- Destinations
Best Places to Stay Near Glacier National Park
When booking accommodations in national parks these days, it can feel like a rat race, with different hotels and lodges opening on specific dates that no one seems to know or that change year to year. It can really make the fun of planning a vacation stressful. This is why I have laid out the best accommodations to stay at near Glacier National Park.
There are TONS of options for where to stay, so in this comprehensive guide, you can narrow down your search based on where you’d like to stay, what you’d like to do, and what you’d like to spend. You will also find a short guide to help you plan your Glacier National Park vacation.
If all of this sounds good to you, let’s get to planning!
Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links which means I could earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Where to Stay In and Around Glacier National Park?
When it comes to planning, deciding where to stay is one of the most important decisions. The first decision you need to make is whether you want to stay inside or outside of the park. Both choices have perks; I’ve listed the pros for both below.
Pros of Staying Inside of Glacier National Park
Staying inside the park offers certain advantages, but it is not always the best choice for everyone. Below, you will see some pros of staying within the park boundaries of Glacier National Park.
- Proximity to Trails and Scenic Spots: Staying inside the park means you’re closer to the iconic trails. You’ll have easier access to popular spots without a long drive time or needing entrance reservations.
- No Vehicle Registration: If you stay inside the park, past the vehicle reservation stations, you will not need to make reservations. This goes for hotels and campgrounds alike.
- Unique Lodging Experiences: Many of the park lodges are historic landmarks. They provide a unique experience you cannot get at some of the surrounding hotels.
Pros of Staying Near Glacier National Park
The pros of staying outside of the Glacier National Park boundary are numerous! While you may spend more time in the car getting to and from the park, there is much more variety in accommodations, dining, and availability.
- More Accommodation Options: Columbia Falls, West Glacier, Whitefish, and Kalispell offer plenty of lodging options. Choose between luxury resorts, vacation rentals, and cozy cabins.
- Better Availability: It is easier to find availability, even during peak season. Many of the lodges inside the park book up quickly, making it impossible to plan at the last minute.
- Lower Costs: There are more budget-friendly options outside of the park. The lodges inside the park come at a premium due to their proximity to trails.
- Greater Dining Variety: There are many places inside of the park to eat, but when you’re staying in a nearby town, there are significantly more cafes, diners, breweries, and takeout options.
- Pet-Friendly Options: Many of the hotels surrounding the park are pet-friendly, while none of the lodges inside of the park are.
- Modern Amenities: Since most of the hotels within the park are historic, they lack the basic amenities that the newer hotels do. From pools, wifi, workout rooms, and air conditioning, you will find that the list of amenities for surrounding hotels is long.
If you want to camp in Glacier National Park, I suggest picking a campground past the vehicle registration station. While Fish Creek and Apgar Campgrounds are after the entrance, they still require a vehicle registration pass for each day you want to go further into the park.
Quick Guide to Visiting Glacier National Park
Before you can enjoy Glacier with your pup, you’ve got to plan your trip! Here are some important links for planning your dog-friendly adventure in Glacier:
- Getting There: The two airports that are popular for flying into include Whitefish, MT and Missoula, MT. Find affordable flights here.
- Getting Around: You will need a vehicle to get around. Many car rentals offer a bear spray rental!
- How Long to Visit: A worthy trip to Glacier can be anywhere from three days to a week. However long you’re visiting, you’ll have a great time!
- Where to Stay: There are 13 front country campgrounds in Glacier National Park that you can reserve on recreation.gov. Otherwise, you can book a hotel or home.
- Getting Into the Park: You will need an American the Beautiful Pass to enter Glacier National Park, which you can purchase here. In August, you will additionally need a vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road via the West Entrance, Many Glacier, and North Fork.
- Dog Boarding: There are multiple dog boarders and day cares in surrounding cities. My favorite is Three Dog Ranch in Whitefish.
When to Book Your Stay in Glacier National Park
Planning your ideal trip to Glacier National Park cannot happen last minute anymore. Gone are the days of showing up and getting a random campsite, finding a parking spot in Logan Pass, and experiencing the popular areas without crowds.
