Covid measures in Whitefish, Montana

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Whitefish, Montana, please refer to the CDC’s guidelines for international travel to and from the United States and Montana’s COVID-19 information website . Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area Three-five days of hiking Campsite accommodations Food and snacks for the duration of the tour All hiking and camping gear If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, make sure to notify your guide in advance of the trip. They will adjust the menu accordingly. What’s not included: Transportation to Whitefish, Montana Anything not mentioned above Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

No prior multi-day hiking experience is required for this hiking adventure, but you do need to have decent fitness levels. If you can hike for a max of 8-9 miles (13-14,5 km) a day and overcome 3,000 ft (900 m) of elevation gain, you should be good to go! Your guides will accommodate weaker hikers with more frequent breaks, and you can always choose to spend more time at the camp.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (can be provided by guide) Hiking poles — optional (can be provided by guide) Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Spare clothes for layering and 5 days of hiking Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Sleeping bag and sleeping pad (can be provided by guide) The sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, hiking poles, backpack, and cooking system can be provided by your guides. If you need hiking and camping gear, make sure to notify your guides in advance. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this group adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. The cost does not decrease as the group grows. All hikers and guides on this adventure are women. Hiking in Whitefish can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.

Deposits and cancellation policy

A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. In case of a last-minute reservation, the full amount is paid at once. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund. For cancellations ninety (90) to one hundred nineteen(119) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. For cancellations seventy-five (75) to eighty-nine (89) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid when Booking. After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Whitefish, MT, most people fly into Glacier Park International Airport only 15 minutes away from Whitefish. The airport has daily direct flights from most major cities in the US. From there, you can take a taxi or a shuttle service to Whitefish. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at Whitefish Depot Park . It’s important to note that you can’t leave vehicles parked overnight at the park, which is why we recommend walking or getting a ride there.

Women’s Basecamp Backpacking in Whitefish, Montana

A golden dusk illuminates pine trees and birch trees that line a meandering Swan River that feeds into Flathead Lake near Big Fork, Montana as autumn color envelops the birch trees.

Middle Fork Flathead River Montana, white water rafting. Clear water.

Backpacking - Camping with Tent in the Mountains after day of hiking

Female hiker in rainy weather admiring the view after a long hike (Hidden Lake, Glacier National Park)

A hiker near a lake in Whitefish, Montana.

Whitefish | Montana

Women’s Basecamp Backpacking in Whitefish

5.00 ()

Season

August through September

Nearest city

Kalispell, MT, and the Glacier Airport are 15mins away from Whitefish

Duration

3-5 days

Skill level

Beginner to advanced

Guides

Great Northern Wilderness Guides, Madison Browning, Sally Stecher

From $1,300 () / 3-5 days

Got any questions? or Talk with us

Overview
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Reviews
Things to know

Thanks to its proximity to two different airports, Whitefish is the ideal home base for outdoor adventures in Glacier NP, Flathead National Forest, and Montana’s Rockies. Though your options are endless, the most serene and relaxing hikes in the area encircle the alpine lakes. Embark on an out-and-back hike from Bond Lake, known for its cliffside vistas, log bridges, and lush vegetation, to Crevice Lake, a wildflower paradise often visited by marmots, squirrels, and pronghorn. Relax in lakeside campsites, meditate, stretch out your hiking muscles, and swim to your heart’s content—you’ll feel fully immersed in Montana’s majestic wilderness.

Gain comfort and learn the skills needed to backpack in the backcountry
Relax, swim, meditate, and camp out near beautiful alpine lakes
The trails are well-maintained, with very manageable intermittent climbs

Available itineraries

3-Day Backcountry Base Camp Adventure in Whitefish

Up for a three-day getaway into the pristine Montana wilderness? This all-women backpacking trip in the Rocky Mountains is the perfect trip for reconnecting with yourself and nature. Over the course of three days, you’ll learn the basics of backpacking and hike to glossy alpine lakes. Your guide will be by your side the whole way through, and they’ll offer stretching, meditation, and journaling every day. With all meals included and plenty of optional activities to enjoy once you’re in the woods, these three days will fly by!

Meet your guide in Whitefish on Monday at 8 am, and head out to start your hike. Along your journey, you’ll take plenty of snacks, water, and swim breaks, and learn fun facts about the Montana wilderness from your guides. Once you reach the campsite, you get to do some more snacking, swimming, and relaxation with optional guided stretching, journaling, and meditation sessions. After dinner by the campfire, retreat to the tents with your roommate for the week.

Hiking distance: 7 miles / 11 km
Elevation gain: 2,400 ft / 731 m
If you’d like to, you can wake up early in the morning to watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee or tea in your hand. After some guided stretching and setting intentions, have breakfast. Your guide will go over breaking down camp, repacking, and setting off. You’ll hike through pristine Montana wilderness until you reach the second alpine lake, where you’ll set up camp and choose your own adventure. Feel like taking it easy? Sit by the lake, swim, and read a book. Have that explorer itch? Head out to a guided hike on the next series of lakes. The beauty of this trip is that you can make it as long or as short of a hike as you want.

Hiking distance: 2 miles / 3 km
Elevation gain: 800 ft / 245 m
Take advantage of your last chance for morning swims and sunrise stretching. After you pack up, head to the cars to enjoy some much-deserved cold drinks and reminisce on this epic adventure.

