Glacier National Park Lodging: Planning to schedule a trip for next year. We would like to stay inside the park, if possible, and are wondering if there is a short list of places to...

Chance Logan Loc: New England

Planning to schedule a trip for next year. We would like to stay inside the park, if possible, and are wondering if there is a short list of places to consider that would be somewhat centralized. The idea is to lessen the travel between places to optimize our daily choices without giving up the scenic serenity of a home base. Thankfully our vacation window is flexible at this point for a bucket list selection. All points of view are welcome.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Chance Logan wrote:

Planning to schedule a trip for next year. We would like to stay inside the park, if possible, and are wondering if there is a short list of places to consider that would be somewhat centralized. The idea is to lessen the travel between places to optimize our daily choices without giving up the scenic serenity of a home base. Thankfully our vacation window is flexible at this point for a bucket list selection. All points of view are welcome.

Hard to beat Lake McDonald Lodge for "in the park" stays.

Dr. Dan

Many Glacier Hotel is the top spot for the Eastern part of Glacier. For the West part either Apgar area or Lake McDonald Lodge. The drive time between the east part and the west part of the park is quite long. I have always stayed part of my visit on the east and part on the west.

redtooth

The hotel rooms on the east side are awful . Example is that the shower was a metal one that was installed in the 40's . Rooms are small .

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Are you hoteling or camping? I camped at the second campground at the middle eastern entrance. It was nicely located for seeing everything.

FrumCA

If you can't find suitable in park accommodations or decide against it, I suggest you try the Whitefish Lodge Whitefish, MT. We stayed there several years ago and found it to be very nice. The only downside is that it's about 30 miles from the park, but all in all the distance was quite manageable.

PS - If you have time, be sure to schedule a visit to Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. It is equally as spectacular as Glacier Natl Park.

COBill Loc: Northern Colorado

Chance Logan wrote:

Planning to schedule a trip for next year. We would like to stay inside the park, if possible, and are wondering if there is a short list of places to consider that would be somewhat centralized. The idea is to lessen the travel between places to optimize our daily choices without giving up the scenic serenity of a home base. Thankfully our vacation window is flexible at this point for a bucket list selection. All points of view are welcome.

Glacier Guides Lodge is just outside the park in West Glacier. We have stayed there a couple times. Great place!

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

AzPicLady wrote:

Are you hoteling or camping? I camped at the second campground at the middle eastern entrance. It was nicely located for seeing everything.

Thanks for the camping info....

801 Loc: SLC

The best wildlife viewing is near Many Glacier. You will want to read the park service info carefully as many of the areas require getting a day pass; ie, Going-to-the sun-road, Many Glacier area, as well as the North Fork area. If you are staying at a lodge or campground in the relevant area then you don’t have to get a day pass for the same area. We have camped at many of the campgrounds and prefer Many Glacier or St Mary’s campgrounds. Many Glacier Aldo has rustic cabins. Lake McDonald probably has the nicest park lodge. In addition to hiking, the boat rides on the different lakes are also a great activity. Most things require advance reservations and not everything is run by the park service, so may require reserving at a different web site. As an aside, Polebridge is a neat little town on the west side with no electricity other than generators, but has a nice saloon and general store.

BobIn

The only downside staying outside the park, other than the distance, is that you need to have a timed reservation to enter every day....

BobIn

Just checked Lake McDonald lodge and they are fully booked for next July 2024!

Chance Logan Loc: New England

MT Shooter wrote:

Hard to beat Lake McDonald Lodge for "in the park" stays.

Thanks, MT Shooter. Will research from that perspective.

Chance Logan Loc: New England

Dr. Dan wrote:

Many Glacier Hotel is the top spot for the Eastern part of Glacier. For the West part either Apgar area or Lake McDonald Lodge. The drive time between the east part and the west part of the park is quite long. I have always stayed part of my visit on the east and part on the west.

Appreciate your advice, Dr. Dan. If that works to complement our plans while there, it may be an added option to consider.

Chance Logan Loc: New England

redtooth wrote:

The hotel rooms on the east side are awful . Example is that the shower was a metal one that was installed in the 40's . Rooms are small .

Thank you, redtooth. Wouldn't wish an awful experience for anyone' vacation. It would be more helpful if you could reference places you have stayed at to know specifically why each may not be a good choice for our needs.

Chance Logan Loc: New England

AzPicLady wrote:

Are you hoteling or camping? I camped at the second campground at the middle eastern entrance. It was nicely located for seeing everything.

Good to hear, AzPicLady. I like the camping out experience, but I'm not always the deciding vote in that arena. The location aspect is helpful and may provide added weight in our choice. Thanks for your response.