Where to Stay in Glacier: In the Park, Gateway Towns, and Campgrounds

By Victoria Boissonade · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Glacier

The short answer. For a first visit, base yourself west of the park, in Whitefish or West Glacier. That's where the Going-to-the-Sun Road begins and where you'll find the main lodges. Plan on at least 3 to 4 nights to cover both sides without rushing. If total immersion is your priority, book a lodge as soon as reservations open in January. The best options sell out within hours.

Where to stay: towns, lodges and campgrounds (24)

All Gateway townsLodgesCampgrounds

• Gateway town West Glacier entrance West Entrance - Going-to-the-Sun Road · hotels, restaurants, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Columbia Falls entrance West Entrance - Going-to-the-Sun Road · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Whitefish entrance West Entrance - Going-to-the-Sun Road · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Kalispell entrance West Entrance - Going-to-the-Sun Road · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town East Glacier Park entrance Two Medicine · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
• Gateway town Browning entrance Two Medicine · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town St. Mary entrance St. Mary - Going-to-the-Sun Road · hotels, supermarket, gas station Directions ↗
• Gateway town Babb entrance Many Glacier · hotels, gas station, restaurants Directions ↗
• Lodge Lake McDonald Lodge Lake McDonald Valley (west) · mid-May/early Oct Directions ↗
• Lodge Many Glacier Hotel Many Glacier (northeast) · mid-June/mid-Sep Directions ↗
• Lodge Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins Many Glacier (northeast) · mid-June/mid-Sep Directions ↗
• Lodge Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins Saint Mary (east) · mid-June/mid-Sep Directions ↗
• Campground Logging Creek Campground first come, first served · 7 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Quartz Creek Campground first come, first served · 7 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Sprague Creek Campground recreation.gov · 25 sites Directions ↗
• Campground St. Mary Campground recreation.gov · 148 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Many Glacier Campground see NPS · 109 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Two Medicine Campground see NPS · 100 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Kintla Lake Campground first come, first served · 13 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Bowman Lake Campground first come, first served · 48 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Fish Creek Campground recreation.gov · 178 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Avalanche Campground see NPS · 87 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Rising Sun Campground recreation.gov · 84 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Apgar Campground recreation.gov · 194 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

⚠ Gateway town & Lodge data is undergoing editorial review.

Should You Stay in the Park or Outside It?

This is the number-one decision on any trip to Glacier. The park covers more than 1,545 square miles, its internal roads are closed for much of the year, and accommodations inside the park sell out months in advance.

Choose to stay in the park if you:

• want to be on the trails at dawn, before the shuttles get crowded;
• booked early (January, no kidding);
• are looking for the atmosphere of a historic chalet on the shore of an alpine lake.

Choose a base outside the park if you:

• are traveling in the off-season (the lodges inside the park are closed from October through May);
• prefer the flexibility of a regular hotel with more choices;
• didn't plan ahead and are visiting during peak season.

One arrangement works especially well in practice: 1 or 2 nights at a lodge in the park for the experience, then the rest in Whitefish or Kalispell for more freedom and dining options. That's generally how we do it, and we have no complaints.

Where to Stay in Glacier: Park Lodges and Accommodations

All of the in-park accommodations are operated by Glacier Park Collection, the NPS's official concessioner. They open between May and June and close in September or October. Dates vary each year depending on snowfall. Book through the concessioner's website or recreation.gov starting in January.

Lake McDonald Lodge

Built in 1914 in a rustic mountain style, this lodge is Glacier's best-known lodging landmark. It overlooks Lake McDonald, the park's largest lake, on the west side. Rooms are split between the main building and cabins in the woods. There's no air conditioning and Wi-Fi is limited, by design. Trails along the west shore start right outside. It typically operates from mid-May through late September.

Many Glacier Hotel

On the east side, along Swiftcurrent Lake, this grand wooden hotel has plenty of character. It's the starting point for hikes to Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, and Ptarmigan Tunnel. For hikers, the location is hard to beat: get out of bed, lace up your boots, and go. It generally operates from June through mid-September.

Village Inn at Apgar

A small, quiet property on the edge of Apgar village, on the south shore of Lake McDonald. Apartments with kitchenettes work well for families. Rates are more affordable than at the larger lodges, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road is right outside.

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn

Also in the Many Glacier area, this property offers motel rooms and cabins, some without private bathrooms. The idea is to get the perfect location for hiking without paying the main lodge's rates. It's functional and well situated.

Rising Sun Motor Inn

On the east side, along the shore of St. Mary Lake. It's convenient for entering the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east and exploring the St. Mary and Two Medicine areas.

For exact opening dates, amenities, and the capacity of each property, the Glacier hotels and lodges guide has all the details.

Camping in Glacier: Park Campgrounds

Glacier has 13 official campgrounds with about 1,000 sites. Some accept reservations through recreation.gov (Many Glacier, Fish Creek, Avalanche, Sprague Creek, and part of Apgar); the others are first come, first served. Almost all close in the fall.

West side:

• Apgar (196 sites): the largest and easiest to reach, on the lakeshore. Open from April through November. A natural first base for arriving visitors.
• Fish Creek (178 sites): in dense, shady forest and popular with families. Reservations available.
• Sprague Creek (25 sites): small and right on the lakeshore, for small vehicles without trailers only. Reservations available.
• Avalanche (87 sites): at the foot of Avalanche Creek canyon, and the starting point for the Trail of the Cedars. Reservations available and very popular.