While it is easier to book places to stay near Glacier National Park last minute, it is important to think months ahead of time when booking your stay.
So when can you book?
- You can book twelve months in advance when booking the Glacier National Park Lodges.
- When booking campsites inside Glacier National Park, they open on a six-month rolling basis. So bookings for July, open in February.
- Hotels and Lodges near Glacier National Park have open registration up to a year in advance. While their is not hard launch date, rooms do book up quickly for the popular areas.
If you are staying outside of the park, you will need a vehicle registration permit to access West Glacier, Many Glacier, and Bowman Lake area. Vehicle Registration is available on a 120-day rolling advance with next reservations available beginning June 15th.
To book your vehicle registration permit, click here.
Places to Stay Inside Glacier National Park
One of the main perks of staying inside of the park boundary is the easy access outdoor enthusiasts have to the popular areas of the park. While most of the lodgings within the park offer basic amenities, they’re often deemed the best places to stay because of the proximity to trails, views, and wildlife.
Since this blog post is focused on places to stay near Glacier National Park, here is a short list of the best places to stay inside Glacier!
Many Glacier Hotel
Many Glacier Hotel is in one of the best locations of the park. Surrounded by mountains and located on Swiftcurrent Lake, it is truly picturesque. It is a Swiss chalet-style lodge with simple but cozy rooms. The perks of staying at this hotel lend themselves to beautiful views and close proximity to one of the best hikes in the park, Grinnell Glacier. The drawback of staying at this hotel is the limited amenities and lack of air conditioning.
If you’re a nature lover looking for a beautiful stay, this one is for you!
Price | $279 + |
Location | Babb, MT – Many Glacier Entrance |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 4/5 |
Booking Link |
Lake McDonald Lodge
Lake McDonald Lodge is one of the most popular places to stay in Glacier. Located on the shores of Lake McDonald, it has stunning views a tranquil atmosphere. It is close to activities like boat tours and ranger-led programs. Not to mention you are located on Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the best scenic drives in the park. Like Many Glacier Lodge, the drawbacks to staying here are the lack of amenities like air conditioning and limited privacy as this is one of the more popular areas of the park.
Price | $155 + |
Location | West Glacier Entrance |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 4/5 |
Booking Link |
Sperry Chalet
One of the most unique places to stay in Glacier National Park is the Sperry Chalet. Accessible via hiking only, the Sperry Chalet offers visitors the unique experience of hiking to a sleeping destination via the Highline Trail. You will be roughing it in with basic amenities at this epic historic chalet. The dining options are limited, but with your reservation, you will receive three full meals, and you will come across many day hikers who stay at the chalet for a snack and rest break.
Price | $314 Flat Rate, $203 per each additional person |
Location | Logan Pass |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 4.8/5 |
Booking Link |
Other Places to Stay Inside Glacier NP
This section highlighted three unique places to stay within Glacier National Park. However, there are five total lodges within the park to stay at:
- Swiftcurrent Motor Inn – Many Glacier Entrance
- Many Glacier Hotel – Many Glacier Entrance
- Rising Sun Motor Inn – St. Mary Enterence/East Entrance
- Lake McDonald Lodge – West Entrance
- Apgar Village Lodge & Cabins – West Entrance
If staying at a historic lodge, you can also opt to stay at one of the thirteen front country campgrounds in Glacier.
Lodging Near the West Entrance of Glacier
The western entrance of Glacier NP, is one of the most popular access points to Going to the Sun Road up to Logan Pass. The West Glacier area has plenty of gift shops, places to eat, and a general store. It is the closest access point to the park entrance without being inside of the park. This means many of the lodging options do come at a premium; however, they typically offer more amenities and better prices than the options inside of the park.
This is a great location for anyone looking to do hikes along the Going to the Sun Road scenic drive, rent kayaks or bikes from Glacier Guides, or complete a boat tour of Lake McDonald.
