Summer Recreation
The Seeley Swan Valley in Western Montana offers just about every kind of outdoor recreation you can imagine. With the variety of activities available at the Double Arrow Lodge and surrounding areas, you’ll be able to take advantage of as many as you wish…from a leisurely stroll to whitewater rafting on the beautiful Blackfoot River to enjoying 18 holes on the challenging Double Arrow Golf Course. Our staff lives and plays in the Seeley Swan Valley and would love to help plan your next adventure. It all depends on the time of year and the pace you want to set during your Double Arrow vacation getaway.
Hiking
Get ready to explore our scenic wildlife filled back yard. There are numerous hikes in our valley that range from novice to experienced. Here are a couple of our favorites.
Morrell Falls
The trail to Morrell Falls is our most popular hike for guests of all levels of experience. The trail head is 7 miles from Highway 83 on the North side of Seeley Lake. The hike itself is about 2.5 miles each way. Grab a sack lunch and head out with the whole family to experience one of the most vivid waterfalls you will ever come across.
Holland Lake Falls
Pack your camera when you venture out on this hike along the edge of Holland Lake. It’s hard to select which pose will be the best. Turn one way, and your eyes feast on the rushing waters as the delve into a pristine mountain lake. Turn the other direction, and snow capped peaks frame the glassy lake and draw your attention for a calming mediation that you will never forget.
Want to venture out, but would like a local to get you started as your personalized guide? We recommend Juan and Randi of Four Season Forays.
Many of our guests take day trips to Glacier National Park where the hiking trails are also extraordinary.
Horseback Riding
A trip to Montana just doesn’t seem complete without a one on one interaction with a horse. Choose a horseback riding Montana adventure, wagon ride, or horse drawn sleigh ride for the total Montana experience.
All horseback riding trips are guided with our local Swan Mountain Outfitters and Double Arrow Outfitters , available May through September. It is important to make your reservations for horse back riding in advance. Summer 2017 trail rides details to follow.
Conestoga Wagon Rides
If a horseback trail ride Montana adventure is more than you are looking for perhaps an old fashioned Conestoga Wagon Ride is more to your liking. A team of beautiful Percherons pulls the authentic covered wagon, creating a once in a lifetime western adventure right here at the Double Arrow Lodge. Return to the Lodge for a traditional Western BBQ and S’Mores at the campfire. Call for availability and prices. Double Arrow Lodge coordinates this experience with Blackoot Wagon & Carriage. Contact the front desk for pricing and details.
Fishing
Everyone’s Favorite Pastime – well if it isn’t yet, you’ll soon get you hooked on Montana Fly Fishing. The Seeley Swan Valley is home to a chain of lakes with water wherever you turn. Fly fishing for incredible Montana trout is available in our numerous creeks, rivers, and lakes.
Bring your own gear, and set your own pace, or trust your experience to one of our great outfitters.
Blackfoot River Outfitters – Missoula, Montana’s family owned Orvis endorsed fly fishing company. We’ve been sharing Montana’s rivers with anglers for over 25 years while imparting fly fishing knowledge that is informed, honest, and timely. We hope to include you as one of our many loyal shop customers and guiding clients.
Pat Straub’s Montana Fishing Outfitters – Great guides, big fish, Big Sky country memories – can you say “Oh Baby!” You can e-mail Pat at flyfishpat@yahoo.com. We are experts in single-day guided trips and extended-stay vacations. So, great waters, excellent guides, client-oriented service: we’ve got it all. Let us help make your Montana plans and bring your fishing dreams to reality.
Biking
The Seeley Lake area is a haven for cyclists. From on-road to off, from flat to steep, there’s an endless variety of terrain accessible from the Double Arrow.
If mountain biking is your passion, challenge yourself with a ride up to Morrell Falls. Prefer pavement? Cycle the highway to Bigfork for a little gallery hopping. Or hang out on the Resort itself and cruise our network of back-road trails.
Whatever path you choose, we can help set you up. Bike rentals are available in Seeley Lake.
Boating
The Swan and Clearwater rivers wind through the Seeley Swan Valley, punctuated by a series of pristine mountain lakes. The question isn’t whether or not to go boating, it’s where, and in what.
Right in the valley, you can ski in the shadow of the Swan peaks at Holland Lake, take in the grand views from your pontoon boat on Lindberg Lake or go for a leisurely paddle down the Clearwater canoe trail.
Watercraft rentals may be available locally, including canoes, jet skis and water bikes. Or you can bring your own craft, and have literally dozens of lakes to cruise.
Rafting
Montana river rafting is available on the nearby Blackfoot River early in the season. Late season Montana river rafting can be found in the Clark Fork or Flathead valleys. There are variety of exciting and unforgettable experiences on the nearby Blackfoot River or Alberton Gorge of the Clark Fork River. Choose from rafting or kayaking, half day or full day trips. Bring your own boat, or coordinate with a local outfitter to customize a trip just for you.
Wildlife Viewing
No trip to the Double Arrow Resort in the Seeley Swan Valley should be made without binoculars and a telephoto lens.
On the trails near this mountain resort, we often see deer, elk, moose, and occasionally black bears and mountain lions. Deeper into the Bob Marshall wilderness area and the Mission Mountain Wilderness area, you might see bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, or even sign of a rare Canada lynx.
Birders will want to turn their attention to the valley floor for the large migrations of waterfowl and songbirds each spring and fall. During summer raptors, herons, cranes, swans and songbirds are common sights along creek banks, lake shores, and alpine trails.
Seeley Lake is home to one of the West’s rarer birds – the Common Loon. While abundant in the upper Midwest, the haunting call of the loon is a rare treat against a backdrop of mountain peaks.