Where to Stay at Glacier National Park: Lodges, Hotels and Campgrounds

Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana sits along the Canadian border, covering more than a million acres of alpine terrain, over 700 miles of hiking trails, and the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road. The park’s remote location means accommodation options are genuinely limited, plan well ahead or plan on long drives.

In-Park Lodges

In-park lodges are operated by Pursuit (formerly Glacier Park Collection) and booked at glaciernationalparklodges.com. Reservations open in early January for the upcoming summer season; popular properties sell out within hours.

Many Glacier Hotel is the showpiece of Glacier’s accommodation. Perched on the eastern shore of Swiftcurrent Lake with Grinnell Point rising directly behind it, the 1915 Swiss chalet-style hotel offers one of the finest settings of any lodge in the US national park system. Rooms run from approximately $190 to $420 per night as of 2026, with lake-view rooms at the higher end. Book the moment reservations open.

Lake McDonald Lodge sits on the southwest shore of Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park, and dates to 1914. The hunting lodge-style interior has a distinctive character with native crafts and taxidermy throughout. Rooms run approximately $180 to $380 per night; cabins from approximately $130 to $200 as of 2026. The most accessible park lodge from the west entrance.

Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins is a simpler motel-style property on the eastern shore of St. Mary Lake, roughly 6 miles inside the east entrance on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Rooms run approximately $130 to $195 per night; cabins approximately $150 to $220 as of 2026.

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins is near Many Glacier Hotel, offering budget motel rooms and basic cabins. Rates run from approximately $105 to $150 per night as of 2026. The most affordable in-park option and shares Many Glacier’s remarkable setting. Popular with hikers who want the location without the lodge price.

Granite Park Chalet and Sperry Chalet are backcountry chalet lodges accessible only on foot, with distances of 7.6 miles and 6.7 miles from the nearest trailhead respectively. Granite Park costs approximately $130 per person per night for a dormitory spot, Sperry approximately $230 to $280 per person for a private room as of 2026. Meals included at Sperry. These are among the most memorable places to sleep in any US national park. Book at glacierchalet.com; reservations open in early January and sell out within days.

Gateway Town Hotels

Whitefish, Montana is the main gateway town, 26 miles from the west entrance. It has a genuine small city feel with restaurants, breweries, and outdoor outfitters, and is significantly more comfortable than smaller gateway spots.

• Whitefish Mountain Resort Lodge at the base of the ski area is one of the better upscale options, approximately $220 to $380 per night in summer as of 2026.
• The Lodge at Whitefish Lake is a lakeside resort with a marina and spa, approximately $280 to $480 per night as of 2026.
• Garden Wall Inn is a highly regarded B&B in a 1920s craftsman home, approximately $185 to $250 per night as of 2026.
• Glacier Highland Resort is a reliable mid-range motel at approximately $140 to $200 per night as of 2026.

Columbia Falls, Montana sits 10 miles from the west entrance and is cheaper than Whitefish.

• Glacier Basecamp Hotel is a clean, well-reviewed option at approximately $130 to $190 per night as of 2026.
• Glacier Outdoor Center Cabins offers cabin rentals near the entrance for approximately $150 to $240 per night as of 2026.

East Glacier Park, Montana is the closest gateway to the park’s east entrance.

• Glacier Park Lodge is a historic great lodge-style property with a 9-hole golf course, approximately $160 to $270 per night as of 2026. Also operated by Pursuit.
• Mountain Pine Motel is a budget option at approximately $90 to $130 per night as of 2026.

St. Mary, Montana is just outside the east entrance, very small but convenient for the east side.

• St. Mary Lodge and Resort offers rooms and cabins from approximately $150 to $280 per night as of 2026.

Campgrounds

Apgar Campground at the south end of Lake McDonald is the largest in the park at 194 sites, reservable on recreation.gov. Fees approximately $20 to $25 per night as of 2026. Excellent location near the lake and close to the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Fish Creek Campground on Lake McDonald’s west shore has 178 sites, also reservable, fees approximately $20 to $25 as of 2026.

St. Mary Campground at the east entrance has 148 sites near St. Mary Lake. Reservable, fees approximately $20 to $25 per night as of 2026.

Many Glacier Campground near Many Glacier Hotel has 109 sites and is among the most popular in the park. Reservable on recreation.gov, fees approximately $20 to $25 as of 2026.

Two Medicine Campground on the southeast side is less visited and offers a quieter alternative, with 99 sites at approximately $20 per night as of 2026.

Several additional campgrounds are first-come, first-served and fill by late morning in July and August. Arriving by 7am is advisable.

Booking Tips

For lodges: glaciernationalparklodges.com opens reservations in early January (typically the first Tuesday or Thursday). Many Glacier Hotel and Sperry Chalet sell out within hours of opening. Set a reminder and be logged in and ready.

For campgrounds: recreation.gov opens reservations 6 months in advance. Sites at Apgar, Many Glacier, and St. Mary move fast for July and August weekends.

Check the vehicle reservation requirements for Going-to-the-Sun Road before your visit. In recent years the park has required a reservation to drive the road between 6am and 3pm during peak season. Requirements change annually at nps.gov/glac.

Best Season to Visit

Mid-July to mid-September is the window when Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open, all lodges are operational, and the high country is accessible. This is peak season with corresponding crowds and booking difficulty.

Late June is excellent if the road opens on schedule (it can still have snow above Logan Pass in early June). Wildflowers are at their peak in late June and early July. Book accommodation as you would for July.

September is arguably the best month to visit: huckleberry season peaks, bears are active before hibernation, and crowds drop sharply after Labor Day. The road remains open through October weather permitting.

Winter (November to April) closes most park roads and all park lodges. Whitefish Mountain Resort is an excellent ski destination during this window. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are possible in the park’s lower elevations.