Glacier National Park's 'Gem Of The West' Is A Majestic Lodge With Stunning Mountain Views

There are many picturesque places to stay in Glacier National Park, but it is hard to top the historic Many Glacier Hotel. The European-style lodge with its lakeside location and mountain views is simply gorgeous. It became the United States' tenth national park when it was established in 1910. It now spreads across more than 1 million acres along the Rocky Mountains in Montana. The national park in the Northwest is often called the "Crown of the Continent" or the "Gem of the West" for its breathtaking landscape — but you will have to see it to believe it. 

That landscape includes 50 to 60 glaciers and more than 700 glacially carved lakes. One of those, Swiftcurrent Lake, sits just below Grinnell Glacier, the park's second-largest glacier. It was here that the Great Northern Railway, tasked with building hotels within the national park, set a lodge that looked like a Swiss chalet. Many Glacier Hotel opened just five years after the national park was established and has hosted famous Americans, including President Roosevelt and John D. Rockefeller. The hotel, which is on the list of Historic Hotels of America, is still one of the most popular places to stay in Glacier National Park.

This is a remote hotel. The closest airport, Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, is about 95 miles away, but it operates nonstop flights to major cities all over the country. From there, you'll drive through West Glacier, around Lake McDonald, and on the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road to reach the hotel.

There is definitely a wow factor as you approach Many Glacier Hotel, perched near Swiftcurrent Lake's northeastern corner. This beautiful lake covers 100 acres and sits nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. Its sparkling water is clear but cold — it is fed by a glacier, after all. Boats and canoes are often out on the water, and you might see people fishing for brook trout. The lake is encircled with mountains that are always capped with snow, so you're in for amazing scenery no matter when you visit.

Then there is the hotel itself. The wooden building, which sits on a stone foundation, has large windows and balconies facing the lake. Upon entering the lobby, your eyes are immediately drawn up. The multi-level space has wood beams and a massive fireplace. So does the Ptarmigan Dining Room, which is known for its views as much as its food. That view extends outside on a wide deck that wraps around the hotel's exterior.

Many Glacier Hotel is open seasonally from early June until late September. The expansive five-story lodge has more than 200 rooms, including budget-friendly "value" rooms, family rooms (two doubles and one twin bed), and lakeside suites. Rates start at $279 per night. To visit Glacier National Park, you will also need to purchase a standard park entrance pass, which is $35 per vehicle and valid for seven days. Some parts of the national park, including Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork, require a timed reservation, so make sure you plan your trip well in advance.

After settling into your room, you'll probably want to head outside quickly because there's so much to see and do around Swiftcurrent Lake. Glacier Park Boat Company started offering scenic tours in Glacier National Park in 1938. Their Many Glacier Tour ($41.70 per adult) conveniently begins right at the hotel. It starts with a ride around Swiftcurrent Lake aboard Chief Two Guns, a small boat, for epic views of Grinnell Point. After a short hike, you'll board a second boat, the Morning Eagle, to see two glaciers: Salamander and Gem.

You can also go hiking or horseback riding around the lake. The Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail is an easy, 2.7-mile hike, while Swan Mountain Outfitters has horse stables near the hotel. They offer a one-hour Swiftcurrent Loop tour ($100 per person) that heads up the hills and into the forest. Keep an eye out for wild animals wherever you go. Grizzly bears, mountain goats, and even moose are regularly spotted around here. To see more of Glacier National Park, join a Red Bus Tour departing from the hotel.

Though Many Glacier Hotel is the most coveted reservation, it's not the only place to stay while visiting the park. Lake McDonald Lodge, perched near the northern tip of its namesake, is another gorgeous and rustic lodge inside Glacier National Park. Another option is the Great Bear Inn on the outskirts of West Glacier. The charming B&B offers romantic ambiance for a cozy getaway.