Lake McDonald Lodge
Facility · Montana ·
Managed by the National Historic Landmark
Lewis & Clark National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 5,373 ft
- Elevation
Lake McDonald Lodge, built in 1914 and a member of Historic Hotels of America® since 2013 was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across America.
Set amid towering cedars and cottonwood trees is Lake McDonald Lodge, a National Historic Landmark. Lake McDonald Lodge opened its doors in 1914 and is one of the finest examples of the Swiss Chalet-style hotels remaining in the United States. The floors of the renowned lobby have incised messages in Kootenai (a local Native American dialect), which translate into phrases such as "welcome" and "new life to those who drink here." Rustic, yet comfortable, guestrooms are split between a main lodge, duplex-style cabins, Snyder Hall, and the Cobb House. In keeping with the era in which the lodge was built, rooms offer guests modest amenities and Old-World-style accommodations resulting in a one-of-a-kind experience.
Getting there
In the southwestern region of Glacier National Park, along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Approximately 10 miles from the park entrance at West Glacier. Glacier Park Int'l Airport: 35 miles, 60 minutes.
Visit HistoricHotels.org to get more information.
46.88000, -110.36000 · 46°52'48.0"N 110°21'36.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 78°F in Jul, down to 35°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 37 | 36 | 44 | 50 | 60 | 67 | 78 | 77 | 69 | 53 | 42 | 35 |
| Low °F | 13 | 12 | 20 | 25 | 33 | 40 | 44 | 44 | 36 | 28 | 20 | 13 |
| Precip in | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Lake McDonald Lodge
- Can you reserve a site at Lake McDonald Lodge?
- No. Lake McDonald Lodge is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near Lake McDonald Lodge
- Judith Guard Station 3.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Dry Wolf Cabin 11.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Hunters Spring Cabin 15.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Kings Hill Cabin 16 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Hay Canyon Campground 6.3 mi · Campground
- Dry Wolf Campground 10.1 mi · Campground
- Many Pines Campground 15.7 mi · Campground
- Daisy Dean Camp Campground 17.8 mi · Campground
- Haymaker Dispersed Camping Area 20.1 mi · Campground
- Jellison Place Campground 20.7 mi · Campground
- Aspen Campground 20.8 mi · Campground
- Spring Creek Campground 20.9 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 800 678 8946
- Email info@historichotels.org
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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