What is the best entrance to glacier national park?

Glacier isn’t one of those parks where you can check out one thing and call it done. There is so much here to see that many of us here at Glacier Guides and Montana Raft have spent a lifetime exploring Glacier, and we’re not done yet! At any rate, the Continental Divide splits the park geographically, and in other ways, too. No trip is complete without exploring Glacier Park’s west side, including West Glacier, the Lake McDonald valley and Logan Pass, the North Fork, and Nyack/Middle Fork corridor.

Glacier Park’s west side – this map does not label east side areas, but you can read all about them in the companion piece to this post.

The west side includes the Middle Fork/Nyack region, the West Glacier/ Lake McDonald area, the North Fork Valley, and the Logan Pass/Highline region. Glacier Park’s west side weather tends to be wetter, with milder temperatures and calmer wind than the east side typically experiences.

West Glacier, Montana is the most popular entrance to Glacier National Park. Its proximity and easy access to Glacier International Airport in Kalispell makes it the best place to start or end your trip.

Quick Guide to West Glacier

Recreation: Hiking, Rafting, Fishing, Golf, Horseback Riding, Biking, Camping (KOA and Glacier Campground) Lodging: Several options (Glacier Guides Lodge) Restaurants/Bars: Several options (Belton Chalet, the Highland, West Glacier Restaurant/Bar) Shopping: Yes (West Glacier) Laundry: Yes Transportation: Shuttle (with fee), Rental cars (from Kalispell)

Lake McDonald/ Apgar is minutes away from West Glacier and has several restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, gift shops, as well as horseback riding, boat tours/rentals and hiking. Farther down the lake (about 20 minutes) is another lodge with restaurant options, gift shops and even an adjacent post office, as well as a campgrounds.

The forests around the lake are some of the oldest in the park, with gorgeous cedar and hemlock, although there have been forest fires on the western side of this area within the past decade.

Quick Guide to Apgar / Lake McDonald

Recreation: Hiking, Rafting (in West Glacier), Fishing, Horseback Riding, Boat Rentals, Red Bus Tours, Camping Lodging: Yes Restaurants/Bars: One in Apgar, Two at Lake McDonald Shopping: Yes (gift shops in Apgar and Lake McDonald Lodge) Transportation: Red Bus Tours, GNP Free Shuttle System (for the GTTSR starts in Apgar at the Transit Center)

Glacier Park’s West Side: Middle Fork / Nyack Corridor

The Middle Fork/ Nyack region is one of the least visited areas (due to thicker forest and less trail maintenance). If you are looking for hiking in wilderness, this is as close as you will get in Glacier.

South of this region is the boundary of the park and a corridor that connects West Glacier and East Glacier. This corridor is home to the Burlington Northern Train, Hwy 2 and the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead River. All of the local rafting companies use the Middle Fork for their rafting trips (although we use others as well). There are a few smaller places to stay along the highway, most with restaurants and bars.

Quick Guide to the Middle Fork / Nyack Region:

Recreation: Hiking, Backpacking, Rafting (from West Glacier), Fishing Lodging: Limited (Isaac Walton Inn) Restaurants/Bars: Limited (Isaac Walton Inn) Shopping: No Transportation: Train (Amtrak)

The North Fork Valley is one of the most remote areas of Glacier.

A dirt road is the only way to access this valley. The road parallels the North Fork of the Flathead River, which is the western boundary of the park. This river is great for float trips and fishing. The only amenities are located in the small town of Polebridge, which has a mercantile and the Northern Lights Saloon. There are a few rustic options for lodging (this area is “off the grid,” aka, no electricity) and there are several campgrounds.

There are also several large lakes in the area on which to boat (low or no horsepower only) and the hiking is great, with most trails winding through dense timber.

Quick Guide to the North Fork

Recreation: Hiking, Backpacking, Rafting, Camping, Fishing, Boat Rental (from the North Fork Hostel) Lodging: None / Limited outside of the park (North Fork Hostel, Road Less Traveled) Restaurants/Bars: One (Northern Lights Saloon and Eatery) Shopping: Polebridge Mercantile (try the baked goods!) Transportation: None (unless with fishing or hiking guide companies).  It is actually against park regulations to have any transportation systems in this area.

The west-side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road (Apgar to Logan Pass) is spectacular, and most all visitors come to drive it (for good reason).

It is open throughout the summer and into the fall. The exact dates of it’s opening and closing depend on snow (this is a blog topic all of it’s own). There are length and width restrictions for vehicles (aka…no huge RV’s, 18 wheelers, etc…). There is a free shuttle during the busiest months of the summer that goes from West Glacier to St. Mary and carries anyone wishing to be car free. A fun, historical way to see the road is via a Red Bus.

There are also 2 historic backcountry chalets (accessible only by trail).

The highest part of the road – where it crosses the Continental Divide – is Logan Pass, home to Logan Pass visitor center. The views from trails here are some of the best in the park.

Quick Guide to Going-to-the-Sun Road and Logan Pass:

Recreation: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping Lodging: Lake McDonald Lodge (along Lake McDonald), Granite Park and Sperry Chalets Restaurants/Bars: Lake McDonald Lodge Shopping: Lake McDonald Lodge and Logan Pass Visitors Center Transportation: Glacier Park Shuttle, Red Bus Tours, Sun Tours

West Glacier, Montana is the most popular entrance to Glacier National Park. Its proximity and easy access to Glacier International Airport in Kalispell makes it the best place to start or end your trip.

