Spectacular Designer Home Between Flathead River and Swims Creek in Bigfork

Your Montana adventure originates on this expansive 30 acre intensely private peninsula on the Flathead River just 10 minutes from historic downtown Bigfork and one mile north of Flathead Lake. This unique end of the road property, surrounded by farmland and wetland, offers subliminal tranquil privacy with the Salish, Swan, Mission, and Whitefish mountain ranges each captioning a part of the horizon, yet being only minutes from the conveniences of Bigfork amenities including restaurants, art galleries, and live theater. The property encompasses a south projecting peninsula in the southern flathead valley, flanked by 1200 feet of deep and expansive Flathead river frontage to the west and 1800 feet of crystal clear Swims Creek inlet to the East. The river offers easy access to Fennon Slough and Rose Creek inlets, each offering unique wildlife and fishing opportunities, as well as quick access to Flathead lake and Bigfork harbor. Swims creek is a 180 foot wide, high discharge, spring fed crystal clear inlet that opens into a 20 acre still water lake before flowing into Flathead River. Swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding, and simply floating with a beer are easily embarked upon from the yard. There is a floating dock on Swims Creek which allows for docking a boat or jet ski with direct access to Flathead River. Additionally, the section of Flathead river adjacent to the property is the widest and smoothest portion of the river just upstream from the lake and provides ample opportunity for boating activities including wakeboarding, surfing, and cruising. There are also backcountry airplane tours that take off from the river adjacent to the property on many mornings in the summer.

The property boasts a unique geography, with old growth Douglas Fir and Tamarack forest amidst rocky outcroppings merging into riparian wetlands and open pasture graced by mature Aspen, Birch, and Cottonwood trees. The combination of river corridor, forest and wetlands supports a wide spectrum of Montana wildlife with Deer, Elk, Black Bear, Grizzly Bear, and mountain lion occasionally traversing the property. Large animal encounters are dwarfed, however, by numerous bird species frequenting the property including Osprey, Eagle (Bald and Golden), Falcon, Swan, Crane, waterfowl, as well as woodland birds both large and small, many of which nest in the roof rafters in the spring.

Guests can enjoy a memorable vacation in this recently completed, refined, artfully furnished farmhouse modern home. The home has been featured on the covers of Homes and Gardens, May 2023, and House Beautiful, Summer 2023, and imbues therapeutic tranquility. The main entry is a large glass alcove that divides the home into a grand living area to the south and sleeping quarters toward the north. The first floor has two large primary bedrooms, each with king beds and with private full baths including shower and freestanding tub. Upstairs has 3 bedrooms with queen beds, as well as 2 twin bunks tucked into the long hallway. There are 2 full baths upstairs. A game room on this level has a full size pool table and accessories as well as peloton bicycle. The great room is a group-oriented space showcased by a large open concept floor plan with 24 foot ceilings constructed entirely of structurally layered massive reclaimed wood beams and walls of whitewashed ship-lap. The great room includes a gourmet kitchen that is designed for cooking and dining, with LeCornue stove and coffee bar with Breville espresso machine. A windowed breakfast nook with banquette as well as refectory table for 12 provide dining options for both intimate and group gatherings. A massive plaster and stone fireplace divides the space allowing for a more intimate downstairs sitting area and an upstairs loft each overlooking the broad Flathead river and westerly sunsets. A wet bar with Hoshizaki ice maker and wine storage sits just off the sitting room. The loft area is stocked with games, books, puzzles, and a modern futon.

The great room opens into a welcoming furnished cantilevered screened porch made from reclaimed materials which faces south over meadow, river, slough and to the Salish mountains. This space is gracefully peaceful, for enjoying coffee with sunrise and cocktails with sunsets (or vice versa), and naps in the afternoon. Alpaca blankets stave off the morning chill. Nature constantly presents itself within this panorama with turkey, deer, fawns, coyote, bear, and river otter occasionally spotted. Morning and evening birdlife bring auditory pleasures. The porch offers a six person table for outdoor dining. and enjoying the late evening light. A Green Egg charcoal grilling area sits next to the porch. Along the east end of the house is a fire ring with six Adirondack chairs tucked into the rocky uprising and overlooking the flathead river.

Regional outdoor activities are simply astounding. Glacier Park is just over 40 miles away, with day trip access to both the west side of the park, Going to the Sun Road, as well as the less visited north side. Early morning and evening day hike trips are easily accomplished with a bit of preplanning.. Each location in the park provides a different wonderment relating to the geology and history of the region. White water rafting is available along the middle fork of the flathead river forming the southern boundary of the park. In closer proximity, the Jewel Basin Wilderness Area offers spectacular hiking in the Swan Mountain Range just south of Glacier Park and expansive views of the Flathead valley, Hungry Horse Reservoir and the Bob Marshall Wilderness with frequent mountain goat encounters. In late June and July, huckleberries abound on the mountainsides. They are enthusiastically picked and can be subsumed into waffles, ice cream, and milkshakes.

Fly fishing float trips on the Flathead river, Clark Fork river, Blackfoot river, and Swan river are also within 30 to 90 minutes and offer the opportunity to catch native cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and even the distinctive bull trout. The Missouri River (The Mo), the most revered tailwater river in the country for trout fishing, is a 3 hr drive through beautiful western Montana scenery. Whitefish and Lake Trout fishing is close by on Flathead lake. In the winter, Whitefish Mountain Ski resort and Blacktail Mountain ski area are also within the hour. Additionally, in deep winter, the property is a haven for ducks, geese, and swan, with literally thousands roosting on swims creek along the east side of the property.

Amenities
Access to Flathead River and Swims Creek Inlet
Screened Porch
Central A/C
Washer/Dryer
Indoor Fireplace
Outdoor Fire Pit
Paddle Boards/Life Jackets
Morley Wooden Canoe
Two Person Kayak
8 ft Slate Pool Table
Board Games/Puzzles
Green Egg Charcoal Grill
Peloton Bike
Cornhole Boards/Bags
WiFi (high speed via Starlink)
Smart TV (upstairs and in great room)