You’re driving toward Glacier National Park, the sun is hitting the peaks of the Swan Range, and your cooler is looking depressingly empty. If you’re passing through the Flathead Valley, you basically have one major stop for groceries before things get really rural. That’s Smith's Columbia Falls MT. It isn't just a grocery store; for locals and the millions of tourists who clog Highway 2 every summer, it’s the unofficial staging ground for every backcountry adventure, backyard BBQ, and "we forgot the bear spray" emergency.
Located at 410 9th St W, this Smith’s is a Kroger-owned staple. But don't let the corporate parentage fool you. The vibe here is pure Montana. You’ll see muddy Subarus parked next to $90,000 dually trucks and hikers smelling like three days of trail dust. It's busy. Honestly, during July, it can be a bit of a zoo. But if you know how to navigate it, it’s the most reliable spot in the canyon.
Why Smith's Food & Drug is the Gateway to Glacier
Columbia Falls is often called the "Gateway to Glacier National Park," and Smith's is the literal gatekeeper of supplies. Most people think they can just "grab stuff" once they get into the park or closer to West Glacier. Bad move. Once you pass the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 206, prices skyrocket and selection plummets.
Smith's in Columbia Falls handles a volume of traffic that would make a big-city manager sweat. They have to. They are serving a permanent population of about 6,000 people and a seasonal influx that quadruples that number.
You’ve got the full pharmacy, the deli, and a surprisingly decent bakery. Most importantly for those heading into the woods, they keep a massive stock of firewood, ice, and bear spray near the front. If you haven't bought bear spray yet, buy it here. It’s cheaper than the gift shops inside the park, and the staff actually knows how to tell you to use it—don't spray it on your clothes like bug spray; it’s a deterrent, not a repellent.
The Layout and What to Watch Out For
The store isn't the biggest Smith's in the world, but they use the space well. The produce section is right at the entrance. It’s usually fresh, though by Sunday afternoon in August, the berry selection might look a little picked over.
- The Deli Counter: This is a lifesaver. If you don't want to spend $18 on a mediocre sandwich at a tourist trap, get the fried chicken or a custom sub here. The "Boar’s Head" meat is standard, but the local preference is usually for the grab-and-go buckets of chicken for lake days.
- The Meat Department: They carry a lot of the "Simple Truth" organic stuff, but also plenty of bulk packs for grilling. Keep an eye out for regional items. Sometimes you’ll find huckleberry-infused products, though those are often "tourist-priced."
- The Pharmacy: It's reliable, but call ahead. Because it's the only major pharmacy for quite a distance heading east, the wait times can be longer than what you're used to in a city.
Logistics: Parking, Timing, and the "Secret" Peak Hours
Let’s talk about the parking lot. It’s tight. If you’re hauling a 30-foot Airstream or a massive fifth-wheel, be careful. The spaces aren't exactly "oversized vehicle friendly," and the locals who are just trying to get a gallon of milk don't always have the patience for a three-point turn that takes five minutes.
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The best time to shop? Early. Like, 7:00 AM early. The store is quiet, the shelves are fully stocked from the night shift, and you can actually move your cart through the aisles without getting stuck behind a family of six debating which kind of granola bars to buy for their hike to Avalanche Lake.
If you show up at 5:30 PM on a Friday? Godspeed. That’s when the "Going-to-the-Sun Road" crowd is heading out and the locals are getting off work. It’s chaotic.
Digital Shopping and Rewards
Since this is a Kroger-affiliated store, your Smith's Rewards card—or your Ralphs, Fred Meyer, or Fry’s card—works here. Use your phone number at the pump too. The Smith's Fuel Center is right there in the parking lot. In a town where gas prices can fluctuate wildly based on how close you are to the park entrance, those fuel points are actually worth something.
Also, they do offer "Kroger Pickup" (click-and-collect). This is a pro-tip for visitors. Order your groceries online 24 hours before you arrive in Columbia Falls. Drive up, let them load the car, and bypass the entire crowded store. It saves you about an hour of wandering through aisles trying to find where they hid the moleskin and the waterproof matches.
