Visiting Flathead Lake

Discover The Flathead Valley’s captivating wilderness when you want to escape the grind of daily life and connect with nature. Here is everything you need to know to plan a perfect Flathead Lake vacation: When to Visit The Flathead area experiences all four seasons, so you must consider the weather conditions when you choose to…

Sailing gives you the freedom to travel all over the world! But sailing the coast can require different skills and provide distinct experiences from sailing inland bodies of water. This guide will compare coastal sailing and inland sailing to help you decide which is the best fit for you. What are the advantages of Coastal…

Whether history, sports, or nature piques your interest, there are fun Flathead Lake activities for everyone. Here are six things you can do here that you can’t do anywhere else: 1. Sail Flathead Lake While there are many activities near Flathead Lake on land, don’t miss the chance to enjoy the water, too! Flathead Lake…

This summer, Lake County Search and Rescue (SAR) had to rescue quite a few kayakers in distress. None of these kayakers had rented from Go Sail Flathead Lake and that’s not just due to luck. Here is what you need to know about how Go Sail Flathead Lake keeps all their kayak renters safe: Is…

Summer may be over, but at Flathead Lake, we are still having fun! September is an ideal time to visit northwestern Montana if you enjoy vibrant fall colors, cool temperatures, and fewer crowds while kids are in school. Here are the best September events in the Flathead Valley: Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 1 – 2)…

For your business to flourish, you need staff that works well together and cares about outcomes. One of the best ways to build a cohesive team that leads to the overall success of your business is with team building activities. However, if you are looking to break away from the cliches of the human knot…

Drive into the town of Dayton, Montana today and you’ll find far more sailboats than people around town. However, this wasn’t always the case. The history of sailing on Flathead Lake began long after most of the towns around Flathead Lake were already incorporated. 1930s: The times before sailing on Flathead Lake Prior to the…

As summer comes to an end, let’s make the most of Labor Day on Flathead Lake before we say goodbye to warm temperatures and summer fun. These are some of the top Flathead Valley Labor Day activities: 1. Take Sailing Lessons ASA sailing courses help new and advanced sailors alike strengthen their boat handling…

August is a busy month for events in the Flathead Valley! Here are a few local favorite events throughout the month: NW Montana Fair & Rodeo The Northwest Montana Rodeo is one of the oldest events in the Flathead. Steeped in 120 years of tradition, this is a can’t miss event of the summer season….

The idea of sailboat racing may seem fun but if you think the process of actually getting out there and trying it sounds daunting, you’re not alone! Luckily, the American Sailing Association (ASA) just launched a new course to make the process of becoming a sailboat racer easier than ever. Here’s how ASA 102 makes…

At Go Sail Montana, we are honored to enjoy the beauty of Flathead Lake every day. The breathtaking landscape we see now is the result of fascinating natural forces and human intervention, and Flathead Lake’s history is part of its charm. This timeline of the history of Flathead Lake will take you through each phase…

The Thistle National Championship is back at Flathead Lake this summer! This top-tier regatta is an exciting event for sailors and non-sailors alike. Here’s what you should know about attending the 2024 Thistle National Championship on Flathead Lake: What is the Thistle National Championship? The Thistle National Championship is a series of sailboat races around…

Summer is now in full swing and there is no better time to enjoy Flathead Lake and the Flathead Valley! Here are the top July events in the Flathead Valley to help you make the most of the beautiful, summer weather: Flathead Valley 4th of July Events We’ve updated our 4th of July blog post…

No one wants the US Coast Guard or a Search and Rescue team to have to come to their rescue while out on the water! One of the best ways to avoid having to call for emergency help while out on the water is being well aware of the sailing conditions and their implications before…

If you’ve never heard of Cedar Island on Flathead Lake, you aren’t alone. Cedar Island is a much lesser known island than Wild Horse Island on Flathead Lake. However this island has an interesting history and is quite the hidden gem for its very infrequent visitors! Before you plan your visit, here are a few…

  The Under the Big Sky Festival brings together a variety of local, national, and international musicians for a weekend of fun in Whitefish. However, if you are staying for more than just the weekend— you’ll want to check out these other fun things to do in the Flathead Valley while you are in the…

Interested in setting sail on Flathead Lake? Here’s a simple guide on how to book your sailboat tour on Flathead Lake: 1. Decide which sailboat tour on Flathead Lake you’re most interested in  Go Sail Flathead Lake may be the only company offering sailboat tours on Flathead Lake but that doesn’t mean there is only…

The Flathead Valley is one of the most beautiful places you can be in the summer. With abundant beauty and sunshine, June is a busy time for events in the area! Here are a few of the best June events in the Flathead Valley: 1. Sailing on Flathead Lake Throughout the month of June you…

Reservations for Glacier National Park’s roads, activities, and campgrounds fill up fast! That’s why it’s so important to have a Glacier National Park itinerary before you go. This five day itinerary will walk you through what you need to book so you can see the best Glacier National Park has to offer!  Day 1: Lake…

As you sail across Flathead Lake, a few islands will probably stand out to you. One of the smaller islands you may spot just south of Wild Horse Island is Melita Island. This 64-acre island is now owned by the Boy Scouts of America. However, there is much more to the history of the island than its current use as a Boy Scout camp.  1800s: Melita Island’s first inhabitants Melita Island was inhabited long before the Boy Scouts arrived. It’s believed the Salish, Kootenai, and upper Pend d’Oreille tribes likely used Melita Island as a seasonal gathering place and a strategic location for accessing resources. It likely wasn’t until the 19th century that explorers even knew about the island!  1915: The Knights of Templar The Masonic Knights of Templar bought Melita Island in 1915. In the 1920s, they built the…

