Location: West Glacier
Top Things to do in West Glacier
Top Restaurants in West Glacier
- 1. Belton Grill Dining Room & Tap Room
- 2. Glacier Grille & Pizza
- 3. The Huckleberry Patch Cannery, Restaurant, & Gift Shop
- 4. Glacier Coffee House
- 5. Glacier Highland Restaurant
- 6. The Trap Line Cafe and Grill
- 7. Glacier Brew Espresso
- 8. Eddie's Cafe & Gifts
- 9. West Glacier Restaurant
- 10. West Glacier Cafe
Top 10 Things to do in West Glacier, United States
West Glacier is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in eastern Flathead County, Montana, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 227. The town is at the west entrance to Glacier National Park and is located on U.S. Route 2 and a main line of the BNSF Railway. The headquarters complex for Glacier National Park is located nearby.
Restaurants in West Glacier
1. Hidden Lake
Overall Ratings
5 based on 554 reviews
A superb fishing lake where catching 20-inch fish is common.
Reviewed By RetiredTravelerTN - Nashville, TN
One of the best trails at Glacier National Park is the trail to Hidden Lake Overlook. The trailhead is located behind the visitor center at Logan Pass. It is a moderate 2.6 mile round trip hike that is often still snow-covered in early July. Some areas of the trail have boardwalk. Flags mark the trail, and it is especially important to stay on the trail when snow-covered due to uneven ground and steps. The elevation gain of 477’ is very noticeable, but we were glad that we made the trip to the overlook. One area does involve some careful scrambling over/around some rocks.
In addition to the pretty view of the lake, we had a great since of accomplishment, and we enjoyed the views along the way. Close to the overlook, we saw mountain goats walking parallel to the trail and grazing along the way. On the way back down, we stopped to watch a marmot sunning on a rock. Yellow wildflowers danced in the sunlight.
The parking lot at Logan Pass fills by mid-morning. Go early or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds, but be sure to have daylight for the entire hike.
2. Glacier Distilling Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Glacier Distilling Company is a locally owned, small batch distillery located on the doorstep of Glacier National Park. All of our Montana spirits are hand crafted and hand bottled in The Whiskey Barn. Next time you’re wandering through, stop in for a sip of dew!
Reviewed By Knjr - Whitefish, Montana
Saw a flyer for this place decided to check it out after visiting glacier. They had a wide selection of liquor they make. They made us some decent cocktails. The only probably was Montana law only allows 2 ounces of liquor per visit. I would've...MoreWe wish we could pour you more samples. We're working on that - stay tuned!
3. Glacier Highline
Overall Ratings
5 based on 87 reviews
Glacier Highline is an Aerial Adventure Park featuring 47 high flying treetop activities at heights between 10 & 30 feet in the air! Our guests get up to 2 hours of play on the course after gear up and training time. We use full 5 point harness systems as well as the top of the line, industry standard Clic-It Safety Belay system. COME CHECK OUT OUR NEWEST ADDITIONS... OUTDOOR CLIMBING WALL AND GIANT SWING/WATER DROP!! LIKE US ON FACEBOOK, & FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM! KEEP UP WITH WHAT WE'RE UP TO! OPENING MAY 2017!!
Reviewed By Zach P - San Francisco, California
We took our two kids (ages 9 and 5). The 9-year-old loved the entire experience, but the 5-year-old made it about 20 feet on the ropes course before completely freaking out (after less than 5 minutes in the harness).
When we returned to the front office and I asked for a refund for the 5-year-old, I was told they don't give refunds after the harness is put on, and that it is up to the parents to know if their child will be able to handle it or not. I was never informed of this "policy," either by sign, the waiver we signed, or verbally prior to them taking my money. The first I heard of this "policy" was after getting stiffed $90 for five minutes. When I expressed my displeasure, the male owner muttered "full refund?" under his breath, laughed at me, and told me that it's up to parents "to know their kids." I couldn't believe it.
They should either 1) have a partial refund policy for situations like this (heck, even 10% back I would have lived with on principle alone; I get that this could be abused but come on - a five year old and five minutes after you paid for two hours?), or 2) simply inform customers of their non-refund policy up front. I was completely blindsided by this and completely repulsed by their lack of compassion and willingness to make an exception to the policy. Add to that the insult of the male owner laughing at me and implying that I don't know my daughter well enough, and I was beside myself.
(For the record, my daughter was all gung-ho at the beginning: after she had the harness on, after the safety briefing, and once she clipped in....but literally as soon as she stepped on the rope, she started having major anxiety. There was no way of me knowing that was going to happen.)
In all fairness, the employees on the rope course themselves were OUTSTANDING, including two of them who helped get my daughter safely back to base in a compassionate and caring way. I was impressed by the politeness, humility, and competence of all of the employees on the rope course itself. The two front office staff members (an older woman and older man) would do well to take a class in customer service from their own front-line employees. I will always be left with the sense that the owners are money-hungry vultures who could care less about a child and their experience.
