Where To Stay In Glacier National Park (Hotels, Lodges, Vacation Rentals, Pet-Friendly & Luxury Resorts)

Staying Outside The Park

Alternately, you can choose to stay outside of the park. This may be a better option if you’re booking a last minute trip to Glacier (lodging inside the park fills quickly! usually a year in advance) or if you have a large group and can’t find enough rooms or campsites to accommodate your group size.

Popular places to stay outside of Glacier National Park include:

East side – St. Mary, Babb, East Glacier Park Village

West side – West Glacier, Hungry Horse, Columbia Falls, Whitefish

Lodging In Glacier National Park Map

Before we dig into where to stay when visiting Glacier National Park, let’s first get the map outlined so you can see where you’ll be spending your time before you decide where to stay each night.

It’s important to plan your trip to Glacier by clustering your activities within each area of the park so you’re not spending time driving back and forth from one side of the park to the other side.

My recommendation is to start on one side, East or West, and then switch your lodging halfway through and explore the opposite side.

Use this map to plan where to stay when visiting Glacier National Park! I’ve labeled lodging by whether it’s inside or outside of the park (noted by color) and indicated pet-friendly and luxury resorts (noted by icon).

The most popular park entrance is West Entrance. This is the closest entrance to Apgar Village and a majority of the restaurants, shops, and lodging accommodations in Glacier National Park. Just outside of the park gate is the town of West Glacier which also has a lot of accommodations and a few luxury resorts.

On the east side, St Mary and Many Glacier are also popular areas with many great hikes and things to do in Glacier National Park.

To travel from West Entrance to the East side there is only one road inside the park – Going-To-The-Sun road (open seasonally).

US RT-2, which runs along the southern border of the park, is another option located outside of the park perimeter and does not have any restrictions. 

Both routes take approximately 2 hours. Going-To-The-Sun road is a scenic route that cuts through stunning mountain passes, whereas US RT-2 is a major highway without many good views, but is easier to drive.

The primary takeaway here is that it’ll take at least 2 hours to drive from one side of the park to the other, which is why changing your hotel accommodations halfway through your trip will set you up for easier access to different areas throughout the park.

Pro tip: fill your gas tank before you enter Glacier National Park. There are no gas stations located within the park, and it’s many miles between entrances so you’ll want to be sure you have enough gas to get from one entrance to the other.

Lodging INSIDE Glacier National Park

I highly recommend staying inside of the park, if possible. There’s several benefits to staying in the park, including avoiding timed entry vehicle reservation requirements and avoiding long lines (sometimes hours) at the entrance gate. Plus the obvious – you’re closer to everything!

Please book as far in advance as possible. Reservations open 13 months in advance and sell out quickly – sometimes within minutes.

No matter what your budget, there are several Glacier National Park lodging options. If you’re looking for luxury there are several Swiss Chalet-style lodges.

Or, if you’d prefer something with fewer frills (you’re just sleeping there anyway!) there’s comfortable motor inn options with charm.

And let’s not forget the many campgrounds – check out this complete guide to camping in Glacier National Park for more details.

Hotels & Lodges In Glacier National Park

If camping isn’t your style, and you’d prefer a comfy bed and a private shower after an exciting day of exploring the park then consider one of Glacier National Park’s many lodging options.

1. Lake McDonald Lodge

Rates: Starting at $140, quickly increase during busy season
Open seasonally: May 16 – October 2

Lake McDonald Lodge, built in 1913, is one of the most popular places to stay in Glacier National Park. Consequently, with only 82 rooms, it also sells out months in advance.

The location of Lake McDonald Lodge is perfect- just a quarter mile from the lake which means it comes with some stunning views of the park.

2. Village Inn at Apgar

Rates: Starting at $234/night but can be as high as $500 during summer
Open seasonally: May 21 – October 8

Village Inn at Apgar has a variety of room types, suitable for everyone. If you’re looking for a simple, standard room you can find that here.

You can also find one and two bedroom units that come with fully equipped kitchens (great for saving money while traveling by cooking your own meals).

3. Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins

Rates: $120+/night per room, $200+/night per cabin
Open seasonally: May 9 – September 8

Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins is one of the best places to stay in Glacier National Park. You can choose from a room in the lodge (starting around $120/night) or your own private cabin (starting around $200/night).

Here, you’re steps away from biking, swimming or paddle boarding on Lake McDonald, the trailheads to several great hikes – especially along Lake McDonald Creek with a few beautiful waterfalls.

4. Motel Lake McDonald

Rates: Starting around $200/night
Open seasonally: May 23 – September 21

Motel Lake McDonald is a motel-style Glacier National Park lodging option which offers a no-frills, cozy and rustic experience right on the lake shore.

The stay rooms are a bit dated but you can’t beat the location.

5. Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins

Rates: Starting at $150/night and increase to $250+/night during the summer busy season
Open seasonally: June 8 – September 16

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins is one of two lodging options in Many Glacier. While both options will sell out quickly, this one tends to be available for longer than Many Glacier Hotel, and it’s also the more affordable accommodation.

This is a great location for some of the best hikes in Glacier National Park, including Grinnel Glacier, Iceberg Lake, Redrock Falls, and Ptarmigan Tunnel.

6. Many Glacier Hotel

Rates: Starting at $250/night and increase to $600+/night during the summer busy season
Open seasonally: June 5 – September 29

This is a very popular hotel in Many Glacier and will sell out up to a year in advance so be proactive when making your reservations! July and August dates sell out the quickest.

Many Glacier Hotel is another lodge built in 1914 by the Great American Railroad company, intended to boost sales of railway tickets.

It sits on Swiftcurrent Lake and has several great hiking trailheads right next to it, including Cracker Lake, Grinnell Glacier Trail, Swiftcurrent Nature Trail and Piegan Pass Trail.

7. Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins

Rates: Starting at $230/night and increase during the summer busy season
Open seasonally: June 8 – September 8

Originally built in 1940 and renovated in 2015, Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins has 72 rooms and sells out quickly.

This is one of the most coveted Glacier National Park lodging locations – it’s nestled along Going-To-The-Sun Road, only 12 miles from Logan Pass and just a quarter mile from Saint Mary Lake. 

The Glacier National Park shuttle is accessible from Rising Sun Motor, too, which makes it great if you’re looking for an easy and stress free way to get around the park.

8. Prince of Wales Hotel (Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada)

Rates: Starting around $350/night
Open seasonally: May 16 – September 18

If you’re planning to explore the Canadian portion of Glacier National Park (called Waterton Lakes National Park) this is a great lodging option.

Prince of Wales Hotel is an iconic hotel with breathtaking views of the mountains.

If you’re searching for a luxury resort in Glacier National Park this is it.

These rooms tend to sell out quickly so I recommend booking as close to a year in advance as possible.

9. Granite Park Chalet

Rates: Starting at $134/night
Open seasonally: June 25 – September 11 (Book reservations starting Jan 8)

Staying at Granite Park Chalet is an experience! It’s reachable only by trail so you must hike in. 

Additionally, Granite Park Chalet has a fascinating history. It was built in 1914 by the Great Northern Railway.

Why would a railway build a Chalet in the middle of nowhere? They recognized that there was a business opportunity to increase profits by selling cross-country rail fare to wealthy families interested in exploring the park… if only they had nice accommodations to stay in while they visited.

The solution was to build several chalets. Unfortunately, only two still remain today.

How is this experience different? Aside from having to hike in, food is supplied but you are responsible for cooking your own meals.

You must also bring your own linens or sleeping bag (however, the option to add a “linen package” to your stay is available with advanced notice).

I should also mention that there is no water in the chalet – so you must either bring your own, walk ¼ mile to fetch some, or pay to have it provided.

No running water also means the bathrooms are pit toilets in a separate out building.

10. Sperry Chalet

Rates: Starting at $273/night
Open seasonally: July 8 – September 11 (Book reservations starting Jan 8)

While the original chalet was constructed in 1914 by the Great American Railroad, similar to Granite Park Chalet, it was sadly burned in 2017.

