What to Know About Places to Stay Near Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in Montana has a huge variety of natural wonders. Forests, alpine meadows, lakes, and craggy peaks are some of the breathtaking topographies of the park. Lewis Range, Clark Range, and the Livingston Range are the three mountain ranges that are in the park. Once you visit there, you can enjoy the stunning beauty of the world-famous travel destination. If you are planning to visit the park, you have to decide where to lodge. However, there are a number of places to stay near Glacier National Park and within the park. Depending on your interests, taste, and mood, you can select the best fit which supports you in enjoying your journey.
Travelers who desire to visit Glacier National Park must remember that the park has three main entrances. The first and the most famous entrance is in the town of West Glacier. It is in the southwest part of Glacier National Park. People love to access the park from this entrance and begin the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road drive. The entrance is also very close to Lake McDonald, which is one of the best sights to see inside the park. Bigfork, Whitefish, and Kalispell are the most popular mountain towns, which are less than thirty minutes from the west glacier entrance. Therefore, if you are planning to access the park from the West Glacier, it is better to find a motel or a lodge in the above towns.
The next two entrances, St. Mary’s entrance and the Many Glacier entrance, are on the east side of the park. Both these entrances are located off of Highway 89 and are about 30 minutes away from each other. However, the east entrance also connects with the Going-to-the-Sun Road. You will not miss the Going-to-the-Sun Road drive, no matter what entrance you select. But for those who love glacier hiking and roaming around Swiftcurrent Lake, the east entrance will be an ideal choice. If you prefer to stay near the east part of the park, there are a few places in the east glacier park village. Furthermore, you can find some motels close to Highway 2 as well.
The next and most enchanting option is to stay within the park. If you are finding places to stay near Glacier National Park in a hurry, this option might not work out. Most probably, the lodges inside the park are booked quickly. Often, it books up 12 months in advance for each month. Therefore, if you wish to stay inside the park, it is better to plan your trip early.
The Park consists of seven lodges; three lodges on the east side and the remaining on the west side. Most people are highly inspired to stay within the park to have an extreme natural experience. But there are some important tips to realize before selecting a lodge within the park. None of the lodges inside the park have televisions or air-conditioning systems. But still, people rush to book a lodge inside the park to be closer to nature and hiking. If you prefer luxury accommodation or hitting up some local bars, it is better to stay outside the park.