Glad that it will be of use for your friends (and you in the future!). Happy to help! Cabins are fairly spacious, with a kitchen that has a full size refrigerator and a small two burner stovetop and a microwave. As the snow and ice start to melt in the summer, the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens up. The east side of the park has plenty of forests, but they arent as dense as those in the west. The Ultimate Guide to Glacier National Park Hotels: Where to Stay for Glacier NP, How to Decide Where to Stay for Glacier National Park, Staying in the Many Glacier Region of Glacier National Park, Where to Stay West of Glacier National Park, Where to Stay East of Glacier National Park, Visiting Glacier National Park in Off Season, Additional Details for Hotels near Glacier National Park. The options inside the park are great because youll be able to walk to every trailhead or activity, which means you dont have to worry as much about parking (which can be nuts in Glacier, especially in Many Glacier). And youre still just 15 minutes away from the Apgar Visitor Center and the shores of Lake McDonald! Plus, the upside of staying outside the park is that you dont have to book a year in advance, which is probably what its going to take to get a spot at the highly coveted Lake McDonald Lodge. At the Doorstep to Glacier National Park (2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms): This is actually in West Glacier, which is a great location. Theres no TV or WiFi, so youll be able to completely disconnect and immerse yourself in the natural beauty that Glacier has to offer. Driving from the western entrance over to Many Glacier takes more than two hours, pushing three with traffic and road work (theres always road work in the summer prepare yourself for delays!). This close proximity has caused a number of small accommodation options to pop up over time putting Coram on the map as a great place to stay for Glacier National Park! Its on a full acre of land, which youll have all to yourself. The walk includes stunning views of fields of wildflowers. The huge number of animals is why the park service is very strict when it comes to speed limits. Here are some places to stay around Duck Lake that caught our eye. Or, you can drive to the top of Desert Mountain and enjoy stunning views of Lake McDonald, the North Fork River drainage, and the Flathead Valley area. You are able to explore at your own leisure without having to work around the times and limitations of the shuttles in Glacier National Park. And, unfortunately, not all entrances offer one. From golden eagles to the tiny American dipper, keep a sharp eye out. This makes staying on the east side of the park the best option if you are visiting the area solely for Glacier National Park. The thing to know about booking a place to stay inside Glacier National Park is that reservations open 13 months in advance, and thats when youre going to need to make your reservations if youre coming over the summer (unless you happen to get lucky and snag a cancellation). This makes it possible to drive through the middle of Glacier National Park. Theres a small mini-fridge in the room, but no kitchen facilities so youll be eating most of your meals out. Having a car in Glacier National Park is a blessing and a curse. There is a seasonal shuttle system within Glacier National Park. Below, were going to go through West Glacier and Many Glacier, giving you the best places to stay inside and outside the park for each to help you find the perfect place to stay near Glacier National Park. The high-style in-the-park-lodges are operated by Xanterra, which operates the park concessions. Since then, guess how much time Ive spent in Sacramento? That being said, there may also be lines to board the shuttles. Youll love it! There are about 1,200 bears in Glacier National Park and 300 of them are grizzlies. Youll have your choice between the lodge rooms, cabins, and motel-style rooms, which is a nice diversity of choices. Should I stay on the east or west side of Glacier National Park? Glacier National Park is my favorite in the US! We believe that travel is about learning, discovery, and connection. Staying on the east side of Glacier National Park may put you further from a lot of the classic tourist activities in the area. Glacier National Park exceeds 1 million acres therefore traveling from one side to the other side can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. The winds come swooping over the mountains and pick up speed on the downslope. I hope you can make it there. West Glacier is about as close as you can get to staying inside the park without actually staying inside the park (and paying the premium for the privilege). More info on camping can be found here, including season dates and more details youll want to know. You can stay inside the park at one of the three park-run lodging options, or you can stay outside the park near Duck Lake, which is a 45 minute drive away from the Many Glacier entrance. Thanks for this! The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user and thereby more valuable for publishers. We figured, sure, it looks nice, lets spend a week in Oregon on our way up to Seattle. If you are a family with kids, they have options to have a separate, smaller kids tent with two twin beds set up next to the main tent. The most noted views on this section of the Sun Road are Jackson Glacier and Saint Mary Lake with Wild Goose Island. We arrived a day early and spent our day relaxing and walking around town. It exceeded our expectations despite less