Communities: West Glacier
West Glacier is found on Highway 2, the primary highway that winds its way along the southern edge of Glacier National Park. This picturesque, historic town is at the west entrance to Glacier National Park and is located 25 miles east of the Glacier International Airport in Kalispell and 55 miles west of East Glacier. Great Falls, another international airport location, is 187 miles away. Amtrak stops here twice a day and West Glacier is, once again, the primary jumping off spot for Park visitors coming by rail.
Bordered by Glacier National Park to the north and the Great Bear Wilderness Area to the south, with the sparkling Middle Fork of the Flathead River running through the town, West Glacier is perfect for enjoying from a dozen different vantage points. Like most of the communities along the Northern Continental Divide Scenic Loop, wildlife is part of the culture. Elk, deer, black and grizzly bears, moose and mountain goats are sighted as regularly as the hikers, fishermen, and hunters. Winter changes the mix when the bears hibernate but the snowmobilers and cross country skiers make up the difference.
West Glacier is a magnet for history buffs. When Glacier National Park opened in 1910 it was an exhilarating time. Preserves were opening all over the West as railroads made mountain travel easier. The Great Northern Railroad had just built Belton Chalet, where well-heeled tourists could alight with their trunks and servants to experience the wonders of the West in comfort. But after World War II, when the interstate highway system knocked the wind out of the railroad industry, the park was suddenly the province of middle America, which had no need for exclusive hotels. The inn changed hands many times through the years, began to deteriorate and closed in the 1980s. But that all changed in 1999. After three years of intensive work, the Belton reopened under new ownership and now a whole new generation is able to have an immaculate 1910 tourist experience.
With a hundred years of history embedded in the community, West Glacier is keenly aware of the many reasons tourists are drawn to the area. Destinations like Apgar, Lake McDonald and the Going-to-The-Sun Highway are just a few along with the peaks of Glacier, the alpine lakes and the aqua blue Flathead River. One thing is for sure…century long memories are made here.
The following businesses welcome you to West Glacier
Accommodations
A Wild Rose
West Glacier, MT, 59936
406-387-4900
Mail: PO Box 29
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Website: http://www.awildrose.com
Located just six miles from Glacier Park, A Wild Rose has earned a three diamond rating from the American Automobile Association. Four immaculate and richly detailed rooms are beautifully decorated in a Victorian flair and have deluxe mattresses, and all natural linens. We feature a hearty gourmet all-you-can-eat breakfast with many fresh items and entrees. Come and enjoy your stay at A WILD ROSE!
Belton Chalet and Lodge
12575 US Highway 2 East, West Glacier, MT, 59936
406-888-5000
Mail: PO Box 206
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Website: http://www.beltonchalet.com
Just yards from GNP's main west entrance, Belton Chalet and Lodge was built in 1910, the same year the park was opened. Belton served as the primary jumping off spot for Park visitors coming by rail. Amtrak still stops here twice a day. Now, after extensive restoration, this historic registry property is once again the grand chalet of yesteryear. Relax by the roaring fire in the beautiful chalet lobby, or eat dinner in the Belton dining room.
Glacier Highland Resort
US Highway 2 East, West Glacier, MT, 59936
406-888-5427
Mail: PO Box 397
Website: http://www.glacierhighland.com/
Surrounded by the beautiful Rocky Mountains the Glacier Highland Resort is your one stop vacation destination. Let the Glacier Highland make your visit to Glacier National Park an enjoyable one. We'll take care of the details. Need a clean comfortable room? We've got that! Need a fantastic breakfast before heading out for a hike of a lifetime or a filling supper to recharge when your finished? That's us! Need some aspirin, batteries, trail food, or a souvenir? Again, that's us! The Glacier Highland really is your vacation destination.
