When it comes to summer break there is no limit to what yo’’u can do, especially in Kalispell, MT.  Montana was made for the outdoors and with trails, lakes, plenty of parks there are plenty of things to fill up your summer with your family.  The easiest thing that you can do though is go on a picnic with your family.  Picnics are an easy and cost effective thing to do and get you out of the house and enjoying the outdoors.  With so many things to do here it can be hard to decide, but a good old fashioned picnic will do just the trick.  In fact, the picnics get overlooked when it comes to things to do in the summer.  The average family only goes on 3 picnics a year.  Here are 5 places around Kalispell that you can go to enjoy a day outdoors on the cheap or even free.  

Flathead Lake State Park

The first place to try is Flathead Lake State Park.  This large park has multiple locations around the lake from Bigfork to Lakeside.  You can swim, play on the playgrounds, walk the trails, or just relax at one of the many picnic tables.  This park may be the furthest away but it offers a full day's worth of entertainment and adventure for you and your family.  Pack a lunch and end the day roasting smores at one of the fire pits while you watch the sunset. 

Woodland Park

If closer to home is more your style then Woodland Park is a great place to go.  You can drop in for a few hours and eat lunch, let the kids play on the large playground and walk along the shady creek.  This is the perfect spot to go when you want to beat the heat and stay cool.  Speaking of staying cool you can make a full day of this park by trying out the water park as well.  

Lawrence Park

Another closer place is Lawrence Park on the Roth side of town.  Lawrence Park is a huge park with multiple playgrounds, a rock wall, a large field, a full 18 hole frisbee golf course.  This is the place to go if you have Older kids as there are multiple things to do besides just a playground.  Start at the playground and picnic shelter and take a walk by the river to get a little exercise.  

Whitefish City Beach

Although city parks are all well and good and can provide a fun place to go for a couple hours.  Nothing beats the lake on a hot summer day.  Just like Flathead lake offers lots of lakeside parks, The city of Whitefish has lots to offer as well.  With lots of shops and restaurants you can start or end the day walking the strip, but the fun place is actually a little bit north of downtown along the shores of Whitefish lake.  City beach is a small beach with some picnic areas and a boat launch and swimming areas.  It also has access to a bike trail that takes you back downtown.  One of my favorite parts about this beach is it faces in the direction of the sunset across the lake.  The perfect place to spend an evening.  

Somers  Park

Another great lakeside beach is in the town of Somers at the south end of Kalis pell along the north side of Flathead lake.  A perfect place to pull off along the road when you're leaving or arriving in town and just sit and enjoy the lake.  It also has places to launch your boat or kayaks with a nice island to paddle out to.  

So if you're wondering what to do this summer or maybe can’t decide what to do because of the many options.  I hope these give you a start in getting you outside this summer and enjoying the beauty that northwestern Montana has to offer.  Whether you have all day or a few hours there is no excuse not to be outdoors this summer.