Clear water, cherry orchards and quiet bays make this glacial lake a summer institution in northwest Montana. Across Montana's fourth-largest state, few places capture the imagination like this one.

Flathead is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi by surface area.

What sets it apart

Wild Horse Island State Park sits mid-lake, home to bighorn sheep and a small band of wild horses. For those who know the region well, it is a point of quiet pride.

The surrounding hills produce the famous Flathead cherries harvested each July and August.

Why it matters

What ties it all together is a distinctly Montana balance between wildness and self-reliance. However you come to it, this is a place that stays with you long after the drive home.