In 2020, after strenuous reconstruction the chalet was reopened to the public.

Similar to staying at Granite Park Chalet, Sperry Chalet is a very rustic experience.

In fact, it’s basically like camping (no heat, electricity or running water) with a few exceptions: no tent is needed and there is someone who will cook your meals for you.

For obvious reasons, candles are not permitted so you will need to use a flashlight or headlamp at night.

Compared to Granite Park Chalet, Sperry Chalet has more convenience, but this will cost you more per night.

Lodging OUTSIDE Glacier National Park

When deciding where to stay when visiting Glacier National Park many options can be expensive, and they sell out really quickly, so staying outside of Glacier National Park may be a better option for you.

West Side – Where To Stay In Glacier National Park

The Western side of Glacier is a popular option given the abundance of accommodations. It’s easy to get to from major airports in Kalispell and Missoula, and also provides an abundance of restaurants, coffee shops, and retailers.

Top locations on the west side of Glacier National Park include West Glacier, Columbia Falls and Whitefish.

West Glacier is the closest town to Glacier National Park and is quite literally right outside the main gate. It offers many great hotels and restaurants, but you’ll likely pay for the convenience of being so close.

Columbia Falls is slightly further west than West Glacier, and is approximately a 20-minute drive to Glacier National Park. If you’re looking for where to stay in Glacier National Park and trying to make last minute reservations, this area is less likely to be sold out than hotels in West Glacier.

Whitefish is a bit farther away, approximately a 45-minute drive, but offers a lot more options for where to stay when visiting Glacier National Park, as well as great restaurants and shopping.

11. West Glacier Cabin Village (In West Glacier)

Rates: $220+/night
Open seasonally: May 9 – September 28

If you’re looking for a place to stay near Glacier National Park you literally can’t get any closer than this!

This log cabin village is less than half a mile from the park, and less than 3 miles from Lake McDonald.

Cabin rates start at $220/night and can accommodate up to 4 people.

12. Belton Chalet (In West Glacier)

Rates: $170-$270/night
Open seasonally: May 9 – October 12

If you’re looking for an upscale, rustic vibe Belton Chalet is for you.

Belton Chalet was built in 1910 and was the first Chalet built by the Great Northern Railroad. It’s been well maintained for over a century and it’s like stepping back in time when staying here.

Additionally, Belton Chalet is conveniently located just a few minutes outside of Glacier National Park.

13. Paddle Ridge – Previously Glacier Outdoor Center (In West Glacier)

Rates: Rooms start at $230/night and private cabins start at $460/night
Open seasonally: May 2 – November 1

Paddle Ridge, previously known as Glacier Outdoor Center, is a very popular place to stay in West Glacier, near Glacier National Park.

It offers spacious cabins and lodge rooms, is less than one mile to Glacier National Park, and it’s even dog friendly! Pet rates are $50 per pet per night.

14. Great Northern Resort (In West Glacier)

Rates: $170 during the shoulder season and $270+/night during peak weeks
Open seasonally: May 1 – October 15

Located just a mile outside of Glacier National Park, in West Glacier, Great Northern Resort offers a lodge with private rooms or private log cabins.

15. Glacier Guides Lodge (In West Glacier)

Rates: $188-$325
Open seasonally: May 30 – September 22

Another convenient place to stay near Glacier National Park, Glacier Guides Lodge is just a 17-minute walk from Glacier National Park, or a short drive.

Rooms only accommodate 2 people, so for larger groups you’ll need to reserve multiple rooms. This seems counterintuitive because rooms offer two queen beds.

Glacier Guides was established in 1983 which provided guided rafting, biking, hiking and fishing excursions. In 2010, the company built Glacier Guides Lodge as a way to provide an eco-friendly place to stay near Glacier National Park for their guests.

16. Glacier Homestead (In West Glacier)

Rates: $160-$220/night
Open year-round

Glacier Homestead is located 10 minutes from the entrance to Glacier National Park.

