Where to Stay in Glacier: Complete Guide (Inside & Outside the Park)

Glacier National Park is arguably the most beautiful place on our planet. With one million acres of forested wilderness containing turquoise lakes, glacier-covered mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, and valleys blanketed with colorful wildflowers, it’s no wonder that 3 million visitors travel there yearly.

Lodging within Glacier National Park contains 3 Swiss chalet-style luxury lodges (~$250 and up) and 5 budget options (~$159 and up), including motor inns, motels, and cabins. Staying within the park is worth the price because of its proximity to desired sites and activities.

I’m Cheryl, and I have grown up in the West. I’m a special education teacher and spend my summers visiting the national parks with my 4 kids and husband, Matt, who writes travel itineraries and audio guides. I’ve stayed in 6 of the Glacier National Park lodges and I’m hoping this post will help you find the right lodging for your trip.

Short on time? Check out lodging highlights in Glacier National Park:

• Historic Swiss-style lodges with grand lobbies, fireplaces, and mountain views.
• Rustic motor inns and cabins with simpler, more affordable stays.
• No TVs or A/C—expect basic amenities and retro charm.
• Locations right by trails, ranger programs, and iconic sights.

A few places you’ll find:

• Lake McDonald Lodge (West Glacier) – cozy lakeside classic.
• Glacier Park Lodge (East Glacier) – grand timbered lobby.
• Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins (East Glacier) – simple, trailhead-side stays.
• Prince of Wales Hotel (Waterton, Canada) – iconic cliffside views and excellent service.

Tip: Lodging fills up quickly—book as early as possible.

Available Lodging

Because of the sheer size of Glacier National Park, I’ve found it very beneficial to stay within the park (or very close) to a park entrance. In fact, I actually switch locations throughout my trip to Glacier so that I don’t have to do as much driving.

For that reason, this post will only cover lodging within the park or lodging very close to an entrance of the park.

Luxury Lodging

Book Your Luxury Stay in Glacier National Park

• Many Glacier Hotel – historic alpine-style lodge
• Glacier Park Lodge – classic railroad-era retreat
• Lake McDonald Lodge – charming lakeshore hideaway
• Belton Chalet – quaint Swiss-style chalet
• Prince of Wales Hotel of Waterton – elegant hilltop landmark

Between the years of 1910 and 1914, the Great Northern Railway was looking for a way to sell more train tickets. They came up with the idea that if they could convince wealthy tourists to travel within the United States instead of heading to Europe, they could pull a pretty reasonable profit.

The railroad had tracks leading to Glacier National Park, but there were no suitable accommodations for guests once they arrived. They built some fancy Swiss-style chalets and marketed Glacier as the Alps of America.

Their plan worked and now guests today have the opportunity to stay in these charming and stunning lodges and hotels built over 100 years ago.

DISCOVER: 13 Things You Shouldn’t Miss When You Visit Glacier National Park!

With that being said, here is what you can expect if you stay at any of the luxury lodgings within Glacier (Many Glacier Hotel, Glacier Park Lodge, Lake McDonald Lodge, Belton Chalet, and the Prince of Wales Hotel of Waterton).

Budget Lodging

Book Your Budget Stay in Glacier National Park

• Village Inn at Apgar – simple lakeside rooms, some with kitchens.
• West Glacier Cabin Village – modern cabins with kitchens and A/C.
• Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins – rustic stays by trailheads with diner on-site.
• Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins – roadside lodging for up to 4 guests.

As early as the 1930s, it became apparent that more than the super-rich wished to visit Glacier National Park. With that in mind, various businesses began obtaining permission to build a new sort of lodging- Motor Inns.

The invention of the car enabled tourists to travel across the country in their automobile without having to purchase expensive train tickets. The Motor Inns were built less grandly and marketed as a lodging option for middle-class families.

Since then, motels and cabins have been added to the available accommodations for those wishing to stay within a more modest budget.

