Of all of the Nationwide Parks that I’ve visited, Glacier is among the more difficult to plan, which makes selecting the place to remain close to Glacier Nationwide Park much more vital. Whenever you go, whether or not or not you’ll be able to safe a allow to drive the Going-to-the-Solar Highway, and what you need to do within the park all affect the place it would be best to keep.
It’s also possible to select from quite a lot of lodging choices. Do you need to go glamping? Keep in a tiny residence? Lease a cabin? Calm down at a resort with on-site actions? Are you working with a good finances? Or would you like a traditional expertise at a historic resort or lodge?
I’ve visited Glacier Nationwide Park a few occasions (see my suggestions for visiting Glacier in September) and have had the chance to remain in plenty of inns close to Glacier and a very powerful factor I can let you know is that location issues!
Selecting The place to Keep Close to Glacier Nationwide Park
Earlier than I get into resort critiques, let’s stroll via a number of determination components to think about when you find yourself searching for inns close to Glacier Nationwide Park. First, remember that lodging throughout the park fills up very early, so listed below are issues to remember when deciding the place to remain exterior of Glacier Nationwide Park.
How Lengthy SHould you Spend in Glacier Nationwide Park?
If all you need to do is drive the Going-to-the-Solar Highway, you’ll be able to really go to Glacier Nationwide Park and see probably the most scenic highlights in someday. Simply remember that most services and providers in Glacier Nationwide Park are solely open from late Might via early-to-mid October. The complete size of Going-to-the-Solar is normally open from early July (it was mid-June in 2023, which was uncommon!) till the third Monday of October, however that may range relying on climate.
If you’re coming into from the West aspect of the park, automobile reservations are required from late Might to mid-September between the hours of 6 am and three pm. From the East aspect, reservations are wanted from July 1st via mid-September, additionally from 6 am to three pm.
If you wish to do any mountain climbing or scenic boat rides, you’ll in all probability need not less than two days within the park. To discover among the different sections of the park, like Two Drugs or Many Glacier on the East aspect of the park, it would be best to keep even longer. If that’s the case, I’d advocate spending one to 2 nights on the west aspect of the park and one to 2 nights on the east aspect of the park.
Since there’s extra to do within the space than simply the nationwide park, I’d recommend planning not less than every week in Northwest Montana and splitting your time between staying in or close to the park and some days a little bit additional away to strive among the different enjoyable issues to do close to Glacier Nationwide Park.
Do you have to Keep on the East or West Aspect of Glacier Nationwide Park?
Going-to-the-Solar Highway is the one thoroughfare via the park and whereas this takes lower than three hours to drive straight via with out stops, it isn’t a simple drive. The opposite choice is to loop across the southern part of the park to get from one aspect to the opposite, however that takes nearly as lengthy. If you happen to solely have a restricted time within the park, the west aspect of the park has extra to supply when it comes to beautiful surroundings and providers.
West Glacier is simply half-hour from the Glacier Worldwide Airport in Kalispell and fewer than 40 minutes to the resort city of Whitefish. West Glacier has extra choices for lodging and meals providers. As well as, you’ll be able to go white water rafting on the Flathead River from West Glacier Village with the Glacier Raft Firm.
The east aspect of the park is extra distant, however extra handy if you wish to go to the opposite sections of the park like Two Drugs Lake and Many Glacier, that are solely accessible from the east. As you’ll be able to see, it’s useful when you can cut up your keep between the 2 sides to keep away from loads of additional driving.
What’s the Finest Time to Go to Glacier Nationwide Park?
Glacier Nationwide Park is technically open yr spherical, however you received’t discover a lot to do there between mid-October via Might. The perfect time to go to is when that the Going-to-the-Solar Highway shall be open from July via mid-September. Nevertheless, July and August would be the busiest.
I’ve visited in mid-September and the climate was beautiful (see my suggestions for visiting in September) but it surely was nonetheless fairly busy. I’ve additionally visited in mid-June and I acquired fortunate in that the Going-to-the-Solar Highway opened sooner than is typical, so it wasn’t as crowded as traditional and it was doable to get a final minute automobile reservation. Nevertheless, at the moment of yr the climate was a little bit more difficult with rain and even a little bit sleet close to Logan’s Cross.
Late September via early October can be lovely, when the larch timber flip their lovely golden colour. Nevertheless, you received’t discover many providers throughout the park nonetheless open on the time and even lodging close by will turn out to be extra restricted.
How Early Do you have to Plan your Glacier Nationwide Park Journey?
Even when you select to remain exterior of Glacier Nationwide Park, lots of the higher lodges and inns nonetheless e-book up early. I’d advocate planning not less than a yr upfront because the lodging reservation calendars sometimes open 13 months upfront. After I tried to e-book lodging about two months earlier than my September go to, one of the best I might discover was in Kalispell, which was 40 minutes away from the park entrance. It wasn’t a nasty drive but it surely makes it more durable to get to the favored trailheads early sufficient to discover a spot.
