Overview
West Glacier is a town at the western entrance to Glacier National Park in Northwestern Montana. This small town teems with tourists during the summer. Winter is quieter and lodging is available, unlike other towns around Glacier.
2 sights · 4 things to do · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about West Glacier
Crown of the Continent Discovery Center
Interactive displays of the region. Has gift shop, ice-cream, and pizza.
Goat Lick Overlook
An exposed riverbank where mountain goats and other animals can be seen. April to August has the most animals.
Glacier View Golf
18 holes, 69 par. Rated #1 in Montana. Opportunities for younger golfers. Bar and grill. RV hook-ups available on-site.
Golfing to the Sun
18 hole mini-golf with Glacier themed obstacles and information on each hole. Ice-cream and coffee shop also.
Glacier Guides
Glacier National Park's rivers and trails guide service, offering rafting, fishing, guided day hiking, chalet treks and backpacking trips. Gear and raft rental also available. Also has lodging, with wi-fi and air conditi…
Swan Mountain Outfitters
Sole provider of horseback tours in Glacier. Also offers horseback riding outside the park. Company provides several fly-fishing packages as well as clinics. Swan Mountain has access to thousands of acres for their hunti…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 20°F. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Superior)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FCA Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell — 18 mi away. Directions
- MSO Missoula Montana Airport, Missoula — 110 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 175 mi away (major hub). Directions
West Glacier is on U.S. Route 2 (US-2).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $170–$240 a night (typical $230), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$210, mid-range ~$300, comfortable ~$410.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Crown of the Continent Discovery Center, Glacier View Golf
- Lunch West Glacier Café
- Afternoon Golfing to the Sun, Swan Mountain Outfitters
- Dinner Sunflower Cafe & BBQ
- Evening Freda's Bar
Day 2
- Morning Goat Lick Overlook
- Lunch Jammer Joes Grill and Pizzaria
- Afternoon Glacier Guides
- Dinner Great Northern Railway Cafe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
West Glacier is on U.S. Route 2 (US-2).
By plane
The nearest major airport is in Kalispell.
By train
- The Empire Builder operates daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago. The train stops at the following stations in the area:
Get around
The business area of town can be walked or biked. You will need a car to access most of the outdoor activities. Transportation is generally provided for guided packages.
See
See Goat Lick Overlook
An exposed riverbank where mountain goats and other animals can be seen. April to August has the most animals.
Do
Fly fishing, hiking and biking locations are abundant.
Several guide services are available for whitewater rafting, and just about any other outdoor activity. Some are booked out months in advance.
Do Swan Mountain Outfitters
Sole provider of horseback tours in Glacier. Also offers horseback riding outside the park. Company provides several fly-fishing packages as well as clinics. Swan Mountain has access to thousands of acres for their hunting packages, which can be for rifle or archery. In the winter, they have snowmobiling excursions or rentals.
Buy
Eat
Eat Great Northern Railway Cafe
Coffee, sandwiches and snacks. Patio seating.
Eat Jammer Joes Grill and Pizzaria
Menu has good variety including make-your-own pizza and lunch buffet.
Eat Sunflower Cafe & BBQ
Small selection but interesting options. Weekly vegan special. Menu on website. Serves cocktails, beer and wine.
Eat West Glacier Café
Full service menu with great dinners and excellent variety of selection and prices.
Drink
Drink Freda's Bar
Full service bar with restaurant
Sleep
Stay Belton Chalet
The first of the great lodges and chalets built for Glacier National Park by Louis Hill of the Great Northern Railway. A fully restored 1910 hotel and restaurant property offers lodging in a historic atmosphere. No TV or phone. Private cabins are available and fill up very fast. Continental breakfast and shuttle service to and from the train station are complimentary. The Grill Dining Room features fresh local foods, Montana brews, fine wines and a full selection of spirits, with live music and views of Glacier Park.
Stay Halfway Hotel
Basic hotel halfway between West Glacier and Essex. Check in and check out is at the Izaak Walton Inn. Once your reservation is confirmed you will receive an email confirmation with check in instructions as well as a pre-arrival email.
Stay Izaak Walton Inn
In Essex, 30 miles southeast. Undergoing renovations and will reopen Spring 2024. Inn has 2 floors of rooms and the option of a converted railroad caboose. An exceptional dining room is available, with many local specialties prepared to order. The Bison Hash & Eggs at breakfast is a favorite. Rental vehicles are also available from the desk. The Izaak Walton has its own Amtrak stop, served by the Chicago-Seattle-Portland Empire Builder daily.
Go next
- Apgar (3 miles north) is one of the main villages of Glacier National Park. It has the largest campground in the park, right at the lower end of Lake McDonald.
- Columbia Falls, 17 miles south, has Montana's largest waterpark, Big Sky Waterpark, which also has mini golf and bumper cars. It's also near Hungry Horse Dam, a large steep dam with tours and a visitor center.
Nearby
Columbia Falls
City / town · 13 listings · 14 mi away
Glacier National Park
Park · 36 listings · 15 mi away
Whitefish
City / town · 30 listings · 18 mi away
Kalispell
City / town · 28 listings · 26 mi away
St. Mary
City / town · 4 listings · 30 mi away
Bigfork
City / town · 6 listings · 30 mi away
East Glacier
City / town · 13 listings · 35 mi away
Babb
City / town · 8 listings · 35 mi away
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