Visiting Glacier National Park? Stick around to explore a nearby valley filled with organic farms and seriously fine food
Organic Attractions in Whitefish, MT
Lynn Donaldson
Organically inclined? Stop by Terrapin Farm where the whole craze started in Flathead Valley.

Where it all began 

Nearly 60 farms dot the Flat­head Valley surrounding the town of Whitefish, MT, but Terrapin Farm (6505 Farm to Market Rd.; 406/862-6362) gets credit for launching the area’s organic craze. Stop by on Saturday (2-6) to stock up on beans, greens, herbs, and flowers. Schedule a tour, and pick up a Farm Hands map (whoisyourfarmer.org) for a list of other farms worth a stop.

Lynn Donaldson
Terrapin Farm’s cherry-red organic radishes.

Meet the locals 

Lynn Donaldson
Anyone can pet a goat at the State Fair, but not everyone gets to pet a yak. You can at Spring Brook Ranch in Kalispell, MT.

Pet the tame “yard” yaks that lope over to greet you like dogs at Spring Brook Ranch in nearby Kalispell (by appointment; 406/257-7021). Besides Tibetan yak meat, the 1,000-acre ranch produces and sells bison meat, but don’t expect to see any of those bounding around the front yard.

Where to eat in Whitefish

The nicest place to eat in town, with a full-time sommelier, is the snug-yet-swank Cafe Kandahar ($$$; closed Sep 25–Dec 3; 3824 Big Mountain Rd.; 406/862-6247). The menu—say, grilled buffalo tenderloin drizzled with a morel-chèvre demi-glace—is designed around whatever’s fresh in the valley that day.

Lynn Donaldson
Chef-owner David Lewis and prep cook Amanda Buchanan at Pescado Blanco with their famed Flathead Valley produce.

The patio at Pescado Blanco ($$; 235 First St.; 406/862-3290) is the best place to camp out on sunny afternoons, but it’s the food that keeps the crowds coming back. Flathead Valley produce gets a south-of-the-border twist with bison enchiladas, elk chorizo, roasted beet salad, and tacos carnitas.

Where to stay

The cozy Garden Wall Inn (from $155, including breakfast) was using all locally grown produce in its three-course breakfasts long before locavore became a buzzword. We love the daily fireside afternoon wine and cheese, claw-foot tubs, and easy access to downtown Whitefish.

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