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Many Glacier Hotel
From the moment you see the Many Glacier Hotel come into view, you will think that you have stepped into a fairy tale! It is very apparent why this area of the park is considered "The Switzerland of North America".
The Many Glacier Hotel was constructed as a Swiss-Style Chalet with features that blends in beautifully with its environment, including the dark brown painted wood exterior, a stone foundation, decorative jigsawed patterns in the wood balcony railings, and flowers in the window planters.
The interior is equally as beautiful, especially in the shared spaces like the lobby, dining room, etc.
Rooms vary dramatically but some rooms have more space and lake views. Keep in mind that the rooms are nice and well maintained but not fancy with modern conviencies like todays hotels.
Travel in the early 1900's was a special occasion and if you were able to afford a trip to Glacier, you did not want to spend time sitting in a room, you wanted to get out in the common areas and be seen! This meant the builders focused the details on on common areas like the lobby, dining room, etc.
The Lobby is breathtaking! You step into a massive four story lobby overlooking Swiftcurrent Lake. You look around and see massive log columns, a large opehearth fireplace, jig-saw cut balconies, and the massive double helix staircase.
The hotel balconies and windows have jaw-droping views of Swiftcurrent Lake and the massive mountain peaks surrounding it including Grinnell Point, Mount Gould, and Mount Wilbur.
Just when you think it couldn't get better, you realize that this area has numerous wildlife sightings, boat tours, canoe & kayak rentals, horseback rides, and some of Glaciers finest hiking trails!
I, like most visitors to this lodge, had to drag myself away when it was time to leave.
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The Many Glacier Hotel is located in the heart of eastern Glacier National Park situated on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake. The hotel was built in 1914-1915 (see more of the hotel history below). This is the closest hotel on the US side to Waterton Glacier International Peace Park.
One thing to know if you have any mobility restrictions or have difficulties going up/down stairs, the parking area is a bit of a hike. The parking lot is above the hotel so you walk down 25+ rock stairs to get to the hotel and then back up them to get to your car. There is no valet service at the hotel.
There is limited ADA parking available near the front of the hotel if you have a permit. After two knee surgeries, I know how hard it can be to deal with a ton of stairs and want to make sure everyone is prepared for this walk.
Accommodations: 214 Rooms from Value to Lakeside Suites
The Many Glacier Hotel is five stories that includes 2 suites, 7 family guest rooms and 205 guest rooms offering: lakeside, deluxe, standard, and value lodging options.
All rooms have private bathrooms, direct dial telephones, and deluxe King and Queen beds or standard double and/or twin beds. Only designated guide, service, and/or hearing companion animals are allowed in the Hotel.
Room types
- Value Rooms
- Family Units
- Lakeside Suite
- Family Units
Amenities
- Down Alternative, eco-smart pillows
- Energy efficient lighting
- Recycle bin
- Alarm clock
- Telephone
- Fan
- Iron and ironing board
- Hair dryer
- Wi-Fi hotspot (very very very limited)
- Coffee maker
- Stationery and envelopes
- Many Glacier Hotel Gift Shop
- Restaurant & Lounge
What's Not Included
- No televisions
- No air conditioning
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My Experience Staying in Room 302, a Deluxe Lakeside 1 King
We stayed in room 302, a deluxe lakeside king room with a shared balcony on the third floor of the annex. There are no elevators in the annex building so if you have any mobility restrictions you will want to ask for a room in the main building.
We were awestruck with the view from the balcony overlooking Swiftcurrent Lake and the Mountains in the background. The room was large, had a comfortable bed, and a nice bathroom. We made use of the coffeee maker and enjoyed drinking coffee while spending time on the balcony! In fact, we struggled packing up and leaving this room!
I do have to tell you a funny story. When we were filming the room walkthrough video for this article, I was standing on the deck while Tammilee walked through the room.
As Tammilee started walking out on the balcony I turned my head and realized that the person in the room next to us has just walked out of the shower naked and was clearly seen in the window!
