Where to Stay in Glacier National Park → 5 Best Areas

Are you ready for one of the biggest adventures of your life? Get ready for some awesome outdoor activities and spectacular scenery! The history of Glacier National Park goes way back, and scientists have traced the existence of humans inhabiting Glacier National Park for more than 10,000 years. If that doesn’t get you excited I don’t know what will!

Getting around a national park can be quite difficult, but I’m here to give you a hand and some clues about Glacier Park. The park has 7 different entrances but only 2 are used by the majority of tourists. The main entrance is in West Glacier, on the west side of the park. From here, the Going-to-the-Sun Road traverses the park, crossing the continental divide at Logans Pass and connects with the eastern border at the St. Mary entrance.

Now let’s see where to stay in Glacier National Park! I always recommend staying in towns near the national parks. You’ll find a wider range of hotel options with high-end facilities. And as you’ll see, all the accommodations inside the park, book out even a year in advance! However, if you decide to stay in one of the towns, you still need to book your hotel near Glacier Park in advance, especially in the ones closest as rooms around here always sell quickly!

Let’s go, the glacier country is calling!

If you are in a hurry

If you want to book now, your hotels where to stay in Glacier National Park, then quickly browse this list with the best accommodations, all located in Columbia Falls:

Here’s a map of all the areas where to stay in Glacier National Park that I will be talking about in this post:

1. Columbia Falls – where to stay in Glacier National Park for first-timers

Are you looking for that authentic Montana experience during your holiday to Glacier National Park? Well, look no more, because I’ve found you the perfect town! Columbia Falls is conveniently located 15 miles (24 km) south of the main West Glacier entrance of Glacier National Park.

Suppose the idea of camping inside the park doesn’t really excite you and you want to stay at the best hotels that are equipped with all the facilities you need. In that case, I highly recommend finding accommodations in Columbia Falls.

Here you can enjoy the famous Montana hospitality in all the local pubs and restaurants. There’s nothing better than a hot delicious meal and a good drink after a day of hiking in Glacier National Park!

The town offers a wide range of attractions for all types of travelers, from the cool Big Sky Waterpark that will be the trip highlight for the kids, to all the outdoor activities like snowmobiling and ziplining, which I’m sure will excite everyone!

Because Columbia Falls offers easy access to the West Glacier entrance of the park, all the hotels and every lodge here will sell out super fast. So definitely book your accommodation in advance if you want to be close to the West Glacier Entrance! While you’re busy booking, if you’re looking for another destination like this one, I think you would love Yellowstone, the world’s first national park!

Other accommodation options in Columbia Falls

Things to do in Columbia Falls

• Have fun with the kids at Big Sky Waterpark
• Visit the Montana Vortex and House of Mystery
• Go ziplining with Glacier Ziplines in Columbia Falls
• Pack your warm clothes and go snowmobiling
• Spot the cute birds in Rivers Edge Park
• Take a Columbia River Gorge waterfalls and Mt Hood tour
• Have a beer at Backslope Brewing after a day of exploring Glacier National Park

2. Whitefish – the best place to stay for outdoor activities

Located 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the west entrance and featuring amazing views of the Rocky Mountains and Whitefish Lake, this town is a paradise for those who love to try every possible outdoor activity!

You’ll have lots of things to try out before your trip to Glacier National Park! There are many mountain biking trails located in the hills that surround the town, plus a few bike rental stores and tours.

Downtown Whitefish is where you’ll find all the restaurants, plus a handful of hotels. There are also a few other attractions that don’t involve so much physical effort if you’re too tired after exploring all the hiking trails in Glacier National Park. Such as Stumptown Historical Museum and the Sunti World Art Gallery.

What did I tell you? Never a dull moment in this exciting town! Don’t worry if you visit Whitefish during the wintertime. There are plenty of exciting things to do during the colder season as well such as skiing and snowboarding!

Other accommodation options in Whitefish

Things to do in Whitefish

• Go mountain biking in the hills of Whitefish
• Have fun ice skating at Stumptown Ice Den, near the Whitefish Lake
• Visit during wintertime and go skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort
• Get some vitamin D at City Beach near Whitefish Lake
• Check out the golf course at Whitefish Lake Golf Club
• Explore downtown Whitefish and check all the attractions like the Stumptown Historical Museum

3. Kalispell – best place in Glacier N.P for families

Located 30 miles (50 km) south of the park’s west entrance, this town lives up to its name and will cast such a big spell on you that you won’t want to leave! Home to quite a few forests, some wild animals, and surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, Kalispell is one of the best places to stay near West Glacier.

Kalispell is perfect for anyone traveling with their families. It has a wide range of activities for all age groups and numerous natural spots that you guys can explore together with the whole crew! And if you and your family enjoy spending time outdoors, I highly recommend visiting Joshua Tree National Park. It’s such a wonderful place!

Before you hurry to West Glacier to visit the Glacier National Park, take a few days to explore Kalispell. The kids will probably want to spend all their time at Woodland Water Park but don’t worry if you get bored of all the water. You can ground yourself by playing some golf at Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

Downtown Kalispell is a nice place to get to know the history of the town and visit some museums. That shouldn’t take so long, though. I know you’ll be super excited to check out all the parks and the woods!

Other accommodation options in Kalispell

Things to do in Kalispell

• Relax on the course at the Buffalo Hill Golf Club
• Visit the cute ducks in Woodland Park
• Play with the kids all day long at Woodland Water Park
• Visit the Conrad Mansion Museum and the Northwest Montana History Museum in Downtown Kalispell
• Enjoy some time in the outdoors with the family at Lawrence Park

4. Bigfork – where to stay for nature lovers

This town is located 40 miles (65 km) south of the West Entrance at the park and is a paradise for anyone who wants to spend as much time in nature as possible!

