Motel Lake Mcdonald West Glacier, West Glacier ∞ Discover spa retreats, reviews & deals for 2025

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About Resort

288 Lake Mcdonald Lodge Loop Road, West Glacier, Montana, United States of America

Motel Lake Mcdonald, a historic 2-star lodge built in 1913, is located on the picturesque eastern shore of Lake McDonald within Glacier National Park. The property features 82 rustic yet comfortable guest rooms, including cabins and suites, along with various dining options and onsite activities.

Rooms & Amenities

Guest accommodations at Motel Lake Mcdonald include a mix of standard, deluxe, and cabin rooms, all equipped with private bathrooms. The Cobb House offers three suites with a sitting area and flat-screen television, while Snyder Hall features eight hostel-style rooms with shared bathroom access.

Dining & Nearby Options

Dining options at this West Glacier hotel include Russell’s Fireside Dining Room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring local fare, Jammer Joe’s Grill and Pizzeria, and Lucke’s Lounge for drinks with lake views. Guests can also find a camp store and gift shop for snacks and souvenirs.

Leisure Activities

Motel Lake Mcdonald provides various recreational activities such as Red Bus tours, boat cruises, and horseback riding. Outdoor adventurers can explore opportunities for fishing, hiking, and biking in the stunning lakeside setting of Glacier National Park.

Transportation & Services

The lodge is easily accessible from Glacier Park International Airport, located 37 miles away. Designated guide and service animals are permitted, while guest facilities maintain a non-smoking policy.

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Getting around

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City Center

West Glacier 9.8 mi

Airports

Glacier Park International (FCA) 35.0 mi

What our guests says about facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Charming Rustic Cabin

We spent one night in a cozy cabin with a picnic bench outside, just a short walk to the main lodge. Although the bed was a bit noisy, the stunning lake views made up for it! The cabin felt rustic yet comfortable, providing the perfect escape in nature.

Johnny123. USA, 2024-03-15Read full review on

Delicious Lodge Dining

The food at the lodge was fantastic! We enjoyed some great meals, but do be prepared for a bit of a wait during busy times since they have limited seating. I highly recommend trying their huckleberry ice cream—it was out of this world!

Derek_S. Canada, 2024-05-21Read full review on

Tiny but Functional

Our deluxe bathroom was quite small but surprisingly efficient for our needs. The sink was conveniently located inside the room, making it easy for us to freshen up after a day of hiking. Everything was impeccably clean as well.

JimW. UK, 2024-06-07Read full review on

Great Relaxation Space

I loved how the lodge had a cozy lobby area with a huge fireplace where guests could gather. It was the perfect spot to unwind, read, and share stories with fellow travelers. A chess set and some puzzles added to the relaxed atmosphere!

ClaireJoy. Australia, 2024-08-11Read full review on

What’s included

General

Parking
Wheelchair access

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Location

288 Lake Mcdonald Lodge Loop Road, West Glacier, Montana, United States of America

Map view

288 Lake Mcdonald Lodge Loop Road, West Glacier, Montana, United States of America

City landmarks

Glacier National Park

Lake Josephine

3800 ft

Bullhead Lake

3800 ft

Glacier National Park

Grinnell Lake

3800 ft

Highway 2

Silver Staircase Falls

3800 ft

Glacier National Park

Mt. Clements

3800 ft

Glacier National Park

Belly River

3800 ft

Glacier National Park

Camas Creek

3800 ft

Deadwood Falls

3800 ft

No Name Lake

3800 ft

West Glacier

John's Lake Trail

1.5 mi

Going-to-the-Sun Rd

Johns Lake Loop Trailhead

1.5 mi

Waterfall

McDonald Falls

1.5 mi

Johns Lake

1.5 mi

McDonald Lake Trail

2.4 mi

Mount Brown Fire Lookout

2.0 mi

Sacred Dancing Cascade

1.9 mi

Mt Brown Lookout

2.1 mi

Glacier National Park

McDonald Creek

3.0 mi

West Glacier

Lake McDonald Backcountry Campground

2.9 mi

Mount Brown

3.0 mi

McDonald Creek Overlook

3.0 mi

Nearby

Glacier National Park

Lake Josephine

1500 ft

Bullhead Lake

1500 ft

Glacier National Park

Grinnell Lake

1500 ft

Glacier National Park

Mt. Clements

1500 ft

Highway 2

Silver Staircase Falls

1500 ft

Glacier National Park

Belly River

1500 ft

Glacier National Park

Camas Creek

1500 ft

No Name Lake

1500 ft

Deadwood Falls

1500 ft

Restaurants

Russell's Fireside Dining Room at Lake McDonald Lodge

400 ft

Going-To-The-Sun Road Lake McDonald Lodge

Reviews and Ratings <br />

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

William

United States of America, February 2025

7.0/10

Staying at Glacier was a mixed bag for us. The cabins, while cozy, felt quite cramped, especially with the bed positioned against the wall. We enjoyed the breathtaking views from the lodge, but the park's heavy crowd made parking and hiking more challenging than we anticipated. However, we loved the Red Bus Tour—it was a highlight of our trip. Overall, there are great sights to see, but be prepared for some frustrations with the crowds and accommodations.

