One of the most visited national parks in America, Glacier National Park receives the vast majority of its visitors just in the short summer season alone. Therefore, I recommend booking your Glacier National Park accommodation well in advance—several months to over a year in advance.
From June through August, which coincidences with the opening of the Going-to-the-Sun Road and summer holidays, the park gets exceptionally crowded.
It’s virtually impossible nowadays to go for a spontaneous visit to Montana’s Glacier National Park during the peak season. Without an advance Glacier accommodation booking or campground reservation, it’s very difficult to find a last-minute places to stay in Glacier National Park.
If you do plan to wing it, however, you could gamble on finding a spot at a first-come first-served campground.
For peace of mind, I strongly suggest that you reserve your preferred accommodation in (or around) Glacier National Park as soon as you possibly can.
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Glacier National Park Accommodation, Lodging and Cabins
The overview of Glacier National Park accommodation below is to help you figure out where to stay in Glacier National Park.
There are numerous options to choose from, ranging from inns, motels and historic national park lodges to cabins and even tiny homes.
They’re located in three main areas in the park:
- Lake McDonald: Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins, Village Inn at Apgar, Lake McDonald Lodge, and Motel Lake McDonald
- St. Mary Lake: Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins, and St. Mary Village
- Many Glacier: Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Many Glacier Hotel
Note that there’s no accommodation anywhere on the alpine middle section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTTSR).
For the best access to Glacier’s world-renowned mountain road, you can stay at either Lake McDonald (western part of GTTSR) or St. Mary (eastern part of GTTSR).
Many Glacier, on the other hand, is reached via a separate road. Located in the heart of the park, this area has a hotel and motel, as well as a campground, and is famous for its abundant wildlife and hiking trails.
Lake McDonald Accommodation
Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins
Located in Apgar Village, the main tourist hub on the west side of Glacier National Park, this is a fantastic place to stay in the park.
The Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins offer rustic and tranquil lodging at a superb location. Gorgeous Lake McDonald, the largest and one of the most beautiful lakes in Glacier National Park, is mere minutes away on foot. Popular activities include hiking, biking and kayaking.
Additionally, this is also one of the park’s best spots for sunset viewing and stargazing.
There are motel-style rooms and separate cabins with or without a kitchen, all set in a fragrant lakeshore forest.
Note that these accommodations have no televisions or air conditioning, but that only adds to their “get-away-from-it-all” atmosphere.
Plus, there are plenty of facilities and services all over Apgar Village. You can rent bikes and boats, browse the Cedar Tree Gift Shop, enjoy ice cream and coffee, or grab lunch or dinner at the village’s restaurant.
Check Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins Rates and Availability Here
Village Inn at Apgar
Another accommodation option at Apgar is the Village Inn. This historic inn, which dates from 1956, sits on the serene western shore of Lake McDonald. You’ll literally be just a few steps from the water of Glacier’s largest lake.
The Village Inn has two floors, the first floor having small one-bedroom units as well as kitchen units. The second floor, on the other hand, has both small and large units that can accommodate up to six people.
It’s worth mentioning that these rooms overlook Lake McDonald, providing some of the greatest in-room views in Glacier National Park. No televisions or air conditioning are available.
A short stroll from the Village Inn, you’ll find Apgar’s restaurant, gift shop, outdoor equipment rental services, visitor information and boat ramp.
Check Village Inn at Apgar Rates and Availability Here
Lake McDonald Lodge
Built in 1913, the historic Lake McDonald Lodge is one of the architectural gems in the National Park System.
Resembling a large Swiss-style chalet, it offers rustic accommodation on the eastern shore of Lake McDonald, about 10 miles inside Glacier National Park.
Its 82 guest rooms are divided between the impressive three-story Main Lodge, Snyder Hall with its hostel-style rooms, the extraordinary three-suite Cobb House, and a row of cabins.
The lodge’s webpage says that “in keeping with the era in which all the rooms were built, they offer guests modest amenities.” Recent updates have added king and queen-size beds and upscaled some rooms, while maintaining their rustic atmosphere.
Services and facilities are plentiful in and around Lake McDonald Lodge.