Glaciers' Mountain Resort
1385 Old Highway 2 East, West Glacier, MT, 59913
406-387-5712
Mail: PO Box 389
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Website: http://glaciersmountainresort.com
Glaciers' Mountain Resort offers 5 one-bedroom cabins with each furnished with log furniture... hand made locally for that northwest flavor. The kitchens have electric ranges, full size microwaves, refrigerators, and yes, dishwashers. Bedrooms have queen size beds with a dresser, and living rooms have a full size futon that acts as a couch and can be setup to be used as a bed that can accommodate two extra people.
Historic Tamarack Lodge and Cabins
9549 US Highway 2 East, West Glacier, MT, 59936
406-387-4420
Mail: PO Box 190236, Hungry Horse, MT 59919
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Website: http://www.historictamaracklodge.com
As an AAA Diamond Member, the Historic Tamarack Lodge in Hungry Horse, Montana offers private Glacier National Park cabin rentals and accommodations. The Inn--originally built in 1907 and updated in 2003--provides a classic ambiance with modern amenities. Known for our outstanding hospitality, hearty continental breakfasts and affordable lodging rates, we are situated in a spectacular scenic mountain valley in the midst of the Montana Rockies surrounded by the Flathead National Forest.
North American RV Park and Yurt Village
10784 Highway 2 East, West Glacier, MT, 59913
406-387-5800
Mail: 10784 Highway 2 East, Coram, MT 59913
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North American RV Park and Yurt Village is the hub for all of your activities in Montana's Glacier Country. We are just five minutes from the west entrance to GNP. Spectacular views, 50 amp sites, extra long/extra wide pull thrus, 45 phone/internet sites, super clean showers and laundry and camp store. Experience Montana in one of our yurts.
Silverwolf Chalets
West Glacier, MT, 59936
406-387-4448
Mail: PO Box 115
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Website: http://www.silverwolfchalets.com
The Silverwolf Log Chalet Resort consists of ten designer log cabins for two. The cabins include maid service, fine log furnishings with queen-sized bed (one with two over-sized singles), handmade quilts, gas log fireplaces, full baths, thick towels, mini-refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker hidden in the hutch. Each chalet has a covered porch with Adirondack chairs. Fresh baked goods, cereal and milk, juice, fruit and Colombian coffee each morning in the privacy of your own log chalet. Our season runs from mid-may to mid-October. We are a 100% non-smoking resort with first class accommodations. Sorry, no children, and we do not allow pets.
Outfitters
Glacier Raft Company
12400 US Highway 2 East, West Glacier, MT, 59936
406-888-5454
Mail: PO Box 210
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Website: http://www.glacierraftco.com
Glacier Raft Company offers family whitewater and fly fishing adventures on Montana's Flathead Rivers surrounding Glacier National. Luxury log cabin rentals and outdoor store and fly shop, camping, rafting and fishing equipment sales and rentals are also available. You'll find us on the “Glacier National Park/Going-to-the-Sun Road” in downtown West Glacier.
Montana Raft / Glacier Guides
11970 Highway 2 East, West Glacier, MT, 59936
406-387-5555
Mail: PO Box 330, West Glacier, MT, 59936
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Website: http://www.glacierguides.com
Montana Raft / Glacier Guides specializes in whitewater rafting, back-packing, day hikes, backpacking, fly-fishing trips in and around Glacier National Park. Also available are float trips on the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead River that range from half a day to a week in length. Checkout our website for further details.
Recreation
Great Northern Whitewater Resort
12127 US Highway 2 East, West Glacier, MT, 59936
406-387-5340
Mail: PO Box 270
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Website: http://www.gnwhitewater.com
Join our river adventures with our friendly and professional staff, eager to accommodate you on a memorable white water float trip for half day, full day, dinner, or a two or three day adventure on the river. Log chalets provide a perfect base with a full kitchen, all linens, dishes and cookware. Larger units feature full bath with tub/shower combinations, 3 queen size beds upstairs, and a half bath downstairs. Smaller units have efficiency kitchens and a shower or tub/shower combination, with two queen size beds upstairs.