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    Home » Travel » US National Parks

    Published: Jan 18, 2020 · Updated: Jan 27, 2026 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

    Why Village Inn at Apgar Has the Best Lake Views in Glacier National Park

    View from hotel room with text "Village Inn at Apgar Glacier National Park bt ParkRangerJohn.com"

    The Village Inn at Apgar is located on the shores of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. The hotel offers epic views of the lake, a comfortable room, and easy access to many of the highlights of the park.

    Village Inn at Apgar in Glacier National Park

    TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
    🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
    📍Tours
    🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip

    Village Inn at Apgar: Retro Charm on Lake McDonald

    This hotel is one of our favorite hotels in Glacier National Park. The location, the quirky 70s feel, the access to the Going to the Sun Road...all of it is epic!

    This is a property you do not want to judge from the outside. It still looks like it is from the 70s but trust me you are going to LOVE IT!

    You truly can not get a better view of Lake McDonald and mountains than you do from the Village Inn at Apgar!

    During our stay, we had an epic double rainbow over Lake McDonald. It was so much fun seeing everyone running out of their rooms to get amazing photos.

    There are Adirondack chairs outside each room so guests can relax and enjoy the epic Crown of the Continent views.

    The outdoor decor of the hotel is themed to fit the swiss chalet look of Glacier NP. 

    The National Park Service purchased the hotel in 1959.  It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

    Sitting in an Adirondack chair relaxing on the porch staring over Lake McDonald and the Mountains from the porch at THe Village Inn at Apgar Hotel in Glacier National Park
    Sitting in an Adirondack chair relaxing on the porch staring over Lake McDonald and the Mountains from the porch at THe Village Inn at Apgar Hotel

    Room Options: Standard to Family Units With Kitchens

    The Village Inn at Apgar was built in 1956 and is actually considered a motor inn as the parking is at the back of the hotel near the main entrances to each of the 1st. floor rooms. There are 36 rooms and second-floor rooms are accessible by stairs only. ADA Accessible Rooms are located on the 1st floor. Room types include:

    Standard Motel Room

    The motel rooms are located on the 1st. and 2nd. floor, and accessible via stairs only. Each room offers a partial view of Lake McDonald, and features one queen-sized bed and a full bath.

    Motel Room With Kitchen

    The motel rooms are located on the 1st. floor. Each room offers a partial view of Lake McDonald, and features either 1 king-sized bed or 2 queen sized beds, and a fully equipped kitchen with a stove, oven, microwave, mini-refrigerator, and coffee maker.

    Family Unit with 3 Bedrooms (Sleeps 6)

    Located on the second floor and accesible by stairs only. Each room offers a partial view of Lake McDonald, and features two bedrooms off the living area (doors on bedrooms), each with one queen-sixed bed, living area with sofa bed, and a full bath adjacent to living area.

    Family Unit with 2 Rooms (Sleeps 5)

    Located on the second floor and accesible by stairs only. Each room offers a partial view of Lake McDonald, and features one Queen-sized bed in the bedroom (door on the bedroom), one queen and one twin or single sized bed in the main room, and full bath located in the bedroom.

    Amenities

    • All rooms are non-smoking and have heat.
    • Down alternative, eco-smart pillows
    • Energy-efficient lighting
    • Recycle bin
    • Alarm clock
    • Fan (upon request)
    • Iron and ironing board
    • Coffee Maker and a selection of teas
    • Hairdryer
    • Blanket

    What's Not Included

    • No Elevator
    • No TV
    • No Telephone
    • No pets allowed in rooms
    • No rollaway bed available
    • Only the Family Unit with 2 Queens and a living room can accomodate a crib.

    Check Village Inn at Apgar Availability

    2 Queen Bed rooom with Kitchen at the Village Inn at Apgar
    2 Queen Bed rooom with Kitchen at the Village Inn at Apgar

    Our Stay: 2 Queen Bedroom With Full Kitchen

    We stayed in a 2 Queen, One-bedroom, full kitchen unit which are available on the first floor and are equipped with basic utensils, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and stove/oven. 

    We truly enjoyed our stay at the hotel. The room was quiet and incredibly comfortable. 

    There is a small couch in the living room and a small table. The beds were incredibly comfortable! We had an epic night's sleep. 

