North Forty Resort wants guests to experience true Montana hospitality
TAYLOR INMAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 7 hours, 25 minutes AGO
Dustin Haines, owner of North Forty Resort on Highway 40 in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Office and check-in area at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Two of the Aspen cabins at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
A bedroom in one of the Ponderosa cabins at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Living room and kitchen of one of the Ponderosa cabins at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Amphitheater area at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Longtime-resident Josey keeps watch around the grounds of North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
The Snowberry Center event space at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 25. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Keen welcomes visitors inside the office at North Forty Resort on Highway 40 in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
The entrance and office of North Forty Resort on Highway 40 in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Keen welcomes visitors inside the office at North Forty Resort on Highway 40 in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Keen welcomes visitors inside the office at North Forty Resort on Highway 40 in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
REPORTER AND PODCAST HOST Taylor Inman covers Bigfork and the north shore of Flathead Lake for the Bigfork Eagle and the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on local government, community issues and the people who shape life in Northwest Montana. Inman began her journalism career at Murray State University’s public radio newsroom and later reported for WKMS, where her work aired on National Public Radio. In addition to reporting, she hosts and contributes to Daily Inter Lake podcasts including News Now. Her work connects listeners and readers with the stories shaping communities across the Flathead Valley. IMPACT: Taylor’s work expands local journalism through both traditional reporting and digital storytelling. | July 12, 2026 12:00 AM
Hidden in the trees off Montana 40 lies 40 acres that for decades have been a quiet destination for families looking to enjoy a slice of Montana.
At the North Forty Resort, the back 20 acres of the property remain undeveloped, aside from the mile-and-a-half-long walking trail. It is fairly quiet even while being close to the highway, with streets calm enough to walk a dog or wander the grounds with family members.
It’s part of prioritizing an experience, owner Dustin Haines says, of feeling connected to nature despite being so close to civilization.
Whether it’s a tourist visiting in the summer or a local stopping by for a quick getaway, Haines wants to make sure anyone who receives a key to their cabins has the best stay possible. Before they arrive, a quick consultation call with their guests aims to better tailor the experience to their liking.
It’s all a part of incorporating “Montana hospitality,” he said.
“It's not just giving them a key to a room and sending them on their way, it's creating a conversation that makes them remember not only the beautiful log cabin they stayed in, but the beautiful experiences they had and their conversations with people living here,” Haines said.
While reading the comment card left by a family after they checked out and headed home to Hollywood, Haines was elated to read everything went perfectly — a clean, cozy cabin nestled in the woods that has access to good Wi-Fi, walking trails, hot tubs and is centrally located near places visitors want to see.
The resort opened in 1993 and was purchased by Haines’ family in 2016 from Jo Ann Retz, one of the original owners. Haines’ grandfather was a rancher in Colorado who believed in keeping land preserved as much as possible, he said.
So, when Haines and his mother took ownership of North Forty in 2024, he wanted to honor his grandfather by not over-developing the land.
“It's just build, build, build around the valley and I think what makes Montana so majestic is our nature. So, to provide that for guests to be able to just step out of their back door in their cabin and go for a walk in nature is a recharging and resetting experience,” Haines said.
Haines grew up in Bigfork and coached collegiate and high school football before taking on his current role at North Forty. He’s made several improvements to the property in the years since, including installing fiber for better Wi-fi, resodding green spaces, improving cabin interiors and replacing indoor and outdoor lighting. A glamping tent — a large canvas tent — has been added near the building with laundry, hot tubs and sauna for easy bathroom access.
He knew owning and operating the resort would be a lot of work, but some repairs were a bit unexpected. Pipes burst during the first winter, which would cause a domino effect of repairs related to plumbing.
“I guess it’s been a lot of like treasure hunting, trying to find the water because it's all PVC pipe and you can't trace any of it. But I feel like I have a pretty good grasp on it now,” he said. “In the process [of fixing the broken pipes], we redid the showers and replaced the water softening system.”
Despite some cumbersome projects, there has been more joy than anything else. Haines said the dedicated staff is one reason he enjoys the job so much. A staff of 18 works there during the summer.
“I feel very spoiled with the staff that I have right now. Obviously, being more seasonal, the staffing fluctuates in the summertime from fall, winter and spring. But we have a great crew, front desk, housekeeping, maintenance and our events coordinator. They're the true glue to what makes this operation go.”
There are 23 cabins on the property ranging in size — the Ponderosa cabins are smaller but sleep up to five people between a queen bed, twin bed and sleeper sofa. The Aspen cabins are a little larger and feature either three queen beds or a king bed, queen bed and queen-sized sleeper sofa. Then there’s the Tamarack, which is a three-bedroom cabin with its own full kitchen and private hot tub.
These options mean North Forty lends itself to hosting large events, like weddings or family reunions, Haines said.
The Snowberry Center near the entrance to the resort is where the majority of these events transpire — with an outdoor amphitheater area, large patio and indoor space for dinners and receptions. There’s a commercial kitchen that allows large groups to cook communal meals or for a caterer to easily come in and set up shop.
In the off-season, they host Unwind and Dine in the Snowberry Center to showcase the space, as well as the work of local chefs and catering companies. Haines said it’s a chance to put on an event for the locals.
“We’ll have like a five-course meal with wine pairings. The Flathead Valley is so unique. We live in such a beautiful place that sometimes we forget to go out and explore it and see what we have to offer,” Haines said.
Connecting with locals is something they’ve been focusing on more, as he believes the resort is a perfect staycation option during the fall, winter or spring.
“We offer discounts for locals. We want to provide you with an experience that gets you outside of your house without having to travel far. Come recharge in front of the fireplace,” Haines said.
North Forty Resort is located at 3765 Montana 40 W near Columbia Falls and can be reached at 406-862-7740. To learn more, visit northfortyresort.com.
Reporter Taylor Inman can be reached at 406-758-4440 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.
Office and check-in area at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Two of the Aspen cabins at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
A bedroom in one of the Ponderosa cabins at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Living room and kitchen of one of the Ponderosa cabins at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Amphitheater area at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Longtime-resident Josey keeps watch around the grounds of North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
The Snowberry Center event space at North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 25. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
The entrance and office of North Forty Resort on Highway 40 in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
Keen welcomes visitors inside the office at North Forty Resort on Highway 40 in Columbia Falls on Friday, June 26. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)Casey Kreider
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