18 Best Places to Stay Near Glacier National Park

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Looking for the best places to stay near Glacier National Park that will keep you close by the main attractions?

As someone who grew up in the Flathead Valley and right by Glacier, I often get questions about where the best places to stay near the park are. As the area has grown and more people have moved in, there are so many more options than there used to be–which makes it a lot easier to find accommodations that work for a variety of budgets.

However, that doesn’t mean that things don’t book up quickly, especially the closer to the park you look to stay. Since Glacier has also implemented a reservation system, it’s also a good idea to stay nearby if you can so you can enter before tickets are required at 7:00 am if you can’t manage to get them!

These are some options I’ve recommended to clients when planning their custom national park itineraries, as well as some places I have stayed personally and enjoyed. You’ll find that prices vary widely, so it can take a bit of research to find a spot that is functional, close enough to the park, and fits within what you might want to pay.

In summary: This article goes over some of my top recommendations for accommodations close to Glacier, as well as some that provide access to other activities in the Flathead Valley.

Quick tip: I like to set an alert on Google to help me find accommodations when they are at their lowest prices–which can definitely be helpful when visiting a popular spot like Glacier!

Lodging near Glacier National Park

Since lodging in the park tends to book up so incredibly fast, the next best thing you can do is find accommodations not too far away, but that are within a reasonable budget. While these tend to be available more than lodging in the park, they still tend to book up quickly, which is why I recommend looking into planning your Glacier trip at least eight months in advance.

Here are some of my options that I share with clients when helping them plan their trip to Northwest Montana!

1. Belton Chalet

12575 US-2, West Glacier

⭐4/5 stars out of 563 reviews

You can’t get closer proximity than the Belton Chalet! Not only is it a two-minute drive from the west entrance of the park, but you’re also staying in a historic spot with ties to the Great Northern Railroad and their bid to bring in tourists to the park.

Rooms feel like you are harkening back to the glory days of the railroad, and there is a fine-dining restaurant located on the lower level that is perfect for treating yourself after a long day of exploring the best things to do in Glacier.

⭐BOOK BELTON CHALET HERE⭐

2. Great Northern Resort

12127 US-2, West Glacier

⭐4.5/5 stars out of 599

I usually recommend staying at the Great Northern Resort if you are looking for a casual spot that is affordable and offers a place to grab a bite before you head into the park. Because it is only 10 minutes away, it makes early mornings so much easier than having to drive a far distance.

The resort goes all-in on the Montana theme, and you will be staying in a cabin-like room with more limited amenities than you might find at some fancier options. However, I find it ideal for families who want to be near the park but don’t want to spend too much to do so.

⭐BOOK GREAT NORTHERN RESORT HERE⭐

3. Beargrass Lodging and RV Resort

8688 Hwy 2 E, Hungry Horse

⭐4.5/5 stars out of 148 reviews

Have your RV in tow? An affordable option close to the park is the Beargrass Lodging and RV Resort, which also has cabins available even if you are not a road warrior. As you can imagine, facilities are more limited than what you might find from the other accommodations on this list, but if you need a clean site with showers, dump stations, and laundry, then this is definitely a spot worth checking out.

⭐BOOK BEARGRASS LODGING AND RV RESORT HERE⭐

4. Under Canvas Glacier

101 Under Canvas Road, Coram

⭐4/5 stars out of 413 reviews

I stayed at Under Canvas Glacier a few years ago, and I was incredibly impressed by how it managed to feel like a getaway even though it was only a few minutes away from West Glacier. You can tell a lot of thought and effort went into designing the tents and luxurious beds, and with teepees and volleyball courts decorating the campus, you’ve got an ideal spot for teens looking for a picture for the ‘Gram.

⭐BOOK UNDER CANVAS GLACIER HERE⭐

5. Glacier Guides Lodge

20 Highline Blvd, West Glacier

⭐4/5 stars out of 1,448 reviews

Rustic-but-comfortable, the Glacier Guides Lodge serves as the perfect basecamp for adventurers looking to embark on one of Glacier Guides’ tours. Located smack-dab in West Glacier, it’s a convenient option to rest up before you head out rafting or backpacking one of Glacier’s trails.

Clean and no-frills, I often recommend this hotel to those who are looking for a spot where they can easily get to the park while also enjoying some of the nearby view from their terrace.

