The Glacier National Park Travel Guide is a resource for those planning to tour
Glacier National Park and/or Canada's adjacent Waterton Lakes National Park. The adjacent national parks are typically visited at the same time and offer a variety of experiences. Both parks offer outstanding opportunities to view wildlife.
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Lodging in and around Glacier National Park
The park has lodging facilities at Apgar Village, Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, and Rising Sun. There are also two backcountry chalets offering shelter to backpackers. Accommodations vary from relatively inexpensive rustic cabins to motel-style (e.g., modern, full bathroom) rooms. Links are provided below to check availability or reserve online. Reservations are strongly advised at any time for lodging within the park, or for the backcountry chalets.
In-park rooms generally don't have telephones, TVs, Internet access, air conditioning, etc. Additional accommodations can be found outside the park in nearby towns such as West Glacier, East Glacier, Essex, Columbia Falls, and Whitefish. More amenities (such as AAA 2 or 3 diamonds) can generally be found outside the park. Links are provided below.
Park lodging seasons generally run late May to September. For current open and closing dates and current rates, use the links provided below.
Waterton Lakes National Park has numerous motels available at the Waterton townsite, as well as the classic Prince of Wales Hotel.
There are several classic lodges in the area which were built in the early part of the 20th century by the old Great Northern Railroad to promote tourism. They offer a charm not found in conventional motels, such as greatrooms (usually part of the lobby) with enormous fireplaces, elegant restaurants, and spectacular settings. In Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald Lodge (which was originally a hunting lodge, not built by the railroad) and Many Glacier Hotel feature old-time style in wonderful settings. At Waterton Lakes, the Prince of Wales Hotel offers one of the most spectacular settings in the world. GNR lodges just outside of the park (near the railroad stations) include the Belton Chalet near West Glacier, the Glacier Park Hotel at East Glacier, and the Izaak Walton Lodge at Essex. Many tourists still visit the park via train - the famous Empire Builder offers service here on the main line run by the Burlington Northern Railroad.
Glacier National Park Lodging
Lake McDonald Lodge. Late May to late September. Classic lodge contructed in 1913 originally as a hunting lodge. On the shores of Lake McDonald (ten miles from west entrance), the lodge offers rooms in rustic cabins, lodge rooms, and motel-style rooms. All have phones and private bathrooms. Beautiful lobby with fireplace and huge veranda overlooking lake. Lounge, restaurant, and store. Horseback rides, boat tours, ranger programs, etc. Moderately priced. 406-892-2525
Many Glacier Hotel. Early June to late September. Classic lodge contructed in 1915 by Great Northern Railroad. On the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake (18 miles west of US-89, north of St. Mary), the lodge features enormous mountain views as a backdrop behind the lake. It offers rooms in rustic lodge rooms, some with views of lake and/or mountains. All have phones and private bathrooms. Beautiful lobby with fireplace. Two lounges, restaurant with picture-window views, and gift shop. Horseback rides, boat tours, ranger programs, etc. Single rooms, moderately priced; suite or family room, expensive. 406-892-2525
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn (at Many Glacier). Mid-June to mid-September. Inexpensive motel suited to hikers and photographers. About one mile from Many Glacier Motel. Offers rustic cottages with or without bathrooms (common shower/bathrooms nearby). Standard motel rooms have private bathrooms. Casual Italian restaurant, campstore, laundry, and showers. Tourism activities at Many Glacier Hotel. Cottages, very inexpensive. Motel rooms, moderately inexpensive. 406-892-2525
Rising Sun Motor Inn. Mid-June to mid-September. Modest lodging across from St. Mary Lake, on Going-to-the-Sun Road, six miles west of St. Mary town. Offers rustic cottages, rustic motel rooms, and more modern motel rooms. All rooms include private bathroms. Casual Tex-mex restaurant, campstore, and gift shop. Boat cruises, ranger programs, and fishing. All rooms, moderately inexpensive. 406-892-2525
Village Inn at Apgar. Early-June to mid-September. Motel-style rooms on shore of Lake McDonald near Apgar Village, three miles from west entrance. All rooms include private bathrooms and lake views. Kitchenettes and two-bedroom units available. Restaurant, stores, and gift shops in Apgar Village. Boat cruises, ranger programs, golf, and fishing. All rooms, moderate. 406-892-2525
Apgar Village Lodge. Early May to late September. Rustic cabins and motel-style rooms at Apgar Village, two miles from west entrance. All rooms include private bathrooms. Some rooms with view of lake or creek. Most cabins have kitchenettes. Restaurant, stores, and gift shops in Apgar Village. Boat cruises, ranger programs, golf, and fishing. A variety of room formats priced from inexpensive to moderate. 406-888-5484
Granite Park Chalet and Sperry Chalet.
