Agritourism & Farm Experiences near Bigfork, MT

Bigfork

Black sweet cherries are the main crop at this 700-tree orchard on the east shore of Flathead Lake near Yellow Bay, producing 30,000 to 40,000 pounds a year. The Getmans also grow apples, pears, peaches, plums, and raspberries, with U-pick running August through October after the cherries ripen in late July. It's cash only, and they ask that you call ahead before driving out. The operation now includes a vineyard.

Bigfork

Sweet cherries are the draw at this east-shore Flathead Lake orchard on Highway 35, between the 20- and 21-mile markers near Yellow Bay. Farmers O'Dell opens to U-pickers for a few weeks in June and July, uses natural growing practices, and runs school tours. It sits about 20 miles north of Polson and 12 miles south of Bigfork, and takes cash, check, debit, Visa, and Mastercard.

Bigfork

The Orchard at Flathead Lake is a certified organic, second-generation family orchard on the lake's east shore near Bigfork, in the family since 1976 and certified organic since 2006. More than 500 cherry trees grow alongside apples, peaches, pears, plums, vegetables, and herbs. Everything sold is grown or made on site, from jams and syrups to a cherry BBQ sauce that has drawn national notice. The orchard also hosts weddings and gatherings.

Bigfork

Brigadoon Orchards ran a 'That's My Tree' program near Bigfork, where customers rented a cherry tree — young for the education of it, or mature for the fruit — and had roughly 10 pounds of cherries shipped home. The orchard sat along the east shore of Flathead Lake off Highway 35. The former owner has since sold, and reports indicate the new owners did not continue the program.

Lakeside

Hockaday Orchards is a U-pick cherry orchard on the west shore of Flathead Lake, about five miles south of Lakeside, run by the same family for more than a century. Pickers work rows of Lambert, Royal Anne, and Wine cherries during the short harvest, which usually opens in late July and lasts a week or two. Ladders are supplied. Bring flat boxes rather than bags, since packed fruit crushes easily.

Pine Glen grows Flathead cherries along the east shore of the lake on Highway 35, north of Polson. Lambert is the main variety, with some bing and pie cherries mixed in, and you pick in a grassy, park-like setting. The season is short, roughly mid-July through mid-August. The orchard keeps no website and updates rarely, so call ahead to check ripeness and hours. Cash or check only.

Polson

Flathead Fresh Orchard grows certified organic sweet cherries on Sweet Cherry Lane, off South Finley Point Road near Polson. The fourth-generation grower keeps trees low so pickers can work most of the fruit from the ground, and provides the buckets. During harvest the stand is open Wednesday through Monday afternoons, and the crop runs heavy and easy to reach. Payment is cash or Venmo.

Polson

Hansen Farms grows sweet cherries on the east shore of Flathead Lake, south of Polson near Yellow Bay. Lambert makes up most of the crop, with Rainier, Van, Sweetheart, and other varieties mixed in. The trees carry a heavy crop low to the ground, so U-pick is easy on the back. Cherries ripen at the end of July and picking runs through August. Reach the orchard off South Finley Point Road, at the end of the lilac hedge.

Kalispell

Rainbow Carriage Services runs horse-drawn carriages and wagon rides out of Steel Bridge Road in Kalispell, in the Flathead Valley. Beyond the location and phone line, little about its schedule or rates is posted publicly.

Sweet Pickin's Pumpkin Patch runs a large U-pick field along Columbia Falls Stage Road, worked by the DeVries family since around 2001. Kids ride barrel cars and cow trains, bounce on giant pillows, and wander petting pens while parents pick pumpkins. The patch opens daily from September 20 through October 30 and pulls visiting families from as far as Browning, Polson, and Great Falls.

Polson

A certified-organic orchard on Finley Point overlooking Flathead Lake, in the family since the 1930s. Fat Robin specializes in organic sweet cherry varietals and now tart cherries, along with Macintosh and heirloom Wealthy apples planted by the original homesteader's sister. They also keep wool sheep. U-pick cherries and apples run July through October, by appointment only, so call before heading out.

Polson

Spotted Bear Vineyards and Lavender Farm works a small planting on Finley Point, on the east side of Flathead Lake near Polson. The vines, first put in during 1983, are Marquette and L'Acadie Blanc, sold to Montana vintners including White Raven Winery in Columbia Falls. Summer brings cut lavender and flowers, plus July distillation classes and U-pick cherries. A cabin among the rows rents through VRBO and Airbnb.

Kalispell

Montana Emu Ranch, once branded Laid in Montana, has raised emus and refined their oil into skin, hair, and pet-care products since 1993 from a site west of Kalispell. The formulas skip sulfates, synthetic fragrance, and petroleum fillers, and the ranch runs its own FDA-inspected lab following good manufacturing practices. Products ship nationwide and stock regional shops.

Kalispell

A 20-acre corn maze on Birch Grove Road between Kalispell and Columbia Falls, a mile south of Glacier Park International Airport. From mid-September through Halloween the Fritz family opens the maze along with a cow train, culvert slides, a small bale maze, a bale pyramid, a tractor-tire sandbox, and bounce houses. Late October brings a haunted trail through the corn and a haunted barn.

Whitefish

SpiritWorks grows and wildcrafts more than 160 culinary and medicinal herbs on ten forest-edged acres between Whitefish and Kalispell, certified organic by the Montana Department of Agriculture. The on-site apothecary sells small-batch tinctures, salves, infused oils, herbal teas, and honey made from what the farm raises. A year-round retreat center sleeps 17 across nine rooms, and farm tours and the store run by appointment. Apprenticeships and herbal boot camps round out the season.