Rooms

6.0

We stayed in one of the fourplex cabins that felt quite cramped for our needs. The bed's position made it awkward to access.

Service

7.0

The service was decent, but our Red Bus driver was a bit grumpy, which was off-putting at times.

Location

7.0

The location is spectacular with gorgeous views, but the crowds made getting around difficult, especially finding parking.

Dining

8.0

We had dinner at the lodge, which was enjoyable, but I didn’t try any breakfast options.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were basic and nothing to write home about, but the overall environment of the park is stunning.

Greg

United States of America, December 2024

8.6/10

My stay at the lodge was a delightful experience, set amidst stunning natural surroundings perfect for outdoor activities. The rooms were cozy and recently refurbished, adding to the comfort of our trip. We enjoyed our time in the lounge, but had a bit of a hiccup in the dining area initially. Overall, it's a great place for both relaxation and adventure, although the dining could use some improvement.

Rooms

9.0

The lodge rooms were comfortable and well-appointed, especially the ones on the second floor with refurbished bathrooms.

Service

8.0

The staff in Lucke's Lounge were attentive and friendly, making our experience enjoyable.

Location

10.0

The lodge is in a breathtaking location with access to hiking trails and lake activities, making it a fantastic base for exploring the area.

Dining

7.0

While the initial dining experience wasn't great, the lounge offered a good menu with great views and a more relaxed atmosphere.

Facilities

9.0

The facilities like the lounge area with a fireplace and activities like canoeing were fantastic, enhancing our stay.

Alexandra

United States of America, December 2024

7.6/10

Staying at this lodge was a charming experience, especially with its stunning views of Lake McDonald. The food was surprisingly top-notch, proving to be one of the highlights of our trip. However, the age of the property led to quite a bit of noise, which might be bothersome for some. It's worth noting that Glacier National Park can feel overcrowded at times, which detracted from our overall experience.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms had a lot of character but were not particularly spacious. We found them charming, especially the ones with views of the waterfall, but the noise from creaky floors could be an issue.

Service

Location

8.0

The location is absolutely breathtaking, with direct views of Lake McDonald. It's a major draw for the lodge, but it does come with the downside of being quite crowded during peak season.

Dining

9.0

Dining at the lodge was a delightful surprise. The quality of the food surpassed all our expectations, making mealtimes enjoyable.

Facilities

6.0

The lodge has a rustic charm with a cozy common area, but the facilities are a bit limited, especially for families needing more space.

Ruth

United States of America, December 2024

8.8/10

This lodge has a unique charm that reflects its historic character, with impressive decor and a cozy atmosphere. The staff is genuinely caring and goes above and beyond to ensure guests have a great experience. However, the noise from the outside can be quite disruptive, especially at night, and the cabins are a less desirable option than the lodge rooms due to their cramped conditions. Overall, it’s a solid choice if you want to enjoy the locale and dining, but you might want to skip the cabins altogether.

Rooms

8.0

We stayed in a deluxe queen room which was spacious, comfortable, and had a beautifully updated bathroom. However, the noise from outside when the windows were open made our stay less ideal.

Service

10.0

The front desk staff were extremely helpful and truly cared about our satisfaction, making our stay enjoyable.

Location

10.0

The lodge is ideally located near the lake with easy access to hiking trails and scenic drives, making it a perfect base for exploring.

Dining

9.0

The dining experience was a highlight with a great selection of dishes, although it was a bit stressful to get a table at peak times without a reservation.

Facilities

7.0

The overall facilities are charming, but the lobby area felt quite small and limited for the number of guests.

Edgar

United States of America, November 2024

7.2/10

The resort offers breathtaking views and plenty of outdoor activities, perfect for nature lovers. While the location and amenities are fantastic, the dining service definitely needs improvement, impacting the overall experience. I enjoyed my time rowing on the lake and taking in the beautiful surroundings, and the lounge area was a great spot to relax. However, my dining experience was quite disappointing due to the service mishaps.

Rooms

8.0

I didn't specifically comment on the rooms, but I felt comfortable during my stay.

Service

5.0

The service in the dining room was lacking. I had to wait a long time for my wine, and when I was done with dinner, my waitress just placed the bill on the table without offering dessert, which felt disrespectful.

Location

10.0

The resort's location is incredible for outdoor activities such as hiking and boating. The views are stunning, making it a perfect spot to unwind.

Dining

5.0

My dining experience was not what I expected. The confusion with my wine order left a bad taste, and the service could have been more attentive.

Facilities

9.0

The lodge has great facilities, like canoe rentals and a cozy lounge with a fireplace where guests can relax and enjoy games. The outdoor activities available add significant value.