and locals.
The brewery also offers a variety of specialty brews, including IPAs and stouts. All of them are also available on tap.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 1107 9th St W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
2. Depot Park
Credit: DepotPark / Facebook
The center of Columbia Falls also offers a number of attractions. One is Depot Park, located at Railroad Street and Nucleus Avenue.
Because it contains a genuine vintage railway engine, the park is frequently popular with children. They are safe to climb up and play about in this engine.
No child can deny a love for trains. Being the nation’s oldest train also belongs to this one.
The nation utilized trains like this to deliver lumber to the main railroad lines during the heyday of the steam locomotive.
Back then, this rail network spanned the entire nation. This antique train provides a window into the past and now.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: Railroad St E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
3. Going to the Sun Road
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Make sure to drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road while exploring Glacier National Park. There’s a solid reason why this road is one of the park’s favorites.
The two-lane roadway separates the park along east and west for 50 miles as it winds through the entire area.
When you get to Logan Pass, which is 6,646 feet above sea level, you’ll also cross the Continental Divide.
There are countless photo opportunities along the road. You can stop while driving and capture pictures of the many landscapes you pass.
These vistas include alpine tundra, cedar woods, and glacier lakes. Binoculars are also recommended so you can see them in greater detail.
Once you’re done, you might wish to go back across the Going-to-the-Sun Road in the opposite direction.
You can visit both sides of the park in a single visit because the views are different.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road was added to the National Register of Historic Places list of properties in 1983.
The National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark followed suit two years later.
4. Montana Vortex and House Of Mystery
Credit: MontanaVortex / Facebook
This internationally renowned tourist destination should convince you that Columbia Falls is more than just a ski town.
People travel from all over to see the Montana Vortex and House of Mystery because they defy the rules of physics without using computers.
So it’s not magic or computer-generated imagery. The 2005 discovery of the Hexagon is one of its characteristics.
You’ll be standing around a semicircle of trees on stepping stones when you get there. These stones also mark a hexagon of energy nodes.
As you step on these stones, your buddies will swell and contract as you go from one to the next.
Location: 7800 U.S, Hwy 2 E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
5. Glacier National Park Conservancy
Credit: GlacierNationalParkConservancy / Facebook
The “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park, is only a short distance from the heart of Columbia Falls.
It’s also one of Montana’s most popular tourist destinations because of its breathtaking mountain vistas and various activities.
You should visit Glacier National Park if you’ve ever wanted to climb an icy peak.
Ancient rivers formed mountain ranges visible in your vision over many years. You’ll witness breathtaking vistas, including dense forests, cold waterfalls, and alpine meadows.
Nevertheless, its 25 glaciers and 200 shimmering lakes are its greatest draws. There are only a few paved routes within the 1,600-square-mile park.
Glacier National Park will demonstrate what untainted nature looks like if you’ve ever desired to see it. This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 402 9th St W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
6. Bad Rock Canyon
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Are you wondering what to do in Columbia Falls, Montana? Bad Rock Canyon is a gateway to the wilderness areas of Hungry Horse Dam, Bob Marshall Wilderness, and Glacier National Park and is situated 2.6 miles (4.2 km) to the east of Columbia Falls.
A spring on the southern side of the canyon, where the Flathead River flows through it, is a popular watering hole for locals.
For ages, the canyon was a section of the buffalo trail that ran from the Rockies to the Great Plains’ hunting areas.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: Columbia Falls, Montana
7. Horine Park
Horine Park is a great site to play a game of soccer because it has a variety of amenities and green fields.
Youth and high school soccer fields, a play area, a skateboard ramp, and more can be found in Horine Park.
Grab your pals and join Horine Park’s soccer fever, whether it be a friendly kickabout or an eleven-on-eleven match.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 11 Beth Rd, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, USA
8. Montana Adventure Stop
Credit: MontanaAdventureStop / Facebook
The back of a petrol station houses this one-of-a-kind attraction that offers cutting-edge virtual reality experiences like waterslides and hunts.
The theater can hold up to eight people, and it offers headsets the size of ski goggles that transport spectators to a 360-degree virtual guided experience with breathtaking views of Flathead Lake.
Additionally, the theater contains a convenience and maintenance store with various ice cream, beverages, wines, and snacks.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 7358 Hwy 2 E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, USA
9. Silver Bullet Bar and Casino
Credit: TheNewSilverBulletBarandCasino / Facebook
The Silver Bullet Bar and Casino has live music, a casino, pool tables, and delicious food and drinks for lunch and dinner.
It’s a great choice to watch your favorite games here with your friends because of the pub’s welcoming atmosphere, happy staff, and cozy atmosphere.
