Whitewater rafting is a very popular activity.
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). Can I sleep in my car in Glacier National Park? Access to one of the most popular trails in Glacier Park, the Trail of the Cedars/Avalanche Lake Trail, is from this section of the Sun Road. Avoid having to drive huge distances to get to the park by deciding where to stay for Glacier National Park and booking in advance. Porto is somewhat of a contradiction in that, on one hand, it feels very young and lively (especially at night) while simultaneously feeling older and more historic than, Read More Where to Stay in Porto: A Helpful GuideContinue, When we quit our jobs in February 2020 to travel the world after years of talking about it, saving money, and spending hours planning our trip, Oregon barely made the list. Their three bedroom cabins have room for up to ten, with two separate living areas. Most of the east side of the park including eastern entrances will likely remain closed for the 2020 season. Not the case here! Were talking single digit hours. I am saving your guide for future trips. Glacier National Park is in northwestern Montana, situated just south of the Canadian border in the Rocky Mountains. Eventually, the landscape gives way to the grasslands wide-open spaces where the mountains meet the prairie. Its on a full acre of land, which youll have all to yourself. Whitefish also has quite a few vacation rentals, which are great for people who want more space and access to a kitchen (which is a must when were traveling).
I hope my path leads me there one day! 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. Julia February 26, 2022 Montana 14 Comments. This rain forest is full of ferns, fungi, mosses, and trees that may be 500 years old. Dont book lodging for Glacier NP without checking the dates! Sprague Creek is much nicer, but its tiny and fills up by 7am (sometimes earlier on weekends in the summer).
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All have their proponents. He took off for the mountain West for long vacations and fell in love with Glacier National Park. More info on camping can be found here, including season dates and more details youll want to know. Another four miles and the trail dumps you at the main road, where you can ride the shuttle back to the pass. Glacier National Park really is a little slice of heaven! All three make an excellent home base for exploring Glacier and the surrounding area. The full 50 miles of the Going-to-the-Sun Road will take about 2 hours to drive. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. If you only have one night, youre kind of out of luck. People are friendly and, Read More The Best Things to Do on Vashon Island: A Complete GuideContinue, Porto was our last stop on our first foray into Portugal, and we found it to be equally charming as its friendly rival to the south, Lisbon. 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. When booking hotels for Glacier National Park, youll need to take into consideration the time of year youre visiting. My friends are heading to Glacier Park next month and I know your post would help them.
When visiting Glacier National Park, staying inside the park will eliminate a lot of needless driving. Reservations are here. Also, theres a spot on the Going-to-the-Sun Road where winds stop blowing over a mountain and drop their load of snow. Its super useful to have this list of hotels . However, youll find plenty of quaint hotel choices! 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. Happy to help! Most roads have a 25-mile-an-hour speed limit, which is strictly enforced. The cabins are our pick, mostly because each one has its own kitchen facilities, which is important to us when were traveling. It can be a big decision to minimize your time in the car and maximize your experience in and around Glacier National Park. And I really wish I would have had this post to peruse places to stay. Search all hotels in Saint Mary, Montana.
Its 100% worth the effort to get there!
Stay on the west side and focus on Going-to-the-Sun Road. In fact, if you stay in West Glacier, it will take you over 2 hours one-way to get to Many Glacier! Its very rustic, modeled after Swiss chalets in the alps. You can easily visit the subalpine by stopping at the Logan Pass Visitor Center. If you only have a night or two, its probably best to pick one, and do a day trip to the other side of the park. Off the Going-to-the-Sun road, close to Saint Mary Lake, is a trail that takes you to three waterfalls in about 2.5 miles: Baring, Saint Mary, and Virginia.
Another walk, which starts at Logan Pass but heads west, is the Highline Trail. Most campgrounds are available on a first come, first serve basis. And you cant beat the convenience. Here are some additional details to help you plan your trip to Glacier National Park. If you want to stay near Many Glacier which wed absolutely recommend youve essentially got two options. And, unfortunately, not all entrances offer one. A small town of just over 500 people, Coram is only 8 minutes from West Glacier. 
The park is full of wild animals, and your mission is to see as many as possible. Be prepared for cool weather and be ready to bundle up. To help plan out your hiking in the park, take a look at the top hikes in Glacier National Park. These are open areas surrounded by trees, mostly aspens and cottonwoods. 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.
