A Guide To The Perfect Weekend In Montana
With natural beauty spanning every corner of "Big Sky Country,” choosing Montana as an outdoor destination is a no-brainer. From sweeping plains to towering mountain peaks, the state’s vast and varied landscapes draw over 10 million visitors each year. On the other hand, deciding which specific towns to visit and which parks to explore is another story. But what if you could sample as much beauty as possible in just one weekend?
Glacier National Park stands out as the “Crown of the Continent," offering dramatic mountain views, alpine lakes, glacier access, and wildlife viewing. By exploring the towns that surround it and the various park entrances, you can experience a wider range of landmarks and attractions, along with the quirks and charms of each community. With entrances connected by the park’s renowned Going-to-the-Sun Road, even the drive from place to place will be an adventure, ensuring your weekend is the absolute best it can be.
Friday: Kalispell
Centered in the stunning Flathead Valley, Kalispell is the largest city in northwest Montana and a popular gateway to Glacier National Park. Its downtown is just 32 miles from the park’s west entrance, making it the perfect home base for your outdoor adventure. However, since you may be tired from the drive in, consider starting your park fun bright and early the next day. On Friday, Kalispell offers its own fun, including a charming downtown and even closer natural wonders, ensuring you can unwind and ease in before your time in Glacier National Park.
What To Do In Kalispell
Explore Downtown Kalispell
With the Rocky Mountains as its backdrop, downtown Kalispell is a charming alpine hub with an eclectic blend of old and new. While the city’s railtown identity was short-lived, the era lives on in Main Street structures like the historic Grand Hotel. Visitors can also learn about Kalispell and the region’s past at the Northwest Montana History Museum.
Inside downtown Kalispell’s other historic storefronts, visitors can find cute and cozy 21st-century shops and restaurants. The Toggery has been a local favorite since 1947, selling quality outdoor specialty goods. For dining out, visitors can also find a great mix of casual and upscale digs, from Moose's Saloon to Mercantile Steak. Afterward, downtown Kalispell is teeming with unique dessert spots and coffee shops to try, like Norm's Soda Fountain and The Knead Café.
Enjoy Scenic Scenes At Flathead Lake
Glacier-carved and emerald-blue, Flathead Lake is the perfect prelude to Glacier National Park. Spanning almost 200 square miles, with 185 miles of shoreline, it is the largest natural freshwater lake in the Western United States, and one of the prettiest in the nation. The northern tip of Flathead Lake is just 10 miles from Kalispell, with countless ways to enjoy it. Whether booking a sailing excursion with Big Sky Sails or strolling the Great Northern Historical Trail, serene lake scenes are guaranteed. As cooler weather approaches, Somers Beach State Park is also a great place to stroll the lake’s borders, with summer crowds nowhere in sight.
Where To Stay In Kalispell
Since so many use Kalispell as a home base to Glacier National Park, the city is well-equipped with a range of accommodations. With a total of 1,500 guest rooms to choose from, options range in budget, style, and need. Travelers looking to save may prefer the Super 8 by Wyndham Kalispell, while history lovers may go with the Kalispell Grand Hotel. The historic structure is also set in the heart of downtown, making it a convenient gateway to Kalispell’s other charms.
Saturday: West Glacier
Around 33 miles northeast of Kalispell, West Glacier may be small, but its backyard is colossal. Perched along the west entrance to Glacier National Park, this unincorporated community allows guests to get the most out of their park adventures. Unlike Kalispell, the community lacks a traditional downtown, but instead offers a variety of charming restaurants and accommodations. Since these locales are just a short drive from the national park, guests don’t need to worry about leaving to beat traffic or long rides back.
What To Do In West Glacier
Drive Past Glaciers, Gorges, & Wildlife
From around late June to late October, Glacier National Park’s west entrance offers access to the scenic and renowned Going-to-the-Sun Road. The iconic route is one of Glacier National Park’s best features, stretching around 50 miles long. The road is beloved for its breathtaking scenes and landmarks, including glaciers, waterfalls, Rocky Mountain peaks, and alpine wildlife, from bighorn sheep to grizzly bears.
Without stopping, the drive takes approximately 2 hours to complete, making Saturday morning a prime time to take the drive. Just make sure to check the current road status before heading out, as the route’s accessibility depends on the weather. Plenty of sunlight not only offers the best viewing conditions but also allows time for pit stops. The Sunrift Gorge is a popular pullout for its views, while the Baring Falls waterfall trail can also be accessed here on foot. For glacier viewing, the Jackson Glacier Overlook is another stunning pitstop.
Hike, Paddle, And Picnic On Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald is another anchoring feature of Glacier National Park’s west end, offering exciting recreation and extraordinary scenes. Stretching 10 miles long, it is the largest lake in the park, with endless ways to enjoy it. Going-to-the-Sun Road hugs the lake’s eastern shore, while hiking paths like the Rocky Point Nature Trail offer jaw-dropping views of its western end. At Glacier Outfitters in West Glacier, travelers can also rent kayaks to paddle its sparkling waters.
