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Where to stay in Glacier National Park is not an easy question to answer. Because of its size and no fixed central area, there are many things to see and many places to visit, which are miles apart.
But on the other hand, the areas of the park can be divided and classified according to their best qualities. The first choice that every visitor should make is between the western or the eastern side of the park.
If you prefer urbanized areas, restaurants, and great accommodation, the western parts would be great. If nature and camping is your thing, and you abhor crowds, then the eastern parts would be better.
Anyway, with a clear plan and good organization, every visitor can see the most important points of the park in two or three days. But, for a more thorough visit, you could stay for a week.
Why Visit Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park was not named the “Crown of the Continent” without reason. The legendary and beloved park in the northwestern part of Montana, established in the early 1910s, is both big and magnificent, boasting natural beauty which is hard to find in any other part of the world.
What you wouldn’t expect, though, is that Glacier is also an engineer’s paradise. The park is home to “Going-to-the-Sun Road,” one of America’s most famous scenic roads. Simply put, it’s unique both for its natural beauty and the marvels of engineering.
The name of the park itself is also quite suggestive: “Glacier” actually stands for the many glaciers and glacial forces that created the topography of the area over two million years ago.
There are around a dozen glaciers in the park today, but the shapes of the valleys and the lakes themselves bear witness to this unusual power of nature, giving shape to sublimities incomprehensible to the human mind.
The lakes that we mentioned are its forte — Glacier Park has more than 700 of them on its 1,013,322 acres of land, of which “only” 131 have a name.
Obviously, it’s practically impossible to see all the lakes, but some of them, like McDonald Lake, Saint Mary Lake, and Two Medicine Lake are a must-see. They offer plenty of opportunities for different water-related activities (boating, canoeing, fishing), and are also a sight to behold.
Additionally, the opportunities for hiking are almost infinite, and the trails are innumerable. There are lighter tracks for older people and families, but there are harder trails as well, made for hardcore hikers and nature freaks. Basically, there’s something for everybody.
Finally, there’s a good number of legendary hotels and accommodations too, and if deciding where to stay is stopping you from visiting Glacier, we’ll resolve that issue for you.
The 5 Best Areas of Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is huge, and like all national parks around the world, it’s quite dispersed and decentralized. Almost every area has its trademark lake and a unique hiking trail, but all of them offer something extra — a one-of-a-kind characteristic for that part of the park.
Everything’s worth seeing, and it’s up to you to choose according to your preferences. Here are our suggestions:
- Lake McDonald: The largest lake in the park and the nuclei of Glacier’s culture and social life
- Logan Pass and St. Mary: Home to the Going-to-the-Sun Road, some of the best hikes, and the second-largest lake in Glacier Park
- Many Glacier: Arguably the best “nature-experience package” in the park, especially regarding wildlife, the hikes, and the unforgettable Many Glacier Hotel
- West Glacier Village: A great place to rest after all the hiking, boating, fishing, sightseeing, and driving; full of great restaurants, shops, and accommodations.
- Two Medicine: Located in the eastern parts of the park, it’s not as popular as the other areas but nonetheless great for people who want to avoid crowds
Glacier National Park’s Best Areas and Hotels
Glacier National Park is immense, and that’s both its greatest strength and weakness. The Red Buses Tours are a possible solution to the “problem,” but we don’t recommend going there without a car.
The park is divided (roughly) between West and East Glacier. In the west, you can find Lake McDonald, Apgar Village, and West Glacier Village, which are the places with the best restaurants and accommodations.
In the central areas of the park and stretching to the east are the Logan Pass and St. Mary, following the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Two Medicine area is on the southeastern part of the map. In the eastern parts, though, accommodations and restaurants are scarce, but the crowds are smaller, and nature is richer.
Finally, in the northern parts of the park lies Many Glacier, which has only two hotels, and the only restaurants are inside the hotels themselves. So, if your goal is to have great accommodation, be in lively urban places, and have a lot of restaurant options, choose the western parts.
If you are more of a loner and nature-loving type, who doesn’t prefer crowds and cities, choose the eastern and northern parts. Anyhow, the best choice is to have a car and to travel from place to place.
1. Lake McDonald
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Around ten miles long and 500 feet deep, located in the western parts of the park, Lake McDonald is its largest lake. That’s definitely something to brag about, since there are more than 700 lakes in the vast territory of Glacier National Park.