Rooms start around $160/night and increase to $220+ during the busy season.

In addition to lodge rooms, a hostel, bunkhouse and cabins are also available if you have a larger group.

Dogs are also welcome here! They’re just $35 per dog per night.

17. Silverwolf Log Chalet Resort (In West Glacier)

Rates: $159-$199/night except mid-June through mid-September when rates increase to $289
Open seasonally: May 1 – Oct 31

This little log cabin village is highly rated for friendly staff and clean private cabins.

Even better, these private cabins are the more modestly priced ones in the area at around $200/night.

18. North Forty Resort (In Columbia Falls)

Rates: $164/night during the winter and $230-$350/night during peak summer months
Open year-round

North Forty Resort offers private cabins, a hot tub and sauna. The cabins are spacious and clean.

If you’re traveling with a pet there are a few pet-friendly cabins available to reserve.

This hotel near Glacier National Park is open year-round with rates starting at $164 per night.

19. Cedar Creek Lodge (In Columbia Falls)

Rates: As low as $108 during the winter months with summer months around $400+ per night
Open year-round

Cedar Creek Lodge is a cozy place to stay near Glacier National Park that’s open year-round. They provide a hot buffet breakfast and have an indoor pool, hot tub and fitness center.

20. Wonderstone at Glacier (In Columbia Falls)

Rates: $94/night during winter months and $213-$340/night during the summer with peak weekends hitting $595/night
Open year-round

Wonderstone at Glacier is a newer hotel, built in 2020, which offers modern rooms with a fresh and crisp feel.

It’s just steps from Big Sky Waterpark and a 20-minute drive to Glacier National Park.

Most importantly, Wonderstone at Glacier offers rooms with air conditioning (which isn’t as common in the older buildings in Montana as one might expect).

Wonderstone is open year-round with rooms starting at $94/night.

21. Meadow Lake Resort & Condos (In Columbia Falls)

Rates: Starting at $89/night during the winter months and averaging $199/night to $349/night during peak summer months
Open year-round

Condos and vacation homes are available for rent at Meadow Lake Resort & Condos. The resort includes a golf course, spa, and dining accommodations.

22. Lodge At Whitefish Lake (In Whitefish)

Rates: Start at $270 but can exceed $299 during peak season
Open year-round

The Lodge At Whitefish Lake is a luxury resort with a pool and spa. It sits right on Whitefish Lake and has stunning views from the guest rooms.

23. Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort (In Whitefish)

Rates: Starting at $199 per night
Open year-round

Kandahar Lodge at Whitefish Mountain Resort is located next to Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort, which makes it a perfect choice if you’re visiting Glacier National Park in the winter.

This resort offers a spa, massages, and a fitness center.

24. Hampton Inn & Suites (In Whitefish)

Rates: Starting at $127 per night
Open year-round

Hampton Inn & Suites is an affordable accommodation near Glacier National Park. This hotel features an indoor pool and spacious guest rooms.

25. Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge (In Whitefish)

Rates: Starting at $127 per night
Open year-round

The Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge is a cozy place to stay near Glacier National Park with a free airport shuttle and rates starting at $127 per night. The guest rooms are updated and spacious.

26. Grouse Mountain Lodge (In Whitefish)

Rates: Starting at $139 per night
Open year-round

Grouse Mountain Lodge offers a sauna and indoor pool. The rooms are cozy, clean and affordable.

East Side – Where To Stay In Glacier National Park

The majority of hotels and lodging options on the east side of Glacier National Park are near the entrances for St Mary’s and Two Medicine.

St. Mary is located right outside of the St. Mary Entrance, along Going-To-The-Sun road. This is the most ideal place to stay outside of Glacier National Park on the Eastern side of the park because it’s centrally located to Going-To-The-Sun road and Logan Pass, as well as to Many Glacier and Two Medicine. As a result, these hotels tend to book up quickly.