If youre looking at doing an all day activity, for example, hiking 12 miles or more, you will want to either get a very early start to your day or stay relatively close to the activitys location. Glacier national park is a paradise on earth. Cabins are fairly spacious, with a kitchen that has a full size refrigerator and a small two burner stovetop and a microwave. There are new views of Saint Mary Lake, which is part of one of the most iconic views in the park: a postcard shot of Wild Goose Island. If youre looking to avoid the crowds along the Sun Road, this is the region of Glacier Park to visit (its our our favorite region of the Park). How did a rain forest end up in the northern Rockies? The other thing to know about staying inside a national park is that youre going to pay more than its worth for the convenience.
The nicest is the Lake McDonald Lodge, which is a bit up Going-to-the-Sun Road from the Apgar Visitor Center. Its worth noting that most of the hotels in Whitefish are south of town along the highway that connects Whitefish to Kalispell. Heres why I spend my summers as a Glacier Red Bus driver. There is a seasonal shuttle system within Glacier National Park.
Look for the signs on the road that direct you to the parking area for the overlook. In fact, from West Glacier its over a two hour drive one-way. We lived in San Francisco for almost a decade before, Read More How to Plan an Amazing Seattle to San Francisco Road TripContinue, We have been lucky to call Northern California home for over a decade at this point. Truly incredible. Its a million acres bigger than the state of Rhode Island and for my money, a lot prettier too. After 7.5 miles, youll see Granite Park Chalet. 
As you plan your trip, another option to consider is to take a road trip to Glacier National Park. You will find something fun to do for every member of the family on the West Side. The Village Inn at Apgar is a simple motel-style lodging option.
Located in the the northwest corner of Montana, Glacier National Park sits fairly remote from any big cities. East or West shouldnt be a choice. Here are some places to stay around Duck Lake that caught our eye. Its also conveniently located to the main part of the park. As you drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, youll go through Logan Pass, which is the highest point at 6,646 feet high. The views on the east side widened. Its a canvas tent elevated off the ground in, you guessed it, a tree. Situated 43 minutes southwest of Glacier National Park, Kalispell offers the closest airport to Glacier National Park. If youre looking for a variety of activities for family members of all ages, the West Side of Glacier Park will keep you entertained for days. The latest I would recommend visiting Glacier NP is over Labor Day, at the beginning of September. This makes it possible to drive through the middle of Glacier National Park. Because of the mountains bisecting the park, the west side is wetter than the east side. Both the east side and west side have lots of lodging options, ranging from high-style lodges to tent camping. There are two options at Apgar Village, which are both a worse location (further from Logan Pass), and are slightly less rustic and charming. Remember that they are more rustic and you need to hike in, so be prepared! We stayed there for a few nights over the course of our week in the park, and its great. In some cases, we may be the publisher, in other cases, a third-party may be the publisher.
This stretch is the best blend of location and amenities. Specifically, though, the cabins caught our eye. With the parks high elevation and narrow curvy mountain roads, the season to reach the middle of the park and some of the most popular trailheads and viewpoints is extremely limited. Fifteen miles of the Going-To-The-Sun Road is located on the East Side of Glacier Park. The rain forest is in an area called Avalanche, named for the creek that flows through the woods. This makes it more common for visitors to Glacier National Park to stay on the west side of the park. Currently, the reservations are in effect from May 27 September 11, 2022 for driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road between 6am 4pm and the North Fork area from 6am 6pm. Its the domain of the parks elk. If youre a couple, look at the treehouse, which looks fun. But note that the park service cautions visitors that the ice can be dangerous. Search all hotels in East Glacier Park, Montana. Glacier National Park is a real treat. Glacier has a significant distinction: In its one million acres there are five different life zones. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler. 
The west side of Glacier has much heavier forests, including an actual rain forest. However, its a small price to pay to spend less time driving each day! 
If you want to stay in town within a few blocks of the town center, the Firebrand Hotel is your best bet. The trailhead for the Saint Mary Falls/Virginia Falls, a popular Glacier Park trail, is on this section of the Road. This enables you to arrive at them early enough to find parking. Whitefish is arguably one of the most popular places to stay near Glacier National Park. 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. Where should I stay when visiting Glacier National Park? I include the Many Glacier valley in my tally of East Glacier hikes. You can visit some very pretty and pristine mountain lakes, and quite often have them all to yourself. 
The subalpine tundra is a bit lower in elevation. 
Access to Bob Marshall Wilderness, where you can really escape civilization, is also on the West Side. Fun fact. 
Prepare for Your Trip to Glacier National Park. Is there a gas station available in Glacier National Park? Unfortunately, you will find that most of the lodges of Glacier National Park offer very basic rooms and amenities. Not to mention you will also likely struggle to find parking. At the Doorstep to Glacier National Park (2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms): This is actually in West Glacier, which is a great location. 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.