Wild Horse Island is a state park, however, the park doesn’t provide transportation to the island and you can’t get there by car. So how do you get to Wild Horse Island? Here are a few options for how to reach the island! 1. Getting to Wild Horse Island via kayak Dayton to Wild Horse…

The Flathead Valley is a beautiful place to camp and much cheaper than booking a hotel before or after your Go Sail Flathead Lake sailing trip! Check out a few of our favorite Flathead Lake camping options below. Just keep in mind that Flathead Valley camping can book up fast so no matter what option…

Summer weather is just around the corner and so is the busy season on Flathead Lake! In May you can expect to see quite a few exciting, big events on Flathead Lake. Here are a few of the best things to do in the Flathead this month as the summer season ramps up:  1. The Whitefish Marathon Runner or not – The Whitefish Marathon is a fantastic event in the Flathead Lake area to check out this May. Over 1,000 runners will filter into Depot Park for the full marathon, half marathon, and 5k on May 18th. If you don’t plan on running, cheer on racers or consider signing up as a volunteer. If you do run, treat yourself to a local beer after the race at the post-race celebration in the park!  2. Corb Lund at the Great Northern…

The countdown has begun for the start of the sailing season in Montana! Here’s what you need to know about the 2024 sailing season kick off on Flathead Lake: Does Montana’s sailing season always start by Memorial Day?  You are almost guaranteed to see a sailboat or two out on the Flathead Lake waters by…

Cromwell Island is one of the most famous locations on Flathead Lake. It made national news when it hit the real estate market a few years ago, however, there is more to the history of this island than you probably realize!  Cromwell Island wasn’t always an island It wasn’t until the 1930s, with the construction…

Is Flathead Lake good for sailing or are you better off heading to ocean waters? Here’s 4 reasons why you shouldn’t overlook Flathead Lake for your next sailing trip!   1. Sailing Without Traffic Flathead Lake still remains a fairly undiscovered sailing spot. Especially if you head to the southern portion of the lake, you are…

Planning a kid’s birthday party, youth group trip, or summer camp outing in the Flathead Valley this summer? These 4 fun-filled adventures for kids near Flathead Lake are great for all ages, ability levels, and interests! 1. Learning to Sail One of the most unique experiences for birthday parties, summer camps, and youth groups in…

International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate the achievements of women on March 8th every year. Here’s a quick guide to how you can celebrate International Women’s Day in the Flathead Valley this year!  What is International Women’s Day? International Women’s Day has been celebrated for well over 100 years! It’s a day…

Don’t overlook the beautiful town of Dayton during your Flathead Lake trip! While Dayton is home to less than 100 residents, it’s full of adventure. Here are 4 fun things you can do in Dayton, MT during your visit to the Flathead Valley: 1. Take a Sail  Dayton is a fantastic jumping off point for…

Go Sail Montana was the first ASA accredited sailing school in Montana. Here are a few interesting facts about the history of Go Sail in the Big Sky State: The Beginnings of Go Sail Montana Go Sail began offering ASA classes to students on Flathead Lake in 2016.  In those early days, three ASA instructors…

We’ve all heard the same resolutions repeated over and over again each January. This year, resolve to do something completely different! Here are a few ideas of New Year’s resolutions for Montanans who love unique adventures and experiences: 1. Attend a Much-Loved Montana Event Never attended the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale? Always wanted to…

You won’t regret celebrating New Years in the Flathead Valley! Here are a few of the best ways to welcome in the new year around Flathead Lake:  1. Hit the Slopes for a Torchlight Parade  Whitefish Montana Resort is a great place to spend New Years. You can ski or snowboard your way into 2024…

Everyone loves a good bargain! Here are a few tips to make sure you get the best deal when booking a sailing trip on Flathead Lake: 1. Book Your Sailing Trip on Flathead Lake Early The earlier you book, the cheaper your sailing trip on Flathead Lake will be! There are a limited number of…

The large race began! Start of a sailing regatta. The sailing yachts compete in speed. Renting a sailboat on Flathead Lake is easy! Here’s what you need to know for a seamless sailboat rental experience:  Where to Rent a Sailboat on Flathead Lake Go Sail Flathead Lake is the only sailboat rental company on Flathead…

Summer may be winding down but there is still plenty to do over Labor Day Weekend in the Flathead Valley! Here are a few of the best Labor Day Weekend activities in the Flathead Valley to enjoy before saying a final goodbye to the summer season: 1. Soak in the Sun on Flathead Lake It’s…

Which reigns supreme on Flathead Lake? Sailing or speed boating? The truth is– there is no definite answer as to whether sailing vs speed boating on Flathead Lake is better! Instead, the answer depends on your goals for your day out on the water and what your idea of the “perfect” boating experience is. Here…

National Fishing and Boating Week 2023 begins on June 3 and goes through June 11. For this year’s celebration, consider straying outside your tried and true fishing hole and embarking on a new fishing or boating adventure! Here are four creative ways you can celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week in Montana: 1. Try a…

The cost to rent a boat at Flathead Lake is dependent on a few different factors. This includes the type of boat you are interested in renting, the length of time of your rental, and the number of times you would like to rent a boat at Flathead Lake throughout the boating season. Here is…