Hiking distance: 5.4 miles/ 8.7 km
Elevation: +640 ft / +195 m | -3,580 ft / 1,090 m

Backcountry Base Camp Adventure in Whitefish

Embark on an epic five-day backpacking trip in the Rocky Mountains of northwest Montana. Explore two scenic alpine lakes and take a stroll among the summits with seasoned local guides. Off the trails, enjoy swimming, stretching, meditations, and campfire evenings with your new-found friends.

Meet your guide in Whitefish on Monday at 8 am, and head out to start your hike. Along your journey, you’ll take plenty of snack, water, and swim breaks, and learn fun facts about the Montana wilderness from your guides. Once you reach the campsite, you get to do some more snacking, swimming, and relaxation with optional guided stretching, journaling, and meditation sessions. After dinner by the campfire, retreat to the tents with your roommate for the week.

Hiking distance: 5.4 miles/ 8.7 km
Elevation gain: 2,862 ft/ 872 m
Have your morning coffee or tea with views of the sun rising over the mountains and onto Bond lake. After some guided stretching, you’ll discuss the journey, learn how to properly break camp, repack your backpacks, and head for the next campsite. Reach a site near a beautiful alpine lake, set up camp, and get immersed in the scenery.

Hiking distance: 7.9 miles/ 12.7 km
Elevation gain: 1,853 ft/ 565 m
Ten miles or zero—today you get to choose your hiking distance! If you want to rest by the lake, read a book, and recharge your batteries, feel free to do so. If not, there are plenty of scenic trails with amazing views in the area you can tackle without your heavy pack.

Hiking distance: Up to 10 miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: Depends on the trail
Wake up at your base camp on top of the mountain. Enjoy some meditation and stretching before starting your trek back to Whitefish. Take in the soaring vistas from the opposite direction before reaching the final lake campsite of the trip.

Hiking distance: 8.8 miles/ 14.2 km
Elevation gain/loss: -2,492 ft/760 m, +1,000 ft/304 m
Take advantage of your last chance for morning swims and sunrise stretching. After you pack up, head to the cars to enjoy some much-deserved cold drinks and reminisce on this epic adventure.

Hiking distance:4.5 miles/ 7.3 km
Elevation loss: -2,158 ft/ 658 m

Get free trip brochure

Download Women’s Basecamp Backpacking in Whitefish Brochure

Brochure sent, check your inbox

Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guides

5.00

Great Northern Wilderness Guides was founded by Madison Browning and Sally Stretcher, two local guides and backpacking enthusiasts. They are at their happiest when they’re out on the trail, climbing peaks, and sleeping under starry skies, and they delight in sharing the meditative benefits of Montana’s backcountry with more people, especially women.

5.00

Madison Browning

Madison has been a guide for over 5 years and lives to be outdoors. She considers backpacking, climbing peaks, and sleeping under starry skies a form of self-care, so when she isn't backpacking, she's planning her next adventure.

5.00

Sally Stecher

As one of the founders and lead guides of GNWG, Sally thinks backpacking is meditative and wants to share the backcountry with more people, especially women. She loves her daily yoga, running and meditation routine.

5.00 (3 reviews)

Jemma M. about Great Northern Wilderness Guides on Google Reviews

One of the best trips I’ve ever been on! I felt so safe even in the middle of nowhere on my first backpacking trip. The guides were helpful, supportive, and a ton of fun! Would love to go again if I get the chance!

Emily H. about Great Northern Wilderness Guides on Google Reviews

I can’t recommend booking a trip with Madison and Sally enough! They answered all of my questions leading up to the trip and were so patient and helpful throughout the entire experience. I gained so much knowledge and confidence from backpacking with this group of women. Well worth every penny!

Rebecca F. about Great Northern Wilderness Guides on Google Reviews

10/10 would highly recommend! Check them out! We had a great time and the guides were fun!

Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Whitefish, Montana, please refer to the CDC’s guidelines for international travel to and from the United States and Montana’s COVID-19 information website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
- An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- Three-five days of hiking
- Campsite accommodations
- Food and snacks for the duration of the tour
- All hiking and camping gear
If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, make sure to notify your guide in advance of the trip. They will adjust the menu accordingly.

What’s not included:
- Transportation to Whitefish, Montana
- Anything not mentioned above
- Guide gratuities — optional
No prior multi-day hiking experience is required for this hiking adventure, but you do need to have decent fitness levels. If you can hike for a max of 8-9 miles (13-14,5 km) a day and overcome 3,000 ft (900 m) of elevation gain, you should be good to go! Your guides will accommodate weaker hikers with more frequent breaks, and you can always choose to spend more time at the camp.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (can be provided by guide)
- Hiking poles — optional (can be provided by guide)
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
- Spare clothes for layering and 5 days of hiking
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Sunhat
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional (but recommended)
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad (can be provided by guide)
The sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, hiking poles, backpack, and cooking system can be provided by your guides. If you need hiking and camping gear, make sure to notify your guides in advance. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
- For this group adventure, the max client-to-guide ratio is 8:1.
- The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
- All hikers and guides on this adventure are women.
Hiking in Whitefish can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
A 30% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. In case of a last-minute reservation, the full amount is paid at once. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.
- If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to one hundred twenty (120) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund.
- For cancellations ninety (90) to one hundred nineteen(119) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
- For cancellations seventy-five (75) to eighty-nine (89) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
- After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.
To get to Whitefish, MT, most people fly into Glacier Park International Airport only 15 minutes away from Whitefish. The airport has daily direct flights from most major cities in the US. From there, you can take a taxi or a shuttle service to Whitefish.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, which will usually be at Whitefish Depot Park. It’s important to note that you can’t leave vehicles parked overnight at the park, which is why we recommend walking or getting a ride there.