Places to eat include a dining room, lounge, and grill and pizzeria, while there’s also a reading room, boat cruises and the park’s famous Red Bus tours. Ranger programs and other guided activities are available, too.
Nearby you’ll find amazing hiking trails, such as the Johns Lake Loop and popular Avalanche Lake Trail.
Fun fact about the Lake McDonald Lodge is that its main entrance faces the lake, not the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which was constructed later.
Check Lake McDonald Lodge Rates and Availability Here
Motel Lake McDonald
Located adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, Motel Lake McDonald is your second accommodation option on the eastern shore of the biggest lake in Glacier National Park.
As its name suggests, it offers motel-style accommodation in the form of single and double bedrooms. Parking is available right in front of the building, offering easy access to your room.
The rooms themselves are rustic and relatively basic, as is the norm for most Glacier National Park accommodation, yet comfortable. They offer everything you need to rest, clean up and sleep during your visit to the park.
This is a great base to explore the greater Lake McDonald area.
Popular hikes include the Trail of the Cedars, Avalanche Lake and Sperry Chalet, while nearby McDonald Creek and Falls and Sacred Dancing Cascade are beautiful roadside attractions.
Although prices do vary depending on availability and room type, Motel Lake McDonald is usually a more budget-friendly option than nearby Lake McDonald Lodge. Something to keep in mind.
Check Motel Lake McDonald Rates and Availability Here
St. Mary Lake Accommodation
Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins
Situated about halfway along the northern shore of St. Mary Lake, the Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins are the closest accommodation option to Logan Pass.
If you’re planning on doing some early-morning hikes in the area, this is arguably the best place to stay in Glacier National Park. Popular nearby trails include Sun Point Nature Trail, Sunrift Gorge to Baring Falls, and the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail.
Rising Sun also puts you in the best position to score a parking spot at ultra-busy Logan Pass, the highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. You’ll need to park there if you want to hike the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail or the Highline Trail, two of the greatest hikes in Glacier National Park.
The Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins date from 1940 and encompass 72 units. As the name implies, there are motel-style accommodations, as well as separate duplex-style cabins.
All units have a private bathroom, but no air conditioning, phones or televisions. Again, this is to keep “with the era in which the rooms were built.”
As far as facilities go, there’s a general store and gift shop, along with the full-service Two Dog Flats Grill. Both boat cruises and Red Bus tours are available here, too.
From Rising Sun, it’s 6 miles east to the St. Mary Visitor Center and 12 miles west to Logan Pass.
The shore of stunning St. Mary Lake is only a quarter-mile from the motor inn. Popular viewpoints, including the St. Mary Lake Overlook and, especially, the Wild Goose Island Overlook, are mere minutes up the road.
Check Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins Rates and Availability Here
St. Mary Village
The St. Mary Village website describes St. Mary’s location quite nicely, saying that “the Great Plains of Montana stretch to the east and the mountains of Glacier National Park scrape the sky to the west.”
They’re absolutely right in their statement that “this is one of the most dramatic backdrops of all Glacier National Park hotels.”
It sits at a crossroads of two scenic drives: the Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park and the Looking Glass Highway, which skirts the park’s east side.
This location makes it possible to go for day trips on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, to Two Medicine and to Many Glacier. (I should say, though, that I strongly recommend staying in Many Glacier itself for a night or two.)
Although it’s not technically inside Glacier National Park, St. Mary Village is so close to the park boundary, you can walk there from your room in just a few minutes.
Speaking of rooms, there are 127 of those, spread across no fewer than seven facilities.
There’s the Main Lodge, the West Motel, Glacier Cabins, Great Bear Lodge, the Hiker Cabin, the Sun Cabin and, my personal favorite, the Tiny Homes.
Additionally, St. Mary Village has a coffee shop, a café, a bar and a restaurant. There’s also a grocery store and gas station, and an outdoor gear outfitters.
A large gift shop sells everything from sweatshirts, stuffed animals and toys to jewelry and pottery made by regional artists. They also have the area’s largest collection of huckleberry products, such as jams, syrups and soaps.
St. Mary Village was easily my favorite place to stay at Glacier National Park. This was both because of the fantastic location and high-quality accommodation. Definitely check out those Tiny Homes!