The chalets are located high in the Glacier National Park backcountry and are accessible by hiking trail only. Sperry Chalet: Early July to early September. Features guest rooms and a separate dining area. No heat, electricity, or running water in rooms. Toilets and sinks in separate building (no showers). Breakfast and dinners must be pre-ordered. Lunch available for purchase to guests and visitors. Towels and linens provided. Moderately expensive. Granite Park Chalet: Late June to early September. Chalet is basically a shelter for hikers. Hostel-style rooms assigned by size of your party, some bunk bed rooms. Kitchen available to cook your own food. Food and linens may be pre-ordered at an extra charge. No heat, electricity, or running water. Bottled water may be purchased. Inexpensive.
North Fork of Flathead River (Glacier National Park - Northwest)
Polebridge Mercantile and Cabins. Open year-round. This unique outpost is located on the Inner North Fork Road, en route to the remote lakes of northwest Glacier National Park. Polebridge is located just outside of the park. The historic mercantile offers groceries and supplies, as well as fresh ground coffee and a variety of home-baked treats. Very inexpensive and very rustic "camper cabins" are offered with propane stoves and refrigerators, wood heating, and propane lights. Good way to access very beautiful and lightly traveled part of the park. 406-888-5105
Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta, Canada)
Prince of Wales Hotel. Early June to late September. Classic lodge contructed in 1926-7 by Great Northern Railroad. On a bluff overlooking Waterton Lake north of Waterton townsite, the lodge offers one of the world's greatest settings with lake and mountain views. The lodge features motel-style rooms, many with views, and elegant suites with lakeside views. All have phones and private bathrooms. Noted for traditional British atmosphere. Elegant dining room, lounge with spectacular views, tea room, and gift shop. Afternoon tea, boat cruises, and many recreational activities nearby. Very expensive. 406-892-2525
Waterton Park Chamber of Commerce. Complete listing of accommodations within the park.
Waterton Park Chamber of Commerce. Nearby bed and breakfasts, guest ranches, and full-service campgrounds.
Classic "Railroad" Lodges Just Outside the Park
The railroad line runs around the southern end of Glacier National Park with stations and lodges at East Glacier Park, Essex at the park's southern tip, and West Glacier.
Glacier Park Lodge and Resort. June to September. Classic lodge contructed in 1913 by Great Northern Railroad at East Glacier Park. Noted for immense wood log columns 40 feet tall and 36-42 inches across. Lobby features enormous stone fireplace and seating. Lodge is run today as a resort with a heated pool and golf course, as well as park's recreational activities. Rooms have all amenities of modern motel rooms (private bathrooms, television, phones, a/c, etc.).
Fine dining, lounge, country mercantile, and gift shop. Moderately expensive to expensive.
Izaak Walton Inn. Open year-round. Classic lodge contructed in 1939 by Great Northern Railroad, originally for snow removal crews.
Remote location at Essex station near US-2 at southern tip of park. Rustic but well-kept motel-style rooms (similar to bed and breakfast style). Also, four unique "caboose" rooms, rooms with kitchenettes built into a caboose railroad car. Resort has sauna, ski trials, and hiking trails. Many recreational opportunities. Well-known for cross country skiing in the winter. Fine dining, lounge, and stores. Motel-style rooms, moderate; caboose rooms, very expensive.
The Historic Belton Chalet. Open year-round. Classic lodge contructed in 1910 by Great Northern Railroad. Located at Belton station, near West Glacier. Rustic motel rooms with or without balconies. All have private baths. Also, cottages with three bedrooms, living room, fireplace, refrigerator and microwave. Grill Dining Room and Taproom. Fishing trips, golf, off- season packages. Moderately priced.