Belton Chalet
The Belton Chalet is located across from the historic West Glacier train station and was first built by the Great Northern Railroad. The gorgeous rooms of the Chalet come with wifi and private bathrooms, and while they do not have air conditioning, each room has a fan. The on-site dining room and tap house have great local foods, wines, and brews.
Even if you’re not staying at the Chalet, I recommend stopping in for a bite to eat or a drink. They make amazing huckleberry-inspired cocktails.
Price | $160 + |
Location | West Glacier |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 4/5 |
Booking Link |
Glacier Guides Lodge
One of my favorite activities in Glacier is biking Going to the Sun Road in May before the road fully opens to vehicles. I have always rented my e-bike from Glacier Guides & Montana Raft. They have an on-site lodge, Glacier Guides Lodge, making it easy to complete one of their rafting tours or rent bikes to cruise around West Glacier. Each room has two queen beds and a private bathroom. One of the main perks of this newer lodge is that each room has air conditioning!
Price | $188 + |
Location | West Glacier |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 5/5 |
Booking Link |
Lodging Near East Glacier
East Glacier is an under-visited area of Glacier National Park near the Two Medicine Entrance. There are restaurants, shops, and a general store for groceries.
Glacier Park Lodge
Glacier Park Lodge is another lodge built by the Great Northern Railway and is aptly nicknamed “Big Tree Lodge” as a large Douglas Fir logs tower over visitors. This lodge is grand for golfers looking to spend time on the green. The golf course on the lodge grounds is the oldest grass-greens golf course in Montana. The restaurants at the lodge are farm-to-table, using locally sourced produce and meat. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of this hidden gem.
Price | $185 + |
Location | East Glacier |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 3.5/5 |
Booking Link |
Other Options
This side of the park has limited options to stay, but here are a few options for the area:
Lodging Near the St. Mary Entance of Glacier & Babb
The St. Mary Entrance has increased in traffic in the last couple of years due to the fact that people entering from this location do not need a vehicle registration permit to access the Going to the Sun Road. People who enter from the west side of the scenic drive need a permit, which can sometimes be difficult to get.
The St. Mary Entrance is also close to Many Glacier and has plenty of amazing hikes nearby. Popular hikes include Baring Falls, Otokomi Lake, Siyeh Pass, and Virginia Falls.
St. mary Village
If you have visited near St. Mary, you’re likely familiar with this lodging because it is near one of the only gas stations in the area. The lodge has spectacular views, comfortable rooms, and is a convenient location for people wanting to access Many Glacier. This property also offers shuttle service to Two Medicine and Many Glacier, making it easy to navigate the busy parking lot of the park.
Price | $164 + |
Location | St. Mary Entrance |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 3.5/5 |
Booking Link |
Cottages at Glacier
If you’re looking for a home away from home near Glacier, the Cottages at Glacier in St. Mary are a fantastic option! These full-size cabins offer a variety of units with various amounts of bedrooms. They have fantastic access to St. Mary Lake and Glacier National Park. These are perfect for families looking to have a private space and a full-sized kitchen. Since food options are fewer on this side of the park, having a space to make your own meals is a great option.
Price | $368 + |
Location | St. Mary Entrance |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 3.5/5 |
Booking Link |
Other Options in St. Mary and Babb
Want even more options for this side of the park? Take a look at some of these other options:
- East Glacier KOA: Cabins and Camping Options.
- Rising Sun Motor Inn: Located inside of the park, this is one of the more affordable options! It has access to Red Bus Tours and Boat Cruises.
Lodging in Nearby Towns
There are three main cities outside of the park that Glacier National Park visitors tend to stay at: Whitefish, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls/Hungry Horse.
Staying in one of these towns boasts more affordable lodging accommodations, access to restaurants, and other adventure activities, like rafting or horseback riding. This is my favorite rafting tour in Glacier!
When looking into staying in these towns, consider the drive time to get into the park and if longer travel times are a deal breaker for you.
