Glacier National Park lodging

[Anonymous]

My husband and I are going for four days in June to celebrate an anniversary. It is worth staying at Many Lodge in the park ($775/night) or do you have any recommendations outside the park?

[Anonymous]

As someone who has been to half the National Parks, we always stay in the park if we can. Cutting down on driving and being inside the park when most people leave are both huge selling points for us.

[Anonymous]

If you have the money, go for it. We split our trip between a couple of nights outside the park in Whitefish and then inside at Apgar. It was certainly much nicer to be right there and avoid the lines to get into the park.

Many Glacier is a fantastic spot for hikes, but it is also a bit separated from the main Going-to-the-Sun road that crosses the park. Certainly doable, but plan your schedule accordingly. Also, the parking situation in the park is wholly inadequate for the number of people visiting. We tried and failed to park at Avalanche Lake and Logan Pass multiple times due to the volume of cars. If you are intent on hitting those spots, either go at a very off-hour or take the shuttle bus.

[Anonymous]

We stayed at Lake McDoughal Lodge. Loved it there. We also always try to stay within the park.

[Anonymous]

I stayed in a Value Double at Many Glacier for under $300 per night. The room was good enough and you can’t beat the location. I also stayed at Lake McDonald. I wouldn’t go back to Glacier unless I could stay at Many Glacier but probably wouldn’t stay at Lake McDonald again (it was nice but once was enough). The park is stunning but the parking situation was a big negative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I stayed in a Value Double at Many Glacier for under $300 per night. The room was good enough and you can’t beat the location. I also stayed at Lake McDonald. I wouldn’t go back to Glacier unless I could stay at Many Glacier but probably wouldn’t stay at Lake McDonald again (it was nice but once was enough). The park is stunning but the parking situation was a big negative.

Parking where? I haven't been there for nearly 20 years, but didn't have any problem back then.

Getting camp sites was a problem, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have the money, go for it. We split our trip between a couple of nights outside the park in Whitefish and then inside at Apgar. It was certainly much nicer to be right there and avoid the lines to get into the park.

Many Glacier is a fantastic spot for hikes, but it is also a bit separated from the main Going-to-the-Sun road that crosses the park. Certainly doable, but plan your schedule accordingly. Also, the parking situation in the park is wholly inadequate for the number of people visiting. We tried and failed to park at Avalanche Lake and Logan Pass multiple times due to the volume of cars. If you are intent on hitting those spots, either go at a very off-hour or take the shuttle bus.

I think Many Glacier is where I would stay in the park as there is no guarantee that the Going to the Sun road will be open in June.

[Anonymous]

Do you already have the lodging booked? Because it opens 13 months in advance and typically sells out in minutes.

[Anonymous]

We stayed at Apgar village lodge. It’s nothing fancy but location can’t be beat. But we were coming into Glacier from the west not the East.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you already have the lodging booked? Because it opens 13 months in advance and typically sells out in minutes.

I'm guessing they are seeing a cancellation and that may be why no cheaper accomodations are available.

[Anonymous]

We’re going in August and staying at Many (3 nights) and Apgar (3 nights). I spent months refreshing the website to get these accomodations because we have no desire to spend hours driving or sitting in traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re going in August and staying at Many (3 nights) and Apgar (3 nights). I spent months refreshing the website to get these accomodations because we have no desire to spend hours driving or sitting in traffic.

Went in August 2024 and stayed outside the park. Never waited more than 20 minutes to get in, the reservation system works well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stayed in a Value Double at Many Glacier for under $300 per night. The room was good enough and you can’t beat the location. I also stayed at Lake McDonald. I wouldn’t go back to Glacier unless I could stay at Many Glacier but probably wouldn’t stay at Lake McDonald again (it was nice but once was enough). The park is stunning but the parking situation was a big negative.

Parking where? I haven't been there for nearly 20 years, but didn't have any problem back then.

Getting camp sites was a problem, though.

At any of the primary trailheads. While they have the reservation system for the road, the volume of cars is still too high. It wasn't a traffic problem, but the parking lots and pull-offs were all full. And for most of the road, there just isn't a shoulder to pull off on, so if you are dead-set on hiking a particular trail, you may have a 30-minute walk along the road just to get there.

[Anonymous]

The Lake McDonald Lodge rooms were remodeled several years ago. They are small but cute.

I saw 2 or 3 privately owned Airbnb standalone houses to the right of the Lake Mcdonald Lodge that are lake front when I walked along the lake. The Airbnb houses were beyond the stand alone government owned cottages that you can rent to the right of the Lodge. The government owned cottages that are rented did not appear to have been remodeled yet.

Upon further thought I'm not sure if the government owned cottages to the right of Lake McDonald lodge are available for rent or if they house workers.

I have no idea what the privately owned Airbnb houses would rent for but they were in a great location in that you could walk to the
Lake Mcdonald Lodge to catch the free shuttle bus around the park.

If you have a senior with the handicap door knocker permit bring your senior to access the handicap parking and let the senior hang out in the car while you hike.

Parking and traffic in the park is problematic.

Plan on using the free shuttle buses.

I prefer the west side to the east side as it is greener. The east side is more arid and dry.

If you stay in 2 or 3 of the lodges you can park your car and I believe they have a red bus that will transport you and your luggage to the next lodge.

With the free shuttles you don't need a car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re going in August and staying at Many (3 nights) and Apgar (3 nights). I spent months refreshing the website to get these accomodations because we have no desire to spend hours driving or sitting in traffic.

Went in August 2024 and stayed outside the park. Never waited more than 20 minutes to get in, the reservation system works well.

That’s awesome! I’ve had friends wait for hours and since this will prob be our only trip to GNP I didn’t want to take any chances.