Headed for Glacier National Park? Spend time in Columbia Falls first. This blue-collar town feels real, welcoming, and refreshingly easy on the wallet compared to its resort neighbors.
Tucked along the Flathead River, it makes a smart base for the whole valley. In this guide, you will find six standout things to do, from fast ziplines and a classic waterpark to mellow tasting rooms, trail time, and family fun you can count on.
1. Big Sky Waterpark
At a Glance:
Location: 7211 Hwy 2 E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Website: bigskywp.com
Best Time to Visit: Late spring to early fall
Cost: Modest admission fee
Reservations: Not required
Duration: 2 to 4 hours
If summer heat hits, Big Sky Waterpark is the easy win. It is Montana’s largest water park and stacks the day with ten waterslides, a whirlpool, mini golf, bumper cars, and a throwback arcade that smells faintly like popcorn and sunscreen.
You can roll in with toddlers, teens, and grandparents and no one gets left out. Shallow splash zones, lifeguards who actually pay attention, and plenty of shade make the place surprisingly chill, even on a busy Saturday.
What stands out is how simple it is. Park the car, stash your bag in a locker, and you are moving in minutes. The slides range from “my kid will do it twice” to “okay, that was faster than I expected.” Lines move faster in the late afternoon once day trippers peel off for dinner.
The snack bar is classic: pizza slices, cold drinks, and soft-serve that somehow tastes better after your third lap around the lazy areas. The park is wheelchair friendly, staff are kind about questions, and the whole scene feels like small town summer at full tilt.
2. Glacier Ziplines
At a Glance:
Location: 7840 US-2, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Website: glacierziplines.com
Best Time to Visit: Summer to early fall
Cost: Varies by tour package
Reservations: Recommended
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Glacier Ziplines turns the forest into a high-line course with views you will replay later. The guides set an easy pace and walk you through safety gear without talking down to anyone.
You clip, step, and whoosh across tree-to-tree lines that fly over gullies and stands of pine. Riders start cautiously, then by the third line, they are whooping on launch. Kids love the feeling of “I did that” and adults admit they do, too.
The best part is the mix of adrenaline and nature. While you wait at a platform, the guide might point out a red-tailed hawk riding thermals, or how larch needles turn gold in October.
If someone in your group gets nervous, guides have calming tricks: easy exits, tandem rides for younger kids, and hand signals that make communication simple across distance. Closed-toe shoes are required. Tying back long hair helps. Cameras on straps are allowed, and you will be glad you brought one.
3. White Raven Winery and Vineyard
At a Glance:
Location: 7457 Hwy 2 E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Website: whiteravenwinery.com
Best Time to Visit: Spring to fall
Cost: Tasting fees apply; wine for purchase
Reservations: Not required
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
A mellow hour at White Raven feels like a deep breath after a long drive. The tasting room is warm and low-key, and the deck looks over tidy rows of vines. Staff pour flights with zero pretense, and they will happily steer you toward a glass that fits what you actually like.
If you prefer dry whites on a warm day, ask for a crisp pour and a table outside. Cooler evenings call for a red by the fire table, with a view of the sky easing toward pink.
Live music pops up on many weekends. Locals bring friends, dogs stay leashed, and conversations drift from hiking plans to which huckleberry stand is open this week. It is an easy way to feel the community without feeling like you crashed a private party.
If you buy a bottle, ask about pairing notes for takeout in town. Pizza travels well, and if you are new to Montana wine, you will leave surprised by how pleasant it can be in the northern light.
4. Glacier Institute
At a Glance:
Location: 7450 US-2, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Website: glacierinstitute.org
Best Time to Visit: Spring to fall
Cost: Fees for classes and guided tours
Reservations: Required for programs
Duration: 2 to 6 hours
The Glacier Institute is where curiosity turns a scenic day into a meaningful one. This nonprofit runs classes and guided hikes on topics like bird ID, wildlife tracking, wildflowers, geology, and family discovery days.
Instructors speak plain English and treat questions like they are the best part of the day. If you have kids, look for half-day programs that mix movement, simple science, and a few “whoa” moments with binoculars.
Adults get just as much out of it. On a guided walk, you might learn how to spot a woodpecker by sound, why larch needles fall like gold coins in October, or how glaciers carved the valleys you see from the road. Information sticks because you are seeing it right then.