East side:

• St. Mary (148 sites): at the east entrance, exposed to the wind but with beautiful views of the open meadows. A mix of reservations and first come, first served.
• Many Glacier (110 sites): the park's most sought-after campground. Book as soon as reservations open. Don't miss your chance.
• Two Medicine (99 sites): quiet and less busy than its neighbors, perfect for exploring the southern area. First come, first served.

Campgrounds in the North Fork (Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake) are accessible only by unpaved road, for suitable vehicles and travelers seeking complete solitude.

Our Glacier camping guide covers bear rules, food-storage policies, and amenities at each site. If you're traveling in an RV, the vehicle-size restrictions on the Going-to-the-Sun Road are important to know before you set out.

Where to Stay Around Glacier: Gateway Towns

West Glacier (west entrance)

West Glacier isn't really a town: it has a few stores, a café, and the park's main entrance. It's useful if you're arriving late at night or leaving very early, but lodging is limited to a few private lodges near the entrance. Don't come here for the selection.

Whitefish (19 miles northwest)

Our favorite base on the west side. Whitefish has a real local scene, with restaurants, bars, a market, and an authentic mountain-town atmosphere. A ski resort in winter, it stays lively year-round. The park is a 30- to 40-minute drive away. A seasonal shuttle connects Whitefish with the west entrance, so you can avoid driving in the middle of summer. Options run the full range, from B&Bs and chain hotels to vacation rentals. This is where we recommend staying for the vast majority of visitors.

Columbia Falls (12 miles west)

Cheaper and quieter than Whitefish, Columbia Falls is a decent option for travelers who want to save on lodging without giving up proximity. It has little character of its own, but it's well positioned for entering the park first thing in the morning.

Kalispell (31 miles west)

Kalispell is home to Glacier Park International Airport (FCA). If you're flying in, this is where it all begins. It's the region's largest city, with every essential service (big-box stores, pharmacies, rental cars) and a good selection of affordable chain hotels. It has less mountain-town charm than Whitefish, but it's unbeatable for logistics.

East Glacier Park (southeast entrance)

A small village at the park's southeast entrance, served by Amtrak's Empire Builder line. It's the gateway to the Two Medicine area, which is quieter and less crowded than the west side. Glacier Park Lodge, a historic hotel operated by Glacier Park Collection, offers a good alternative to the in-park lodges. A few small motels and B&Bs round out the options. Choose it to avoid the crowds without giving up too much comfort.

St. Mary (east entrance)

At the intersection of Highway 89 and the Going-to-the-Sun Road on the east side, St. Mary has about a dozen motels and private campgrounds. It's a convenient gateway for exploring the east side, but options remain limited. Book early during peak season.

When to Book Your Glacier Lodging

Glacier is one of the NPS parks where lodging is hardest to find. In-park lodges open reservations in January for the following summer. Many Glacier Hotel and Lake McDonald Lodge often sell out within hours of opening. Campgrounds that accept reservations through recreation.gov (Many Glacier, Fish Creek, and Avalanche) face the same pressure.

Peak season runs from mid-July to mid-August. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open, shuttles fill up by 8 a.m., and parking areas are inaccessible unless you arrive very early.

The shoulder season (June and September) brings fewer crowds, better late-day light, and roughly 20% to 30% lower rates outside the park. The road may be partially closed in early June, depending on that year's snowfall.

To choose the best time based on your activities and the park's weather, our month-by-month Glacier calendar can help.

Lodging Budget: How Much Does It Cost to Stay in Glacier?

These ranges reflect peak season. Rates outside the park drop noticeably in September. Add the entrance fee to your lodging budget: $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days) or $70 for the park's annual pass, which pays for itself on a second visit within the year. The National Parks Fees & Passes page provides more information about entrance fees and passes.

Our Recommendation Based on Your Travel Style

First visit, standard budget. Stay in Whitefish for 3 nights. You'll have flexibility, a good selection of restaurants, and the park 30 minutes away. Add 1 night at Apgar Campground or Village Inn if you'd like to experience staying in the park.

Families with kids. Choose Whitefish or Kalispell for convenience, with big-box stores, varied restaurants, and well-equipped hotels. Village Inn at Apgar is a good option for 1 night in the park. The kitchen-equipped apartments genuinely make family travel easier.

Hikers. Many Glacier Hotel or Many Glacier Campground, without hesitation. No other lodging puts you as close to the park's wildest trails. Book in January, without waiting.

Nature immersion on a tight budget. Camp in the park, alternating between the east and west sides: Many Glacier or Two Medicine in the east, Avalanche or Fish Creek in the west. Use the shuttles to limit back-and-forth driving.

Off-season (October through May). The in-park lodges and most NPS campgrounds are closed. Whitefish stays open year-round, with an active ski resort, and so does Kalispell. These are the only workable options for a winter or early-spring visit.

To decide how many nights to plan overall and which area to prioritize, our Glacier itinerary guide offers plans for different amounts of time. You'll find the full context in our complete Glacier guide.

Frequently Asked Questions