I was waving my hands to get Tammilee's attention so that she did not pan the camera in that direction. Of course she thought I was trying to get her attention and continued towards me.
I finally got her to stop and focus on the lake to keep from having more than a room walkthrough video.
The moral to this story is to always close your curtains when in the shower.
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Ptarmigan Dining Room
We had breakfast and dinner at the Ptarmigan Room during our stay. The dining room is beautiful with a large fireplace and offers amazing views of Grinnell Point over Swiftcurrent Lake. The restaurant does not take reservations, so if you want a window view, make sure to show up right when they open for service.
Our meals were good but honestly, the Dining room with the epic fireplace and the view of Swiftcurrent Lake and Grinnell Point were the real stars.
If you want something more casual, check out Nell's Restaurant at Swiftcurrent Lodge on the other side of the lake (approx 5 minutes away).
The restaurant seats on a first-come-first-served basis and does not accept reservation
- Breakfast: 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Dinner: 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Swiss Lounge: Cocktails and Small Plates
The Swiss Lounge is a great place to relax after a full day of exploring Glacier. They have small plates and serve sandwiches, salads, and pasta. For people over 21, they have beer, wine, and cocktails. They even have a Huckleberry Margarita and a Huckleberry smash.
- Food service hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Drinks: 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Heidi's: Coffee Shop & Grab-and-Go
Heidi's is located on the lake level of the hotel. The store serves Montana Coffee Traders hot coffee and espresso drinks. You can also grab hot food items for breakfast, lunch or dinner any time the store is open.
This is the perfect snack shop to grab a few things before heading out into the park.
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Historic Many Glacier: From 1915 to National Landmark
The Many Glacier Hotel was the inspiration of Louis Warren Hill, Sr who was the president of the Great Northern Railway. Mr. Hill commissioned the hotel as an extension of his other Swiss-style hotels in Glacier National Park.
A Great Northern staff Architect Mr. Thomas McMahon completed the final design of the hotel at 600 feet long. Construction took place over the winter of 1914-1915 using locally cut lumber and quarried rocks for the foundation. The rest of the supplies were brought in by horse and wagon from Browning, Montana.
When the hotel opened on July 4, 1915, it was the largest hotel in Montana. It was an oasis of luxury in the wilderness due to indoor plumbing, steam heating, electrical and telephone service, a barber shop, a gift shop, a full-service dining room, uniformed staff, and a daily bus and saddle horse transportation options.
The room rates were between $4 and $8 per day with meals included. The annex was added on in 1917.
The total cost to build the Many Glacier Hotel was $393,000.
A 1936 forest fire nearly destroyed the hotel but it was saved by having fire-resistant shingles and a staff who hosed down the building.
Swiftcurrent Lake has flooded multiple times including 1964, 1975, and 1995 bringing several feet of water into lake level rooms.
Notable visitors to the hotel include President Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Lady Eleanor, John D. Rockefeller, Simon and Garfunkel, Robin Willaims along with filmmaker Ken Burns and Vice President Al Gore.
The Great Northern Railway sold the hotel to Don Hummel and associates in 1960 who then sold it to the Dial Corporation in 1981.
Since 2014 Many Glacier Hotel has been operated by Glacier National Park Lodges which is a division of Xanterra Parks and Resorts.
In 1976 the hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places and later recognized as a National Landmark.
In 2001 the National Park Service started a $42 million dollar rehabilitation of the hotel including structural stabilization, restoring the dining room and lobby, and updating all guest rooms.
There is now a copy of the original double helix staircase in the lobby that was financed by a donation from one of Louis Hill's Grandsons and the Glacier Park Conservancy. The completion of the staircase marked the completion of the hotel rehabilitation in 2017
Planning Your Stay: Essential Details
Many Glacier Hotel is open seasonally beginning in early June and closes mid to late September.
