Big Arm Association - Big Arm Today

Big Arm is one of the most ideally located towns in MT. Its small permanent population belies its mild climate, scenic beauty and recreational attractions.

Greater metropolitan Big Arm is located on the south western shores of Flathead Lake on Highway 93 between mile markers 70 and 76. The city center is at mile marker 73. The largest nearby cities are Polson (population 4,041), about 12 miles to the south, and Kalispell (population 14,223), about 39 miles to the north.

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DEMOGRAPHICS

Population: 131 (2000 Census)

Area:
- 3,488 acres (2000 Census)
- 760 (approx) taxable land properties (not including ranch land south of Buffalo Bridge Road)

Elevation: 2,893 feet (Lake Level at "Full Pool")

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POLITICAL REPRESENTATION

State Senator: (Senate District 6): Carmine Mowbray
State Representative (House District 11): Janna Taylor
U.S. Senators: Max Baucus, Jon Tester
U.S. Representative (MT's only Representative ): Denny Rehberg
School Board (School District 23): Theresa Taylor, John Laimbeer, Robert Hanson, Elke Allik, Caryl Cox, Brian Havlovick, Mark Russell (chair), Vernon Finley
County Commissioners (Lake County): Bill Barron (Big Arm), Paddy Trusler, Ann Brower

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RECREATION & ATTRACTIONS

- Flathead Lake is the largest natural, fresh water lake west of the Mississippi River. Almost 28 miles long and up to 15 miles wide with a maximum depth of 370 feet, it is one of the cleanest lakes of its size and type anywhere in the populated world. The lake is inhabited by native bull trout and cutthroat trout. Fishermen seek trophy-size lake trout, yellow perch and lake whitefish in its waters.   In addition to fishing, Big Arm Bay is a popular boating spot on the lake. In particular, the surrounding mountains and prevailing winds make the bay ideal for sailing.
- Big Arm State Park   Camping, a long beach, nature trail, and a yurt rental are all here. This park is a popular jump-off point to Wild Horse Island, using the ramp to launch your own boat. Camping under a stand of mature ponderosa pine and juniper is a major attraction and the long beach is popular with sunbathers and swimmers. A nature trail provides excellent bird watching opportunities.
- Walstad Fishing Access   Access to Flathead Lake, with boat ramp, and toilets. (~1 mile from downtown Big Arm)
- Flathead Lake Monster A popular local activity is watching for sightings of this monster, rivaling "Nessie", residing in the depths of Flathead Lake. The only sighting of two creatures together was reported on May 24, 1993 in Big Arm Bay. A recent sighting in Big Arm Bay in 2005, has residents and visitors on high alert hoping to see it for themselves.
- Wild Horse Island, only a few minutes from the Big Arm marina, is an ideal place for hiking, swimming and wildlife watching. At 2,170 acres, it is the largest island in Flathead Lake. Most of the island is managed for wildlife by the MT Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Its name comes from its history as a refuge for a local tribe's horses when raiding tribes ventured into the area. A few wild horses can still be found here along with bighorn sheep and deer.
- Glacier National Park (~   miles from Big Arm) is one of the most popular of the National Parks. In addition to its glaciers, mountains, and valleys, Glacier National Park covers approximately 1.4 million acres and includes 200 lakes and streams. The park is also home to many different types of wildlife, including black and grizzly bear, moose, golden and bald eagle, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and whitetail and mule deer.
- National Bison Range The National Bison Range is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It was established in 1908 and is one of the oldest Wildlife Refuges in the nation.

A large portion of the 18, 500 acre Range consists of native Palouse prairie; forests, wetlands, and streams are also found here providing a wide range of habitats for wildlife. Elk, deer, pronghorn, black bear, coyote and ground squirrels are just some of the mammals that share the area with 350 to 500 bison. Over 200 species of birds also call this home including eagles, hawks, meadowlarks, bluebirds, ducks, and geese.
- Ninepipe Wildlife Refuge
- Pablo National Wildlife Refuge (~16 miles from Big Arm) is 2,500 acres of water, marsh, and upland grassland. The refuge provides nesting and resting areas for migratory birds and other wildlife. Shaped by glacial activity approximately 12,000 years ago, the terrain surrounding Pablo NWR is rolling and interspersed with many pothole wetlands. Fishing is permitted and yellow perch and largemouth bass are plentiful. Ice fishing is permitted after the waterfowl hunting season has ended and the refuge reopens.
- Bob Marshall Wilderness The 1,009,356 acre wilderness straddles the Continental Divide with elevations ranging from 4,000 feet along the valley floors to more than 9,000 feet at mountain summits. The "Bob" includes the headwaters of the Flathead River to the west and the Sun River to the east.

The Wilderness is noted for its excellent hunting, fishing, scenery, and geology. Its vast beauty is highlighted by a huge escarpment known as the "Chinese Wall". The wall averages 1,000 feet in height and extends 22 miles along the Continental Divide. Topography ranges from rugged, precipitous ridge tops to gently sloping alpine meadows and forested river bottoms. Wildlife includes wolverine, deer, elk, moose, grizzly bear, black bear, mountain goat, mountain sheep and mountain lion.
- Kerr Dam Standing fifty-four feet taller than Niagara Falls, Kerr Dam is a very interesting place to visit. The dam was started in 1929, by Rocky Mountain Power and although the actual construction time was three or four years, because of the lack of money during the depression, construction was halted a few times before the had the dam ready for operation in 1938. The dam has influenced the economy from the beginning. It produces power from Kalispell to Missoula and produces electricity for irrigation and improved farm productivity.
- Blacktail Mountain Ski Area Over 1,000 acres of National Forest, 1,440' of vertical elevation with the highest elevation of 6,780'. The longest run is 1.75 miles. (~25 miles from Big Arm)
- Big Mountain Ski Area 3,000 acres, 91 marked trails with vast amounts of bowl and tree skiing. Terrain Difficulty: 20% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 30% Advanced/Expert. Vertical Drop: 2,500 feet. Longest run: 3.3 miles. Summit elevation: 7,000 feet. (~65 miles from Big Arm)
- Chief Cliff is a prominent geological feature best seen from Big Arm Bay.

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LOCATION / MAP

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BUSINESSES

- Big Arm Marina
- Glacier Lake Sand and Stone
- In-Sink Plumbing
- J&A Fine Woodworkers
- Stonegate Electric
- Total Home Services

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LINKS

Lake County Web Site
City of Polson

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Last Update: 03/02/2009