Additionally, you will need to maintain an in depth eye on the reservation calendar and set an alert to e-book your Going-to-the-Solar Highway automobile reservation as quickly because it turns into obtainable as they promote out in minutes. If you happen to can’t get a reservation, do not forget that when you e-book lodging within the park or an exercise throughout the park, like a ship tour, it consists of entry to Going-to-the-Solar Highway (however you continue to must buy a park move.)
The place to Keep Close to Glacier Nationwide Park: Resort Evaluations
Be aware: Considered one of my journeys to Glacier Nationwide Park was hosted by Pursuit Glacier Park Assortment, which offered complimentary lodging on the Belton Chalet, Glacier Park Lodge, and Prince of Wales Resort. All opinions are my very own. This put up could comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you happen to click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a fee.
If you’re taken with staying in a historic property with loads of character that matches the gorgeous surroundings of Glacier Nationwide Park, take into account staying in one of many historic inns and lodges constructed by the Nice Northern Railroad as a part of an effort to convey guests to the park within the early 1900s.
Belton Chalet, West Glacier
The primary of the long-lasting lodges constructed by the Nice Northern Railroad, the Belton Chalet opened in 1910 and has served as the unique gateway to Glacier Nationwide Park for over a century. This Swiss-style chalet is positioned simply exterior of the west entrance to Glacier Nationwide Park and inside strolling distance to the outlets, eating places, and actions (like rafting and mini-golf) at West Glacier Village.
Belton Chalet has 25 rooms and suites in the principle lodge with queen-beds which are appropriate for {couples} or these touring alone. Some rooms additionally supply a shared balcony with views of the park and the railroad.
In entrance of the chalet, there are additionally two, three-bedroom cabins with a shared residing area, toilet, and a fridge and microwave. The lodge rooms are cozy, however thoughtfully appointed with little touches equivalent to white noise machine to masks any exterior noises and a cute writing desk. The lodge was initially constructed as a dormitory with shared hallway loos. In the present day, every room has a small toilet with a rest room and bathe and a small sink is tucked into the nook of the room. Every toilet consists of facilities equivalent to shampoo, conditioner, physique wash, cleaning soap, and lotion.
You may nonetheless arrive on the Belton Chalet by prepare aboard the Amtrak Empire Builder line, which runs from Portland or Seattle and Chicago. The prepare station is true throughout the road! In the present day, Belton Chalet can also be recognized for its eating expertise and culinary prowess, which isn’t one thing you discover usually in these distant areas round nationwide parks.
Whereas there’s loads of leisure proper exterior of the door within the nice outdoor, Belton Chalet additionally presents a gorgeous stone hearth within the foyer, together with a present store and optionally available breakfast of pastries and drinks. Downstairs, there’s a shared recreation room that has lounge areas, a ping pong desk, an old school shuffle board desk, and video games to get pleasure from, which make up for the very restricted WiFi and no televisions within the room.
The Belton Chalet is right for a one to two-night keep when visiting the west aspect of Glacier Nationwide Park and driving Going-to-the-Solar Highway.
Glacier Park Lodge, East Aspect of Glacier Nationwide Park
For an extended go to, the place you’ll be able to take time to benefit from the resort services, I’d advocate a keep on the Glacier Park Lodge. Located on land bought from the Piegan folks of the Blackfeet Nation, the Glacier Park Lodge was in-built 1913 by the Nice Northern Railroad. It’s positioned within the space generally known as East Glacier Park, simply exterior the southeast part of the park and instantly throughout from the Glacier Park Station railway depot. Friends can nonetheless arrive on the lodge through Amtrak’s Empire Builder prepare and are shuttled to the lodge through the resort’s crimson automotive.
Moving into this grand lodge, you are feeling like you’re within the west, with its hovering ceilings supported by immense timbers reduce from centuries-old fir and cedar timber, giving it the nickname of “Large Tree Lodge.” It’s precisely the atmosphere you hope to get pleasure from when reserving a room at a lodge close to a nationwide park. The employees, wearing prepare conductor uniforms from a bygone period, couldn’t be friendlier in welcoming you to the lodge.
At one finish of the foyer is a big stone hearth with a crackling fireplace, excellent for stress-free in entrance of on a cold night. All through the foyer of the unique lodge you will discover Native American paintings and taxidermied representatives of the native wildlife, together with a snowy white mountain goat. On tables scattered across the giant foyer, you will discover puzzles laid out for visitors to collaborate on fixing.
Within the foyer sits a espresso store, the place it’s also possible to decide up seize and go snacks to convey into the park. For an informal meal, the Empire Lounge serves up lunch and dinner with a bar menu (plus the bar has a tv to catch your favourite sports activities recreation.) The Nice Northern Eating Room is a full-service restaurant providing a hot and cold breakfast buffet and a big dinner menu (don’t miss the Brussels and bacon appetizer or the Huckleberry bread pudding for dessert.)
