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The 10 Best Hotels in Glacier National Park

Rebecca Hanlon
Last Updated: March 4th, 2023

Montana’s Glacier National Park covers a sprawling 1 million acres of amazing scenery and terrain. The park comprises more than 700 lakes and includes sections of two different mountain ranges.

The seemingly endless hiking trails in the region span more than 700 miles, which means that Glacier National Park is a must for anyone seeking an outdoor-type adventure.

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With so much land to explore, the area both inside and outside the park has much to offer by way of hiking and other activities. This region is also considered to be one of the best places for fly fishing in North America, and Glacier National Park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife. In the park itself, there are an estimated 300 grizzly bears, as well as a wide variety of other animals and birds.

Aside from the impressive scenery, Glacier National Park and its surrounding areas offer plenty of choices for accommodation. This comes by way of the park’s various lodges, chalets, and hotels, with some of the best hotels in Glacier National Park having been built way back in the early 1900s. In fact, more than 300 buildings inside the park have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Whether you decide to stay inside the park or in one of the nearby towns with their charm and western hospitality will depend on your itinerary. It’s a tough choice when you have an endless landscape, but it is worth noting that the hotels inside the park will be that bit more expensive. The towns surrounding the park offer a plethora of restaurants, shops, galleries, and museums.

With such a vast area and with so much choice it can be a challenge deciding on the best hotels in Glacier National Park to suit your requirements. So hopefully this guide will help you to narrow it down!

top 3 Hotels in Glacier National Park

Outlook Inn
BEST BUDGET HOTEL

Outlook Inn

  • Nightclub/DJ
  • Live Music/Performance
  • Pool Table

Staying in Glacier National Park – Travel Tips and Advice

  • Which areas in Glacier National Park are best: On the West side of the park you have quite a few towns like West Glacier, Lakeside, Hungry Horse, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Whitefish, and Kalispell, to name a few, and these are all ideal places to base yourself from. Access to the park is easy from any of these nearby towns, and they all have their own outdoor recreation opportunities like the trails in the Flathead Valley, water activities on Flathead Lake, mountain escapades at Whitefish Mountain Resort, and great food and drink.
  • On the East side you have slightly fewer towns like Mary, Babb, Browning, Cut Bank, and East Glacier Park, which all serve as ideal starting points for exploring the Blackfeet Nation.
  • Getting Around: In this part of the world, you will definitely get the best of it by car, although there are various shuttle services available if you don’t fancy taking the wheel so much. Glacier Park International Airport is 25 miles south and contains several major car rental companies. The shuttle service services many of the major attraction points such as Going-to-the-Sun Road and the various visitor centers.
  • Attractions: Going-to-the-Sun Road is a famous pass of more than 6000 ft marking the Continental Divide, then some of the other natural attractions include Lake McDonald, the Grinnell Glacier, Logan’s Pass, and Two Medicine Lake, to name but a few. If you stay in any of the nearby towns many of them have quite an art scene going on and you’ll find galleries, as well as museums, and other local attractions like breweries, distilleries, and music scenes etc.

The Best 10 Hotels in Glacier National Park

1. Many Glacier Hotel – Inside the Park

many glacier hotel
Image: Harry Teng

If you fancy staying inside the park a bit closer to nature, then Many Glacier Hotel is right next to Swiftcurrent Lake. This is a historic hotel that was originally constructed by the Great Northern Railroad way back in 1915 as the number of visitors to the park increased.

The 20-odd 3-star rooms have undergone various refurbishments since then though, and the deluxe lakeside rooms have free Wi-Fi, cable TV, private bathrooms, and a choice of either a king or queen bed.

Amenities include a restaurant, a coffee shop, and a bar & lounge. The hotel is within walking distance of Grinnell Glacier, and Going-to-the-Sun Mountain is just over 7 miles from the accommodation. Kalispell Glacier Park Airport is 43 miles from the residence.

2. Village Inn at Apgar – Inside the Park

village inn at apgar
Image: David Restivo

This is another hotel within the park that offers unbeatable lake views – this time of Lake McDonald, along with the surrounding mountain peaks.

This accommodation was built in 1956, and is situated close to the West Entrance of the park. The available rooms include family rooms and motel-type rooms with kitchenettes. The family-size rooms on the second floor offer some amazing views and include two queen beds, a bathroom, and coffee-making facilities.

The hotel is in close proximity to the shuttle at the visitor center, and there is a nearby village with a few shops and a restaurant.

3. Towneplace Suites by Marriot – Whitefish

towneplace suites by marriot
Image: Towneplace Suites by Marriot

Located in Whitefish, TownePlace Suites by Marriott is a 3-star hotel just under 4 miles from Glacier Park International Airport, and 14 miles from Kalispell.

Rooms at the hotel are air-conditioned and include free Wi-Fi, a bathroom, a workstation, and a flat-screen TV.

Amenities at the residence include an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a hot tub, a shared lounge, a business center, and a barbecue. A free breakfast is included and the hotel also provides a free shuttle service.

4. Cedar Creek Lodge – Columbia Falls

cedar creek lodge
Image: Cedar Creek Lodge

Cedar Creek Lodge & Conference Center is close to the West Entrance of Glacier National Park, and the residence offers a free shuttle to the nearby Whitefish Mountain Resort. The accommodation is an ideal combination of modern style and convenience with touches of a mountain lodge.

Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms, which also have refrigerators and microwaves. A free hot breakfast buffet is provided, and amenities include an indoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a business center.

5. Kalispell Grand Hotel– Kalispell

kalispell grand hotel
Image: Kalispell Grand Hotel

Kalispell Grand Hotel is just a short walk from downtown Kalispell, and the establishment is a historic residence that has been providing comfort and hospitality in the Glacier National Park region for over a century. This typical Montana hotel is today a combination of old-fashioned charm and style and contemporary amenities.

The spacious guest rooms are all decorated in rich and warm woody tones, and feature free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom. The impressive amenities include an on-site spa, and a continental breakfast including various home baked goodies is provided.

Local attractions close to the accommodation include Hockaday Museum of Art, and Whitefish Mountain Resort is about 20 miles away.

6. Hampton Inn & Suites – Whitefish

hampton inn and suites
Image: Hampton Inn & Suites

Hampton Inn & Suites is located close enough to Whitefish Mountain Resort to be able to drive there in less than 20 minutes. Glacier National Park is reachable in a half-hour drive, and Kalispell is just over 10 miles away. Glacier Park International Airport is less than 4 miles from the residence, and a free shuttle is provided by the hotel.

The modern and comfortable rooms at the hotel include a private bathroom, a microwave, a refrigerator, a flat-screen TV, and coffee-making facilities. A complimentary hot breakfast is available each morning, and amenities include a heated indoor saltwater pool and whirlpool, and a fitness center.

7. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – Kalispell 

country inn and suites by radisson
Image: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson is located in Kalispell and provides 2-star accommodation. The residence is half a mile from Glacier Park International, and a free airport shuttle service is offered.

The modern, air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with private bathrooms, a flat-screen TV, a microwave, free Wi-Fi, and a coffee machine. Family rooms are available as well as terraces.

The amenities include a fitness center, a shared lounge, a garden, a hot tub, a snack bar, and a business. A buffet breakfast is also provided every morning.

8. The Inn Bigfork Bay – Bigfork

the inn bigfork bay
Image: The Inn Bigfork Bay

THE INN Bigfork Bay is 25 miles from Flathead Lake and Glacier Park International is 19 miles from the residence. The property provides an airport shuttle service for all guests.

The accommodation has its own private beach area and a bar, and is decorated with antiques and a quaint, homely style that make it popular with families and couples. All rooms include a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bathrobes, slippers, and shower.  Amenities include a hot tub and a shared lounge.

Even though the place is within reach of Flathead Lake it is also located on Bigfork’s Electric Avenue, which means it is in close proximity to lots of local attractions such as the Swan River Nature Trail and Bigfork Summer Playhouse.

9. Glacier Peaks – Browning

glacier peaks
Image: Glacier Peaks

This Glacier Peaks Hotel is located on the east side of the National Park, around 18 miles from the entrance. The accommodation is just a 2-minute walk from local attraction the Museum of the Plains Indian.

The modern, air-conditioned rooms or suites at Glacier Peaks Hotel include bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, a satellite TV, and coffee-making facilities. A full breakfast is provided each morning for guests, and the hotel’s amenities include an indoor swimming pool and hot tub, and a fitness suite.

10. Outlook Inn – Somers

outlook inn
Image: Outlook Inn

The Outlook Inn is located in Somers, a scenic little spot 45 minutes from the West Entrance of Glacier National Park, and 15 miles from the airport. Somers is a lake town, and the hotel is on the West Shore of Flathead Lake. Needless to say, this Bed and Breakfast provides some pretty impressive lake views from all rooms, and is not too far from Kalispell, Whitefish, and Bigfork.

This residence’s rooms include a bathroom, a TV, a fridge, a microwave, free Wi-Fi, and a coffee machine. They also have decks overlooking the lake, and the homemade breakfasts include local produce from farms.

Final Thoughts

Whatever your requirements for your trip to the Glacier National Park region, there are plenty of accommodation options.

If staying in the park itself best suits your itinerary, then it is worth knowing that the accommodation is likely to be more expensive, and largely about the views and close proximity to the impressive natural surroundings and attractions.

But any of the nearby towns on either side of the park will put you close enough to be able to make the most of all the region has to offer, whether you are traveling as a couple, with friends, or with family.

  • Best Luxury Hotel in from this selection goes to the Kalispell Grand for its excellent location, as well as its amenities like the luxury Spa alongside the fusion of contemporary cool with a historic element
  • In terms of the Best Cheap Hotels in Glacier National Park we going for the Outlook Inn which is really a B&B and has comparably favorable prices to some of the other 3-star residences on this list
  • Best Family Hotel in Glacier National Park could well be the Inn Bigfork Bay due to its location, surroundings, and homely, authentic feel
  • Best Romantic Hotel in this particular selection is also going to be the Inn Bigfork Bay due to its natural and relaxing setting which gains some of its highest ratings from couples

About The Author

Rebecca Hanlon

Rebecca has been a travel blogger and editor for over 5 years, working with some of the biggest brands in industry. She’s taught English as a foreign language in 5 different countries, and her most fulfilling role was as a tour guide around some of Europe’s finest vineyards. She the one behind the social channels here at Discovering Montana, whilst also finding the time to perform an assistant editor role.

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