The northeastern corner of Montana’s Flathead Valley has a well-kept secret. It’s a community of just under 3,700 souls located at a 3.087-ft elevation named Columbia Falls. Columbia Falls bills itself as the “Gateway to Glacier National Park,” and is located just 18 miles south of West Glacier.
The residents here take great pride in the small-town atmosphere and the sense of community spirit is evident with a drive (or better yet, walk) down Main Street.
Columbia Falls is the gateway to a highly scenic alternate route to Glacier National Park, County Road 486 (aka: North Fork Road), which follows along the North Fork of the Flathead River. This river is the western boundary of the park and has been designated a “wild and scenic river”. It is about 20 miles to the Camas Creek park entrance. The last nine miles of this roadway are not currently paved and it will eventually lead you to the rustic town site of Polebridge.
Columbia Falls itself maintains about 28 acres of park land within city limits, including baseball and soccer fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, a waterfall, and a band shell.
The city also operates Pinewood Family Aquatic Center, a 25-metre competitive swimming pool and a leisure pool with several fixed play features. Montana’s largest water theme park, Big Sky Water Slides is also located nearby, as is Amazing Ventures, a family-oriented recreation park.
Columbia Falls is home to the House of Mystery, Montana’s only natural vortex, which produces unusual gravitational energies and mystifying phenomena.
The average high in July is 80 degrees, low 49 degrees; in January 28-degrees and 13-degrees, respectively. The average annual rainfall is 15.17 inches and the annual snowfall, 66.3 inches.
With more than 700 miles of maintained trails in Glacier National Park alone, the possibilities for hiking are unlimited. Hungry Horse Dam and Reservoir, 10 miles east of Columbia Falls, offers fishing, boating, waterskiing, 
snowmobiling, hunting, and camping.
The Meadow Lake Golf Resort is nestled on 330 acres offering spectacular views of Glacier Park and 18-holes of championship golf. The Whitefish Mountain Resort and Blacktail Mountain ski area offer downhill skiing, and, in and around the Flathead Valley are numerous locations for cross country skiing.
According to the city’s official mission statement, “The mission of the city of Columbia Falls is to foster a community that appeals to individuals, families, businesses, and investors.
Columbia Falls is a city that encourages individual rights and responsibilities, promotes aesthetics and recreation, and provides safety and security. By listening to its citizens and responding to their needs, by respecting diversity and differences of opinion, and by evaluating the status quo and practicing thoughtful planning, the city provides excellent value at reasonable cost.”
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