Glacier National Park Lodging: An Honest Guide
Glacier National Park lodging comes in three broad shapes: the historic lodges and campgrounds inside the park, hotels and motels in the gateway towns, and private homes in the Flathead Valley that work as a base for park days. This guide walks through each option honestly, links the official National Park Service lodging page, and explains where The Evergreen — a six-bedroom home in Somers that sleeps up to 10 — fits for groups who want park days and comfortable nights.
Glacier National Park lodging: the three options
Start with the honest overview. Lodging in and around Glacier falls into three categories, and each suits a different trip. Inside the park, historic lodges and motor inns put you steps from the trailheads. In the gateway towns around the park's entrances, hotels, motels and cabins give you more services and easier year-round access. And in the Flathead Valley, private homes give a group space, a kitchen and a base that works for the whole region, not just the park.
None of these is universally best. In-park stays are unmatched for location but book out far ahead and run on seasonal schedules. Gateway towns are convenient but still mean hotel rooms for a big group. A valley base means driving to the park entrance, but it also means one roof, one kitchen and one hot tub for everyone when the day is done.
Lodging in Glacier National Park
The in-park lodges are the famous ones: historic properties along Going-to-the-Sun Road and in the park's valleys, plus campgrounds for tents and RVs. Reservations for in-park lodging are made through the official park concessioner, and campground reservations run through the National Park Service's official recreation system — not through third-party sites, and not through us.
Two things to know before you set your heart on an in-park stay. First, availability is limited and the most popular dates go quickly, so book as early as the official system allows. Second, the park's vehicle reservation and entry rules change by season and by year, and some areas require a vehicle reservation in addition to your lodging. The current rules are always on the park's official site, and that is the only source worth trusting.
Lodging near Glacier National Park
The gateway towns around the park's entrances have the hotels, motels, cabins and smaller rentals. Staying in a gateway town keeps you close to a specific entrance, which suits trips focused on one area of the park. The trade-off for a group is the usual one: several hotel rooms, no shared kitchen, no private evening space.
The Flathead Valley is the wider option. Somers, Kalispell, Bigfork, Whitefish and Columbia Falls all sit within the valley, and the park's west entrance is within reach for a day trip. A valley base lets one group split its days between the park, Flathead Lake and the towns, which matters when different people want different things from the same week.
Where to stay on the west side
Most Flathead Valley visitors enter Glacier through the west entrance, and the valley's towns are the practical base for that side of the park. Somers sits at the north end of Flathead Lake, which puts the park, the lake and the valley's towns all within reach from one address.
The Evergreen is a six-bedroom home in Somers with 10 beds and 3.5 bathrooms, and it sleeps up to 10. After a park day, the group comes home to a covered hot tub, a barrel sauna, a stone fire pit, a chef-style kitchen and a long dining table, with the speakeasy and game room for the evening. The house is a neighborhood home, not an event venue: no parties or events, and quiet hours after 10 p.m.
One thing we will not do is quote you a drive time or distance to the park entrance. Road status, construction and seasonal openings change, so use Google Maps for the current drive and the park's official conditions page for what is open.
Official sources
Links verified Oct 27 2026. Lodging availability, vehicle reservations, entry rules and road status change, so always confirm on the official site before you go.
The Evergreen has no private, deeded, direct or property-specific lake access. Flathead Lake is reached the same way everyone else does — nearby public beaches, public boat ramps, marinas and parks. No boat, dock or slip is included with the stay.
Plan your stay
- Decide between in-park lodging, a gateway town or a valley base.
- Book in-park lodging through the official park concessioner.
- Check the park's vehicle reservation and entry rules for your dates.
- Check Glacier's official conditions page before each park day.
- Assign bedrooms for up to 10 guests before you arrive.
- Check dates and book direct on the official Evergreen booking page.
Getting around: drive times vary with season and road conditions. Google Maps directions to public Flathead Lake access.
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay inside Glacier National Park?
Yes. The park has historic lodges, motor inns and campgrounds. Reservations for in-park lodging are made through the official park concessioner, and campgrounds through the National Park Service's official recreation system. Availability is limited, so book early.
Do I need a vehicle reservation for Glacier National Park?
Some areas and seasons require a vehicle reservation in addition to lodging or entry. The rules change by season and year, so check the park's official vehicle reservation page for your exact dates before you travel.
Is The Evergreen inside Glacier National Park?
No. The Evergreen is a private home in Somers, in the Flathead Valley, and the park's west entrance is within reach for a day trip. It sleeps up to 10 and works as a group base for park days, lake days and valley towns.
What is the best lodging near Glacier National Park for a group?
For a group of up to 10, a private home usually beats several hotel rooms: one kitchen, one long dining table and shared evening space. The Evergreen in Somers adds a hot tub, barrel sauna, speakeasy and game room after park days.
Can we book The Evergreen direct for a Glacier trip?
Booking on our official booking site gets you 5% off automatically, with no code needed. The discount applies only to bookings made on the official booking site. You also deal with the house team directly and see your full total, including taxes and fees, before you pay. Promo codes can't be combined with the 5% direct discount.