A direct result of glacial carving, Lake McDonald offers magnificent proof of the sublime powers of nature. It’s not only a visual sight to behold, but the lake is also the definitive center of activities for these parts of the park. That’s why it’s one of the best places to begin your tour through the awesome and huge Glacier National Park.
Relatively nearby is the Apgar Village, full of shops, restaurants, and accommodation. Also, there’s the Apgar Visitor Center, where you can ask for directions and organize different activities.
We highly suggest boating. There had been organized tours along the lake since 1938. Enjoy your tour through the lake on a wooden, handcrafted boat while listening to the calming narration about the history of the lake and the adjoining area from one of the captains.
If you’re not that much into water and boating, go hiking instead. The hiking trails — like the Cedars and Avalanche Lake — are especially beautiful and relaxing. They’ll work wonders for everyone but are particularly rewarding for families and older people since they aren’t very hard or dangerous.
Finally, constructed along its shores and almost as famous as the lake itself is Lake McDonald Lodge. Built more than 100 years ago (1913-1914), it looks like a rustic hunting lodge, but it was carved under the influence of the Swiss Alps’ architecture.
At its center is the famous massive fireplace where you can curl up and get cozy after a rough day of boat touring, hiking, or horseback riding. The Lake McDonald Lodge also offers a lot of different activities aside from its unmatched comfort and warmth, such as the evening program led by real rangers.
If you want to combine the nature experience with the safety and comfort of culture and taste the two flavors of the park, Lake McDonald is the perfect choice for you. It offers both natural beauty and a variety of restaurants and accommodation in Apgar or the western outskirts of the park.
Things to Do
- You can go hiking: the best way to enjoy the natural wonders of Lake McDonald area is on foot, so choose one of the many hiking options; the Avalanche Lake Trail and Trail of the Cedars are definitely the best.
- Join a boat tour and hear the story of both the lake and the area through the compelling narratives of one of the captains that’ll safely boat you across the vast water territory.
- Spend the night at the Lake McDonald Lodge, the oldest accommodation in the region, where you can warm up before its magnificent fireplace, as well as eat and drink as much as you want.
- Finally, visit Apgar Village if you’re in dire need for some civilization. It’s a nice, small, and cozy village with great shops, restaurants, and accommodation options.
Where to Eat
- Belton Chalet’s hospitality and food are legendary as the place itself. It offers variety in its menu, a wide array of beers and spirits, with tradition being its strongest side. Every night since 1910, its staff lines up at the balcony and welcomes the evening train.
- Russell’s Fireside Dining Room focuses on local foods and strong breakfasts. The atmosphere is casual and quite in touch with the nature outside. The place is famous for its frosty pint of Montana craft beer, which they offer to exhausted hikers.
- Three Forks Grill is Located 17 miles from Glacier Park, but it’s worth the ride. Combining a palette of local, Montana-grown products and Mediterranean ingredients, it combines traditional and modern culinary practices.
Lake McDonald Budget Hotels
- Glacier Haven Inn serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some of the cottages feature a mountain view, and the rooms have fridges and microwaves.
- Wander Camp Glacier is located 13 kilometers from West Glacier and 15 kilometers from Apgar. The rooms in the hotel come with a shared bathroom.
Lake McDonald Mid-Range Hotels
- Scenic Forest Lodge located 3.3 kilometers from West Glacier, it features a spa bath and a nice scenery full of grass and trees in front of the building. So, great location and a nice hotel.
- Stunning West Glacier Home’s best quality is the fantastic view it offers. Also, it offers accommodation with a patio and free Wi-Fi.
Lake McDonald Luxury Hotels
- Lake McDonald Lodge & Cabins is a marvel to see and to be in. It’s the oldest and most famous lodging in the area, being both accommodation and a tourist attraction.
- The Ridge At Glacier – Luxury Cabins, offers a rich number of items for every unit, such as a patio, kitchen, fireplace, seating area, TV, washing machine, and a private bedroom. Also, the holiday home has a sun terrace.
2. Logan Pass and St. Mary
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As you move to the east from the McDonald lake area, you’re slowly starting to enter the domain of two wonders: the Logan Pass and the St. Mary lake. Here, the marvels of Glacier National Park reach new heights.
That’s mainly because the Logan Pass is the highest place on the sublime Going-to-the-Sun Road. Going-to-the-Sun Road is a scenic mountain road, the most famous in this part of the country.
