The First Acre — the Whitefish River in Kalispell, Montana

Kalispell, Montana · the first house on the road

The First Acre

Where the road begins, so does the river. A simple, comfortable home on its own green acre — ten minutes from the airport, thirty to forty-five minutes from Glacier.

4
Guests
2
Bedrooms
1
Bathroom
1
Private Acre
Yes
River Access

The first house on the road, on the river.

The First Acre is the newest home in our small collection — a freshly updated, single-level two-bedroom home on its own private acre, the first house on a quiet road that ends a few hundred feet on at The Last Acre. A long sweep of lawn rolls from the back deck down to the Whitefish River, where the water runs gently along the edge of the property under a row of old willows.

Inside is comfortable and unfussy — two bedrooms, a rec room, one bathroom, and a full kitchen stocked to the same standard as The Last Acre. Outside is where it shines. And the location manages to feel remote without actually being remote: ten minutes to the airport, thirty to forty-five minutes to Glacier.

Eat-in kitchen with stainless appliances
Inside

Small, simple, easy to settle into.

Renovated and easy to live in: an eat-in kitchen with full-size stainless appliances, two bedrooms and a rec room down the hall, and one full bath — all on a single level, with a ramp to the front door for step-free entry. Nothing fussy to fuss over, just a comfortable base for a group of four.

A full kitchen, fast Wi-Fi, and a washer and dryer on site. Unpack once and let the river take it from there.

Lawn and willows along the Whitefish River
Out back

A lawn that runs to the water.

The Whitefish River runs gently along the back of the property, framed by a row of old willows. Wade in, drop a line, or float a tube from your own bank — the wide green lawn gives kids room to run and dogs room to roam.

It’s a quiet bend of river, and for the length of your stay it’s yours. Bring tubes, fishing rods, or just a camp chair and watch the light move across the water.

Back deck looking out over the lawn
Easy arrivals

Come and go on your schedule.

The back deck off the living space is where you’ll land at the end of a Glacier day — coffee in the morning, the sound of the water at night. Self check-in with a keyless smart lock means the trip starts the moment you pull in.

Fast Wi-Fi covers a workday if you need it, and there’s free parking on the property with room for a trailer or gear. Bring the boat, the bikes, the kayaks.

Room by room

Two bedrooms and a rec room, sleeps four.

Primary bedroom with queen bed
Bedroom One · Primary

The primary room

One queen bed. The quietest corner of the home for the deepest sleep of your trip.

The second bedroom
Bedroom Two

The second bedroom

A comfortable second room for kids or guests. Photo coming after staging.

The rec room
The Rec Room

The rec room

A flexible space off the bedrooms — room for games, a movie, or a rainy afternoon indoors. Photo coming after staging.

What’s included

Everything you need, and then some...

Essentials

  • Fast Wi-Fi
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Dedicated workspace
  • Washer and dryer
  • Heating and cooling
  • Linens and towels

Outdoor

  • Direct Whitefish River access
  • One private acre
  • Back deck
  • Outdoor dining & grill
  • Large riverfront lawn
  • Mature shade trees

Family & Pets

  • Dog-friendly
  • Room to roam
  • Crib available on request
  • High chair on request
  • Rec room with games
  • Comfortable for groups of four

Convenience

  • Step-free, ramped entrance
  • Self check-in
  • Keyless smart lock
  • Free on-site parking
  • Trailer & gear space
  • Superhost team
  • 1-hour response time
The neighborhood

Tucked away, close to everything.

The same valley sweet spot as its sister home down the road — close enough to a national park, a giant alpine lake, a mountain resort town, and a working airport that you can do all of them in a single trip.

  • 10 minGlacier Park International Airport
  • 15 minDowntown Kalispell
  • 20 minWhitefish
  • 25 minFlathead Lake
  • 30–45 minGlacier National Park (West Glacier)
The First Acre — the property and its setting
Guest reviews

Brand-new on the river.

A new 2026 listing · hosted by the Whitefish River Rentals Superhost team

The First Acre is the newest home in our small collection, just down the road from The Last Acre — which holds a 4.89 rating across more than 190 stays. Reviews for this home will appear here as our first guests check out.

— Whitefish River Rentals

Your hosts

The same hosts, a new front door.

We’re a Kalispell-based hosting team. The First Acre is our newest home, cared for by the same people who’ve run The Last Acre just down the road for years. We typically respond within an hour and know the area inside and out — the best trail in Glacier, the right brewery in Whitefish, where to find the best cherries in July.

Make yourself at home. We saved you a spot by the water.

Rates & Policies

What a stay will cost.

No surprises at checkout, and no fine print that matters more than the big print. Pricing goes live with the booking calendar — here’s how it’ll be laid out.

By the Season

What it costs, by month.