They provide a wide variety of burgers, pizzas, fries, and drink specials on their menu. This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 1700 Montana Hwy 206, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, USA
10. Nite Owl Restaurant
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In 1979, Steve Marquesan acquired the Nite Owl eatery. Since they are locally run and owned, you can still see Steve working with his friends Jay and Jana if you stop by.
Over the years, they have set up a casino with 20 poker and keno machines. In 1984, they launched the Back Room, a restaurant known for its pizza, salads, and BBQ chicken and brisket.
They hand patties all their burgers and use the leanest beef, making them among the best.
All of their ribs are made of pig and are grilled there. All their meals are made with premium ingredients to meet everyone’s nutritional demands.
They don’t utilize trans fats, margarine without cholesterol, or saturated or cholesterol-containing fats.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 522 9th St W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
11. Bad Rock Bed And Breakfast
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The Bad Rock Bed & Breakfast is set away among 10 acres of towering pines and open meadows and serves as your entryway to the Glacier.
The main house of the bed and breakfast contains four nicely designed guest rooms. The Swan Mountain Cabin is a distinct, two-story structure that offers seclusion and a large living area, while the Bad Rock Cabins are within a few steps from the main house.
They offer free internet connection and free on-site parking. Furthermore, visitors may easily go from their cabins to the Game Room, which is accessible every single day.
The apartment has a full kitchen, a laundry room, a billiards table, board games, and a TV for viewing movies.
Additionally, they offer guests a gas grill and an outside wood fire pit for gatherings at night and roasting marshmallows.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 480 Bad Rock Dr, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
12. O’Brien’s Liquor & Wine
Credit: O’Brien’sLiquor&Wine / Facebook
The family-run O’Brien’s Liquor & Wine store in Columbia Falls takes pride in its wide selection of alcoholic beverages, especially those made by the region’s local distilleries.
Their wine selection is meticulously hand-selected and contains moderately priced wines from all over the world with scores of 90 or higher.
They have a large selection of Made in Montana products in their Gift Shop in the main store.
Choose from various delectable huckleberry products, fragrant soaps and candles, handmade jewelry, t-shirts, jackets, and caps to find the perfect gift for that special someone.
Are you planning a social event? Allow their event planners to assist you in creating the right wine and spirit menu options for your occasion.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 830 1st Ave W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
13. Shop @ Station 8
Credit: TheShopsatStation8 / Facebook
An antique home furnishings store with carefully picked products artistically exhibited is called The Shops at Station 8!
The building was Columbia Falls’ original train terminal in the late 1800s. It is a store bursting with unusual goods and is situated in Montana’s Flathead Valley.
Rachel Hopkins purchased The Shops at Station 8 from Colette Gross in October 2017.
Rachel, a resident, has a passion for everything vintage and antique! She constantly looks for odd and weird goods to stock in the store.
Visit their shop to see their lovely variety of decor and presents with Montana themes and their superb collection of antiquated maps.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 38 U.S. Rte 2, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
14. Glacier Ziplines
Credit: GlacierZiplines / Facebook
West of Glacier National Park in Northwest Montana, Glacier Ziplines offers the best ziplining adventures. Glacier Ziplines in the treetops offer a seven-zipline trip.
They offer amazing views of the Badrock Canyon, the Great Northern Railway, the Flathead River, and on rare occasions, a yeti.
You won’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, which will provide breathtaking views as you soar through the forests.
A minimum age of six and a weight restriction of 50 to 250 pounds apply to zipline riders.
For minors under 18, agreement forms must be signed by parents or legal guardians.
You can give someone a zipline journey as a gift by purchasing gift vouchers from Glacier Ziplines.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 7840 Hwy 2 E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
15. Blue Moon Night Club
Credit: DailyInterLake / dailyinterlake.com
Similar structures can be seen in Columbia Falls, such as the Blue Moon Nite Club. The location began in 1940 as a simple pub, just in time for the Hungry Horse Dam project.
The bar has changed since then. It was formerly a tavern and casino. It now functions as a bar, casino, and restaurant.
Notably, you may have a short nightcap after coming off the airport because the Blue Moon Nite Club is close to Glacier Park International Airport.
Also available are live performances, pool tables, and touchtone jukeboxes. You can also gamble to see how it goes.
The Blue Moon hosts Women’s Night every Wednesday and provides complimentary champagne for the ladies.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 6105 U.S. Rte 2, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
16. Marantette Park
Credit: MarantettePark / Facebook
You can spend the afternoon at Marantette Park alone or with your family if you just want some peace and quiet. A peaceful covered picnic spot with contemporary facilities is available in this tiny park.