Situated near Flathead Lake and surrounded by other rivers, Bigfork offers some pretty iconic scenery that you won’t forget anytime soon! And hold your excitement to go visiting Glacier National Park because guess what, we’ve got a super cool state park right in this town!

Wayfarers State Park is perfect for hiking, and rumor has it you can watch the best sunsets on Flathead Lake from the Park. And that’s not it, right near Bigfork, you’ll find the Flathead National Forest, another beautiful spot where you can enjoy the wilderness, hike, and do other cool activities like camping or skiing!

The Flathead Lake Brewing Co will be waiting for you at the end of a full day of exploring around Bigfork’s top spots so don’t forget to have a beer and mingle with the locals. You’ll find mostly inns and apartments here, so let’s see which are the best ones!

Other accommodation options in Bigfork

Things to do in Bigfork

• Go hiking in Wayfarers State Park
• Catch a sunset near Flathead Lake
• Have a beer at ​​Flathead Lake Brewing Co
• Explore the wilderness in Flathead National Forest
• Play some golf on the Eagle Bend Golf Club
• Have dinner & a delicious dessert at Dairy Queen Grill & Chill

5. Somers – best place in Glacier National Park for budget

Located on the north shore of Flathead Lake, just 40 miles (65 km) south of the park’s west entrance, Somers is a small and peaceful town that’s perfect for anyone who wants to relax during their holiday to Glacier National Park. Also, its cheaper prices are best for those who are looking for affordable accommodation.

Because Somers is small you’ll find most of the attractions and things to do in the nearby area. That’s why I highly recommend renting a car if you’re thinking of booking your accommodations here so you can have easy access to all activities.

Before you head to Glacier National Park, make sure you explore the area a bit. The Artemis Acres Paint Horse Ranch is located nearby, and it’s a wonderful place where you can go horseback riding! Plus, Sommers is surrounded by the Blacktail Mountain, which has a designated ski area, so if you’re lucky enough to come during wintertime, you can hit the slopes right away!

Other accommodation options in Somers

Things to do in Somers

• Go horseback riding at The Artemis Acres Paint Horse Ranch
• Have dinner at Del’s Bar & Grill
• Buy cool souvenirs from the Somers Antique Shop
• Get yourself a cup of coffee from Somers Bay Cafe
• Have fun skiing in the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area
• Enjoy the scenic views of Flathead Lake

BONUS: Where to stay inside Glacier National Park

Many people don’t want to miss the experience of staying inside a national park, and indeed it’s a unique thing that you should try at least once! However, you should be prepared to book nearly a year in advance.

And keep in mind that most Glacier National Park lodges may not have all the facilities you are used to. That’s why I always recommend finding a place to stay in the closest town, as there’s a wider range of options. But I know that you guys are looking for adventure and might still want to stay inside the park and have easy access. So I thought I would make a list of the best Glacier National Park lodging!

Let’s find your perfect spot!

1. Many Glacier Hotel
Many Glacier Hotel is a great place to stay inside the Glacier National Park, and it’s located on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake just 4 miles (6 km) away from the Many Glacier entrance, on the east side of the park. Many Glacier Hotel offers different services like the Red Bus Tours and kayak rentals. The rooms have views of Swiftcurrent Lake and have a rustic style and private bathrooms starting at $260 per night.

2. Village Inn at Apgar
Enjoy having easy access to the park’s facilities at Village Inn at Apgar lodge that has different types of rustic rooms with private baths and kitchens starting at $180 per night. Located 2 miles (3 km) away from the west entrance of the Glacier National Park this accommodation is perfect for your holiday!

3. Rising Sun Motor Inn 
For those of you who want to be close to the St. Mary entrance, on the east side of the Glacier National Park, I highly recommend booking your place at the Rising Sun Motor Inn located 6 miles from St. Mary Visitor’s Center. The accommodation is also near St Mary Lake and it has lots of amenities including an on-site restaurant and rooms with private bathrooms starting from $180 per night. 

4. Lake McDonald Lodge
Located on the eastern shore of Lake McDonald just 10 miles (16 km) away from the west side of the park, this historic lodge was built in 1913 and it has a beautiful rustic style! There are different types of accommodations at the Lake McDonald Lodge from standard rooms to cabin rooms starting at $120 a night. The accommodation offers a wide range of services from Red Bus tours, boat cruises, and horseback rides.

5. Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins
This accommodation is located 5 miles (8 km) away from the Many Glacier Entrance and it has 95 rustic cabins and motel rooms starting from $120. There’s a restaurant on-site if you want to grab a bite before you head to explore the park and a gift shop to buy cool souvenirs for everyone at home!

Frequently asked questions about Glacier National Park

Conclusion

What a fun adventure! I hope this post helped you decide where to stay in Glacier National Park and whether you should stay near the west or east entrance.

There are so many hotel options in this post, but here are my top 2 favorite ones, both located in Columbia Falls:

Once you decide which accommodation you want, make sure you book it in advance! That way you can get the best deals and prices!

That’s it from my side! Have fun in Glacier National Park, enjoy the views of Lake Mcdonald, and explore the great Mary Village and the Highline Trail! I want to hear all about your trip, so leave me a comment below and I’ll make sure to answer!

Safe Travels,

Victoria