Located near the icy wilderness and untouched beauty of the north, Bigfork is the preferred choice of many tourists looking for a relaxing break. Along the sparkling blue bay of the Swan River and Flathead Lake, this majestic and homey town caters to some of the best art galleries and theatre performances in the world.
If you, like many others, are interested in visiting the large, rugged, and open landscape of Montana, you’ve come to the right place.
Continue reading to know more about the various airports near Bigfork that you can use to get to your destination.
Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)
By far the closest airport to Bigfork is the Glacier Park International Airport, which is only a short thirty-five-minute drive from your destination.
Though the route within Glacier National Park is somewhat intricate and perplexing, they offer numerous facilities to help cater to your needs. From private shuttles to security guards, they provide everything to ensure a pleasurable, comforting, and friendly experience.
Other than that, the airport is known for facilitating numerous tourists. It connects flights from multiple locations such as Seattle, Portland, Chicago, and Houston.
Additionally, there are various routes you can take through the park in under an hour. Not only would this be quick, but the rental car would also be able to drive you through the various scenic sights of the state.
Missoula International Airport
Founded in 1977 and managed by the Missoula County Airport Authority (MCAA), Missoula International Airport (MSO) is possibly your second-best choice. Located in the center of the Rocky Mountains, it is a two-hour drive away from Bigfork and only a couple of minutes from downtown Missoula.
They offer excellent services, which include free Wi-Fi, chargeable ports, and a variety of snacks. They also have various shopping centers, conference rooms, and restaurants available 24/7. All of this will ensure a comfortable and easy stay for you. The airport utilizes some of the most renowned airlines, such as Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines.
When it comes to food, MSO has predominantly two vendors; Liquid Plane and Liquid Planet Grille. They are located at pre and post-security checkpoints, allowing you to grab a drink or bite at the point and time of your convenience.
And, if you’re looking to buy last-minute travel necessities, the Big Sky Gift Shop at MSO is your go-to choice. It offers snacks, clothing, souvenirs, magazines, and a vast selection of huckleberry products.
Other than that, there are other notable services such as ATMs, Smart Carts, massage chairs, and mail drops.
Spokane International Airport
Being a large commercial airport located in downtown Spokane, Washington. Spokane International Airport (GEG) is available 24/7 for all your traveling needs. Hosting daily flights, this renowned airport is the second busiest in Washington. Due to this, it provides top-notch services, which include free Wi-Fi, lost baggage claim, currency exchange, and mart carts.
Therefore, it is well-known for catering to numerous international tourists. It is also connected to nearby landmarks. Within a short car ride, you could find yourself in Glacier National Park or, through a taxi or bus, you could visit the Empire Builder.
Along with this, Spokane is home to some of the country’s best wildlife. if you want to experience this, a trek at Mt. Spokane to the Spokane Waterfalls will give you a good sense of the wilderness before reaching Bigfork.
Great Falls International Airport
About three miles southwest of Great Falls in Cascade County is the Great Falls International Airport (GTF). It is a public airport that connects around twenty cities. Located in-between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, the airport routes run through the country’s most scenic regions.
However, despite the possible detours, a car ride from here to Bigfork is four hours long. Meanwhile, if you want the cheapest alternative, a series of bus, train, and car rides should cost you under $35 as well.
Lethbridge Airport
Just 10-15 minutes away from downtown Alberta, Canada, Lethbridge Airport (YQL) is a great choice if you’re looking to travel from the US. Since Canada doesn’t require any visa permits for flying as a US citizen, flying there is practically the same as flying domestically.
Also, it’s worth noting that the airport is still only a two to three-hour drive from Bigfork. This leaves room for detours, allowing you to experience Canadian culture on your way to a peaceful forest retreat.
Bert Mooney Airport
The relatively new 40,633 square foot airport terminal of Bert Mooney Airport (BTM) is located in the center of the Rockies. It is a public airport that was named in honor of Bert Mooney, an aviator who was the first to fly mail into Yellowstone National Park.
The airport is spread across 890 acres and is 5,500 feet high. In 2011, it had an estimated 65 airport operations on any given day and 23,934 employed staff in total. Out of these operators, 86% would be general aviation, 8% for air taxis, and 3% for commercial and military each.
On the other hand, its services include free parking and Wi-Fi, on-site car rentals, and its ADA-accessible single level. For food, the Ore Cart Restaurant provides all the refreshments you might need after a long journey.
If you don’t have any closer alternatives, it’s worth noting that Bert Mooney Airport is about a 3-4 hour drive from Bigfork and it costs a meager $30 to rent a car.