The main entrance to Glacier Park is the West Glacier Entrance – located just outside the town of West Glacier, MT. This Glacier National Park Entrance is open 24 hours a day all year around. It gives you access to the Going-To-The-Sun Road from the west side of Glacier Park. The Going-To-The-Sun Road opens up mid June (depending on completion of snow removal) and stays open through mid October (depending on the arrival of snow).

The Glacier National Park Headquarters are located just outside the West Glacier Entrance, and the Apgar Visitor Center is located just inside this entrance. Other points of interest located near this entrance are the village of Apgar, Lake McDonald – the largest glacial lake in Glacier Park, and Lake McDonald Lodge – one of the earliest lodges in Glacier Park built in the early 1900’s.

There are also many attractions just outside the West Glacier Entrance, including; Glacier View Golf Course, several whitewater rafting and floating companies, guides for Glacier Park backcountry trips, mini golf courses, water-slides, helicopter tours over Glacier Park, and more. This is the entrance closest to Smoky Bear Ranch (only a 15 minute drive).

The Camas Creek Entrance is also on the west side of Glacier National Park but more remotely located than the West Glacier Entrance. To access this Glacier National Park Entrance, you will travel 20 miles up the North Fork Rd (Highway 486) along the western edge of Glacier Park, and turn onto Glacier Route Eight or Camas Creek Road. The first 10 miles of the North Ford Road is paved, the remaining stretch is gravel.

You can access Glacier Park 24 hours a day all year around through this gate but is only open for vehicular travel from mid June through mid October depending on snow cover. You can access the Going-To-The-Sun Road from this gate by traveling along the Camas Creek Road to the Apgar Visitor Center.

Travel along this road often reveals wildlife, we’ve seen moose, bear, elk, as well and many other wildlife while traveling the Camas Creek Road. You can access the trailhead for Huckleberry Mountain Lookout from this entrance – a moderately strenuous trail with fabulous 360° views. Snowshoeing or cross country skiing from the Camas Creek Entrance is absolutely stunning. This entrance is also close to Smoky Bear Ranch (roughly a 20 minute drive).

The Polebridge Entrance is the third Glacier National Park Entrance on the west side of Glacier National Park. It is a remote entrance and used mostly by the locals and hardy visitors. To access this entrance, travel about 35 miles north of Columbia Falls, MT on the North Fork Road (Hwy 486), along the west side of Glacier Park (a mostly gravel road), then turn into the village of Polebridge. At the Polebridge Mercantile, turn left and the dirt road will take you across the North Fork of the Flathead River to the Polebridge Entrance.

This entrance will take you to some of the most pristine areas of Glacier Park, i.e. Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake. Both of these glacial lakes are roughly 7 miles long and sit in bowls surrounded by thick forests and the towering mountains of the Livingston Range. The entrance is open 24 hours a day all year around but closed to vehicular traffic from mid October to mid May depending on snow cover. Our favorite areas of Glacier Park are accessed through the Polebridge Entrance.

The main entrance on the east side of Glacier National Park is the Saint Mary Entrance. This entrance is open 24 hours a day all year around but only open to vehicular traffic from about mid May through mid October depending on snow cover. To access this Glacier Park Entrance, you will travel north on Hwy 89 for 30 miles from Browning, MT to the town of Saint Mary, MT, the entrance is located just west of Saint Mary.

This entrance allows you to access the Going-To-The-Sun Road from the east side of Glacier Park. Saint Mary Lake is just inside this entrance – the 2nd largest glacial lake in Glacier Park. You can also visit the Saint Mary Visitor Center at this gate. This particular visitor center and gate entrance were completed in 1967 using common Mission 66 themes such as native stones. A popular hike near this entrance is Saint Mary Falls/Virginia Falls.

The Two Medicine Entrance is located just a few miles north of East Glacier, MT on the east side of Glacier Park. To access this entrance, take Hwy 49 north out of East Glacier for roughly 4 miles before turning onto Two Medicine Road. You can access this area of Glacier National Park 24 hours a day all year around but from mid October to mid May, Two Medicine Road will not be open to vehicular traffic due to snow cover.

Two Medicine Lake and Upper Two Medicine Lake are beautiful glacial lakes that can be accessed from this entrance. These lakes are surrounded by towering mountains in the Lewis & Clark Range. Another unique attraction accessible from this entrance is Running Eagle Falls – which was once called Trick Falls. A barrier free trail takes you to these falls and once you see them you’ll understand why it was called Trick Falls.

Another unique area on the east side of Glacier National Park is accessed from the Many Glacier Entrance. The most notable landmark in this area is the Many Glacier Hotel – one of the old historic hotels built by the railroad in the early 1900’s. From this entrance, you would access the trail leading to a very picturesque mountain lake called Iceberg Lake.

This entrance can be accessed by traveling north on Hwy 89 for 35 miles from Browning, MT, through Saint Mary, MT, and up to the community of Babb, MT. At Babb, you would turn left onto Glacier Route Three and travel for roughly 8 miles before reaching the Many Glacier Entrance. Even though there is no restriction on accessing the Many Glacier Entrance, it would be difficult to access from about mid October through mid May as they do not plow the snow on Glacier Route Three.

Of all the Glacier National Park Entrances, the Cut Bank entrance is the least known and least used. Access to this entrance is on Cut Bank Creek Road – a 5 mile dirt road – off Hwy 89, roughly 18 miles north of Browning, MT. From this entrance there is a primitive campground, day hikes, and access to backcountry trails. There are only 14 campsites in this campground so it’s a great place to camp when you want privacy, peace, and quiet. No vehicular access to this entrance is available from about mid October through mid May due to snow cover.