jeffergray

I've snagged the following reservations for a trip in late July and early August to Glacier National Park. We have 4 nights at Cedar Creek Lodge on the west side and 1 night at Glacier Park Lodge on the southeast side. I'm wondering how much of a drawback the roughly 20 mile drive is from Cedar Creek Lodge to the Park's western entrance, and also wondering whether Glacier Park Lodge is maybe just too far south and east, and it might make sense to look in the alternative for a place in Babb or St. Mary. Or would it make sense to try and base ourselves in Babb or St. Mary for the entire stay?

I'd also appreciate some feedback about the general quality/stay experience at each of these places.

Patty

I would choose St Mary or Babb over East Glacier for your base on the east side. I also prefer the east side over the west so would shift some of those nights. East Glacier is convenient for the Two Medicine area but is an hour from the St Mary entrance and farther to Many Glacier.

John

From Cedar Creek Lodge is no hassle at all. Mostly 4 lanes to the park with speed limit of 70 mph most of the way.
Cedar creek lodge is only about a year old so should be fine. I would only stay on the west side 2 nights.
Best hikes are on the east side of the park so if you can get lodging at Many Glacier,Babb or St. Mary you would be much better off for east side hikes etc.
Check SWiftcurrent Motor Inn and cabins in Babb which is inside the park. Check OFTEN for cacellations, Ideal location!!

John

I should mention trailheads to Grinnell Lake, Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Lake, Ptarmigan Falls and Ptarmigan tunnel are ALL within a minute or two of the cabins or motor inn. Location, location, location!
Glaciernationalparklodges.com

jeffergray

Thanks all, so far!

Myer

Take only the east side and then keep calling to try and switch your reservations to Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.

That's where the action is and also wildlife central.

Location.

tomfuller

A few years ago, DW and I celebrated our anniversary at the Meadow Lake Resort. http://www.meadowlake.com/
We loved the condo with a private hot tub.
We got picked up by resort staff from the Whitefish train station. Enterprise brought us a rental car from the airport. We did have to go to the Kalispell airport to drop the driver and sign for the car.
We were allowed to leave the rental at the Whitefish train station with no drop fee.

jenmarkolson

We are going in early August and I have been checking the reservation website about 5+ times every day. I have been able to find reservations at Swiftcurrent for the time we need. I also found rooms at Many Glacier and Rising Sun in the park. Some people recommend calling every day, but I think checking online frequently is just as good. The rooms go fast when they become available which is why checking multiple times is helpful. I also have been lucky checking on weekends.

tomfuller

If you don't like Meadow Lake resort have you checked the Isaac Walton Lodge?