West Glacier

The charm of an authentic mountain village is on full display in scenic West Glacier Village—the bustling “main entrance” to Glacier National Park, where emerald waters, towering snowcapped peaks, hundreds of waterfalls and crystal-clear alpine lakes are found among lush forests and sweeping valleys.

With its beginnings in Great Northern Railway days, West Glacier features iconic, century-old log buildings set against the park’s majestic backdrop. The historic Swiss-style Belton Chalet—a National Historic Landmark and the first of the great lodges built here by the railroad—features the elegance and ambience of its time. West Glacier is a whistle-stop station for Amtrak’s Empire Builder, and the station building—historically known as Belton Train Depot—was renovated with attention to historical detail. West Glacier is also home to quaint Apgar Village, featuring a few shops, food and a visitor center.

The legendary Belton Bridge, a West Glacier gem, stretches over the Flathead River here in the epitome of a classic bridge setting. The “Old Bridge” has been a popular hangout spot and bridge-jumping location since 1920.

West Glacier serves as the west entrance to the famous and breathtaking Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S. The GTSR is registered as a National Historic Place, National Historic Landmark and Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This engineering marvel offers jaw-dropping views of part of the Crown of the Continent region, mountain-goat sightings, and access to the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Just over 7 miles up the road from West Glacier, majestic Lake McDonald Lodge sits on the shores of stunning Lake McDonald, setting the quintessential Glacier National Park scene.

Please note: Summer access to the park via West Glacier is limited due to popularity, and there is currently a vehicle reservation system in place during peak season to help manage the sheer number of visitors and quality of visitor experience. In addition, services are limited in and around the park, including Wi-Fi. West Glacier is a seasonal community with most businesses closing or having very limited services in the shoulder seasons.

West Glacier is close to the larger cities of Columbia Falls (19 miles/27 minutes) and Kalispell (35 miles/48 minutes), where most crew services can be found.

Visitor + Business Information

Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Government

Flathead County

Fire + Safety

Hospitals

Logan Health (Whitefish) – 25.5 miles from West Glacier
Logan Health (Kalispell) – 35.5 miles from West Glacier

Transportation

Glacier Park International Airport – 26 miles from West Glacier, offering nonstop flights to major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles
Amtrak – 28 miles from West Glacier

Population

174 (2022)

Elevation

3,215’

Climate

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High	30	34	43	54	65	72	80	79	68	53	38	30
Average Low	17	19	25	31	38	44	48	47	39	32	25	18

Public Lands

Accommodations

The West Glacier area offers a wide array of accommodations, including bed and breakfasts, chalets, hotels, motels, lodges, resorts, vacation homes and RV parks. Click here for options.