Can you camp anywhere in Glacier National Park? All cabins have at least a microwave, coffee maker, and refrigerator, but the larger cabins have full kitchen facilities. This all comes with a side of small town charm. If youd prefer having a little more space and privacy, theres a bunch of cool vacation rentals just outside the western entrance of the park. Apgar Village usually has sites because its massive. The Sun Road is 50 miles long from West Glacier on the West Side to Saint Mary on the East Side. A simple 21 minute drive to the western side of the park, Columbia Falls is a perfect home base for anyone looking for lodging near Glacier National Park. All of the land outside Glacier Park on the West Side is either privately owned or Flathead National Forest Service land. Your email address will not be published. This makes it increasingly challenging to get around and youll miss some of the best parts of the park! There are a lot of towns and cities just west of Glacier National Park, including many of the larger cities near the park and the closest airport. Custom Cabin Minutes From Glacier National Park ( 2 bedrooms / 1 bathroom): Newly built, modern, and spacious, this place would make a fantastic home base. 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. The Two Medicine region is vertical real estate, and will be a bit less populated. This is the part of the park that most people stay in and around, both because it has the highest concentration of things to do and see, and also because it has the best choice of places to stay just outside the park boundary. The Glacier Guest House ( 2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms): Nice cabin with plenty of space both indoors and outdoors for a group of up to eight once you account for all the sofa beds. 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. However, you can try to plan ahead by checking the National Reservation System starting 6 months in advance. This typically happens in late June or early July but is fully dependent on the weather. About 44 minutes south of West Glacier is the lakeside town of Bigfork. 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. Keeping these cookies enabled helps us to improve our website. Forests pretty much control the west side of the park, thanks to heavier rainfall. The high-style in-the-park-lodges are operated by Xanterra, which operates the park concessions. They also have deluxe cabins which are bigger and nicer than the standard cabins, with kitchen facilities and three bedroom options. The Lodge here has the same basic amenities that youd expect from any hotel room, including a small mini-fridge. Theres a fire pit and Weber grill to occupy your evenings after a day of exploring the park. Near St. Mary? The chances of seeing a bear are so great that the park service recommends that you always hike with bear repellent. Ill show you tips, tricks, and strategies to travel more and travel better. Additionally, there are some top notch hiking options in the Many Glacier part of the park. 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. There are about 1,200 bears in Glacier National Park and 300 of them are grizzlies. It is the second most popular walk in the park. If youre going to Glacier in the offseason or shoulder season, youll have to stay elsewhere. It was built back in 1914, and sits on the southern shore of Lake McDonald. Each life zone has its own geography that helps sustain it.
There are so many options, were actually going to break this section into three subsections to make it easier to digest.
In fact, its only a 30 minute drive to the Many Glacier Ranger Station. That being said, there may also be lines to board the shuttles. Having a car in Glacier National Park is a blessing and a curse. 
In West Glacier? Theres free showers, and lake access from some loops to get you down to the shore of Lake McDonald. Some tents come with private bathrooms, some have shared bathrooms (single occupancy and lockable). You can take a guided boat tour on Swiftcurrent Lake which continues on Lake Josephine and a short guided hike into Grinnell Lake. There are more than 750 miles of trails in Glacier. The most noted views on this section of the Sun Road are Jackson Glacier and Saint Mary Lake with Wild Goose Island. The last choice is Avalanche Campground, which is past the Lake McDonald Lodge up Going-to-the-Sun Road. Maybe pick the two bedroom cabins if youre traveling with your inlaws. Well be focusing on the three main regions that 90+ percent of visitors make it to, which are the ones listed above. The Jewel Basin Hiking Area, a very rugged mountainous region, is located in the Flathead National Forest. A Glacier National Park Geography Overview, Where to Stay in Glacier National Park: A Summary, The Best Places to Stay in Glacier National Park: A Complete Guide, A Celiacs Guide to the Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Sacramento, The Best Things to Do on Vashon Island: A Complete Guide, How to Plan an Incredible Oregon Road Trip Itinerary, How to Plan an Amazing Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip, How To Plan an Unforgettable Northern California Road Trip. 
You will also find golf courses in Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Kalispell, and Bigfork. 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. The two sides are distinctly different in terms of views, trails, wildlife, lodging, weather, and geography. The biggest lodge in the park, which was fully renovated a couple years ago, is in Many Glacier Valley. Camping in Glacier National Park is only permitted in designated campgrounds. The barrier free trail to Running Eagle Falls (formerly Trick Falls) is also in this region of Glacier Park. We believe that travel is about learning, discovery, and connection. Its worth noting that the one bedroom cabins have two queen beds AND a sofa bed, so they can really sleep up to six people if youre willing to share a relatively small space.
As the snow and ice start to melt in the summer, the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens up. 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.
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