It was constructed between 1921 and 1932 and spans about 50 miles (80 kilometers), and it’s one of the rare places to have been registered in all of the following categories: National Historic Place, National Historic Landmark, and Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
In other words, it’s the best both of natural sublimity and human technical ingenuousness. The vistas you’ll collect here can’t be found anywhere in the world — it’s that simple. The Logan Pass is the highest point of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
It’s an excellent vantage point for the whole area that offers great vistas but also first-hand sights of varieties of wildlife. The Logan Pass Visitor Center is a popular starting point for hikers and mountaineers, and you should definitely visit it if you are up to something like that.
Finally, at the end of the Going-to-the-Sun Road on the east and stretching by its side is the powerful St. Mary lake, the biggest lake in Glacier National Park after Lake McDonald. It offers almost everything like its slightly bigger counterpart, and sometimes even more.
It’s picturesque and beautiful and offers some of the best hiking areas. A fun trivia is that the opening scenes of Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” were shot here at this particular lake, and they also feature parts of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
That being said, remember one thing about the Logan Pass and St. Mary lake: it’s cold and windy. In 2014, a record wind speed of 139 miles per hour was recorded at Logan Pass, and the waters of St. Mary’s are considerably colder than those of McDonald’s lake due to its higher altitude.
The last thing that’s very important to remember about this area is the accommodation situation. In Logan Pass and St. Mary, there are only a couple of motels and a camping place, all of them near or in Saint Mary’s Village.
So, don’t expect to find anything luxurious like in the west parts of Glacier. If you won’t settle for less, the neighboring Lake McDonald area is a better choice for you.
Things to Do
- Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Enjoy the scenery, the mountains, and the view because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just be careful and plan your trip upfront, it’s not the easiest ride in the world.
- Go hiking at Logan Pass’ or St. Mary’s. They are both famous for their hiking trails, and the Highline Trail, starting at Logan Pass, is quite famous, full of wildlife and great views. On the other hand, Many Glacier Valley at St. Mary’s lake offers the best views of the East Glacier National Park.
- Visit St. Mary village, and take a rest from the sublimities of nature around you. It has a lot of restaurants and accommodations, that’ll give you a needed time out and a warm place to stay.
- If you are a fan of fishing, Hidden Lake west of St. Mary’s is perfect for you, a place where catching 20-inch fish is quite common.
Where to Eat
- Two Dog Flats Grill is a great place to begin or finish the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s a family restaurant with a classic American menu — burgers, sandwiches, and soups.
- Park Cafe Menu in Saint Mary offers one of the best pies in all of Glacier National Park. The restaurant has a huge tradition, existing since 1952.
- Johnson’s of St. Mary is another traditional American restaurant, serving meat and potatoes, soups, and sandwiches since 1950. Also, the bread recipe is their own.
Logan Pass and St. Mary Budget Hotels
- Red Eagle Motel offers free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly premises, and a restaurant in the building. Also, the rooms come with a refrigerator and a microwave.
- Heart of Glacier RV Park & Cabins is a big and clean campground for potential campers. Also offers public showers.
Logan Pass and St. Mary Mid-Range Hotels
- The Cottages at Glacier offer delightful two- or three-bedded cottages with equipped kitchens and living rooms with fireplaces. There’s also great Wi-Fi and satellite TV. The location of the place is perfect: just outside of Saint Mary Village.
- Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins located at the end (or the beginning) of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, is a cozy place to rest after a long drive or a hike. The rooms offer two double beds or one queen bed.
3. Many Glacier
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Many Glacier, located north of Logan Pass and Going-to-the-Sun Road, is an area that’s famous for its calmness and beauty. Compared to Lake McDonald or Saint Mary, Many Glacier is basically devoid of culture and civilization.
Here, most of the time, your only friend and interlocutor is going to be nature in all its forms, with its forests, lakes, and mountains, but also animals too. Many Glacier is full of wildlife, even in comparison with other National Parks, so wildlife watching is something you have to do:
- You can try (and surely succeed) to see a moose at Fishercap Lake: you can find them almost everywhere, but this is their favorite spot.
- Not a lot of people know that Many Glacier is one of the most densely populated areas with bears, both black and Grizzly bears. Our furry but dangerous friends are usually spotted on longer trails, such as Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail, Cracker Lake Trail, etc.
- Finally, look for the mountain goats, which are usually seen near Grinnell Glacier and Ptarmigan Tunnel.
A lot of places in Glacier National Park offer lake rides, but none like the one offered at Many Glacier. You start your ride on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake, and you cruise on the famous Chief Two Guns boat.
