Highlights

• Flathead River
• Flathead Lake
• Church Slough
• Ashley Creek
• Foys Lake
• Lone Pine State Park

Southern Region: Kalispell, Montana

As you travel south of Kalispell's city limits, several types of terrain are accessible. The Salish Mountains rise to the west while, to the east, the wandering Flathead River heads south to Flathead Lake. This long and narrow part of the greater Kalispell region is diverse with a lot to offer.

At the edge of the Salish Range southwest of Kalispell is a pocket of development that gradually rises from the valley floor. These properties blanket the foothills of the mountains and extend into the small Foy's Canyon that hosts Foy and Middle Foy Lakes. Lakefront and lake view properties are often available in this area. The outlying areas offer some of the more sought after real estate in the valley.

Between this pocket of development and the rest of the Flathead Valley is Lone Pine State Park and Lone Pine State Reserve. Lone Pine State Park and Reserve provide 270 acres of horseback riding, mountain biking, snowshoeing and hiking trials, a visitors center and a picnic pavilion. South of Foy Lakes is Herron Park, devoted to equine use, including jumps, trails and periodic equestrian dressage events. Hiking, mountain biking and winter activities such as cross country skiing and sledding are permitted as well.

Development has continued in recent years to wrap around the Lone Pine area south and throughout this chain of foothills. This area is great for mountain and valley views as the foothills sit above the valley floor for an amazing perspective. The Flathead Valley floor extends from the base of the Lone Pine area and southern foothills east into what is referred to as Lower Valley. The eastern border of Lower Valley is the mighty Flathead River with the Salish Range as the western perimeter.

At this point in the river's course, all of the tributaries have converged into one deliberate body draining the beautiful Flathead Valley. Ashley Creek snakes through the southern part of the valley from east of Kalispell and meets up with the Flathead River here. The Flathead River meanders east to lower ground opening up the Lower Valley area before it reaches Flathead Lake. Several old river pathways are evident as sloughs, with Church Slough being one of the few that are replenished with floodwater each year for a lake-like cleanliness as well as recreational opportunities.

Lower Valley is a highly agricultural area full of large ranch properties and some spacious residential areas. Horse properties, ranch and farm lands compliment the agricultural theme. This area south of Kalispell offers great access to the charming communities on Flathead Lake, namely Bigfork, Somers and Lakeside.