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Want to know which area to stay in when you plan on visiting Glacier National Park?
Unlike many national parks, Glacier has a number of different spots where you can choose to stay if you would like. While parks like Arches and Grand Teton only have one major gateway town where you’ll find the majority of accommodations, Glacier has a few options. This can offer more places to stay but also make it more confusing!
When I plan trips for clients, I always make sure to go over what they want to see in the park and their budgets. From there, I can help them decide which town would be the best for them to book their stays. I’ve noticed this helps a lot with the confusion and also helps you craft your itinerary when you know where you are staying.
I’ve listed out the main towns below where you can find hotels in the area, as well as included some information on amenities and prices. Hopefully this will help you narrow down which spots will work best for you!
In summary: This article will cover the main towns where you can find accommodations near Glacier National Park, as well as provide reasons why you might want to stay there. It also includes recommended accommodation options in each area.
Quick tip: I recommend booking your accommodations at least five months in advance so you know that you have the best deal for your stay!
West side of the park
The west side of Glacier is more developed and offers more amenities than the east side. Most visitors choose to base themselves here since it’s closer to Glacier International Airport and has better cell service throughout the area. Plus, there are a lot more accommodation options, as well!
Keep in mind that if you would like to see the North Fork area, then you will want to stay on this side, as well.
West Glacier
West Glacier sits right at the park entrance, making it incredibly convenient for accessing popular areas like Lake McDonald and the Going-to-the-Sun Road. During my childhood, this tiny town was pretty quiet, but now it’s become quite busy during peak season.
While the location is unbeatable, accommodation options are limited and tend to book up months in advance. It can be super convenient if you want to have easy access tot he park, but prices can be steep during summer.
Recommended accommodations in West Glacier: Belton Chalet
Whitefish
Whitefish is the spot I most often recommend to those visiting the west side of the park. This charming mountain town offers great restaurants, breweries, and shopping, plus you’ll find plenty of accommodation options–though it does tend to lean toward the pricier end.
While it’s about 30 minutes to the park entrance, the extra amenities make it worth it. Plus, there’s a lot of great things to do there to like Whitefish Mountain Resort, Whitefish Lake, and hiking trails.
Recommended accommodations in Whitefish: The Firebrand Hotel
Columbia Falls
Columbia Falls has become the spot I recommend when you want to be close to the park but avoid the higher prices of West Glacier and Whitefish. It’s only about 20 minutes to the park entrance, and you’ll find more affordable lodging options here. The town has everything you need–grocery stores, restaurants, and even some great local coffee shops. Plus, it’s typically less crowded than other gateway towns.
Recommended accommodations in Columbia Falls: Cedar Creek Lodge
Kalispell
As the largest town in the area, Kalispell offers the most amenities and often the best lodging deals. This is where I grew up and I often recommend staying here for the convenience of chain hotels and restaurants.
While it’s about 45 minutes to the park entrance, you’ll find the widest selection of accommodation options and the best prices. Just factor in that daily drive time to the park.
Recommended accommodations in Kalispell: Red Lion Inn
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East side of the park
The east side of Glacier offers a more remote, rugged experience that I absolutely love. While you’ll find fewer amenities here, you get amazing access to some of the park’s best hikes and incredible views of the mountains. The weather can be more intense on this side, but I find it worth it for the feeling you get of being disconnected from the rest of the world.
St. Mary
St. Mary is my top recommendation for staying on the east side of the park. It’s perfectly positioned at the eastern end of Going-to-the-Sun Road and provides easy access to Many Glacier. You’ll find a few restaurants, a grocery store, and various lodging options. The views here are incredible, though be prepared for strong winds–they don’t call it “windy St. Mary” for nothing!
Recommended accommodations in St. Mary: St. Mary Village
East Glacier
East Glacier has a completely different feel from the west side–it’s quieter and more historic. It’s also where you can take the Amtrak train to the East Side. The iconic Glacier Park Lodge dominates the town, and while accommodation options are limited, you’ll get a true sense of the park’s railroad history here.
Keep in mind it’s a bit further from the main attractions, but the scenic drive to the Two Medicine area of the park makes up for it.
Recommended accommodations in East Glacier: Glacier Park Lodge
Browning
Browning, located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, offers a unique cultural perspective when visiting Glacier. While it’s further from the park entrance (about 30 minutes to St. Mary), staying here provides an opportunity to learn about the Blackfeet people’s deep connection to the park. Accommodation options are limited, but you’ll find more affordable rates and authentic Native American art galleries.
Recommended accommodations in Browning: Glacier Peaks Hotel & Casino
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Map of towns near Glacier National Park
Where to stay when visiting Glacier National Park FAQs
Here are some common frequently-asked questions about finding where to stay on your Glacier trip.
Conclusion
Much of where you will want to stay near Glacier National Park will depend on what you plan on seeing and doing while you are there. Once you have your activities in the park narrowed down, it becomes a lot easier to decide on where you might want to stay and in which area. I hope this has helped you plan where would be best for your trip to the Glacier area!
Have any questions about where to stay when visiting Glacier? Let me know in the comments!
