Communities: Essex
Just off Highway 2, halfway between East and West Glacier, Essex is 60 miles from Kalispell’s Glacier International Airport and 45 miles from Whitefish. Just west of the Continental Divide, Essex is the perfect stop-over when traveling between the towns of East Glacier and West Glacier, and is situated at the most southern area of Glacier National Park.
Essex is home to the historic Izaak Walton Inn that once housed winter snow removal crews for the Great Northern Railroad. Today it is a popular year-round stop for visitors, especially railroad buffs and cross-country skiers.
The Inn is a must see for rail fans and others interested in the history of the Great Northern Railway's Empire Builder. The scenic Inn, which is on the National List of Historic Places, is a well known stop for lunch and a delightful destination for lodging both summer and winter. The most leisurely and nostalgic method of getting to Essex is to follow the route of the historic Great Northern Railway on today's Empire Builder operated by Amtrak. Amtrak stops by the Inn twice a day, on its west and eastbound route.
The community of Essex lies tucked between Glacier National Park and the Great Bear Wilderness, offering a cozy base-camp for exploring the pristine mountain splendor surrounding the area. Hiking, fishing, river floating, exploring the backcountry and cross country skiing in the wintertime are some of the outdoor activities enjoyed here.
The Walton Goat Lick, an exposed river bank cliff where mountain goats and other animals come to lick the mineral-laden rock, lies along U.S. Hwy. 2, just inside the southern boundary of the park. The lick is a few miles from Essex.
Opportunities abound year round in Glacier country, taking a tour, hiking, or just sitting quietly by the river and drinking in the splendor. A good day trip from Essex goes over the world famous "Going To The Sun Road," part of an breath-taking day long loop that winds its way through the park over the Logan Pass for spectacular views of Glacier National Park, waterfalls, animals and more.
The following businesses welcome you to Essex
Accommodations
Half-Way Motel, Restaurant and Store
14840 US Highway 2 East, Essex, MT, 59916
406-888-5650
Mail: PO Box 632
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Website: http://www.thehalfwaymotel.com
The Half-Way Motel, Restaurant and Store is ideally located for your year-round recreation enjoyment. Hiking, biking, rafting and fishing are just a few of the summertime activities available, and cross-country skiing allows you to enjoy the beautiful winter scenery. The motel rooms have many amenities and are clean and spacious, the restaurant has the "Best Food on the Mountain" with a full menu, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Along with a small grocery store and the Essex Post Office, we're located on Highway 2 halfway between East Glacier and West Glacier at the southern tip of the beautiful Glacier National Park,.
Izaak Walton Inn
290 Izaak Walton Inn Road, Essex, MT, 59916
406-888-5700
Mail: 290 Izaak Walton Inn Road
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Website: http://www.izaakwaltoninn.com
A true destination, much like the bygone days when railroads carved out the culture of an area, the Izaac Walton Inn is a classy renovated hotel just west of the Continental Divide. Relax in the Empire Builder Room with private bath, enjoy unique lodging in a charming caboose, or find pure delight in the Dining Car Restaurant. The Flagstop Bar, game room, gift shop, Finnish sauna and laundry facilities help make your stay so much more enjoyable. Amtrak serves the Inn twice a day on the only flagstop on the Amtrak Empire Builder line. Take a photo tour of the wildlife and natural beauty, fish to your hearts content, and hike the many miles of trails!
Snow Slip Inn
15644 Highway 2 East, Essex, MT, 59916
406-226-4400
Mail: PO Box 662, Essex, MT 59916
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Website: http://www.snowslipinn.com
The Snow Slip Inn opened originally in 1945 with a café, motel, campground and bar. Today, it is an excellent road site stop on US Hwy 2 south of Glacier Park and north of the Great Bear Wilderness area with a historic bar, 6 room motel and a dozen campsites available. The café is open year round, daily from 7am to 10pm with great home-style Montana cuisine. Step back in time at the Snow Slip Inn with endless summer hiking trails, fall hunting grounds, winter snowmobiling, amazing cross country & back country skiing into Glacier National Park.
Stanton Creek Lodge
Essex, MT, 59916
406-888-5040
Mail: HC 36 Box 2C
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The Stanton Creek Lodge offers two cabins with full baths, four cabins with adjoining bathhouse, 8 full-hookup RV sites, and unlimited tenting, as well as a bar and restaurant. Located 16 miles east of West Glacier, Montana, on U.S. Highway 2 at Mile Marker 170, along the middle fork of the Flathead River with great access to Glacier National Park and the Great Bear Wilderness.