Check-in time - after 4:00 PM
Check-out time - 11:00 AM
Address - 11 Many Glacier Road, Babb, MT 59411
Smoking - Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all guest areas.
Pets - Service animals are permitted in the hotel. No other animals are permitted
WiFi - Wi-Fi hotspot (very very very limited)
ATM - is located in the lobby of the hotel
There is a bellman available to help with luggage
Guest Laundry is available at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
GPS Coordinates: N 48.7967298, W -113.6577702
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Best Glacier National Park Tours & Activities
Glacier National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.2 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
Experience the Crown Jewl of the National Parks with this self-guided tour. Cruise past crystal-clear glacial lakes, hike across breathtaking alpine tundras, and discover the secrets hidden in this sprawling wilderness. Plus learn about the Blackfoot Confederacy, an ill-fated gold rush, and lots more along the route.
Half Day Scenic Float on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2-3 hours | 🛶 Check Rates and Availability
Relax and unwind as you float the Flathead River as you take in the scenery and learn about the area as you float by. There are opportunities to spot wildlifeas this relaxing and rejuvenating tour takes place on the boundary of Glacier National Park. This tour requires little effort and is great for familieswith small children.
Nature Walk in Glacier National Park
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (730+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | Check Rates and Availability
Meet for a brief orientation then head out to Glacier where you'll explore Glacier's natural wonders on a guided adventure. Start with a 1-mile round trip walk through Lake McDonald Valley, admiring its glaciated beauty and resident wildlife. Then venture to the North Fork Valley with scenic stops along the way. Take another 1-mile roundtrip walk along the wild and scenic North Fork of the Flathead River, learning about the environment and its history.
Alternative Lodging Options if the Many Glacier Hotel is Fully Booked
Glacier Lodging oftentimes fills up months in advance, especially in July and August. Below is a couple lodges near the Many Glacier Hotel as a backup option.
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Swiftcurrent Motor Inn - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Located right across Swiftcurrent Lake from the Many Glacier Hotel and close to several iconic Glacier hiking trails. They have both motel style rooms and cabins and Nell's Restaurant on site with good food!
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Rising Sun Motor Inn - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The Rising Sun Motor Inn has both motel style rooms and cabins with beautiful mountain views. It is also the perfect location for those wanting to explore the Going-to-the-Sun Road! We thouroughly enjoyed our stay here and the Two Dog Flats restaurant had really good food too!
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - Glacier Park Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
This is another classic national park lodge. It's lobby, "a three-story Big Tree Lodge" with 60 forty foot long massive Douglas Fir Tree Pillars with a centrally located stone fireplace is absolutely spectacular. Don't forget to bring your clubs and go golfing, enjoy complimentary WiFi, on-site dining at the Great Northern Dining Room, and enjoy Glacier!
If you were unable to get into one of these lodges, make sure to check out my Glacier National Park Lodging Guide for a complete breakdown of lodges in Glacier.
Click on the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Glacier.
https://www.stay22.com/embed/69838548fc37dc8ac6715cbb
Glacier National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Glacier National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$45.00-$145.00 for commercial sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons), $25.oo for vehicle plus $20.00 per person 16+.
$75.00 for a commercial van with 7-15 seats
$100 for a commercial mini-bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for a commercial motor coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
The Many Glacier Lodge is simply beautiful! It has one of the prettiest among all the National Park Lodges and its views can only be compared to the views of Crater Lake Lodge.
Having the opportunity to stay overnight here will definitely be one of the highlights of your trip to Glacier National Park!
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Additional Glacier National Park Resources
- Complete guide to Glacier National Park
- Glacier Lodging Guide - Find out about all the lodging options within the park.
- Epic things to do in Glacier - All of the things you do not want to miss during your trip to Glacier.
- Glacier National Park Camping - An epic guide to every campground in Glacier
- Complete guide to The Going-to-the-Sun Road
Check out all of the Montana National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Wyoming, National Parks in South Dakota, North Dakota National Parks, and Idaho National Parks.
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