than ideal conditions, and we cant wait to go back in better conditions to explore more. This typically happens in late June or early July but is fully dependent on the weather. Again, wed choose the cabins all day for the extra space, the full kitchen, and the nice patio to enjoy a post-hike beverage. Sky Eco Cabins is home to some nice cabins along Highway 2 about 15 minutes from the entrance to Glacier National Park, giving you easy access to Going-to-the-Sun Road. Glacier National Park has three main visitor centers. For most people, that doesnt really work who knows what well be up to in 13 months?! Selecting accommodation in the main part of Glacier means most of the must-see attractions and many of the best hikes in Glacier NP are easily accessible. Each region of Glacier Park is unique with plenty of activities on both sides, this article will cover some of those sights and activities. Booking in advance is definitely important! I founded this blog back in 2015 when I quit my corporate job to pursue a lifelong dream of traveling the world full-time, and Im looking to help others, like you, totravel more and travel better. Seriously, the location could not be better. I hope my path leads me there one day! After all, it is a very narrow road winding through the mountains. These cookies are used to track visitors across different websites. Search all hotels in East Glacier Park, Montana. Here are four that caught our eye. It was built back in 1914, and sits on the southern shore of Lake McDonald. If you have a campsite within Glacier National Park, you are allowed to sleep in your car at the campsite. We were lucky enough to spend, Read More How to Plan an Incredible Oregon Road Trip ItineraryContinue, Seattle and San Francisco are the two cities in the world that we have, collectively, called home. They are created by rains coming in off the Pacific Ocean, and the storms are slowed by the Cascade Mountain Ranges. The barrier free trail to Running Eagle Falls (formerly Trick Falls) is also in this region of Glacier Park. When visiting Glacier National Park, the biggest decision many travelers face is which side of the park to stay on, West or East. The Lodge here has the same basic amenities that youd expect from any hotel room, including a small mini-fridge. Additionally, if you want to see the Many Glacier region of the park, it can be a long drive from the west side of Glacier National Park. We enjoyed Whitefish. It was our favorite part of the park (although Going-to-the-Sun Road is pretty spectacular), and is home to some of the best hikes in Glacier National Park, like Grinnell Glacier, Cracker Lake, and Ptarmigan Lake. Not the case here! All of the land outside Glacier Park on the West Side is either privately owned or Flathead National Forest Service land. They have four cabins, and four studios (which essentially have the same facilities, but arent standalone). Planning a trip to Glacier NP after mid-September, during the winter months, or even in spring can limit what you are able to do in the park. How long does it take to drive through Glacier National Park? The cabins, which are either two or three bedrooms, are all equipped with a kitchen that has everything you need to cook meals for you and the group (including dishes and utensils) and a propane fireplace for those slightly chilly nights (there will probably be at least one while youre in Glacier). Driving the entirety of this road is a MUST DO on any Glacier National Park itinerary. They also offer ranger-led activities. There are two other regions of Glacier Park on the East Side Many Glacier region and Two Medicine region. These are open areas surrounded by trees, mostly aspens and cottonwoods. Find out more about the Glacier Vehicle Reservation System. Another option with a choice between cabins and lodge rooms, Glacier Outdoor Center is right next to the option above. In its wake, the fire left behind open areas in the forest and changed the nature of the parks east side. Its great to know there is a shuttle. So much love, that he became a driver of one of the famous red buses. The only one that you can reserve in advance is Fish Creek Campground, and its super competitive. However, the same caveats about staying inside the park apply here its not a great value for the money in terms of the quality of the rooms, and youll have to book well in advance to have a chance to stay there. On the east side, it is a bit warmer and windier. How to Spend 3 Days in Glacier National Park: Complete Itinerary, 10 Amazing Hikes in Glacier National Park to Add to Your List, How to Hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail in Glacier National Park, Hiking the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park: A Complete Trail Guide, Click here to check prices, reviews, and availability, click here to find a perfect hotel in whitefish, Click here to find the perfect vacation rental in whitefish, 3 Days in Porto: How to Plan a Perfect Porto Itinerary, A Perfect Weekend in Philadelphia: Complete 2 Day Itinerary, Gluten Free Philadelphia: A Complete Guide for Celiacs, Where to Stay in Philadelphia: 3 Best Areas + Coolest Hotels. The east side also was hit by a roadside wildland fire in 2015, which drastically changed the views in the park as the Reynolds Creek Fire burned about 5,000 acres. From there, you can catch the shuttle further into the park. You can easily access East Glacier from both West Glacier and Many Glacier, and there arent really a whole lot of places to stay near the St. Mary entrance (aside from Rising Sun Motor Inn and the two