After you disembark on the other side of the lake, you have to walk a little (around 0.2 miles) until you reach the northern parts of Lake Josephine and board the Morning Eagle. So, two lake rides on two completely different lakes, almost at the same time.
On the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake is almost the only sign of civilization you’ll find in Many Glacier — the legendary Many Glacier Hotel, which is also the biggest hotel in the whole park.
Built in the Swiss style of the 1900s, it offers rich accommodation, tasty food, and unforgettable views; it’s the cultural center of Many Glacier, after all. Many Glacier offers the purest natural beauty in all Glacier park, but that comes at a price, especially concerning the places where you can stay or the restaurants.
Compared to Lake McDonald and even Saint Mary, this area may look empty. Aside from the one legendary hotel, one decent motel, and a campground, there are no other accommodations. The same concerns the restaurants because they are inside the hotel and the motel.
Things to Do
- Definitely go hiking and enjoy the beautiful vistas they offer. Choose between the Grinnell Glacier Trail, the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail, the Iceberg Lake Trail, Swiftcurrent Pass, or Cracker Lake Trail. If you don’t want to choose, take them all, but one at a time.
- You definitely have to go wildlife viewing because Many Glacier is so full of different types of animals that other Parks look like neighborhood farms in comparison. You just have to see the moose, bears, wild goats, bighorn sheep, marmots, and especially the pikas.
- Visit the Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake, the biggest hotel in all of Glacier National Park. Aside from the great view and the impressive 214 rooms, have a bite at one of its three restaurants.
- Have a two-lake boat ride and enjoy the one-of-a-kind experience that the two beautiful lakes of Many Glacier offer. After you’ve done that, you can choose the one you prefer — Swiftcurrent Lake or Lake Josephina.
Where to Eat
- The Ptarmigan Dining Room at Many Glacier Hotel is famous for its continental cuisine and its now renovated historic setting. Also, don’t forget to try the local Montana micro-brewed pint.
- Swiss Lounge is the second restaurant in Many Glacier Hotel, more suitable for either quick bites between hikes or a late-night snack after an exhausting day.
- Heidi’s Snack Shop & Espresso Stand is the third place for eating in Many Glacier Hotel, specializing in snacks, coffee, and other warm drinks, best consumed while preparing to have an outdoor adventure.
- Swiftcurrent Restaurant at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn has a classic American menu full of sandwiches, pizzas, and burgers, great for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Many Glacier Budget Hotels
- Many Glacier Campground, set amid a lush and beautiful forest, is one of the most famous and loved camp locations in all Glacier National Park. It offers around 110 sites that are suitable for RV’s and tents, including picnic tables, fire rings, and a bear box. Some of the sites also can accommodate longer vehicles of up to 35 feet.
Many Glacier Mid-Range Hotels
- Located just across the road from Many Glacier Campground and a mile away from Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn is probably the best place for excited hikers. It consists of 95 accommodation units, some of them with private bathrooms, but a lot of them without. Other than the rustic rooms, the place has a gift shop and a restaurant.
Many Glacier Luxury Hotels
- Many Glacier Hotel is one of the most iconic hotels in America, and a historic monument of the national park. It opens up to a great view of the mountains and the lake, and offers different activities. Some of the 205 rooms available have a budget option. Also, there are three restaurants inside the hotel.
4. West Glacier Village
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If you are tired of the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Glacier National Park, and you want to get a hold of yourself, you should settle down a little bit in West Glacier Village.
Being in close proximity to Lake McDonald and Apgar, it’s a great place to have a rest but also to experience a different side of the park itself. First, West Glacier Village is a great place to have a bite. Restaurants can be quite sparse in the different parts of the park, where natural beauties dominate the vistas.
That’s not the case with this village, so have a freshly prepared meal, a hot coffee or tea, or a local brew at one of the many coffee shops and restaurants in the place. If you’re a fan of pies and burgers, this is the place for you.
There are plenty of shops too, which is not the case with the majority of areas in Glacier Park. At West Glacier Village, you can find small and well-supplied grocery stores and markets if you want to cook by the campfire, for example.
Don’t miss the West Glacier Gift Shop, the West Glacier Camp Store, and the Huckleberry Heaven in Huckleberry Hut. West Glacier Village offers an unusual experience for a National Park: a minigolf course. What can be more opposite to the huge mountains and the sublime lake than a minigolf course?
