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.