campgrounds Rising Sun and St. Mary). They have a range of room types, split between cabins and lodge rooms. When I went to search for gluten free Sacramento restaurants a couple of years ago, I wasnt sure what I was going to find. Two popular hikes in this region are the Grinnell Glacier trail and the Iceberg Lake trail. In fact, its only a 30 minute drive to the Many Glacier Ranger Station. It turns out, I, Read More A Celiacs Guide to the Best Gluten Free Restaurants in SacramentoContinue, Of the three main islands in the Puget Sound that make for a good day trip from Seattle Bainbridge, Whidbey, and Vashon Vashon is our favorite. If we were going to Glacier tomorrow and couldnt find a spot in the park (and werent up for camping), wed choose one of these places. Under Canvas, which has made our lists for Zion, Moab, and the Grand Canyon, is going to be a cool experience. You give pro and cons for staying on the east or west sides. Of course, the lodging options in Glacier National Park do fill up, so book in advance! They also have deluxe cabins which are bigger and nicer than the standard cabins, with kitchen facilities and three bedroom options. Disclosure:Some of the links below may be affiliate links. As you drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, youll go through Logan Pass, which is the highest point at 6,646 feet high. This has encouraged development of many different and exciting activities. The latest I would recommend visiting Glacier NP is over Labor Day, at the beginning of September. All four of the rafting companies are located in the West Glacier vicinity. It is also home to 1,900 guest rooms in hotels, motels, lodges, and RV Parks. Secluded Cabin Near Glacier Park ( 2 bedrooms / 1 bathroom): Just 10 minutes away from the entrance to the park, this cabin is well-thought out and has two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a nice outdoor patio complete with fire pit and Adirondack chairs. Maybe pick the two bedroom cabins if youre traveling with your inlaws. Wow! Truly incredible. Located right outside of the most popular entrance of Glacier National Park, West Glacier is the gateway to Glacier and a hub for all outdoor activities. The Village Inn at Apgar is a simple motel-style lodging option. If its booked up or out of your budget, check out the surrounding towns listed above. If you want to stay near Many Glacier which wed absolutely recommend youve essentially got two options. Here are some things to consider. This road trip route from Denver to Glacier National Park takes you through Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, as well as a number of other amazing stops! Before we get into the full guide, I want to reiterate you the most important tip: plan to stay AT LEAST one night in Many Glacier, if you can swing it. Required fields are marked *. These companies also offer float and guided fishing trips on the North Fork of the Flathead River which forms the western boundary of Glacier Park. If you make it to Sperry Chalet, the next stop would be to Sperry Glacier, located another three-mile walk and a sketchy climb up a steel cable ladder to get up through a pass to the glacier. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we dont stand behind 100%. There are some excellent golf courses located in the vicinities on the West Side including Glacier View Golf Course, located right in West Glacier. Search all hotels in Columbia Falls, Montana. To help you understand the layout of the park a bit more, Logan Pass is 32 miles from the west entrance and 18 miles from the east entrance. This website uses various third-party Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, the most popular pages, and how visitors interact. Knowing where to stay for Glacier National Park is just one of the many elements that will make your trip a success. Theres a lot of hotel choices in Whitefish, so were going to give them to you in rapid fire with a couple of sentences on what stands out to us. Alysha has spent her whole life here, minus four years in college, and Matts a relative newcomer with just under 10 years at the time of writing. However, its a small price to pay to spend less time driving each day! Youll also find additional perks on the west side of Glacier National Park, like hotels from large hotel chains (for the loyalty point-driven readers out there!) Avoid having to drive huge distances to get to the park by deciding where to stay for Glacier National Park and booking in advance. When you first enter the park, youll likely want to visit one of the visitor centers. About 44 minutes south of West Glacier is the lakeside town of Bigfork. However, youll find plenty of quaint hotel choices! Situated 43 minutes southwest of Glacier National Park, Kalispell offers the closest airport to Glacier National Park. This part of the park has the best selection of places to stay just outside the entrance. In fact, you can enter at six different locations: The primary entrances for the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road are the West Glacier entrance and St. Marys, which is on the east side of the park. The other fun hike is to Iceberg Lake. Some are out and back, some are loops, and others are parts of the Continental Divide Trail. Find tips, itineraries, packing guides, expert advice, and stories of travel around the world from the experience and lessons Ive learned from traveling to over 90 countries. Search all hotels in Saint Mary, Montana. It is the second most popular walk in the park. Located in the the northwest corner of Montana, Glacier National