A MONTANA TRADITION SINCE 1945

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All-Inclusive Montana Dude Ranch

Rooted in family, tradition and the West, we’ve been welcoming guests to our dude ranch on Flathead Lake in Bigfork, Montana for generations. Founded by Les Averill in 1945, today our family-owned and -operated ranch welcomes guests from near and far to make memories, soak up Big Sky Country and explore this place we call home.

All-inclusive activities

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Youth Programs

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Flathead lake

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Horseback riding

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  • Featured Specials
  • Read Our Blog
  • Week of Hope

Spring Adventure Retreat

Get away with the family this spring for a four-night adventure in Montana, May 29-June 2, 2024. Want to learn more? Explore all of our spring and fall specials, including our adults-only retreats.

Blog Posts

While cowboys are known to be men of few words, we do enjoy sharing our musings, experiences and a look into what life is like at our Montana guest ranch on the blog. For insider information and breaking news, read the latest.

The Gift of Hope

Each year, Flathead Lake Lodge welcomes critically ill children and their families to the ranch. A partnership with HopeKids, it's one of our favorite weeks at the ranch and it's our honor to spur hope in the lives of these families.

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“We traveled to the lodge last week with very few expectations and absolutely fell in love with this place. It is like going to summer camp if summer camp was gorgeous, clean, filled with fun, good food and remarkable staff. The lodge is beautiful and cozy and we loved gathering for meals, relaxing by the fire and listening to music. What heightens the experience are the kind, hardworking, smart, talented staff that work here. They love what they do and where they work and it is contagious. We learned much from them and felt so welcome.”

- Jennifer S., Trip Advisor

“Spend a week out here, you will have the time of your life. This place is like no other. Flathead Lake Lodge is legitimately the most "feel-good" place you can be. It cannot be put into words. A week at the lodge is an experience that can't be found anywhere else. It really is pretty close to heaven. Thank you, Mr. Averill, you have created something truly special in every way.”

- Max Mick

“Our family had an incredible week at the lodge. A vacation here feels like a true break from our frantic lives. Love the staff, the horseback riding, the food, boating and the safe family-friendly environment.”

- Amy Robertson Smith

“It's hard to put into words the magic of this place. Everything about it is amazing. The property, the activities, the placement of the property on the lake – especially if you like sunsets, food and service. But what is best about it is the people. They genuinely care, they get to know the guests by name and they are the reason it's so amazing. Plus, this lodge gives back each year with the Week of Hope to families who have a child with a life-threatening medical condition. Top-notch people and top-notch ranch!”

- Skol_Minny123

“Excellent accommodations, outstanding food, attentive service and a very good range of activities on the property. Whenever a request was made, the answer was always "yes." When the weather was not ideal for a planned activity, there was a backup plan. A superb destination for an all-inclusive package.”

- Allan H, Trip Advisor

“You will never want to vacation anywhere else once you’ve experienced the magic and beauty of Flathead Lake Lodge.”

- Brooke Taylor

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Vintage Stays, Historic Memories

At Flathead Lake Lodge, we want the memories you make here to last a lifetime. And while we’ve been rated as one of the best family vacation spots in America and named as a top guest ranch, the greatest tribute of all is that more than half of our guests return to the ranch every year. With a history that dates to 1945, Flathead Lake Lodge is a family tradition. Many of our guests grew up coming here with their parents and now bring their own children and grandchildren to experience our Montana ranch just like they did. Plus, a stay at the ranch is all-inclusive, including accommodations, three meals each day, lots of snacks, beverages (kid-friendly and alcoholic drinks) and on-site activities.

SOUTH LODGE

With flexible room configurations and a shared lobby area with a fireplace, the South Lodge is ideal for groups of varying sizes.

MAIN LODGE

The heart of the ranch, the Main Lodge dates back to the 1930s and has three cozy lodge rooms, including two with loft areas.

CABINS

Our cabins offer individual accommodations and are great for couples and families, with one-bedroom to three-bedroom options.

Hillside Suites

Multi-level accommodations, our Hillside Suites are well-suited for families or small groups, as they each have two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Cedar Suites

The closest lodging to the marina, the four Cedar Suites all have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with mature trees that surround each room.

Homestead Lodge

Our newest accommodation, the Homestead Lodge is perfect for larger groups and families, as it has three units of varying sizes.

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Authentic Hospitality

Our grandfather, Les Averill, started Flathead Lake Lodge in 1945. Three generations later, we’re proud to carry on his legacy—as well as the legacy of our father Doug Averill—doing what we love in the place we love most. Today, we welcome guests to Montana and introduce them to the genuine Western lifestyle that’s been found here on the shores of Flathead Lake for the last 78 years. Once you stay at Flathead Lake Lodge, you become part of our family, and that’s a mantra we live by.

  • Made from Scratch
  • Meet Chef Rob
  • Bon Appétit

Fine Dining Meets Western Traditions

With a focus on local, meals at our Montana ranch resort are a mouth-watering combination of Western dining and made-from-scratch recipes. Our Executive Chef and his kitchen team serve up fresh-baked pastries, creative dishes and satisfying entrees that highlight delectable cuts of local meat, fresh produce and local grains. No matter your preferences, our culinary team will make sure you leave with satisfied taste buds and a true taste of Montana.

Richer Connections to Food

With a love of food, fly-fishing and the West, Chef Rob is the Executive Chef at Flathead Lake Lodge. He brings an education from The Culinary Institute of America and a calm temperament to our ranch along Flathead Lake, where you’ll catch him whipping up creative meals, grilling steaks to perfection and incorporating flavors from his southern influences into the dishes served at our lakeside ranch.

Our Weekly Menu

On your Montana vacation at Flathead Lake Lodge, we want food to be an integral part of your experience. Throughout your week with us, you’ll enjoy a diverse selection of culinary offering. Breakfast menus may include huevos rancheros, French toast, biscuits and gravy and tasty scrambles, with fresh-baked pastries remaining a constant. For lunch, you’ll enjoy options like BBQ, tacos, fried chicken and collard greens and fresh salad bars. During dinner, Chef Rob will serve up skillfully created entrees that feature an elegant twist on western dining traditions. Our weekly steak fry is also a staple of a stay at the ranch.

More to Explore

Families

While we’re an all-inclusive resort in Bigfork, Montana, over the years we’ve been told we’re more like a family summer camp.

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Families

Lodging

Guests at our Montana ranch resort enjoy cozy, mountain-inspired ambience in historic log lodges, cozy cabins and comfortable suites.

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Lodging

Adventure

With nearly 2,000 acres of beautiful Montana landscapes, our guest ranch runs from the shore of Flathead Lake to the top of the Swan Mountains.

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Adventure

Rates

When you book a Montana ranch vacation at our resort on Flathead Lake, your stay is all-inclusive.

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Rates

Dining

Meals at our Montana ranch are a mix of satisfying home cooking, hearty staples, international influences, local ingredients and touches of the West.

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Dining

About

An Averill family tradition since 1945, we've been welcoming guests to our home in Bigfork, Montana for more than seven decades.

About
About