⭐BOOK GLACIER GUIDES LODGE HERE⭐

Hotels in Kalispell, Montana

The number of Kalispell hotels has increased dramatically over the past few years. There are options for all budgets–it really depends on what you are looking for and how far you want to be from the park. The distance from Kalispell to Glacier National Park is about 40 minutes, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when planning your itinerary.

Here are my recommendations for those wanting to get a Montana experience along with their stay.

6. Red Lion Inn

20 N Main St #150

⭐4/5 stars out of 826 reviews

Located right in downtown Kalispell and near almost all of the restaurants and shops, the Red Lion Inn might seem like another chain hotel. However, they have done a wonderful job of updating it with Western-themed decor, and rooms are large and clean.

If you plan on exploring some of the other things to do in the Flathead Valley like Lone Pine State Park, then this hotel gives you a little more flexibility than if you choose to stay in West Glacier or closer to Glacier.

⭐BOOK RED LION INN KALISPELL HERE⭐

7. Homewood Suites by Hilton

195 Hutton Ranch Rd

⭐4.5/5 stars out of 1,023 reviews

While located a bit farther from Glacier than the rest of these on the list, the Homewood Suites by Hilton is also an affordable option that puts you close to Flathead Lake and Bigfork. If you need some larger rooms for your family and you want all the typical amenities that come with a mid-tier hotel like a gym, pool, and 24-hour reception, you have it here.

⭐BOOK HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON KALISPELL HERE⭐

8. Kalispell Grand Hotel

100 S Main St

⭐4.5/5 stars out of 429 reviews

For a unique stay that offers access to Kalispell, the Kalispell Grand Hotel is one that I usually recommend to visitors who want to have a central place to stay when enjoying the park and the overall Flathead Valley. A historic hotel, the rooms have a Victorian feel to them, and they have recently been remodeled. Daniel and I actually stayed here on our wedding night!

⭐BOOK KALISPELL GRAND HOTEL HERE⭐

Hotels in Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish hotels tend to be a bit fancier than other options of places to stay near Glacier National Park. Unless you have a large budget, you might have to settle for some hotels in a different town. However, if you want to treat yourself, you can find some opulent spots frequented by celebrities. (The resorts near Glacier National Park are pretty spectacular!)

Here are some places to stay in Whitefish, MT that I would recommend (a few aren’t crazy expensive, either!).

9. The Lodge at Whitefish Lake

1380 Wisconsin Ave

⭐4.5/5 stars out of 1,532 reviews

Planning on experiencing luxury in Montana? Then the Lodge at Whitefish Lake might be the right fit. Right on the shores of Whitefish Lake, you’ll find a number of different room options available depending on whether your kids are along for the ride. It’s also a short drive away from the best restaurants in Whitefish, and it has a solid dinner option right there on the property that you’re going to want to check out.

⭐BOOK THE LODGE AT WHITEFISH LAKE HERE⭐

10. The Firebrand Hotel

650 E 3rd St

⭐4/5 stars out of 380 reviews

One of the newer hotels in Whitefish, you are located right downtown if you stay at the Firebrand Hotel. They have put a lot of work into this spot to make it a modern-looking option for park visitors in the summer and skiers in the winter. With a roaring fireplace in the lobby and a great restaurant available for lunch and dinner, you get the benefits of staying in town with only a 30-minute drive to Glacier.

⭐BOOK THE FIREBRAND HOTEL HERE⭐

11. Grouse Mountain Lodge

2 Fairway Dr

⭐4/5 stars out of 1,728 reviews

If you want to grab a round or two of golf when you are visiting the area, Grouse Mountain Lodge has that Montana feel to it and a solid course. You’ll find it a bit outside of downtown Whitefish, and it is run by the same company that runs many of the lodges within the park itself. Along with golf you’ll find a bar and restaurant where you can relax after a long day of exploring.

⭐BOOK GROUSE MOUNTAIN LODGE HERE⭐

12. Whitefish Mountain Resort

1015 Glades Drive

⭐4.5/5 stars out of 1,089 reviews

If you want a day or two to enjoy the area outside the park, Whitefish Mountain Resort is an ideal base. A premier ski resort in the winter, you can find a bunch of things to do during the summer months, as well: zip lining, mountain biking, the Danny-On Trail, and a lot more! While not the cheapest option on this list, it’s absolutely one of the most fun and with some of the best views.