Here is what you can expect with the budget options at Glacier National Park

1. Modest lobbies: At the luxury lodges, the lobby is a place to relax and visit in the evening. The lobbies at budget lodging are more like what traditional hotels are like, where few people mingle. There is basic seating and maybe a few board games, but no fancy views or grand pianos.
2. Larger rooms: Because all of these accommodations were built more recently, it’s common for the room size to be more like the size of hotel rooms today. Budget lodging for the win!! Cabin options are great for larger families. The beds and linens aren’t quite as nice, but the rooms are still clean and comfortable.
3. Larger bathrooms: The layout of the bathrooms has a traditional style sink instead of a pedestal sink because the bathrooms are bigger. The towels aren’t quite as nice, nor is the water pressure. You can expect a shower but no tub (to my knowledge).
4. Less rustic amenities: Value lodging stays consistent with luxury lodging in that there is no A/C or TVs. However, many of the cabins include a full kitchen, which can save you a pretty penny if you want to pack picnic lunches and prepare your own meals.
5. Poor Wi-Fi: While in Glacier National Park, just plan on unplugging. You’ll be able to relax if you aren’t expecting to be able to get the hotel’s Wi-Fi or for your cell phone to get reception.
6. Grills: Most budget lodging has a grill on-site or very nearby. A lunch or dinner costs between ~$18-$20 and the food is good but nothing special. Plan on burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. Eddie’s Cafe of Apgar Village and Two Dog Flats Grill on the Going-to-the-Sun Road were our favorites.
7. Close to the action: The locations of budget lodging are a small degree below the locations of luxury options. Most are less than 1/2 a mile away! If you only care about the location, a budget option will get the job done and save you lots of money.
8. $$$: Even though there are several budget options, plan on spending over ~$100 a night for a standard room. Some cabins and rooms for larger groups can cost over ~$300. Cheaper options are available in Whitefish or Kalispell, but I still think it’s worth it to pay the extra money to not have to drive 45 minutes to get into the park every morning.
9. Family-friendly: It’s nice to have options more suited to younger children. I would feel comfortable taking my children to any of these budget options. Keep in mind that not all of them will accommodate a group larger than 4.
10. Cabins offer a more wilderness feel: I really enjoyed staying at my cabin at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins. I was surrounded by pine trees and a lake with a hiking trail nearby. Even though the luxury lodges are also near lakes, the grounds are landscaped and you don’t feel immersed in nature as I did at my cabin.

Whether booking value or luxury lodging, it’s important that you book your accommodations as soon as you know your travel dates. All lodging fills up fast and guests can book as early as 13 months in advance.

Conditions for cancellations are pretty lenient for both concessionaires who manage the lodges. For this reason, cancellations are common and you may be able to snag a room last-minute if you check the website daily…but I still recommend reserving your lodging as soon as possible.

Where to Stay at Glacier National Park | Reviewing Each Lodge in the Park

The Layout of Glacier National Park

Now that you know what is available within the park or close to an entrance, let’s do a brief overview of the park so you know where you want to stay. Before securing your lodging, there are a few things about Glacier National Park that you need to know.

• Glacier is broken into 3 sections: West Glacier, East Glacier, and Waterton
• It takes over 2 hours to drive from East Glacier to West Glacier, without stopping
• The Going-to-the-Sun Road connects the East and West sides of the park
• Glacier is technically called Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, and the Waterton section is in Canada.

DON’T MISS: What is the Best Entrance for Glacier National Park?

West Glacier

West Glacier is by far the most visited section of the park. With its proximity to larger cities like Whitefish, Kalispell, and Big Fork, and the quickest access to the freeway, it’s the most convenient to get to.

Home to Lake McDonald and Apgar Lake, West Glacier is also what I consider the most family-friendly area of the park. The Trail of the Cedars hike is easy and fun for kids, and Apgar Village has several shops that rent SUPs and kayaks to play with.

I never visit West Glacier without hiking to Avalanche Lake, renting a motor boat to cruise around Lake McDonald, and taking the journey along the stunning and scary Going-to-the-Sun Road.

FIND OUT: Can You Swim in Glacier National Park?

West Glacier Lodging

	Pricing	Where to book	Location	Description
Apgar Village, Lodge and Cabins	~$132 and up	Website	In the park	Budget. Motel rooms and cabins featuring full kitchens. Can sleep up to 6 guests.
Belton Chalet	~$176 and up	Expedia	6-minute drive to West Glacier	Luxury. Near Amtrak train station. Famous Belton Chalet Tap House and Restaurant. No lake views. Many rooms have private balconies.
Cedar Creek Lodge	~$220 and up	ExpediaBooking.com	Columbia, 30-minute drive to West Glacier	Luxury. Open year-round. Includes fitness center, pool, A/C, TV, and complimentary breakfast. Suites and standard rooms.
Lake McDonald Lodge	~$162 and up	Expedia	In the park	Luxury. Cabins and standard rooms. Beautiful lake views and fine dining at Russell’s Fireside Dining Room. Red bus pick up and Glacier Boat Tours behind the lodge.
Village Inn at Apgar	~$275 and up	Expedia	In the park	Budget. Standard, family rooms, and rooms with kitchens. Right on Lake McDonald. Recently renovated in 2015.
West Glacier Cabin Village	~$239 and up	Expedia	In the park	Budget. Modern cabins sleep up to 4. Full kitchens. Amenities include A/C, TV, mini golf, and kids playground.