Peak

Jul 15 – Aug 20

At launch

Shoulder Peak

June & September

At launch

Spring & Fall

Apr–May, Oct–Nov

At launch

Winter

December – March

At launch

PRE-LAUNCH: pricing for The First Acre publishes here when the booking calendar opens. As a guide it will sit a little below The Last Acre, reflecting the smaller home. Replace the placeholders above with real seasonal rates before going live.

Included

What comes with the keys.

  • Fast Wi-Fi
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Dedicated workspace
  • Washer and dryer
  • Linens and towels
  • Self check-in with smart lock
  • Parking on premises
  • One private acre
  • Back deck and outdoor seating
  • Direct Whitefish River access
Fees

The line items, itemized.

Cleaning At launch Set when the booking calendar opens.
Pet At launch One-time fee, set at launch. Dogs welcome — just let us know at booking.
Montana lodging tax 8% Added at checkout on direct bookings.
Stay Length

The longer you stay, the less it costs.

Minimum stay

  • 2 nights year-round
  • 4 nights, July 15 – August 5

Length-of-stay discounts

  • 7+ nights — 5% off
  • 14+ nights — 10% off
  • 28+ nights — 20% off
If Plans Change

Cancellation, plainly.

60+ days before check-in Full refund
30 – 60 days before 50% refund
Within 30 days No refund

For trips booked many months ahead, travel insurance is worth the small added cost.

House Basics

The house rules, the short version.

Check-in 3:00 PM
Check-out 10:00 AM
Max guests 4
Pets Welcome
Smoking No
Parties & events No
Good to know

Common questions.

Can we book both homes at once?

Yes — The First Acre and The Last Acre sit a few hundred feet apart on the same road and the same stretch of river. Booked together they sleep up to twelve across the two homes, which makes them a favorite for reunions and multi-family trips. Reserve each home for your dates, or send us a message and we’ll help line up both calendars.

How does check-in work?

Self check-in with a smart lock — you’ll receive your unique code 24 hours before arrival. Check-in starts at 3:00 PM, check-out is 10:00 AM. Early check-in or late check-out is sometimes possible depending on the schedule; just ask.

Is the Wi-Fi good enough to work remotely?

Yes. The Wi-Fi is fast enough for video calls, streaming, and a full workday, so you can extend a stay without sacrificing one.

Can we use the river? What about fishing?

The Whitefish River runs gently along the back of the property. Guests wade, float tubes, and fish from the backyard — trout are common. The water stays cold even in summer, so swimming is a brisk dip more than a long soak. A Montana fishing license is required and easy to get online.

Is the property kid- and dog-friendly?

Yes to both. There’s a full acre of lawn for kids and dogs to enjoy. Cribs and high chairs are available on request — just mention what you need at booking. Dogs are welcome; let us know at booking.

Is the entrance step-free?

Yes — a ramp leads up to the front entrance, so you can get in without steps, and the home is all on one level with no interior stairs. If you have specific mobility needs — doorway widths, the bathroom setup, turning space — send us a message before you book and we’ll walk you through exactly what the home offers so you can decide whether it’s the right fit. For accessible park viewpoints, a free all-terrain wheelchair nearby, and easy multi-gen outings, see our accessible & family guide.

How far is Glacier National Park?

The West Glacier entrance is a 30–45 minute drive depending on season and traffic. In summer, the Going-to-the-Sun Road requires timed-entry vehicle reservations from the National Park Service — we’ll share current planning info in the welcome guide so you can book your slot well ahead of your stay.

Is the home open in winter?

Year-round. The home is fully heated and well-insulated, and the driveway is plowed after snow events. Whitefish Mountain Resort is about 30 minutes away for skiing, and the river runs picturesque even in the cold months.

Where do we get groceries?

Full grocery stores are about 12–15 minutes away in Kalispell. The Kalispell Farmers Market runs Tuesday and Saturday mornings in summer for local produce, cherries, and baked goods. We keep the kitchen stocked with the basics — coffee, oil, salt, pepper, dish soap — so you can settle in before the first store run.

Book Direct

Skip the middleman. Pay less.

Same calendar, same house, same hosts. The only thing that changes when you book here is the price you pay.

14–16%

Skip the service fee

That’s what Airbnb adds to your total. Book direct and it stays in your pocket.

Same house, better price

You’re reserving the same property on the same dates. The difference is what you don’t pay in platform fees.

Direct line to the hosts

No middlemen between your questions and our answers. Messages reach us within an hour.

Repeat-guest discount

Come back and you’ll find a returning-guest code in your confirmation email. It’s good on every future stay.

Reserve your stay

Be among the first at The First Acre.

Book direct for the best rate. We’ll take it from there.

Check Availability
Almost ready

Bookings open soon.

We’re putting the final touches on The First Acre, so the live calendar isn’t up just yet. Message us and we’ll tell you the moment dates open — and make sure you get first pick.

Message us about dates Email to get notified

Planning a bigger group? The Last Acre is booking now — same stretch of river, sleeps eight.