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 abound among lush forests and sweeping valleys.
With its beginnings in Great Northern Railway days, West Glacier boasts 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. The majestic Lake McDonald Lodge sits stoically on the shores of stunning Lake McDonald, setting the quintessential Glacier National Park scene. 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 the Crown of the Continent, mountain-goat sightings, and access to the Continental Divide at Logan Pass.
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.
166 (2019)
3,215’
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 |
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.
Movies: Beethoven’s 2nd, Big Eden
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