I’ve personally stayed at the Belton Chalet and Lake McDonald Lodge and wanted to give you a quick overview of my experience.

Lake McDonald Lodge

Pros	Cons
Closer to headliner attractions like the Trail of the Cedars and Going-to-the-Sun Road	Terrible Wi-Fi and no cell connection
Gorgeous views from the outdoor seating area	No TVs or AC
Red Bus tour pick up	Pricey and books up early
Cozy and comfortable rooms	Small rooms
Russell’s Fireside Dining Room	No dedicated parking

Overall: Next time I go to West Glacier, I want to stay here again. I loved the views and carrot ginger soup from Russell’s Fireside Dining Room. I also loved being right on Lake McDonald. It was great to be close to the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Avalanche Lake trailhead. Learn everything about my stay at the Lake McDonald Lodge.

FIND OUT: What to Do in Glacier When the Going-to-the-Sun Road is Closed

Belton Chalet

Pros	Cons
You feel like you are in the woods	No AC/TV
Across the street from the Amtrak station	Small/Cramped lobby
One of the first lodges built by the Northern Railway	Creaky floors
Rooms are rustically delightful	25 minutes from the best sites of West Glacier
Free continental breakfast and cookies	Located on a busy road
Fine dining	My least favorite of the lodges
Large recreation room	

Overall: The Belton Chalet was nice, but I would just prefer to stay at Lake McDonald. The Belton Chalet is located on the main road and it takes 25 minutes to drive to the sites of Glacier, and that’s if there’s not a line at the entry station.

There is a charming tradition of guests waving to the Amtrak train as it arrives and departs. I probably won’t stay here again, but I did have a good experience. Learn everything about my stay at the Belton Chalet.

East Glacier

East Glacier lies on the other side of the mountain and the other side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It is home to 3 distinct areas, including Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and St. Mary’s. Glacier National Park is beautiful everywhere you look, but Many Glacier is the crown jewel of this amazing park.

Many Glacier is the most beautiful area. Grinnell Glacier is the best hike with the prettiest view I’ve ever experienced. But even if you aren’t a big hiker, Swiftcurrent Lake and Grinnell Peak are breathtaking just from the valley.

St. Mary’s is an unincorporated town with some lodging, gas stations, and stores. There really isn’t much to do there.

Two Medicine is a less developed and less visited area of the park. There is no lodging here and only one parking lot, which is the jumping-off point for hiking trails, boat tours, and the visitor center.

Two Medicine and St. Mary’s are passable in my opinion. I try to spend 2 days in Many Glacier if I can.

East Glacier Lodging

	Pricing	Where to book	Location	Description
Glacier Park Lodge	~$199 and up	ExpediaBooking.com	Black Feet Nation: 12-minute drive to Two Medicine 1h 5m drive to Many Glacier	Luxury. Value, standard, suites, and family rooms. Impressive lobby with giant wood beams. Fine dining in the Great Northern Dining Room. No lake view. Access to the Amtrak train station. Grounds include a golf course. Sun Bus Tour pick up station.
Many Glacier Hotel	~$295 and up	Expedia	In the park on Swiftcurrent Lake 1h 20m drive to Two Medicine	Luxury. Standard and deluxe rooms accommodate up to 4 people. Shared balconies. Fine Dining at the Ptarmigan Dining Room. The lobby has impressive views of Swiftcurrent Lake and Grinnell Peak. Best lodge in the park and the most difficult to get reservations.
Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins	~$254 and up	Expedia	Located on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in the park 30m drive to Many Glacier	Budget. Cabins and motel rooms that sleep up to 4 people. Two Dog Flats Grill is across the street.
St. Mary Village	~$199 and up	ExpediaBooking.com	30m to Many Glacier 1h 20m to Two Medicine	Budget. Several options include suites and standard rooms in the motel and lodge. Cabins are also available. Amenities include TV, AC, and Wi-Fi that actually works.
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins	~$149 and up	Expedia	In the park by Many Glacier Hotel. 1h 20m drive to Two Medicine	Budget. Rustic cabins and motel rooms that sleep up to 4. Right next to the Many Glacier Hotel. Quick access to the ranger programs and hiking trailheads. Nel’s Grill is onsite.

I’ve personally stayed at the Glacier Park Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel, and the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Here’s a quick overview of my experiences.