⭐BOOK WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT⭐

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Hotels in Columbia Falls, Montana

Columbia Falls lodging is a great way to find hotels around Glacier National Park without spending a ton of money. While it’s not as posh as Whitefish, motels in Columbia Falls offer great budget options and a quick drive–it’s the closest town to Glacier National Park. For those looking for a hotel near Glacier National Park that will do the job, you can’t go wrong with Columbia Falls.

13. Cedar Creek Lodge

930 2nd Ave W

⭐4.5/5 stars out of 246 reviews

The super-convenient Cedar Creek Lodge offers an ideal option for those looking for a short drive to Glacier without the prices that come with staying right by the park. Along with proximity to the park, you also have amenities like a gym, swimming pool, and guest services like laundry and a snow bus that will take you Whitefish Mountain Resort if you want to take some time to explore there too.

⭐BOOK CEDAR CREEK LODGE HERE⭐

14. Montana Treehouse Retreat

2215 Dillon Rd

⭐5/5 stars out of 15 reviews

Instagrammers, you’ve found your place to stay! The Montana Treehouse Retreat is not only super photogenic, but it also gets you close to Columbia Falls, Whitefish, and the park. This spot tends to book up fast due to its location and full suite of amenities, so I recommend looking into your dates there at least a year in advance if this looks like your home away from home!

⭐BOOK MONTANA TREEHOUSE RETREAT HERE⭐

Hotels in Bigfork, Montana

Like hotels in Whitefish, Bigfork is a posh spot that has some great restaurants and is located right on Flathead Lake. While you can get as fancy as you would like, there are also some cheaper options too. If you are planning on enjoying some other areas of Montana rather than just Glacier National Park, then Bigfork hotels can be the perfect solution.

15. Swan River Inn

360 Grand Dr

⭐2.5/5 stars out of 76 reviews

Want a funky place to stay in a funky town? The Swan River Inn can be found right in downtown Bigfork and a short stroll from the variety of restaurants and shops. With themed rooms that you won’t find in any other hotel, it’s definitely not your typical spot. Keeping that in mind, it’s not for everyone, so if you want something a bit more standard then you’ll want to look elsewhere.

⭐BOOK SWAN RIVER INN HERE⭐

16. Flathead Lake Resort

14871 Montana 35

⭐4/5 stars out of 72 reviews

The Flathead Lake Resort is a newer spot on the shores of Flathead Lake. It has a community feel to it with bungalow-like rooms and access right to a beach where you can relax after a long day of hiking in the park. While a bit farther than some of the options you’ll find in Columbia Falls or right outside the park, it does feel very private. It also has RV hookups and tent sites if you are planning on roughing it, as well!

⭐BOOK FLATHEAD LAKE RESORT HERE⭐

Vacation rentals near Glacier National Park

Airbnbs within the park can be pricey, and there are plenty of vacation rentals just outside the park that allow you to explore the Flathead Valley as well as the park. If you plan on checking out Glacier on a budget, this can be a great option.

17. Beautiful Chalet with Views One Mile from Glacier National Park

⭐4.7/5 stars out of 32 reviews

You can’t get closer to the park than this vacation rental! With two bedrooms, you can sleep up to six people here and enjoy a night out on the patio or on the deck. With laundry machines available, it’s great for a longer stay or for a few nights when you want a short drive to the park. Grocery stores, gas stations, and even a farmer’s market are also right nearby.

⭐BOOK BEAUTIFUL CHALET HERE⭐

18. Best Mountain Views of Glacier Park West Glacier

⭐4.9/5 stars out of 118 reviews

This private vacation rental has you right at the west entrance of Glacier and right across from Glacier Guides if you are considering a rafting tour or another activity. You’ll also have a full kitchen to create some hearty meals after a busy day, and if you are traveling as a couples, you can fit four people. Of course, the best reason to stay here might be the views you get of the nearby mountains.

⭐BOOK BEST VIEWS OF GLACIER PARK HERE⭐

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you narrow down some options of where to stay near Glacier. I tried to find a variety of options with several price ranges, so no matter what your budget or how many people you’re traveling with, you can find accommodations that offer an ideal home base for your Glacier itinerary.

Do you have any questions about the best places to stay near Glacier National Park? Let me know in the comments!