Places to Stay in Whitefish, Montana
Whitefish is one of my favorite cities near Glacier National Park! They have a nice downtown area with restaurants, gift shops, boutiques, and cafes. While a little further from the West Glacier Entrance, about 27 miles, it truly adds to the “vacation” vibe of a Glacier Trip.
In the summer, you can stumble upon live music, art shows, and farmers’ markets.
So where should you stay? Here are a few of the best options:
- Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge: A pet-friendly option near Downtown Whitefish.
- The Lodge at Whitefish Lake: For a resort-style experience and outdoor pool, the Lodge at Whitefish Lake is a splurge-worthy stay!
- Good Medicine Lodge: A gorgeous boutique hotel near Whitehead Lake, this hotel is fantastic for people looking to relax in the hot tub after a cold day in the mountains.
- Farmhouse Inn & Kitchen: Relax with a glass of wine at this quaint B&B.
- Plenty of Vacation Rentals in Whitefish are within walking distance of downtown!
Places to Stay in Kalispell, Montana
At 36 miles outside of Glacier National Park, Kalispell is a great place to stay for a Glacier National Park vacation. While the added mileage may seem like a lot, it is located near Glacier Park International Airport. So even if you only want to spend the first or last night of your vacation in Kalispell for easy access to the airport, it is worth taking a look at the available accommodations.
The further away from the park, the cheaper the accommodations tend to be and that remains true for Kalispell. In Kalispell, you will find more of your standard hotel options due to the proximity to the airport.
- Red Lion Hotel Kalispell: This gorgeous hotel has an indoor pool with dining options. It also has a “lodge theme,” so you won’t feel too far from the park.
- The Montclair Drive Delight: A private vacation rental with air conditioning is perfect for those hot days in Glacier.
- Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell: Your standard hotel with an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and restaurant! If you’re looking for the standard amenities of a hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn is perfect.
Places to Stay in Hungry Horse & Columbia Falls
Hungry Horse and Columbia Falls are the closest cities with lodging options to the West Glacier entrance. At 10 and 20 miles from the entrance, they have close access to one of the most popular areas in the park.
The lodging options range from resorts to standard hotels and RV Parks. There are plenty of options to choose from, but here are the most highly recommended:
- Meadow Lake Resort & Condos: This resort offers bike rentals and relaxing stays! There is an on-site spa, bar, and fitness center. Making it perfect for anyone looking for that typical hotel experience.
- Hungry Horse Cabin: These cabins in Hungry Horse are great for families looking for a home away from home. With a full kitchen, air conditioning, and free Wifi, they are a perfect home base for Glacier visitors. They have an exceptional rating too!
- Cedar Creek Lodge: Cedar Creek Lodge is great for large groups, but what sets the lodge apart is their “snow bus” for winter guests hoping to visit the Ski Hills in Whitefish.
- Wonderstone at Glacier: A border hotel with immaculate vibes. If you’re looking for a gorgeous hotel with a fantastic aesthetic, the Woodstone at Glacier is it. This Instagram-worthy hotel is close to the Glacier Park International Airport and close enough to the west entrance of Glacier National Park that it doesn’t feel like such a long haul.
Unique Stays and Vacation Rentals
Unique places to stay near Glacier National Park are plentiful! These unique rentals are the perfect place to “set up camp” for your adventure into the beautiful mountain views of Glacier National Park.
In the summer months, these rentals tend to book up quickly, and with good reason…they are GORGEOUS.
Under Canvas Glacier
Under Canvas Glacier is a gorgeous glamping experience near the Hungry Horse Reservoir. There are multiple tent options and community spaces for an elevated camping experience. Enjoy live music, an on-site coffeehouse, and yoga classes. Under Canvas Glacier makes for the perfect retreat.
Price | Starting at $199 |
Location | Coram, MT closest to West Glacier Entrance |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 4/5 |
Booking Link |
Montana Treehouse Retreat
One of the top-rated, unique stays near Glacier National Park is the Montana Treehouse Retreat. With multiple different treehouses to choose from, you can spend your nights amongst the trees and your days in the mountains. All of the treehouses have a kitchen, fireplace, and plenty of wifi. They are in close proximity to West Glacier making them the perfect stay for people looking for privacy and nearness to Glacier.