Motel Lodging Outside the Park
Whitefish Lodging
Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge
6510 Highway 93 S, Whitefish, MT, 59937-2978
79 Guest Rooms on three floors.
Hotel Ratings: AAA-3 Diamonds
Outdoor, Heated Pool and Hot Tub, Exercise Room, Free Breakfast with fresh cooked Waffles.
Check rates/room availability for Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge.
More Hotels in Whitefish, MT and surrounding areas.
Kalispell Lodging
Best Western White Oak Grand
4824 US Highway 93 S, Kalispell, MT, 59901-7985
59 Guest Rooms on three floors.
Hotel Ratings: AAA-3 Diamonds
Beautiful Lobby/Elegant Decor with Indoor Pool, Business Center & Exercise Room near Flathead Lake.
Check rates/room availability for Best Western White Oak Grand.
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites - Kalispell
1680 Highway 93 South , Kalispell, MT, 59901
62 Guest Rooms on two floors. Outdoor heated pool, Free continental breakfast, Free high-speed Internet access, Free weekday newspaper.
Check rates/room availability for Econo Lodge Inn & Suites - Kalispell.
Holiday Inn Express
275 Treeline Road, Kalispell, MT 59901
111 Guest Rooms on three floors. 24-hour pool and spa, complimentary breakfast, state-of-the-art fitness center, free wireless high speed Internet access.
Check rates/room availability for Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kalispell
Rodeway Inn Big Sky - Kalispell
1330 US Highway 2 West, Kalispell, MT, 59901
63 guest rooms on two floors. Free continental breakfast, Free wireless high-speed Internet access, Seasonal outdoor heated pool & hot tub, Fitness center.
Check rates/room availability for Rodeway Inn Big Sky - Kalispell.
More Hotels in Kalispell, MT and surrounding areas.
Missoula Lodging
Best Western Grant Creek Inn
5280 Grant Creek Road US Missoula, MT, 59808-1492
Hotel Ratings: AAA-3 Diamonds
126 guest rooms on four floors. Complimentary hot breakfast buffet, large indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool, steam room, and fitness center, free wireless high-speed Internet access.
Check rates/room availability for Best Western Grant Creek Inn - Missoula.
Holiday Inn Missoula-Downtown At The Park
200 South Pattee, Missoula, MT 59802
Hotel Ratings: AAA-3 Diamonds
200 Guest rooms on four floors. Newly renovated summer of 2007. Indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, fitness center, free high-speed Internet access.
Check rates/room availability for Holiday Inn Missoula-Downtown At The Park
Holiday Inn Express Missoula-Riverside
1021 East Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802
Hotel Ratings: AAA-3 Diamonds
95 Guest rooms on four floors. Complimentary breakfast buffet, fitness center, free high-speed Internet access.
Check rates/room availability for Holiday Inn Express Missoula-Riverside
Sleep Inn
3425 Dore Lane, Missoula, MT, 59801
Hotel Ratings: AAA-2 Diamonds
59 Guest rooms on three floors. Indoor heated pool & whirlpool, Free continental breakfast, Free local calls, Free weekday newspaper.
Check rates/room availability for Sleep Inn - Missoula.
Quality Inn & Conference Center
3803 Brooks Street, Missoula, MT, 59804
Hotel Ratings: AAA-2 Diamonds
82 Guest rooms on 3 floors. Indoor whirlpool & fitness center, Free deluxe continental breakfast, Free high-speed Internet access, Free daily newspaper, Free local calls.
Check rates/room availability for Quality Inn - Missoula.
Comfort Inn
4545 N. Reserve St., Missoula, MT, 59808
Hotel Ratings: AAA-3 Diamonds
52 Guest rooms on two floors. Indoor heated pool, whirlpool, Free continental breakfast, Free high-speed Internet access, Free daily newspaper.
Check rates/room availability for Comfort Inn - Missoula.
More Hotels in Missoula, MT and surrounding areas.
Lodging on East Side of Glacier NP
Glacier National Park Guide Index
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