Glacier Park Lodge

Pros	Cons
Beautiful grounds	The area surrounding the lodge is run-down
The best lobby of the Glacier Lodges	The rooms are old (not in a good way)
Close to Amtrak train station	Bathrooms are very small
Sun Tours access point	Poor Wi-Fi
Closest lodging to Two Medicine	No TV, AC, microwave, or fridge
Huge with lots of room options	No lake view
Free tours of the hotel	Two Medicine is one of the least scenic areas of Glacier
Less expensive than some of the other lodges	

Overall: The lobby at the Glacier Park Lodge was the most impressive, even though it did not have a lake view. My room was not up to the standards of the other lodges. My biggest problem was the location of the Glacier Park Lodge. It’s too far away from the most scenic parts of the park and for that reason, I probably won’t stay there again. Learn everything about my stay at the Glacier Park Lodge.

Many Glacier

Pros	Cons
Larger, charming rooms with shared balconies	Most expensive
The best lobby of Glacier lodges (Matt’s opinion- I like the East Glacier Lodge)	Rooms are in high demand
Located in the most scenic area of Glacier National Park	Accessing the parking lot requires a lot of climbing
Delicious fine dining onsite at Ptarmigans	Poor Wi-Fi
Walking distance to boat tours	No TV, A/C, microwave or fridge
Huge with lots of room options
Free hotel tours
Pick-up location for Red Bus Tours
My #1 choice for lodging in Glacier National Park

Overall: If you are lucky enough to secure a room and have some extra cash, you should stay here. The lobby has the best view in the park of Swiftcurrent Lake and Grinnell Peak. The hotel is close to my favorite hike ever, Grinnell Glacier, and I loved eating at the Ptarmigan Dining Room. I’d stay here again, but probably not bring my kids. Learn everything about my stay at the Many Glacier Hotel.

DISCOVER: 9 Great Places to Eat in Glacier National Park

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins

Pros	Cons
Easier to secure lodging	Not as nice as other lodges
Great location	The room had some imperfections
Affordable	Bed could be more comfortable
Feels retro instead of rustic	Bad Wi-fi
Close to hiking trails, ranger programs, and Swiftcurrent Lake	Dirt parking lot
No stairs	
Cabins are cute and private	
Store nearby	
Counter-service restaurant on site	

Overall: Even though it wasn’t grandiose like the Many Glacier Hotel, I loved my rustic cabin in the wilderness. It was fun to hike to Red Rock Falls and attend the nightly ranger program without having to drive anywhere. It’s right in the middle of the best part of Glacier National Park and I highly recommend staying here. Learn more about my stay at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.

DISCOVER: West Glacier vs. Many Glacier: Which Side is Better? (Lodging + Things To Do)

Final Thoughts

The lodging within Glacier National Park is the best I’ve seen within any national park. The Swiss chalet style of the luxury lodges is absolutely charming and actually adds to the beauty of the surrounding nature.

The budget lodges are a great alternative and both budget and luxury lodges are at the heart of the action within the park. This is the main reason to stay inside the park.

Because Many Glacier is the most majestic section of the park, the Many Glacier Hotel is my top pick, but I would happily stay at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins to be close to my favorite sights.

The Lake McDonald Lodge is my 2nd pick. West Glacier is a great area with lots to do and Lake McDonald Lodge is right in the middle of it.

I don’t recommend staying outside the park, even if it means you’ll have more amenities. Enjoy unplugging and connecting with other travelers and stay in the most beautiful areas.

Bonus Review: Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton, Canada

Waterton has a completely different feel from East and West Glacier. It’s more developed with a bike path, several places to eat and stay, and fewer rules- feel free to bring your dog!

Waterton is not as scenic as Glacier, but the Prince of Wales Hotel is so amazing that I had to let you know about my experience.

Prince of Wales Hotel

Pros	Cons
Fancy and formal style lobby with amazing views	Paid parking
Lovely piano music	~$300 and up per night (peak season)
Superb service	Reservations needed for restaurant
Royal Dining Room- afternoon tea	No AC
Comfortable rooms	The Waterton area is not as pretty as Glacier National Park
Great view from room	Limited elevator use
Beautifully landscaped
Gift shop with a wide selection
Walking path to Waterton

Overall: I felt like a princess staying in a castle at the Prince of Wales Hotel. The afternoon tea in the Royal Dining Room was one of the highlights of my entire trip. This felt like more of a romantic getaway than an adventure to a national park. As long as you don’t expect Waterton to be as scenic as Glacier National Park, and don’t mind spending some money, this is a great place to stay. Learn all about my stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Is There Anything Else I Should Know?

Yes! Planning a trip to a national park can take days. It can be overwhelming and stressful. Let us lighten the load. Check out our must-have Travel Itinerary to Glacier National Park.

Our itinerary provides you with a daily (yet flexible) plan to help you efficiently see the park. It will get you to the most important places, at the right time to avoid the crowds, by telling you exactly how to do it. You can’t go wrong.