This park is open to everyone. Therefore you are welcome to bring your parents or children along.
The biggest bands in the Flathead Valley perform at Marantette Park’s summer concert series. Visit Marantette Park whenever you can if you want a musical afternoon.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: 133 13th St E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
17. Soldiers Home Historic District
Credit: Wikipedia / wikipedia.org
Historical sites are in no short supply in Columbia Falls either. The Soldiers’ Home Historic District is a must-see for American history.
Nine buildings, including examples of the Victorian and Colonial Revival architectural styles, make up the district.
Why did they erect these structures? The Montana legislature erected the facility to care for Civil War and Indian War soldiers.
A number of veterans who started farming on the site and developed their independence over the 20th century were allowed to the campus.
The Soldiers’ Home Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
Travel to Veterans Drive in Columbia Falls, Montana, and check out the Soldiers’ Home Historic District.
This is one of the ideal locations to visit in Columbia falls, do well to check it out and have lots of fun.
Location: Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
18. Meadow Lake Golf Course
Credit: MeadowLakeGolfCourse / Facebook
The Meadow Lake Golf Course can be a good option if you’re seeking a unique location for a family reunion or business event.
This public, 18-hole championship course has earned recognition as one of the best in the state.
The golf course has also cultivated relationships with Flathead Valley establishments to offer top-notch housing in opulent hotels and villas.
To purchase alcohol or food on the property, you can also go to the Pro Shop. To learn the game, you can also engage professional golf instructors.
Location: 490 St Andrews Dr, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
19. Fenholt Park
Fenholt Park is one of three Columbia Falls parks with authentic baseball diamonds.
So why not take a swing at Columbia Falls on this field of dreams? Sports can strengthen your ties with your family, friends, or both.
After you’ve finished playing, unwind by going for a walk along the Flathead River. You can take as many pictures as you like of the stunning riverfront scenery.
Location: 9th St E and 3rd Ave E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
20. Swan Mountain Snowmobiling
Credit: ColumbiaFallsChamber / columbiafallschamber.org
Swan Mountain Snowmobiling offers tours in Glacier Country for thrill-seekers.
Through guided trips from Desert Mountain, Canyon Creek, and Crane Mountain, they will take you to a number of trailheads.
You can select from a half-day, full-day, or two-hour guided tour. If you’re on a date, you should attempt their sunset snowmobile excursion.
Be sure to leave your significant other with a memory-making experience.
The Flathead National Forest and Stillwater State Forest are connected by their Great Northern Ultimate Trip, the longest guided tour in Glacier Country.
So, if you wish to experience this trip, bring your best cameras. If you want to travel alone, you can hire snowmobiles from them.
Location: 680 Railroad St E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
21. Glacier Adventure Guides
Credit: GlacierAdventureGuides / Facebook
Glacier Adventure Guides is an awesome place to visit. It has earned the title of “Crown of the Continent” for a good cause. However, you might wonder how to take in such a huge area. Not to worry. You’ll be well taken care of by Glacier Adventure Guides.
The business has led visitors on skiing and snowshoeing tours around Glacier National Park for more than 15 seasons.
Their expert personnel will show you sights you might have missed, giving you a unique rural experience.
You don’t need to fear if you’re not a particularly skilled skier, either. The highly trained staff can cater to all tourists of any ability level.
Additionally, they have received training to deal with hazardous circumstances, including avalanches, mountain rescues, and outdoor emergencies.
Location: 24 7th St W, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
22. Big Sky Water Park
Credit: BigSkyWaterpark / Facebook
For a more traditional adventure, visit the Big Sky Water Park and get your feet wet on its ten exhilarating water slides and a sizable whirlpool.
You can take your kids to the kiddie pool or play bumper cars and mini golf.
The Big Sky Water Park, located in the Rockies, also provides other exhilarating activities like the Climbing Wall and the Water Wars Balloon Battles.
Similarly, you can host family picnics or beach volleyball with brand-new acquaintances.
Location: 7211 Hwy 2 E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States
23. Three Folks Grill
Credit: ThreeFolksGrille / threeforksgrille.com
You must be ravenous after a day of sightseeing. Enjoy some delectable Rocky Mountain food with a splash of real Italian spices.
Visit the Three Forks Grille, a casual eatery on Nucleus Avenue in Columbia Falls, if it sounds appetizing.
The restaurant uses regionally sourced ingredients to create both traditional and contemporary cuisine. Your meal will be delicious as well as clean and fresh.
On Sundays, you may try their brunch menu, which includes buckwheat cakes and vegetarian bowls.
Location: 729 Nucleus Ave, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, United States