Where To Stay In East Glacier?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Lake McDonald Lodge. Lake McDonald LodgePublic domain courtesy NPS. …
  2. Motel Lake McDonald. …
  3. Village Inn Motel. …
  4. Apgar Village Lodge & Cabins. …
  5. Sperry Chalet. …
  6. Granite Park Chalet. …
  7. Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins. …
  8. Many Hotel.

Is it better to stay in East or West Glacier National Park?


The east side of Glacier National Park is generally drier, cooler and windier than the rest of the park

. The base elevation is higher and the valleys are wider. That makes for some epic scenery and outstanding adventuring. Here are some of our favorite spots on the east side.

What is the best side to stay on at Glacier National Park?


Columbia Falls

is one of the best places to stay in Glacier National Park. The park's west entrance is just a 20-minute drive away – and what a scenic drive it is. Colombia Falls makes an excellent base for travelers who want to maximize their time in Glacier National Park, but do not want to camp.

What is there to do on the east side of Glacier National Park?

  • Take the Eastern Alpine Red Bus Tour.
  • Hike the Sunrift Gorge to St. Mary Falls trail.
  • Hike to Grinnell Glacier.
  • Have dinner (or drinks!) …
  • Stop in at the St. …
  • Attend a Ranger Program at the St. …
  • Hike the Hidden Lake Trail at Logan Pass.
  • Hike to Iceberg Lake.

How many days do you need in Glacier National Park?

How Many Days Do You Need in Glacier National Park? Ideally, plan on spending at least

two to three days

in Glacier National Park. This gives you enough time to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, hike one or two trails, and visit the Many Glacier or Two Medicine areas.

How far is Bozeman from glacier?

The distance from Bozeman to Glacier National Park is

249 miles

. The road distance is 356 miles. ✔ What agencies operate bus routes between Bozeman and Glacier National Park? Salt Lake Express coordinates buses from Bozeman to Glacier National Park.

Which is prettier East or West Glacier?

The main attraction in Glacier National Park is the Going-To-The-Sun Road. The Sun Road is 50 miles long from West Glacier on the West Side to Saint Mary on the East Side.

The West Side encompasses 35 miles of this Road and will provide you with the more scenic and picturesque drive

.

Which part of Glacier National Park is best?


Going-to-the-Sun Road cuts across the center of the park

and this is the most popular and most crowded section of the park. Just to the north is Many Glacier, a wildlife rich, gorgeous area with some of the park's best hikes. Two Medicine and the North Fork are more remote areas.

Which entrance is best for Glacier National Park?


West Glacier, Montana

is the most popular entrance to Glacier National Park. Its proximity and easy access to Glacier International Airport in Kalispell makes it the best place to start or end your trip.

Which is better Whitefish or Kalispell?


If that's what you prefer, pick Whitefish

. If you want more options for dining/entertainment then Kalispell might be better. The drive to St. Mary from Whitefish via Going-to-the-Sun Road took us about 1 hour 45 minutes, and it would be nearly the same for Kalispell.

What is the closest town to Glacier National Park?


Columbia Falls

may actually be the closest city to Glacier National Park, so if you're going to stay somewhere other than Whitefish, try Columbia Falls (especially Cedar Creek Lodge!) Kalispell.

How far is Whitefish from Glacier?

Only

27 miles

from Whitefish, the park's scenery, wildlife and history are not to be missed. The Going to-the Sun Road, a national historic landmark, can be traveled by personal car, hiking shuttle or a historic Red Bus Tour.

When should I avoid Glacier National Park?

The Best Way to Avoid Crowds in Glacier National Park

during the Summer

. The best way to avoid summer crowds in Glacier National Park is to arrive before 7am at the trailhead or parking area. For extremely popular areas like Logan Pass, 7am might not be early enough to find a parking spot.

Can you enter Glacier National Park from the east?

From the east,

all three east-side entrances can be reached by taking Highway 89 north from Great Falls through the town of Browning (approximately 125 miles) and following signs from there

. The St. Mary Entrance is the eastern entry point of Going-to-the-Sun-Road and provides access to the St. Mary Visitor Center.

Is the east side of Glacier Open?

Glacier National Park is

open 24 hours a day 365 days of the year

.

Do you need bear spray in Glacier National Park?

Do I really need bear spray?

Yes

. We highly suggest that visitors carry bear spray in the park as Glacier is home to the largest numbers of both grizzly and black bear in the lower 48.

How far is Banff from Glacier?

The driving distance between Glacier National Park and Banff is

288 miles

. The travel time is 6 hours.

Do I need reservations for Glacier National Park?


Entry reservation tickets are not required for any other portions of the park

(for example Many Glacier, Two Medicine, North Fork, Cut Bank or Chief Mountain Highway) but visitors are still subject to the per vehicle entrance fee. Visitors may also reserve a ticket through Recreation. gov's call center.

Which is better Yellowstone or Glacier?

Which is better Yellowstone or Glacier?

Glacier is much more rugged than Yellowstone

. Hiking will demand much more physical ability and skill. The whole park is much higher than Yellowstone, so animals and plant life will be quite a bit different than what you find in Yellowstone.

How far is Missoula from Glacier?

Glacier National Park is

137.6 miles

from Missoula, MT. It takes about 2 h 29 min (137.6 mi) via US-93 N and Mont Hwy 35 W.

Is Big Sky near Glacier National Park?

Glacier National Park in Montana, found

approximately 350 miles northwest of Big Sky

, has endless opportunities for seeking adventure, experiencing the wilderness, and viewing diverse wildlife and major geological features.

Where should I stay between Glacier and Spokane?

The top city between Glacier National Park and Spokane is

Coeur d'Alene

. It's 5 hours from Glacier National Park and less than an hour from Spokane.

How long does it take to drive through Glacier National Park?

Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is 51 miles long and runs from West Glacier to St. Mary. It takes approximately

2 hours

to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road without traffic or stops. However, plan to spend at least 4 to 5 hours exploring the scenic drive.

Are there cabins for rent in Glacier National Park?

Rustic and Luxury Cabin Rentals

Rustic cabins rentals and fire lookout tours are available for rent from the United States Forest Service.

Cabins are also available in Glacier National Park

.

What is the most scenic drive in Glacier National Park?


Going-to-the-Sun Road

is a highlight not to be missed during your Glacier visit. The Road spans 50 miles and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. During your traverse you will see impressive , beautiful valleys, cascading waterfalls, towering mountains and colorful wildflowers.

What part of Glacier National Park is open?

Road Status in Spring

By late May,

most roads are open for vehicle travel except Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass

. Lower portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road are open year-round, but the entire road does not usually open until late June or early July, and the Logan Pass area is not accessible by vehicle until then.

Can you swim in Lake McDonald?

For just swimming,

there are several pull offs between the West Entrance and the Lake McDonald lodge where you can easily access the water

. But If you'd like to hike around the lake, go towards McDonald Creek, continue down the unpaved road to the end, then you can hike 2.4 miles to a campground with a little beach.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.