Check St. Mary Village Rates and Availability Here
Many Glacier Accommodation
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins
The “gateway to many of Glacier’s most spectacular trails”, the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins are at the end of the Many Glacier Road, about a mile west of Many Glacier Hotel (see below).
Located in the heart of Many Glacier, this is arguably the single best accommodation in Glacier National Park for hikers. There’s a campground just across the road as well, though, for people looking for a more outdoorsy stay.
Trails to magnificent places like Ptarmigan Tunnel, Iceberg Lake, Redrock Falls and Swiftcurrent Pass all start right outside the door.
Additionally, the trailheads for Swiftcurrent Lake, Grinnell Lake, Grinnell Glacier and Cracker Lake are also just a quick walk away. Those start near the Many Glacier Hotel. A hiker’s paradise, indeed.
Accommodation at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins consists of 95 units.
There are motel-style rooms and cabins, which are arranged in circles. Some cabins, but not all, have a private bathrooms. People staying at cabins without a bathroom can use a shared shower and bathroom facility nearby.
Besides these rustic rooms, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn also has a restaurant, a gift shop and fully stocked camp store.
Check Swiftcurrent Motor Inn Rates and Availability Here
Many Glacier Hotel
Easily one of the most iconic hotels in America’s national parks, the historic Many Glacier Hotel sits surrounded by awe-inspiring natural beauty.
Situated on the shore of scenic Swiftcurrent Lake, it dates from 1914-15. This famous hotel was built by the Great Northern Railway in an attempt to bring more people to the “Switzerland of America.” They did, of course, succeed tremendously.
At Many Glacier Hotel, you’ll find the Swiss Lounge, the Ptarmigan Dining Room and Heidi’s Snack Shop, among other services and amenities.
Plenty of activities await guests and visitors alike, ranging from Red Bus tours and boat excursions to horseback riding trips, evening ranger programs and hiking in one of America’s grandest Rock Mountain landscapes.
The hotel itself was partially renovated in 2016 and has 205 guest rooms, seven family rooms and two suites, spread out across five floors.
All rooms are rustic and comfortable, offering a variety of budget options. They have direct dial phones and private bathrooms, but no air conditioning or televisions.
Some of Glacier’s greatest trails start from Many Glacier Hotel, including the Swiftcurrent Lake Loop, the Grinnell Glacier Trail and Cracker Lake Trail. The trailheads at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn are about a mile up the road, too.
From its rooftop deck, lucky visitors may see grizzly bears, bighorn sheep or mountain goats on the surrounding slopes, a super-popular late-afternoon activity.
Check Many Glacier Hotel Rates and Availability Here
Backcountry Cabins in Glacier National Park
In addition to the several inns, hotels, motels and lodges in Glacier National Park above, there are also two backcountry cabins—chalets—you can stay at.
Even though they’re only accessible on foot, both chalets are extremely popular. So, once again, you’re encouraged to book your stay as soon as you know when you’re visiting, or when the reservation windows opens.
Click on the names of these amazing Glacier backcountry cabins for more information.
More Accommodation Near Glacier National Park
If you’re not able to find any accommodation within Glacier National Park, there are many other options just outside of the park, too.
The list below shows all other places to stay near Glacier managed by the park’s two official concessionaires: Pursuit Glacier Park Collection and Xanterra Parks & Resorts. They’re the people who also operate the other accommodations featured above.
Pursuit Glacier Park Collection
- Glacier Basecamp Lodge
- Glacier Park Lodge
- Belton Chalet
- Grouse Mountain Lodge
- West Glacier RV Park
- West Glacier Village Lodging
Glacier National Park Lodges / Xanterra Parks & Resorts
- Cedar Creek Lodge
Additionally, there are countless more options in nearby towns, such as East Glacier Park Village, West Glacier, Columbia Falls and Whitefish.
They range from locally operated B&Bs to (inter)national chain hotels, and everything in between.
NOTE: Opening dates of all these Glacier National Park accommodations vary greatly, as do the seasons and daily opening times of individual shops, services and restaurants. Please check their respective websites for up-to-date information.
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