The Sun Mini Golf, located in the center of this unusual village, is a great place to spend with your family and friends. Finally, don’t forget the Glacier National Park Headquarters Historic District.
Included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, it’s a complex of office buildings created in different architectural styles from the beginning and the middle of the 20th century. If you’re an architecture fan, and if you’ve somehow come into this temple of nature, this is a place to bring you back to your senses.
Obviously, you won’t have the “true” Glacier National Park experience in West Glacier Village, but it’s comfortable, small, and warm — you can rest from all the sightseeing in the other areas! Basically, it’s an in-between place to have a break, but if you want to be closer to nature, it shouldn’t be your primary option.
Things to Do
- Go shopping. In West Glacier Village, everything is within walking distance, and there are plenty of shops you can visit, like West Glacier Gift Shop, the West Glacier Camp Store, and the Huckleberry Heaven in Huckleberry Hut. They are all great to buy a souvenir or just plain stuff that you need.
- If you’re a fan of architecture, or you just enjoy the site of regular but old buildings, take a walk to the Historic District and look at the simple Craftsman style.
- Have a game of minigolf with your friends or your family. Sun Mini Golf is located in the heart of this small yet eventful village. The minigolf course offers more than 18 holes, full of stories and fun trivia about the Glacier National Park. It’s basically like visiting the park through a few games of regular minigolf.
- Just take a plain walk through the village. After high-intensity hikes and mountain climbing, a plain old walk will be an interesting change of scenery. The banks of the Flathead River are nearby, so take a look — you won’t be disappointed.
Where to Eat
- West Glacier Cafe is a family-friendly restaurant with great burgers, ice-cream, and espresso. A great place to have a family lunch.
- Glacier Highland Restaurant’s kitchen concentrates on homemade dishes, a nice, calm atmosphere, and overall cleanliness. They offer a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes. Their famous huckleberry pie for dessert is a great way to finish your meal.
- Belton Chalet Restaurant is perfect if you want to bring a little luxury into your Glacier Park experience. It has a 100-year tradition of serving quality food and offering a great choice of local beer, spirits, and cocktails.
West Glacier Village Budget Hotels
- West Glacier Motel is a nice, clean place, great for both families and lone travelers. Located between the center of West Glacier Village and the sign of the Glacier National Park, it’s a great place to stay if you’re on a budget.
- Bluff Motel and Cabins offers a view of the beautiful Flathead River, a full kitchen, two queen beds, and a small sitting area.
West Glacier Village Mid-Range Hotels
- Glacier Outdoor Center, located less than a mile away from the Glacier National Park entrance, offers cottages with satellite TVs and a separate sitting area with a fireplace.
- Great Northern Resort offers accommodation with free Wi-Fi and parking, a barbeque area, and a shared lounge. Also, the hotel offers great American breakfast.
West Glacier Village Luxury Hotels
- Belton Chalet is the best place you can be in this area. It opened in 1910 and strived to become the pinnacle of American hospitality. Aside from the luxury rooms, the most famous restaurant of the area is also on its premises.
5. Two Medicine
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The Two Medicine Valley is located in the eastern parts of the Glacier National Park, south of Saint Mary Lake. It probably gets its queer name from Two Medicine Lodge Creek at the time when there were Two Medicine Lodges on that side of the creek.
All in all, this part of the park is not as popular as Lake McDonald, Logan Pass, or Saint Mary, but it’s just as beautiful, and it will surely impress you with its dramatic views, waterfalls, and lakes.
The main attraction of the Two Medicine Area is the Two Medicine Lake and the surrounding mountains: Sinopah Mountain on the west and Rising Wolf Mountain on the south. The lake is great for boating, fishing, and hiking, offering no less of an experience than its most famous counterparts.
The main difference is that Two Medicine is considerably less crowded than other areas. You can boat the lake with the help of the local Glacier Park Boat Co., or on your own, by renting a rowboat, kayak, or canoe.
Concerning the hiking parts, you can take the easy one — the 1/4 mile to Running Eagle Falls, or the hard one — the 17-mile Dawson/Pitamakan Pass loop trail.
The latter offers some of the best views in all of Glacier Park. Finally, concerning fishing, expect brook trout and rainbow trout. The Two Medicine brook trout can reach up to 10-12 inches!
Two Medicine Lake has two completely functional buildings that are at the same time historical monuments: Two Medicine Store (1914) and the Swanson Boathouse (1936), both of them declared to be National Historic Landmarks. The legendary USA president Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech in 1934 from today’s Two Medicine Store.