    If you are traveling as a family this would be a great lodging in Glacier NP option. The kitchen area is perfect for easy meals while relaxing as a family.

    We stocked the fridge with snacks, tea, and our favorite easy meals. You can easily premake sandwiches and lunch options to take out with you while hiking. Just remember to bring sandwich bags or mini coolers to pack in the car. 

    Kitchen at The Village Inn at Apgar in Glacier

     Check Village Inn at Apgar Availability

    Kitchen in The Village Inn at Apgar comes with cookware

    Planning Your Visit: Essential Details

    The Village Inn at Apgar is open seasonally from mid-May to Early October.

    Closest Airports

    (FCA) Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana approximately 30-45 minutes away. Year-round service is available from Alaska, Delta, United, and Allegiant airlines.

    (MSO) Missoula Montana Airport approximately 3 hours away. Year-round service is available from Alaska, American, Delta, and United.

    Check-in Time - 4:00 PM

    Check out Time - 11:00 AM

    Address - 68 W Apgar Loop Rd, West Glacier, MT 59936

    GPS Coordinates: 48.52887 - 113.99390

    The hotel is located close to West Glacier and Apgar Village.  Guests can easily walk to Eddies Cafe and Gifts, the ice cream stand, and kayak and bike rentals. 

    Guests can easily rent kayaks to head out on the lake and mountain bike later in the day. 

    Make sure to bring bug spray with you since mosquitoes can be present. The temperature definitely drops once the sun starts to go down. Dressing in layers is a great idea for being able to sit out and enjoy the quiet of the park. 

    Check Village Inn at Apgar Availability

    Kayaking on Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
    Kayaking on Lake McDonald

    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.

    Kitchen table aand retro vibe inside room at The Village Inn at Apgar

    If the Village Inn at Apgar is Full: Nearny Glacier Lodging Options

    Glacier Lodging oftentimes fills up months in advance, especially in July and August. Below is a couple lodges near the Village Inn at Apgar as a backup option.

    ⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Lake McDonald Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

    Lake McDonald Lodge is one of the Classic lodges in the national park service with a lodge feel. It has epic views of Lake McDonald and a great spot to go hiking, driving the Going to the Sun Road, and taking a boat tour of the lake. THey have several amenities, a gift store, lounge, and a restaurant.

    ⭐️ 4.5 of 5 Stars - Cedar Creek Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

    Cedar Creek Lodge is located 17 miles from the park's West entrance at Apgar and is managed by Glacier Park Inc., who also manages several of the lodges in Glacier. Cedar Creek Lodge is a modern hotel that is open year-round with modern conviences like free breakfast, mini-fridges, microwaves, FiFi, a year-round indoor pool, a hot tub, fitness center, business center, and shuttles to the park.

    ⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Belton Chalet - Click here for Rates and Availability.

    Step back in time to an era of elegance and culinary prowess at the Historic Belton Chalet. Built in 1910 as the first of the Great Northern Railroad's iconic lodges, the Belton Chalet has served as the origional gateway to Glacier National Park for over a century, offering the same and unforgettable guest experience today, as it did when it first opened its doors. Now renowned for its world-class cuisine featuring locally-sources ingredients and an array of local beer and spirits, the chalet's restaurant and tap house provide a warm, welcoming environmentwhere the way it was is truly the way it still is. +

    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 Yellowstone

    Bathroom in The Village Inn at Apgar in Glacier National Park

    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.

    2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

    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.

    Back door from room opens to porch overlooking Lake McDonald at The Village Inn at Apgar
    Back door from room opens to porch overlooking Lake McDonald at The Village Inn at Apgar

    Additional Glacier National Park Resources

    • Apgar Village Lodge - See room photos and video of what to expect when staying in the Creekside Motel at Apgar Village Lodge
    • Lake McDonald Lodge - Find out what it is like to stay at this historic national park lodge.
    • 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
    • Many Glacier Hotel - Room photos and video of the Many Glacier Hotel
    • Glacier National Park Lodging - Guide to all of the hotels and lodges in Glacier National Park

    Montana National Parks - Check out all of the epic parks you can visit during your vacation to Glacier. 

    Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok

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    Filed Under: Lodging, US National Parks

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