Whitefish, Mont.
Good things come to those who work for them. Yes, Whitefish, Montana, located in the top northwest corner of the state, is a bit harder to access than some other destination mountain towns like Aspen or Vail. For your extra effort, you are rewarded with … well … everything. There are more mammal species in Montana than any other state, and one study estimates that there are roughly 1.5 elk per acre and 3.3 deer. (At this time, Yahoo Travel does not know exactly which part of the deer constitutes that other 0.3 percent). The region boasts some of the cleanest and most abundant lakes and rivers in North America, including the epic Flathead Lake. Flathead has over 200 square miles of water to enjoy and 185 miles of shoreline, making it the largest natural freshwater lake in the West.
The area’s teeming rivers create what is arguably the best fly fishing on the planet, and the tiny town of Whitefish sits in a central location to enjoy it all. The town is decorated by a mix of small, historic railroad houses and beautiful, modern-day log cabins and lodges. Founded back in 1883, it’s grown to include an array of restaurants, art galleries, bars and shopping, all contributing to a convivial atmosphere that’s especially evident along the restored historic storefronts of Main Street.
HINT: One of the most visited national wonders in the country, Glacier National Park, is only a few miles down the road from downtown Whitefish. It offers century-old log hotels, 700 miles of hiking trails, 250 lakes and a staggering abundance of wildlife.