East Glacier Park Village is located along Route 2 on the Southeastern side of Glacier National Park. It’s a popular location if you’re interested in exploring Two Medicine. However, if Two Medicine is not on your itinerary then consider staying in St Mary or Browning for easier access to the park, instead.

Browning is located on the Eastern side of Glacier National Park. While it seems far on the map, the highways connect directly to St Mary and Many Glacier, which cuts down on drive time into the park. It’s about 30 minutes to drive from Browning to St. Mary.

27. St Mary Village (In St Mary)

Rates: $225/night and $329/night during busy summer dates
Open seasonally: May 23 – September 29

St Mary Village is a rustic and comfortable motel-style hotel literally right outside of the entrance to Glacier National Park, which makes it the most ideal location if you don’t want to stay inside of the park.

28. Glacier Lookout Vacation Rental (In St Mary)

Rates: Starting at $237/night
Open year-round

If you prefer a vacation rental consider Glacier Lookout. This private villa overlooks the Rockies and St Mary.

It comes with a full kitchen, laundry, and can sleep 6. Pets are allowed!

It’s just 10 minutes to the St Mary entrance.

29. Glacier Park Lodge (In East Glacier Park)

Rates: Starting at $250
Open seasonally: May 30 – September 22

Glacier Park Lodge is a charming log cabin style lodge just 15-minutes from Glacier National Park.

30. Travelers Rest Lodge (In East Glacier Park)

Rates: Starting at $250/night
Open year-round

If your preference is for an entire cabin to yourself then Travelers Rest Lodge is perfect. It’s less than an hour to Saint Mary Lake.

31. Mountain Pine Motel (In East Glacier Park)

Rates: $120/night to $160/night
Open seasonally: May 15 – October 31

This funky art deco motel is only 45-minutes to Glacier National Park, with friendly staff and very clean rooms. Rooms start at $120+ and rise modestly to $160+ per night during the busiest weeks.

32. Glacier Peaks Hotel (In Browning)

Rates: $159/night during the winter and $359/night during peak summer months
Open year-round

Approximately 40-minutes from St Mary Visitor Center in Glacier National Park, Glacier Peaks Hotel is one of the nicest options outside of the park.

Large, spacious and modern guest rooms are available starting at $159/night and increasing to $359 during the busiest weeks in the season.

Tips For Booking Places To Stay In Glacier National Park

The most important tip for booking where to stay in Glacier National Park is to BOOK EARLY.

Glacier is a very popular place, especially in the summer, so hotels and campgrounds sell out quickly.

Most places accept bookings 12-13 months in advance. Set a calendar reminder and book as soon as reservations open. They often sell out within minutes of reservations opening.

If you’re unable to get a booking in advance, check back daily for cancelations. It’s very common for rooms to become available when people’s travel plans change.

You may not be able to get the entire booking window you’re looking for. In that case, be flexible and book nights as they become available.

If you’re able to reserve multiple nights in a hotel under different reservation dates, then call the hotel to ask them to merge the stay into one reservation.

Lastly, consider staying farther outside of the park. The closer to the park you get, the harder it is to find reservations.

By adding a little bit of drive time you’re more likely to find a hotel with availability that fits your needs.

Luxury Resorts Near Glacier National Park

There are a few luxury resorts in Glacier National Park, and many more options nearby. Whitefish and Kalispell are especially known for luxury resorts.

These are my top recommendations for luxury resorts near Glacier National Park:

• Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park (Lake McDonald area)
• Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park (Many Glacier area)
• Prince Of Wales Hotel in Glacier National Park (Waterton, Canada area)
• Belton Chalet in West Glacier, MT
• Lodge At Whitefish Lake in Whitefish, MT

Glacier National Park Pet Friendly Lodging

While Glacier National Park is not the most pet-friendly park (unlike Acadia or Arches, which offer a variety dog friendly options), it’s still possible to find pet friendly places to stay in or near the park.

These are my top picks for where to stay in Glacier National Park with dogs:

• Paddle Ridge in West Glacier
• Glacier Homestead in West Glacier
• North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls
• Glacier Lookout vacation rental in St Mary