4. Virginia Falls
Overall Ratings
5 based on 178 reviews
Reviewed By Ave T - Oslo, Norway
We hiked to three waterfalls starting at Sun Point and ending at St. Mary shuttle stop by catching the shuttle back to Sun Point. That was a nice short’ish hike (7.4 km /4.6 miles with 350 m/1150 ft. elevation change), however, most of the trail is sun exposed after fire in 2015, so it is important to carry enough water! The part of the hike that goes through the area damaged in fire in 2015 was in fact very nice; wildflowers are back and fire has opened up the views to the lake. In July, there were fields of blooming fireweed! Waterfalls were pretty, starting with the smallest one, Baring Falls, followed by St. Mary Falls and keeping the best, Virginia Falls to last. Virginia Falls was truly magnificent and worth the last up hills hike. The hike took us slightly over two hours with photo stops at all falls and along the trail.
5. Travel Alberta West Glacier Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Alberta, Canada Visitor Information Centre. Stop in and get great Alberta information. Spend time in the extensive interpretive centre. Free Wi-Fi.
Reviewed By Helen H - St. Petersburg, Florida
This is absolutely excellent for a visitor center, with informative displays, lots of information and people on hand who can help you plan a trip. While I was there, they made an RV campsite reservation for someone and they answered some of my questions about...MoreHi Helen H, Thank you for letting us know about your recent stop at the Travel Alberta West Glacier Visitor Information Centre. I am glad that you enjoyed our interpretive displays and that the staff were helpful. Enjoy the rest of your trip!
6. Lake McDonald
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 674 reviews
Large recreational lake in Glacier National Park.
Reviewed By RetiredTravelerTN - Nashville, TN
Everyone should stop to see Lake McDonald Lodge and the lake, but also be sure to see the lake from the Apgar Village area where the view up the lake is long and inspiring. Kayaks and paddle boards are available. Find a spot to stop and drink in the view.
7. St. Mary Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, Arizona
This is one of the most beautiful, iconic places in Glacier National Park that is in all the photos, a gorgeous glacial lake surrounded by mountain peaks. The Going to the Sun Road passes along the north shore for about 10 miles, between St. Mary Visitor Center and the St. Mary Falls Trail parking area. There are several pull-outs along the road for photo ops. Boat tours, camping and food are available at the Rising Sun area. Hiking trails depart from St. Mary's Falls, Sunrift Gorge and Sun Point on the west end of the lake, Rising Sun in the middle, and St. Mary on the east end. The village of St. Mary just east of the lake has services such as lodging, camping, food and gasoline.
8. Apgar Lookout Trail
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By MaryEllenM27 - Kalispell, Montana
This hike was disappointing. It was a long slog with little reward. It paled compared to other lake-view hikes in the park. We decided we would rather have been down by Lake McDonald or over in the North Fork than looking at it from a distance after a rather boring hike. This hike takes some fitness and patience.
9. Ptarmigan Tunnel
Overall Ratings
5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By trinkd - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Whether this hike is really "long" of course depends on your personal definition of what's a long day-hike. It's over 5 miles each way to do the Ptarmigan Tunnel, and I really suggest you go some distance past that to really get an appreciation for what lies beyond.
You start on the same trail that goes to Iceberg Lake, and we found there was less traffic once the trails split. I assume that's because of the two destinations: Iceberg Lake is a little closer and by some measure has the higher bang-for-your-hiking-buck, being the site more people are familiar with (and a wonderful destination, also!).
The hike is not incredibly strenuous at any point, but there is a large, very exposed switchback just before the tunnel. The rest of the hike offers the incredible wide-open expansive views that somehow only Glacier NP can provide - it's really amazing.
After splitting of an heading up a valley with all those open views, you pass treeline at Ptarmigan Lake and continue on up to a literal hole in the mountain. Be sure to read all the plaques! :) Once through the tunnel, you hike along a rock wall with a beautiful view of Elizabeth Lake. We turned around after another mile or so, but this view reveals glaciers not visible from any road, and the mountains are just stunning.
10. Trail of the Cedars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 383 reviews
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, Arizona
This trail is located along the Going to the Sun Road northeast of Lake McDonald near the Avalanche Creek campground and picnic area. There are parking spaces on the side of the road near the trailhead, and more spaces and a restroom at the picnic area. The Trail of the Cedars loop meanders along Avalanche Creek through an old growth forest of stately cedar trees for .7 mile. This mostly-level path is wheelchair accessible with a surface that is hard-packed soil and wooden boardwalk. Highlights include views of the rushing creek, a magical ferny forest with massive trees and moss-covered rocks, and a lovely small gorge. Benches are available for resting. The Avalanche Trail connects to this one for those who wish to hike further (not accessible). We visited in early July and arrived about 8:00am to find most of the parking already taken, so go as early as possible.
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