In the present day, there are 162 visitor rooms, most of which connect with the principle lodge via a sun-filled passageway to the later-built annex constructing. The rooms range in measurement and magnificence, however preserve a easy decor in keeping with the historic setting. The personal loos are small and the partitions are skinny (so convey earplugs!), however the principle draw is the scenic setting and the grand, but rustic, public areas. And, when you get a room going through the mountains, it’s also possible to get pleasure from your morning espresso overlooking the surroundings out of your shared balcony.
On property, you’ll be able to take a historical past tour of the property, discover the gorgeous grounds and gardens, or play a spherical of golf on the oldest grass greens golf course in Montana. From the resort, it’s also possible to get shuttles to the park, or join actions with suppliers that supply rafting, horseback driving, falconry, Native American story telling periods, or guided hikes.
St. Mary Village, St. Mary
I didn’t get to remain at St. Mary Village, however I did cease to check out the Tiny Homes and had lunch on the Curly Bear Cafe within the village. If you’re searching for handy entry to the east entrance to the park at St. Mary, you’ll be able to’t get a lot nearer then St. Mary Village, which presents the dramatic backdrop of the park’s beautiful mountains. From right here, you’ll be able to simply get on the Going-to-the-Solar Highway and it’s only a brief drive to St. Mary Lake, the place you’ll be able to be part of a scenic boat tour by Glacier Park Boat Firm, or the Village presents shuttles to Many Glacier and Two Drugs.
The principle lodging at St. Mary Village is the Nice Bear Lodge, which presents trendy rooms outfitted with two queen beds, air-con, a tv, and a non-public balcony with distinctive views overlooking Divide Creek. There are even rooms that characteristic a fire, sitting space and jacuzzi tub. Funds vacationers can keep on the West Motel in St. Mary Village, however for a singular keep, strive one of many 10 Tiny Properties.
The Tiny Properties sleep as much as 4 folks with a queen mattress and a trundle mattress and so they have a stand-alone, personal luxurious bathhouse. The Tiny Properties are additionally outfitted with a microwave, fridge, and stovetop.
If you happen to additionally go to Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park in Canada…
Waterton-Glacier Worldwide Peace Park is the union of Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park in Alberta, Canada, and Glacier Nationwide Park in Montana, USA. It’s lower than an hour from St. Mary to Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park, making it straightforward to mix a go to to each parks into one journey. Many individuals even proceed north in Alberta to additionally go to Banff and Jasper Nationwide Parks within the Canadian Rockies.
If you’re visiting Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park, you’ll be able to’t miss a keep on the iconic Prince of Wales Resort.
Prince of Wales Resort, Waterton
The Prince of Wales Resort in Waterton presents magnificent mountain and lake views and is an iconic Canadian resort. Additionally constructed by the Nice Northern Railway, the Prince of Wales Resort opened in 1927 and it retains its wealthy historical past at this time via the historic foyer furnishings and the Prohibition-inspired cocktail menu. The attractive structure jogged my memory loads of Dalvay-by-the-Sea historic resort on Prince Edward Island.
Set on a bluff above Waterton Lake and the small city of Waterton, with towering mountains within the background, I’m undecided I’ve seen a extra lovely mountain resort. The wind sweeps via the valley, threatening to blow you out of your perch, however it’s value a stroll alongside the cliff to drink in these views.
From the minute you stroll into the foyer, you’re instantly captivated by the view from the floor-to-ceiling home windows. When you’ll be able to pull your self away, you’ll discover the employees of their crimson plaid kilts and ties, including to the class and ambiance of the resort. Despite the fact that the resort operates with a seasonal employees, they’ve been well-trained and all appear extraordinarily cheerful and useful.
The country rooms encompass the grand foyer and you’ll attain the higher flooring by stairs or the bell-hop operated elevator. The rooms are small and the wooden paneling provides to that historic and rustic really feel, however doesn’t supply a lot when it comes to soundproofing, so it would be best to pack your ear plugs right here too. Like lots of the inns constructed by the Nice Northern Railroad, the rooms characteristic renovated, small personal loos with a sink positioned within the visitor room.
The Prince of Wales Resort presents a number of eating choices, together with the Royal Stewart Eating Room, Windsor Lounge, and Afternoon Tea, impressed by British custom. The Royal Stewart Eating Room serves breakfast and dinner, with lovely lake and mountain views. Even when you solely keep an evening or two, it’s value extending your journey to Glacier Nationwide Park to additionally expertise Waterton Lakes Nationwide Park and the beautiful Prince of Wales Resort (simply keep in mind to pack your passport!)
Discover Different Locations to Keep Close to Glacier Nationwide Park
Save this to Pinterest
