Gateway to Glacier Trails

01/02/2026

We ❤️ local businesses, and is a favorite for grabbing coffee and a treat before or after (or both?) heading out to Cedar Flats.

We were honored to be featured in their Nucleus for Nonprofits program late last year. Thanks for supporting local nonprofits and keeping us well-caffeinated, friends!

12/17/2025

Got a little spicy out there today 🌬️🌲

We’re aware of a tree down and partially covering Barnett Rd. accessing the 4th Ave trailhead, but please send us a message to report any downed trees along the trail system. We’ll work to take care of them as soon as we’re able!

12/10/2025

Huge congrats to our friends over at Whitefish Legacy Partners - The Whitefish Trail!!! 🎉

🌲 Whitefish Legacy Partners just acquired the former Bike Retreat property at Beaver Lakes and it's becoming the new Whitefish Legacy Center, opening summer 2026.

This strategic purchase protects 35 acres from high-density development. The property sits right on the trail system and will be renovated for community use.

The new center will be the heart of our 47-mile trail network, offering outdoor education programs, community gatherings, and trail stewardship – bringing WLP closer to "closing the loop" around Whitefish Lake.

Read the full story: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2025/12/10/whitefish-trail-nonprofit-acquires-former-bike-retreat-property/

12/08/2025

📊 Reminder: Survey closes Dec 11th
The City of Columbia Falls is creating its new Land Use Plan, a roadmap to direct future growth and development over the next 20 years. Your participation is critical in the creation of the plan. Join us and tell us your vision! [https://columbia-falls-land-use-plan-ctagroup.hub.arcgis.com]

12/02/2025

This Giving Tuesday, we're celebrating how far we've come over the last four years! Since the fall of 2021, we've built 15+ miles of trail at Cedar Flats, established the 4th Avenue trailhead complete with a kiosk and vault toilet, installed maps and directional signage throughout the trail system, and recently broke ground on the Cedar Ridge trailhead. All while also building trails at the Bad Rock Canyon Wildlife Management Area and maintaining the Gateway to Glacier Trail (with dreams to connect Columbia Falls and West Glacier)!

If you enjoy these trail systems, please help us continue this work with a one-time or monthly gift on this Giving Tuesday!

https://www.gatewaytoglaciertrail.com/donate

11/13/2025

City Council Meeting Tonight

🗓️ Date: 11/13
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: City Hall, Columbia Falls
Hosted by: Columbia Falls Planning Commission

Tonight’s meeting will include the Land Use Planning Project Kickoff, an important first step in shaping the future growth and development of Columbia Falls. Community participation and awareness are essential as we plan ahead together.

We encourage residents to attend, listen in, and stay engaged with the process that helps guide our city’s long-term vision.

11/06/2025

We love building trails and providing people with a place to take care of their physical and mental health… but trails don’t mean much if basic needs like food security aren’t being met first.

That’s where our friends at come in. Their programs build a strong community food system, and mean more now than ever as food insecurity is heightened. Our mission may not involve providing food to our neighbors, but we’re committed to supporting those who can. We decided the best way to do that was to make a donation supporting Land to Hand, and encourage anyone able to do the same. If that’s not an option - volunteer, help spread the word, check out their Amazon Wish List, or use their programs if needed!

Connecting communities is more than trails, it’s supporting each other. We’re thankful for you, Land to Hand, and the difference you’re making. ❤️🥕

11/03/2025

10/28/2025

🚧 The Cedar Ridge trailhead is under construction!

Slated for completion early next season, this will serve as our main trailhead within the Cedar Flats trail system. It will have space for 32 cars (with two ADA spots), a kiosk, vault toilet, and horse trailer parking.

Please note the portion of the Cedar Ridge trail adjacent to the construction area is closed. Follow the short established reroute to give plenty of space for construction.

10/23/2025

🧡 Recreate safely - borrow a blaze orange vest!

Every fall we remind you to recreate safely during hunting season and wear your blaze orange for extra visibility. This year we’re making that as easy as possible by offering orange vests to borrow at the 4th Ave and Waving Bear trailheads.

Thank you to our friends for the inspiration via their life jacket loaner program, and for for the Round Up for Safety grant!

And quick reminders for hunters:

* You must be at least 150 yards from any residence, building, developed recreation area, or occupied area.
* Direction of fire: It is illegal to shoot on or across a road, trail, or body of water. This means you cannot shoot toward or across a designated trail.

10/22/2025

🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

Wow. We’re blown away by the generosity of you, our donors and supporters, who helped us raise $40,422 in this years Great Fish Community Challenge! Alongside this total, we also qualified for the full match on the first $25,000 raised, which was 68%, or $17,000 this year! These funds wouldn’t be possible without the $1.3 million raised by the for the Great Fish Match fund.

And a sweet surprise of the night - we were selected as the beneficiary of a $2,500 grant chosen by a randomly drawn donor who gave to four or more nonprofits this year. A huge THANK YOU to Jenny Cloutier for choosing us. We couldn’t be more grateful.

Thank you for this grant and your tireless work to support nonprofits in the Flathead!