After hours of driving, hiking, or paddling, picnic areas along Lake McDonald offer a much-needed break with ethereal views. Alternatively, the Lake McDonald Lodge features several restaurants overlooking the water, including Russell’s Fireside Dining Room. For a tranquil 1-hour tour of the lake, visitors can also board a 1-hour boat tour from the lodge with the Glacier Park Boat Company.
Where To Stay In West Glacier
While some choose to stay in the park at spots like the Lake McDonald Lodge, West Glacier offers a wider range of accommodation options. If you’re traveling and splitting costs with a group, vacation rentals like the Scenic Forest Lodge offer privacy, seclusion, and really pretty natural surroundings. Alternatively, cabin rentals like Paddle Ridge offer a more rustic feel, while Glacier Campground’s tent sites are more affordable. Cabins and campsites can also be booked at the West Glacier RV Park and Cabins, located near 3-star hotels such as the Glacier Guides Lodge. Both are a brief drive from various amenities, including the West Glacier Mercantile, West Glacier Gas Station, and Glacier National Pizza.
Sunday: St. Mary
On your final day exploring Montana, the unincorporated community of St. Mary is further away, but well worth the drive. Better yet, the drive to St. Mary is an adventure in itself. Departing from West Glacier through the park, Going-to-the-Sun Road will lead you all the way to the St. Mary entrance and town, if the weather allows.
Similar to West Glacier, St. Mary is posted right outside an entrance to the park. However, it differs in setting, granting entry to the park’s east entrance and park, which offers its own sights, scenes, and natural wonders. Described as “Where the Peaks meet the Plains,” St. Mary’s prairieland is also a striking contrast to its mountainous backdrop, showcasing Montana’s diverse beauty.
What To Do In St. Mary
Waterfall Hikes
Glacier National Park boasts over 700 miles of trails, with some of the prettiest waterfall paths near the St. Mary entrance. The St. Mary Falls Trail is one of the most serene, featuring a bright-blue double waterfall above St. Mary Lake. Around 0.6 miles further, hikers can also unveil the Virginia Falls Trail. By extending your hike and connecting the two paths, Virginia Falls rewards you with a less crowded but equally beautiful cascade.
Hidden Water Hikes
Despite its name, the Hidden Lake Trail is another popular and not-so-hidden hike in the eastern area of Glacier National Park. However, you can find less crowded "hidden" areas if you know where to look. Departing from the Logan Pass Visitor Center, this 2.7-mile round-trip trek passes alpine meadows and beautiful Mt. Reynolds. At the end, hikers can enjoy panoramic views from the iconic Hidden Lake Overlook, which spotlights views of the lake and Bearhat Mountain.
Although this hike is usually busy, experienced travelers like Noah Lang explain a workaround. Lang, an outdoor photographer and travel blogger, notes that many hikers end their journey right at the sight of water. However, by extending your hike around the lake, you might be able to find a little pocket of paradise away from the crowds.
Explore St. Mary Lake
Behind Flathead Lake, St. Mary Lake is the second largest body of water in Glacier National Park, offering its own spellbinding scenes and recreation. In the spring and summer, wildflowers dot the lake’s borders, while fall paints its tree-studded hillsides with yellow aspens. As previously mentioned, the St. Mary Falls Trail is a gorgeous way to take in views of the lake on foot. Alternatively, the Glacier Park Boat Company offers a 1.5-hour scenic cruise, pausing at natural landmarks like the Baring Falls waterfall and Wild Goose Island.
Where To Stay In St. Mary
If you plan on driving home Monday morning, St. Mary offers a range of cozy spots to rest your head a final night. Just outside the park, the St. Mary Village features 101 guest rooms, full-service comforts, and “the most dramatic backdrops of all Glacier National Park hotels.” Just past the Village, The Cottages at Glacier also offer postcard views and comforts with every stay, ensuring you get the most of your time and money in this breathtaking neck of Montana.
Explore Glacier National Park From Every Angle
Montana is home to some of the best state and national parks in the country, from Yellowstone to Giant Springs and everything in between. Unfortunately, due to distance and travel time, visiting more than one in a single weekend would really cut into your enjoyment. Alternatively, Glacier National Park allows you to experience a wide range of sights and experiences in just one weekend. With its diverse landscapes connected by Going-to-the-Sun Road, even your travel time will be an adventure.
By beginning your journey in Kalispell and ending in St. Mary (with stunning West Glacier along the way), you can experience an incredible range of landscapes and experiences. Paired with one-of-a-kind places to rest your head, dine, and meet locals, each town will add its own special touch to your weekend. From Kalispell’s charming downtown to West Glacier’s unique hotels and St. Mary’s sweeping plains, these Montana destinations will help your weekend be the fullest and best it can be.