Park sits fairly remote from any big cities. There are some restaurant options, a supermarket, a Conoco gas station, and plenty of bars, saloons, and even a distillery! Glacier National Park is incredible. Most such forests are on the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and northern California. Its the domain of the parks elk. The Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park offers a couple of great accommodation options, as well as other services critical to your enjoyment of the region. The other thing to know about staying inside a national park is that youre going to pay more than its worth for the convenience. Spend the first day driving from Apgar to St. Mary along Going-to-the-Sun Road, and spend the night in Many Glacier. From the airport to West Glacier is just a 30 minute drive. Near St. Mary? In this guide to where to stay in Glacier National Park, well detail the best places to stay inside and outside the park, both in West Glacier and the eastern side of the park. Your best bets are going to be either camping, or finding a nice cabin along the lakeshore. Now, lets get into exactly where to stay when youre visiting the park. If youre up for camping, youve got a plethora of campground options on the west side of the park. All of the land outside of Glacier Park on the East Side is the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. As soon as you disembark from the ferry and set foot on the island, it feels like stepping into a completely different world. This is when the Fish Creek and St. Mary campgrounds open up reservations. Its also a very practical home base for visiting Many Glacier as the Ranger Station is just 40 minutes away. Just across the road, Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins is the other option, and youll choose between cabins with a kitchen, cabins without a kitchen, and motel rooms. Just 34 minutes from the west entrance of the park, Whitefish features a wide array of shops, coffee houses, locally owned restaurants, and entertainment options. Custom Cabin Minutes From Glacier National Park ( 2 bedrooms / 1 bathroom): Newly built, modern, and spacious, this place would make a fantastic home base. The Trail of the Cedars portion of this hike is barrier free. There appear to be more deer on the west side. While driving to this region, youll enjoy views of several glaciers located in the Livingston Range in Glacier Park. Not to mention hotels near Glacier become a lot more available! Copyright 2021 Smoky Bear Ranch All Rights Reserved , waterslides, go carts, bumper boats, zip lines, a human maze, and more, Glacier National Park Camping: Top 10 Campgrounds to Visit in 2022. Glacier has a significant distinction: In its one million acres there are five different life zones. And you cant beat the convenience. Its the perfect way to maximize your time in the surrounding areas of Glacier National Park. The western half of Glacier National Park is the most visited part of the park, featuring most of the places youve seen in the brochures and travel guides about Glacier like Lake McDonald, Going-to-the-Sun road, the Loop, the Highline Trail, and more. This allows you to spend the most time exploring and enjoying the park and its amazing scenery. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible and/or for marketing purposes. I (Matt) grew up in Seattle, and lived there for 15+ years before relocating to San Francisco, where I met Alysha, who grew up in the Bay Area. However, you also have to deal with the hassle of driving the narrow, crowded Going-to-the-Sun Road. The highest peak in the park is Mount Cleveland, at over 10,400 feet. Distance from the Apgar Visitor Center: 35 minutes / 28 miles. Wow what a place to visit. The rain forest is in an area called Avalanche, named for the creek that flows through the woods. We write detailed travel guides to help you forge deeper connections when you travel, and well hopefully help you discover something new along the way. One of the biggest disadvantages of staying in Coram is simply the limited restaurant options in town. Is there a gas station available in Glacier National Park? Heres why I spend my summers as a Glacier Red Bus driver. They have rooms inside the historic lodge itself, and there are also cabins and other buildings with more room options. Keeping these cookies enabled helps us to improve our website. It is just outside the park. The park is full of wild animals, and your mission is to see as many as possible. The biggest lodge in the park, which was fully renovated a couple years ago, is in Many Glacier Valley. Most campgrounds are available on a first come, first serve basis. Because of the mountains bisecting the park, the west side is wetter than the east side. Not the sexiest campground in the world, but itll do the trick. Hi, Im Julia! This is glamping at its finest and most bougie youll stay in a canvas tent under the stars (with West Elm furniture, duh) and have access to the communal fire pit (SMORES) and the picnic areas and barbecues. Another four miles and the trail dumps you at the main road, where you can ride the shuttle back to the pass. Glacier is home to the largest population of grizzly bears in the Lower 48 states and 25 glaciers, which, according to the park service, are disappearing thanks to warming global temperatures. Youll see some of the best scenery and also know just how strenuous the hikes are to prepare before you arrive. The dipper frequents fast-moving water and actually submerges and uses its wings and tail to fly underwater. Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. Some rooms have kitchens, and some have room for four to six people, which is nice for families and traveling groups. It is a prime destination and books up quickly which will push you further away from the park while still paying top dollar. Theres not a whole lot going on when you leave the east entrance of the park, but the best place to stay, by far, is going to be near Duck Lake. Thank you very much. If youre not super concerned with driving a little extra AND you care about being in a town with plenty of places to eat, drink, and shop after your day of exploring, Whitefish is the spot for you. Find full details on the shuttles in Glacier National Park. In West Glacier? Glacier National Park really is a little slice of heaven! Its a million acres bigger than the state of Rhode Island and for my money, a lot prettier too. The easiest access to both chalets in Glacier Park Granite Park Chalet and Sperry Chalet is also provided from this section of the Sun Road. Almost none. If youre not able to snag a spot inside the park and want to stay as close as possible to all the action, this is your best bet. If youre looking to stay at a well known hotel chain near Glacier National Park, Kalispell is one of your best options. Youll have access to a spacious deck with a barbecue, a full kitchen, and a ping pong table. You have plenty of options inside the park both camping and hotels/lodges and just outside the park entrance in the towns of West Glacier, Hungry Horse, and Coram, and the bustling mountain town of Whitefish, which is the furthest out that wed recommend. Road Trips | Packing | National Parks. This makes it more common for visitors to Glacier National Park to stay on the west side of the park. All three make an excellent home base for exploring Glacier and the surrounding area. You will find something fun to do for every member of the family on the West Side. We loved Wild Coffee, Sweet Peaks Ice Cream, and Montana Shirt Company, among other things. If you want to explore more of Montana than just Glacier National Park, Bigfork makes a great home base! Can I sleep in my car in Glacier National Park? Located just a mile away from the west entrance to the park, Great Northern Resort is about as close as you can get to staying inside Glacier National Park (without paying the premium or having to book a year in advance). These are also the busiest months of the year and considered peak season for Glacier National Park so book accommodations early! There is nowhere to stay along Going-to-the-Sun Road once you get past the Lake McDonald Lodge, which is at mile eight or so, which means youll have to stay at either end (in Apgar or St. Mary), or one of the nearby towns outside the park. Its located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and offers a rich cultural and historical significance to the Blackfeet Tribe. To enjoy the park, there are more than 750 miles of hiking trails and the stunning Going-to-the-Sun Road, which climbs up and over the Continental Divide. Whether you want to stay in the park, or in a nearby town or city that offers additional activities, the key will be to do your research and book early. Its in my bucket list priority! Julia February 26, 2022 Montana 14 Comments. In the guide below, youll find suggestions on where to stay on the western side of Glacier, on the eastern side of Glacier, and near Many Glacier for a range of budgets and styles. Additionally, there are some top notch hiking options in the Many Glacier part of the park. If youre an avid hiker, there are two backcountry chalets you can hike into for accommodations. If possible, plan to stay in Glacier National Park. Its very rustic, modeled after Swiss chalets in the alps. Its super useful to have this list of hotels . Fortunately, Glacier offers 13 different campgrounds with over 1,000 campsites to choose from. Its amazing how fast lodging in (and around) Glacier National Park fills up, especially in the prime summer season! There is only one road that runs through the park from east to west Going-to-the-Sun Road and its one of the most scenic drives in all of the United States, featuring countless pullouts with stunning views and short hikes to waterfalls, lakes, and more. Stay on the west side and focus on Going-to-the-Sun Road. There are three lodging options inside the parks western side. Whether you are staying inside of Glacier National Park or staying in one of the surrounding towns, you can park at any of the shuttle stops. In Many Glacier and St. Mary on the eastern side of the park, your options will be limited at best. There is such an incredible amount of things to do, see, and, Read More How To Plan an Unforgettable Northern California Road TripContinue, Your email address will not be published. Additionally, these cookies are required for you to be able to use important features on our website, such as; logging in, submitting forms, joining newsletters, placing orders, etc. Glacier is bisected by the continental divide, giving us two parks: One is the east side and the other, the west. So many choices! The walk to Grinnell Glacier is popular because of the wildlife and the payoff: a close-up view of a glacier that you can walk on. Choose between standard king rooms (with one king bed), a room with two queen beds, or a room with a king and a twin bunk bed. If youre looking to do less driving, but cant find accommodations in Glacier National Park, Saint Marys is the next best thing! Here are some additional details to help you plan your trip to Glacier National Park. Reservations are here.