Northern Region: Kalispell, Montana

North of Kalispell lies the gorgeous green hills that gradually level out at the valley floor. This region has small hills and valleys with 360° views at the tops and sparse old growth. The Whitefish and Lewis Mountain Ranges to the north and the western Salish Range lift the northern area of the valley enough to make it easy for snow melt to travel south by way of gravity to its Flathead Lake destination. In the northerly region of greater Kalispell, three rivers independently enter the stage and eventually converge near the city proper.

From the west comes the lazy, but diligent Stillwater River making its way from the Lake Koocanusa region just shy of Alberta Canada. The Stillwater River, aptly named, winds incessantly back and forth like a snake whose switchbacks nearly touch each other and barely make ground. This river passes within a mile of the Ray Kuhns Wildlife Management Area, which is open for horseback riding, fishing, hiking, birding, non-motorized boating and hunting for various game, big and small.

The Stillwater River is a beautiful little river with plenty of riverfront properties to offer. Many horse ranches and some agricultural properties are also in the area. Ranches are spread out far enough that residents only see and hear their neighbors when they want to. Many residents take advantage of this small waterway for tubing, kayaking or small boating activities as well as fishing. It is used as a water feature of the recent addition to the Kalispell golf course roster, Big Mountain Golf Club. The lower Stillwater River is part of another golf course, Buffalo Hill Golf Club, just outside of Kalispell city limits. Golf Course properties near the Stillwater River are another possibility.

The Whitefish River claims the middle territory north of Kalispell. Like the Stillwater, it is also quite sleepy, with overlapping switchbacks and mellow waters. This area is riddled with ranch properties and homes for sale with acreage among subtle rolling hills. The smaller country roads eliminate a lot of traffic and provide privacy for residents. Nearby Trumble Creek is seasonal in some areas with spring and summer flows and other areas the water flows year round. As the Whitefish River approaches Kalispell, it finds its way close enough to Village Greens Golf Course to offer waterfront properties for approximately 60 lots.

The Stillwater and the Whitefish Rivers join near Lawrence Park at Hwy 2 where they find an old channel of the Flathead River and join the main body in a couple miles. There is a conglomeration of old and still connected Flathead River channels that make up a lowland preserve named Leisure Island. Both Lawrence Park and Leisure Island are public areas with walking trails, birding opportunities and picnic areas. Lawrence Park has a Frisbee golf course, which is a local favorite.

The third and most formidable river coming on the scene in the northeast is the Flathead River. The Flathead River has three headwaters sources: the North Fork coming from British Columbia, Canada, the Middle Fork originating in the high country southeast of Flathead Lake in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex and the South Fork of the Flathead River originating not too far west of the Middle Fork in the Bob Marshall as well. The Flathead is a mighty river carrying snow and glacial melt from far beyond the Flathead Valley, into the valley and letting loose into Flathead Lake where it eventually empties into the Pacific Ocean by way of the Clark Fork and Columbia Rivers.

This region near the Flathead River, north of Kalispell, is a highly agricultural area. The fertile soils and irrigation availability provided by the Flathead River make this area great for growing crops. The northeast of the valley has also seen an increase in ranch properties and homes with ample acreage for various purposes, namely, luxury. The northern region of greater Kalispell is a beautiful choice for relocation to the Flathead Valley. Ranches covering lush rolling hills and three significant rivers provide for riverfront property opportunities as well as magnificent views of the surrounding valley.