Ranch Overview
Situated on the shore of Flathead Lake in northwest Montana, Flathead Lake Lodge is a family-owned and -operated dude ranch. It’s also the only place in the country where you can combine a guest ranch experience with an all-American lake vacation.Originally built as a boy’s camp in 1932, Les Averill acquired the property in 1945 upon his return to Montana after serving in World War II. Over the years, Les and his family restored the vacant lodges and built new lodging accommodations, welcomes visitors from near and far to hang their hats at Flathead Lake Lodge for an authentic Montana vacation.
In 1971, the second generation of the family – Doug Averill – took the reins at Flathead Lake Lodge and continued the family tradition of hospitality in the wilds of Montana. Today, Doug’s son Chase is at the helm of the ranch and is proud to carry on the legacy of his father and grandfather, while also raising the fourth generation on the ranch. While Doug has officially retired form his daily duties, you’ll still find him welcoming guests in the morning by the fireplace in the Main Lodge.
Flathead Lake Lodge offers all-inclusive weeklong stays during the summer season, as well as adults-only retreats during the fall. A stay at the ranch includes accommodations, meals, drinks (including adult beverages) and on-ranch activities like horseback trail rides, sailing, watersports, mountain biking, hiking, yoga, kids camp and more.
| Guest Capacity | 150 |
| Seasons | May - Oct |
| Dates Open | May to mid-October |
| Min. Age for Independent Riding | 6 |
| Adult-Only Weeks | Yes |
| Nearest Airport | Kalispell/Glacier Park (FCA) |
| Elevation | 3,000 |
| Wheelchair Accessible | Yes |
Ranch Rates
| Accepted Payment Methods | Check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover |
| Adult All-Inclusive Rate | $4,858 |
| Adult Rate | 2024 cabin, homestead & suite rates: $5,985; Lodge rooms: $4,858 |
| Child Rate | Ages 6-17 cabin rates $4,893, lodge accommodations $3,962; Ages 3-5 cabin rates $2,401, lodge accommodations $2,261; Ages 2 and under no cost. |
| Service Charge/Tip Rate | For parties of 6 or more a 10% gratuity is automatically added. |
| Tax Rate | 2% accommodations tax is added to the rates. |
| Travel Agents Accepted | Yes |
Ranch Accommodations
The accommodations at Montana’s Flathead Lake Lodge are cabins, suites and lodge rooms. The cabins are a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom options. Lodge rooms can be found in the South Lodge and Main Lodge and have flexible accommodations, while the South Lodge also has a central lobby area with a fireplace. Suite options have shared walls and can be configured to accommodate guest needs.| Cabin Accommodations | included |
| Lodge Accommodations | included |
| Weekly Stay Schedule | Sunday to Sunday |
Ranch Activities
During a week at Flathead Lake Lodge, guests will enjoy a beautiful look at life in Montana, from dining options that include locally sourced ingredients to horseback trail rides and soaking up sunset from the shore of Flathead Lake. The ranch has a robust assortment of activities that are included with a stay, making it an ideal destination for multigenerational travelers and families. Guests can do as much or as little as they’d like, from setting out on an afternoon sailing adventure to a heart-pumping mountain bike ride on our on-ranch trail system. A week here also includes our world-famous Wednesday night steak fry, evening entertainment, beach fires, rodeo fun and a barn dance.| Sightseeing Tours | included |
| Nature Programs | included |
| Fishing Instruction | included |
| Swimming Pool | included |
| Campfire Gatherings | included |
| Additional Cattle & Ranch Work | included |
| Cattle Gathering | included |
| Children's Programs | included |
Area Activities
| Fishing (River) | extra |
| Fishing (Lake) | nearby |
| Golf | nearby |
| Swimming Lake/Stream | included |
| River Rafting | extra |
| Guided Hiking | included |
| Mountain Biking | included |
| Shooting Sports | extra |
Ranch Dining
At Flathead Lake Lodge, we offer fine dining with a Western flare. Chef Rob and his kitchen team serve made-from-scratch meals, as well as amazing desserts and pastries. All meals are served in the Main Lodge or in our Outdoor Kitchen, with dining-centric activities that include a breakfast ride, lunch ride and mountain meadow steak fry.| Family-Style Dining | included |
| Fine Dining | included |
| Onsite Catering | included |
| Cookouts | included |
| Bar/Lounge | included |
Special Events
Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge is happy to accommodate the following special events. Please reach out to us for more information!
Weddings
Flathead Lake Lodge has hosted a vast array of beautiful weddings ranging from country chic to extravagant elegance, wedding destination packages available.
| Weddings | extra |
| Wedding Planning | included |
Conventions, Meetings, Retreats
We welcome meeting groups of all sizes, from incentive travel to board retreats and conferences. Our on-site meeting facility and on-ranch activities give groups the amenities, experiences and space they need.
| Capacity for Meetings | 100 |
| Season for Meetings | May, June, September & October |
| Activities (Meetings) | Numerous activities are available, including water sports, horseback activities and team building events. |
| Minimum Nights (Meetings) | 2 |
| Retreats/Workshops | included |
Family Reunions
The ranch hosts a number of family reunions each week during the summer months.
| Family Reunions | included |
| Book Entire Ranch? | Yes |
| Capacity (Family Reunions) | 150 |
Technology
Wi-Fi is available throughout the ranch.Follow us on Instagram
What's the Difference?
Dude Ranches
At Montana Dude Ranches horseback riding is the central activity. Fly-fishing and other varied western activities await you.
Working Dude Ranches
Montana Working Dude Ranches allow you to experience life as a cowboy – with cattle drives, round ups and ranch work.
Resort Dude Ranches
Montana Resort Dude Ranches offer western activities with higher end amenities and dining experiences.