Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In Many Glacier, the standout is clearly the
Many Glacier Hotel
(406/892-2525 or
406/732-4411,
www.glacierparkinc.com
,
early June-mid-Sept., $163-336), a historic Swiss
chalet-style lodge built in 1915 by the Great Northern Railway. The hotel is located right on
the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake, and there is no limit to the natural beauty of the region or the
number of ways in which to enjoy it. The guest rooms have not been significantly changed
since the hotel's construction, other than a small number of rooms that were refurbished in
2010-2011, but that only adds to its charm; the prices seem steep, however, for the lack of
amenities, but its setting in the Many Glacier Valley is unmatched and memorable. There is
nightly entertainment and a wealth of activities that include boat cruises, ranger-led hikes,
evening programs, Red Bus Tours, and horseback riding from the lodge.
Nearby, the
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
(406/892-2525,
www.glacierparkinc.com
,
mid-
June-mid-Sept., $80-142) is decidedly less grandiose and equally less expensive. But this
place also has a history; it was established as a tipi camp in 1911 by the Great Northern
Railway. There are three main lodgings: motel rooms, duplex-type cottages, and one-bed-
room cabins without private baths. It has its own charm as a longtime stopping point for
adventurers and road-trippers, and the location cannot be beat. For the price it is an excel-
lent place to stay.
There are two park campgrounds near the village of St. Mary.
St. Mary Campground
(406/888-7800, $23) has 146 sites, including 25 sites that can accommodate RVs and truck-
trailer combinations up to 35 feet, as well as water and flush toilets. It is the park's largest
campground, only 0.5 mile from the St. Mary Visitor Center, and has limited shade but su-
perb views. The regular season is early June-early September, but primitive camping ($10)
is available early April-early June and mid-September-late November. Winter camping is
also possible December 1-March 31. Sites can be reserved for June 1-the first Sunday in
September online at
www.recreation.gov
.
The second is
Rising Sun
(early June-mid-Sept., $20), which has 83 sites with 10 sites
for RVs, water, flush toilets, and showers. It is halfway along St. Mary Lake in the shadow
of Red Eagle Mountain. Some sites are exposed, while others are tucked into the trees. All
are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Not far from the Many Glacier Hotel and the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, the
Many Glacier
Campground
($20) has 110 sites, including 13 sites for RVs up to 35 feet, as well as water,
flush toilets, and showers at the nearby Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. The regular season is late
May-mid-September, but primitive camping ($10) is available mid-September-late Septem-