Price | $370 |
Location | Columbia Falls, MT closest to West Glacier Entrance |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 4.98/5 |
Booking Link |
LOGE Glacier National Park
LOGE is one of my favorite places to book when I am traveling. Having stayed at all of their PNW locations, Montana, Washington, and Oregon, they are one of the first places I look at when I am trying to book a hotel in an area. They’re designed with adventure in mind and even provide guests with adventure gear suited for the area. This LOGE has ski equipment available for rent, a sauna, and outdoor fire ring. It is really one of my favorite places to stay.
Price | $100 |
Location | Essex, MT near East Glacier & West Glacier Entrances |
Highlighted Amenities |
|
Rating | 4/5 |
Booking Link |
Why Visit Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park has consistently been one of my favorite National Parks since 2008, when I visitedit for the first time. I remember hiking the boardwalk of Hidden Lake and just marveling at the grandeur of the area. Now, I visit twice a year, if not more, to experience that captivating feeling of being somewhere truly special.
If you’re still not sure WHY you could visit Glacier National Park, let me convince you:
- Stunning Scenery: There are very few places that make you truly feel small. Driving Going to the Sun Road is as magnificent as it is breath taking. Each twist and turn is enchanting.
- Wildlife: Grizzly bears, big horn sheep, pika, deer, they have it all and it is always so close. Find the best places to spot wildlife in Glacier here.
- Outdoor Experiences: Experience Glacier on foot, via boat, riding a bike, from the saddle of a horse, riding on a Red Bus, or via raft. There are so many amazing opportunities to experience Glacier, you will never get enough of it.
Could I go on forever? Absolutely. Will I? No, I will spare you. But If you have never experienced Glacier National Park, there is no time like the present.
How to Split Your Time in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is GIGNATIC and you could truly spend all seven days in West Glacier without even catching a full glimpse of the beautiful area. But if you’re looking for a quick spark-notes of the park, I recommend staying in West Glacier and Many Glacier for two legs of your trip.
In West Glacier, you can complete the iconic trails like the Highline Trail and Hidden Lookout.
In Many Glacier, you can hike to Cracker Lake and Grinnell Glacier for truly beautiful views.
Suggested Glacier National Park Itinerary
- Days 1 & 2: Explore the West Glacier area and Logan Pass, including Avalanche Lake, Highline Trail, and Hidden Lake.
- Day 3: Drive Going to the Sun Road and hike short trails along the way, including Virgina Falls, Baring Falls, and Siyah Pass.
- Days 4 & 5: Stay near West Glacier and hike Iceberg Lake, Cracker Lake, and Red Rock Falls. Get Ice Cream at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
- Extra Days: Visit Polebridge Mercantile and Bakery and head to Bowman Lake or visit Two Medicine Lake Area for Old Man Lake or Twin Falls
Have questions about planning your Glacier National Park Itinerary? Drop them in the comments, I would be SO excited to help you plan your dream trip.
Pack It Up
There are so many amazing places to stay near Glacier National Park! Some of my favorites are LOGE Glacier, Sperry Chalet, Many Glacier Lodge, and Glacier Park Lodge. Whether you’re looking for a place to crash after a long day in the park or a resort-style stay with plenty of amenities, you will find what you’re looking for within your budget.
Glacier is a popular destination in July and August, so you can expect rates to increase during those months.
Don’t forget to make your vehicle registration on Recreation.gov ahead of time so you can enter the park!
Have questions about planning your trip to Glacier? I’d love to help! Just write your question in the comment section and I will get back to you ASAP.
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
The Ultimate Washington Map
Endless adventures, all at your fingertips
If you’ve ever wished you could access my adventure journals to uncover notes about hundreds of Washington destinations, now’s your chance. I spend an entire year creating this interactive map to make adventure more accessible. You can sort, filter, and explore my notes on hundreds of trails, breweries, campgrounds, and more.
Have a question? Put it in a comment and I'll get back to ya!
Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