Real Talk: The Local Impact
There is a bit of a tension in Smith's Columbia Falls MT. It’s the primary grocery store for the hardworking people who live in "C-Falls" year-round. When the shelves go bare of eggs or milk because of a massive surge in tourism, it affects the people who live here.
Being a "good tourist" in this store means being efficient. Have your payment ready. Don't leave your cart in the middle of the aisle while you look at a map. Be kind to the checkers. These workers are some of the hardest-working people in the valley, dealing with massive crowds in a high-cost-of-living area. A little patience goes a long way here.
Comparing Smith's to Super 1 Foods
Just down the road, you’ve got Super 1 Foods. People often ask which is better. It’s a toss-up. Smith's usually wins on the "digital experience" and the pharmacy. Super 1 often has a slightly different local selection and can sometimes be a tiny bit cheaper on bulk items. But Smith's is generally the "go-to" for people coming from out of state because the Kroger brand is so familiar.
Beyond the Groceries: What Else is Nearby?
Once you’ve loaded up at Smith's, you aren't quite done. The store is situated in a little hub.
- The Liquor Store: Montana has specific laws about where you can buy hard liquor. You can get beer and wine in Smith's, but for the hard stuff, you’ll need to hit a dedicated liquor store. There are a few nearby.
- Outdoor Gear: While Smith's has basic camping supplies (tents, sleeping bags, lanterns), if you need high-end technical gear, you’re better off hitting the specialty shops in Whitefish or the Army-Navy store further down the road.
- Coffee: Don't settle for the grocery store coffee if you have time. Columbia Falls has some incredible local spots like Montana Coffee Traders just a short drive away.
Navigating the Seasons
The experience at Smith's changes drastically with the calendar.
Winter (November - April): The store is quiet. It’s mostly locals. You’ll find plenty of rock salt, windshield wiper fluid, and heavy-duty shovels for sale. It’s a great time to shop, but keep an eye on the weather; if a big storm is coming, the "bread and milk" rush is real.
Shoulder Season (May and September/October): This is the sweet spot. The weather is decent, the park is accessible, and the store isn't overwhelming. This is when the deli often has shorter lines and the parking lot isn't a combat zone.
Summer (June - August): Total madness. This is when the store brings in extra seasonal staff. Expect lines. Expect noise. But also expect a very high turnover of fresh food, which is a plus.
What You Won't Find
Don't expect a massive selection of high-end, niche international ingredients. You can find the basics, and the "Natural Foods" section is surprisingly robust, but if you absolutely need a specific type of obscure truffle oil or a very particular brand of kombucha only found in SoCal, you might be out of luck. It's a Montana grocery store—it focuses on the essentials and the stuff that fuels outdoor activity.
Also, Montana doesn't have sales tax. The price you see on the tag is the price you pay at the register. For visitors from states with high sales tax, this makes the Smith's receipt a pleasant surprise.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To make your trip to Smith's Columbia Falls MT as painless as possible, follow this checklist:
- Download the Smith’s/Kroger app before you get to the valley. Cell service can be spotty once you head toward the park, so get your digital coupons loaded while you’re still in Kalispell or at your hotel.
- Check your fuel points. If you’re driving a rental, you can still use a rewards number to save a few cents per gallon at the Smith's fuel center.
- Shop for the "Canyon." Remember that once you head past Coram and Hungry Horse, your options for things like sunscreen, batteries, and fresh fruit disappear. Over-buy slightly on the perishables here.
- Bring your own bags. While they have plastic, many locals use reusable bags, and it’s just better for the environment in a place as beautiful as the Flathead.
- Use the North exit when leaving the parking lot if traffic on Highway 2 is backed up. Sometimes taking the side streets can save you ten minutes of staring at a red light.
Smith's is a foundational part of the Columbia Falls community. Whether you're a local grabbing dinner or a visitor prepping for a week in the backcountry, it’s the place where the valley meets. Treat it with a little respect, shop smart, and you'll be back on the road to Glacier in no time.