Glacier National Park Lodges
When Louis Hill first beheld the mighty mountains and valleys of Glacier Country, he knew others would want to see this grandeur. Though he stayed busy as president of the Great Northern Railway, he worked to develop Glacier as “America’s Switzerland” by building lodges throughout the park in the 1910s. They attracted thousands of visitors to the remote, stunning location.
Some of his hotel buildings remain, including the 1915 Many Glacier Hotel, which he styled to mimic a Swiss chalet. Eventually, the railway also bought Lake McDonald Lodge, another Swiss-style lodge built around the same time. Guests can stay in both properties, though groups need to book in advance, since both the 205-room Many Glacier Hotel and the 82-room Lake McDonald Lodge are in high demand. Both National Historic Landmarks offer fine-dining restaurants, glacial lake views and recently renovated rustic rooms.
“Regardless of whether you are staying there or just visiting, these hotels have wonderful architecture and history,” said Beighle. “At both places, you can dine or just sit on the deck and look out at the lake.”
Groups can enjoy local cuisine at either hotel before embarking on a lake cruise with the Glacier Park Boat Co. The company contracts informative boat tours at four lakes in Glacier National Park, including Many Glacier and Lake McDonald.
The company takes group reservations and can add a guided hike to the boat ride for even more background information on the park’s flora, fauna and history.
