This Montana Town Looks Like a Christmas Card-And 'Elves' Decorate It Each Year With 10,000 Feet of Garland and Lights

"Bigfork, especially during the holiday season, feels like a postcard brought to life,"

"As an unincorporated community, Bigfork is quite literally built by volunteers-from the Bigfork Elves who hang over 10,000 feet of lights and garland each winter, to the parades and festivals Bigfork is known for."

"Take your time, talk to the shop owners and restaurant servers, appreciate the space you are in, and maybe try to leave it better than you found it."

"The cottages are right downtown on the Swan River; you can walk to everything and really get into the spirit of Montana's Christmas Village,"

Bigfork, Montana offers abundant outdoor recreation—hiking, biking, camping, fly fishing, and water activities—anchored by Flathead Lake and the nearby Swan and Flathead Rivers. The town maintains a strong volunteer-driven holiday identity led by the Bigfork Elves, who install over 10,000 feet of lights and garland and stage parades and festivals. Each year the Saturday before Thanksgiving becomes a day of decorating with Santa hats, warm drinks, and treats that create a Montana's Christmas Village atmosphere. Visitors are encouraged to move slowly, engage local shop owners and servers, appreciate the surroundings, and leave the place better than found. Bridge Street Cottages offers 13 downtown accommodations on the Swan River within walking distance of shops.

Read at Travel + Leisure