The area is naturally pure and doesn’t have much civilization in it, but don’t worry. Near the eastern entrance of the park you can find East Glacier Park Village, a place with nice restaurants and decent accommodation.
Just don’t expect anything spectacular. The Two Medicine area is famous for its nature, and doesn’t offer much in terms of luxury, so the hotels and the restaurants aren’t anything posh or fancy.
Things to Do
- Go fishing: the many lakes in this area, especially Two Medicine Lake, are rich in animal life. The brook trout and rainbow trout are quite big (and tasty). So bring your fishing gear with you, and if you need something, visit the historic Two Medicine Store and get the missing link.
- Explore the Two Medicine Lake in any way you like. The options are numerous, as you can rent a rowboat, kayak, or canoe, or you can join the crew of the Glacier Park Boat Co. and leave the boating to them.
- Go hiking on one of the many beautiful trails in this area. Take the easy route (Running Eagle Falls), relax, and meditate in the beautiful nature, or take the hard route (Dawson/Pitamakan Pass loop) and test the limits of your physical prowess. Just don’t forget to take your binoculars to observe the rich wildlife, such as bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and black or grizzly bears.
- Visit the Running Eagle Falls, which many point to as the highlight in the Two Medicine area. The other name for the waterfall is Trick Falls because of the temperamental movement of the water, and it also holds a great religious significance for the local Blackfeet tribe.
Where to Eat
- Two Medicine Grill is a classic American diner with a casual and comfortable atmosphere. It’s a great place to take a bite after a tiring day of hiking, fishing, or boating.
- Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant is a great place to have spicy Mexican food amidst the waterfalls, mountains, and lakes. It also does take-out and delivery in East Glacier Park Village.
- Whistle Stop Restaurant offers a versatile menu of local and classic American cuisine but also great vegetarian and vegan options.
Two Medicine Budget Hotels
- Circle R Motel in the center of East Glacier Park Village boasts rooms with mountain views, coffee machines in every room, and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms also have flat-screen TVs and air conditioning.
- Whistling Swan Motel offers daily housekeeping, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi. It’s located in East Glacier Park Village and also has daily housekeeping.
Two Medicine Mid-Range Hotels
- Jacobson’s Cottages quiet and historic property is located on the edge of the eastern parts of Glacier Park. There are 12 beautiful, cozy cottages in the complex. The staff is here to help you organize your trip and give you different advice.
- Glacier Park Lodge is another historic hotel in this part of the park, which boasts a restaurant, coffee house, and a golf course inside the premises.
So, Where Should You Stay in Glacier National Park?
| 🏹 Best for Cultural Experience | Lake McDonald |
| 🥾 Best Area for Hiking | Logan Pass and St. Mary |
| 🌳 Best to Experience Nature | Many Glacier |
| 🧘🏻 Most Relaxing Area | West Glacier Village |
| ⛵ Best for Activities | Two Medicine |
It’s time for a recap! Glacier National Park is both beautiful and huge and full of different places worth visiting. This is our perspective and our structure, but we think that it’s an objective picture of the diversity that Glacier Park offers.
Lake McDonald is the most balanced area. It offers both nature and culture, a combination of unparalleled natural beauty and great restaurants and accommodations – especially in Apgar. Also, it is quite close to the western entrance of the park, and the small towns and villages nearby.
Logan Pass and Saint Mary are a place you shouldn’t miss, mainly because it’s the home to one of the biggest attractions of the park, Going-to-the-Sun Road. But it’s also the place where you can find the second-biggest lake in the park and where you can do a lot of nature-related activities.
Many Glacier maybe offers the most sublime and pure nature in the whole park. Full of lakes, hikes, and wildlife, it’s the best place for bringing binoculars. You can find moose and mountain goats all over the place!. You can also see or stay in the legendary Many Glacier Hotel, which is an attraction itself.
West Glacier Village is a small village near the western entrance of the park, and a good place to have a rest. It’s the closest thing you will find to a city, with many interesting shops, good restaurants, and quality accommodation.
Finally, Two Medicine in the southeastern parts of the park is emptier than the other areas but also calmer and devoid of crowds. It’s the perfect place for loners and nature lovers who like to boat, hike, fish, and observe wildlife.
Whichever area you choose to stay, you’ll be welcomed by friendly locals, gorgeous scenery, and some of the most unique sights and things to do. Be sure to soak it all in while you’re there, and happy travels!