Book early in summer since spots go fast. If you want something less formal, stop by for recommendations on self-guided routes that suit your time and comfort level.
5. Cedar Flats Trails
At a Glance:
Location: P.O. Box 2382 Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Website: gatewaytoglaciertrail.com
Best Time to Visit: Late spring to early fall
Cost: Free
Reservations: Not required
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
Cedar Flats Trails sit just outside town and offer an easy way to stretch your legs without a long drive.
The system includes rolling paths for walking, running, and mountain biking. Grades are gentle, the forest is airy, and views open toward the Flathead Valley in brief windows that catch you by surprise. You can push a stroller, bring the dog on a leash, or sneak in a quick ride before dinner.
Locals treat these trails like a neighborhood park. Mornings are quiet, while evenings see more bikes and families working off ice cream from town. After a rain, the dirt holds shape well and smells like fresh needles.
If you pay attention, you will hear nuthatches tapping and spot wildflowers along edges in June. Keep a small bag for trash and a bell for bikes. Everyone gets along better when they can hear each other coming.
6. Amazing Fun Center
At a Glance:
Location: 10265 Hwy 2 E, Columbia Falls, MT 59912
Website: amazingfuncenter.com
Best Time to Visit: Summer to early fall
Cost: Entry fees for activities
Reservations: Not required
Duration: 2 to 4 hours
Sometimes, you just want to laugh and keep it simple. The Amazing Fun Center is perfect for that. The giant outdoor maze is the main event. You collect stamps at stations, think you have it solved, then end up right back near the start with your kids giggling.
Add mini golf, go-karts, and a few classic games, and you have a full afternoon that works for mixed ages.
Birthday groups roll through on weekends and staff handle them calmly. If you are traveling with grandparents, the shaded seating near the maze exit is a good meetup spot.
Teens turn the go-karts into low-stakes bragging rights, then everyone finishes with snow cones. It’s not fancy, and that’s the charm. You get real smiles and a change of pace from trail miles and scenic overlooks.
Practical Information for Your Columbia Falls Trip
A little planning here pays off across the whole Flathead Valley. Use Columbia Falls as your base, then fan out for Glacier, Whitefish, Bigfork, and the lakes to the south.
Where to Stay in Columbia Falls
You can sleep fancy or keep it simple here. These spots cover the range, and all keep you close to Highway 2 and the park corridor.
- Resort: Meadow Lake Golf Resort offers condo-style lodging, pools, on-site dining, and, of course, the course. Families like the space, and couples like the hot tubs after long days outside.
- Mid-Range and Convenient: Cedar Creek Lodge and Conference Center feels new, has dependable breakfast, and sits close to grocery stores, coffee shops, and Highway 2. You can be on the road to the park in minutes.
- Budget Friendly and Classic Motel: Glacier Basecamp Lodge and other old-school motels on the strip deliver clean rooms, parking at your door, and a rate that leaves more cash for fun.
- Camping and RV: Columbia Falls RV Park and nearby public campgrounds serve rigs and tent campers. Book far ahead in July. If you miss out, look to county parks along the river for backup nights.
Best Time to Visit
Columbia Falls runs on seasons. Think about what you want most, then match the month.
- Summer (June to August): Everything is open. You get long daylight, warm rivers, and the full menu of tours and rentals. Crowds rise with the temperature, and you should book rooms and Glacier Entry in advance.
- Fall (September to October): The sweet spot. School is back in session, larch needles turn gold, and hiking temps are comfortable. Some services shift to shorter hours, which is a fair trade for quiet trails.
- Winter (November to March): A quieter stretch with fresh snow and calm roads in town. Cross-country skiing runs near town, and Whitefish Mountain Resort is an easy day trip for downhill days. Lodging prices soften, and restaurants feel like your neighborhood spot.
Conclusion
Columbia Falls blends action, family fun, and that true Montana character people hope to find but do not always get.
Between Big Sky Waterpark, Glacier Ziplines, White Raven Winery, the Glacier Institute, Cedar Flats Trails, and the Amazing Fun Center, you have a lineup that works for kids, couples, and multi-generational trips. You can chase speed, sip something local, learn on trails, and laugh your way through a maze all within minutes of town.
Each activity proves Columbia Falls is more than the “Gateway to Glacier National Park.” It stands on its own with heart, community, and plenty to do on any day of the week.
Have you been to Columbia Falls? What are your favorite spots? Share your tips in the comments below.