Your GNP Lodging Questions Answered

First time planning a trip to Glacier National Park? We’re here to answer your top 5 Glacier National Park lodging questions. Choosing the perfect cabin, condo or hotel for your group in the right area could make or break your trip. We’ve got recommendations on when and where to stay along with how to book and more!

In short, here are the answers you’ve been searching to find regarding Glacier National park lodging. More information on each can we found below!

Q: What town should I stay in while visiting Glacier National Park?
A: When visiting Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls in the Flathead Valley are places to stay with lodging options.

Q: When is the best month to visit Glacier National Park?
A: Memorial Day through Labor Day is a good general rule of thumb with August or September giving you the best window of opportunity to explore our backyard fully.

Q: How many days should I stay in Glacier National Park?
A: When planning a trip to Glacier National Park, I suggest staying at least 3-4 days. I have lived here my whole life and still never feel like I spend enough time in Glacier.

Q: Are there cabins to rent inside of or around Glacier National Park?
A: Lodging or camping in Glacier National Park is possible but takes a lot of pre-planning and not something you can pop onto Expedia and book.

Q: How far in advance should I book my lodging?
A: You can book lodging for Glacier National Park adventures as far in advance as you would like and people do book early, so if you are traveling with a large group or would like certain amenities I would start early.

What town should I stay in while visiting Glacier National Park?

When visiting Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Kalispell, and Columbia Falls in the Flathead Valley are places to stay with lodging options. The Flathead Valley BOOMS in the summer season with people from all over the world to explore Glacier National Park. When you start researching and planning a trip of a lifetime it tends to get overwhelming. Whitefish, Kalispell and Columbia Falls are the main towns that make up the Flathead Valley. Whitefish being probably by far the most popular as it has become just about a year-round hot spot with skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort.Kalispell is our “city” you could say, but take that with a grain of salt, it’s still no L.A. and we are still about 2 hours away from your nearest interstate. Columbia Falls is the closest of these bigger towns to Glacier, about 15-20 minutes away and boasts a hometown feel and comes alive in the Summer months.

If you are looking for the quickest zip up to Glacier, I would consider looking at rental opportunities in Coram or West Glacier. These rental opportunities can be found on VRBO or AirBNB, or even take a peek at our lodging near West Glacier to see if we have the perfect spot for you to hang your hat while you are visiting.

When is the best month to visit Glacier National Park?

Memorial Day through Labor Day is a good general rule of thumb with August or September giving you the best window of opportunity to explore our backyard fully. There are still a few gambles traveling earlier or later in the year, however. Going-To-The-Sun Road is the main attraction here in the area. The time to enjoy this is different every year. Depends on weather, how long it takes for snow removal along with some other factors. You can shoot for that being open by or around the 4th of July and again, depending on weather, you can enjoy Going-To-The-Sun into October. I would say the best month within that time span to visit would be August or September. Although, there is beauty to be seen and adventures to be had anytime of the year. 

How many days should I stay in Glacier National Park?

When planning a trip to Glacier National Park, I suggest staying at least 3-4 days. I have lived here my whole life and still never feel like I spend enough time in Glacier. People generally leave here with plans brewing for a return trip because there is just so much to fit into your schedule no matter how long you give yourself. Depending on your wants and to-dos while you are here, I feel you would want to give yourself at least 3-4 days here to explore. Our days are long in the summer months and you can pack a lot of stuff in from sunrise to sunset but what’s the point of vacation if you don’t allow yourself a little time to stop and smell the flowers? Trust me, you will want to breathe in some fresh mountain air and enjoy the peaceful nights after that sun goes down.

Are there cabins to rent inside of or around Glacier National Park?

Lodging or camping in Glacier National Park is possible but takes a lot of pre-planning and not something you can pop onto Expedia and book. They fill up early and fast and can be booked from the Glacier Park website, directing you onto either Xantera or Pursuit to lock in the lodging of your choice inside the park.

There are also a few options outside of the park that can be booked on VRBO or AirBnB. We also have a number of options for lodging near West Glacier that are bookable right here on our website.

How far in advance should I book my lodging?

You can book lodging for Glacier National Park adventures as far in advance as you would like and people do book early, so if you are traveling with a large group or would like certain amenities I would start early.  There are a variety of hotels, cabins, condos to choose from while you visit, heck even maybe book a glamping experience or stay in a yurt. There are lots of options and unique places to enjoy your evenings around the valley. One of the main issues we have seen with people traveling in the last few summers isn’t lack of lodging but lower inventory in rental cars.  So I would highly suggest not waiting to secure some wheels while you plan to be here. We have a few rental car agencies in the area, you can try the Turo app, or we also have some tips for a Glacier International Airport car rental as well. Public transportation is generally slim to none around here although it is ramping up a bit but I wouldn’t rely on an Uber or taxi around here. 

Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley are a trip of a lifetime–you won’t want to miss out! Book a vacation you and your crew will talk about for years to come. Our calendars are always open at Glacier Highline and we have plenty of lodging to accommodate your crew. Take a peek at our West Glacier lodging or shoot us an email and we are happy to check our calendars for you! Also, one perk to booking with us? We offer discounted zipline adventure course passes for you during your stay! …..What are you waiting for?!?

Glacier Highline is the ultimate Glacier zipline park and is a great stop to add to your family vacation in Montana. Check out other local things to near Glacier National Park and our 3 day Glacier National Park itinerary for more trip-planning inspiration.