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Lake McDonald

4.7 (13 reviews)

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Spencer Q.

This is such a beautiful lake! I would especially encourage people to wake up early so that you can see the sunrise as the colors are quite amazing. I had the opportunity to experience two sunrises here and they were quite spectacular.

Linda I.

Beautiful scenery. The water in the lake is so clear and refreshing during hot days. Parking can be limited in Apgar village.

Jacqueline T.

This is a pretty lake at the end of Going to the Sun Road in Glacier. We stopped for a bit at the lodge to enjoy views of the lake. They have boat rentals and tours along with parents paddle board, kayak, and canoe rentals. It seemed like fun, but it was a little chilly when we were there and the rentals were kind of expensive. There are some hiking trails around the lake, but we didn't do any of them since we did other hikes that day. I think it's worth at least a quick stop while you're driving Going to the Sun Road.

Logan C.

Lake Mcdonald is a very scenic lake that is nothing short of amazing to gaze upon. You drive alongside the lake on your way further into Glacier National Park. You can rent boats by the hour in Apgar at the very bottom of the lake. A must stop inside GNP.

Vladmir T.

One Of The Most Beautiful Lakes In The World! This is one of the most people lakes in the world! Flawlessly clear water reflecting the surrounding landscapes. Beautiful rock shorelines surrounded by beautiful forest. This is an amazing place!

Different color pebbles!!!
Benedict A.

First impressions this place is a must see. The pebbles on the lake floor are all different color. From reds to greens to yellows to orange to browns to blues. And when they get wet the color gets even darker. It's quite a site to behold. Also the mountain in the background still had some snow on it in the middle of July. I can only imagine the beuty when it's totally covered in snow during winter. The water is quite clear where you can see down for several feet. Theres multiple pull outs along the lake where you can actually get to the water which is nice. Theres also a hotel/lodge there where you can do rentals of kayaks, paddleboarding or small boats with engines to explore the river. There's also a good size stream there that feeds into the lake which you can walk acdoss and explore. This place is beautiful and I recommend it to anyone who comes to Montana. It's in the Glacier National Park. Didn't have time to visit the rest of the park but this lake is a must see for their very colorful rocks, and crystal clear water.

setting sun
Wasil K.

By far the prettiest lake in the region, and that too during sunset, a photographers dream .. one would find a lot of pros waiting for that perfect moment to add it to their collection. Visited about a week ago, and inspite of all the wildfire surronding the Glacier national park with the smoke and all, it was a sight to behold. A friend wanted to add the much sought after pics for his collection and glad that we accompanied him at that time. The Sun setting right behind those peaks, the water changing its colors, the colored rocks, and the small small waves .. as if it was custom made to be beautiful :) An absolutely wonderful sight, not to miss.

NPS photo on Flickr. Winter fishing on boat launch.

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8 years ago

This lake is beautiful and walking around is so beautiful. Definitely take the time to explore the area and then take a dip or kayak!

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Review Highlights - Lake McDonald

You drive alongside the lake on your way further into Glacier National Park.

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Glacier National Park - Avalanche Lake trail

Glacier National Park

4.6(350 reviews)
1.8 mi

Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. The scenery is unreal,…read moreespecially along Going-to-the-Sun Road. For the best experience, definitely get there early and allow plenty of extra time for activities if you're staying outside the park, as traffic can become heavy, especially along Going-to-the-Sun Road. If you're new to the park, I also recommend booking one of the Red Bus Tours. It was a great way to experience the park without the stress of driving or parking, and the guide was very knowledgeable. The Apgar Visitor Center staff were also very helpful and gave great recommendations and information for navigating the park. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience and somewhere I would absolutely visit again.

"In string theory, all particles are vibrations on a tiny rubber band; physics is the harmonies on…read morethe string; chemistry is the melodies we play on vibrating strings; the universe is a symphony of strings, and the 'Mind of God' is cosmic music resonating in 11-dimensional hyperspace." Yeah... I repeated that for a while dragging myself up one of Glacier's long, soul-crushingly gorgeous hikes. The views? Unreal. The vibe? Humbling. The legs? Suffering. This park makes you feel small in the best possible way, like the universe is laughing with you, not at you. Sadly, no bear sightings (which honestly feels like Glacier's version of a refund). But I did snag a sweater at the visitor center, staff were so kind I half expected them to adopt me. And let's be real: you'll probably run into a crew of hot Canadians wandering over the border like it's no big deal. Glacier has everything, cosmic philosophy, scenery that'll fry your brain circuits, kind staff, and bonus eye candy from the north. 11/10, would string-theory again.

Photos
Glacier National Park - Near St Mary lake

Near St Mary lake

Glacier National Park - We found him!

We found him!

Glacier National Park - Avalanche Lake

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Avalanche Lake

Lake Five Resort - Double rainbow over Lake Five

Lake Five Resort

3.8(24 reviews)
4.7 mi

I would rate this trip we took as a family a 4/5. It was super fun to swim in the lake and go off…read morethe slide and diving board. The water in the swim zone is shallow enough so little kids can relax and be safe. There are lots of minnows to catch in the water along with decent sized fish in the boat doc area. The only things I have some concern about is all of the children that are little and unwatched and zooming around while cars are driving. I know that is not this places fault but if you bring little children you should definitely watch them. Also, quiet time is at 10:00; the kids are still out running and screaming at that time. I feel like more of the parent supervision should be emphasized more but otherwise great place! Really well maintained and yes the campsites are a little small but it's super cozy and really a great trip to go on and relax.

What a hidden little gem!! I wish we would have stayed here 3 nights and not just 1 night. It was…read morethe most cleanest comfortable camp ground. Loved how it's right on the lake. They had a slide in the middle of the lake. Live music on a Saturday night. The hosts were all so nice and accommodating. We parked our camper van and everything was walkable. They had showers you can purchase with tokens, a small laundry facility you need quarters for and a small store that had a small selection of snacks and drinks and rentable items. I felt safer here then any other campground. The energy here was so positive in many ways. They have the cutest little cabins right on the lake! This place has it all! It really is a perfect little family get away! Perfect for the kids! They loved playing in the lake!!!! I have nothing bad to say about this beautiful place!!! Really enjoyed our stay here!

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Lake Five Resort - Lake Five Resort campground map

Lake Five Resort campground map

Lake Five Resort
Lake Five Resort

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Grinnell Glacier

Grinnell Glacier

4.8(9 reviews)
2.3 mi

We were able to hike the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead through Many Glacier on the last day it was…read moreopen for the season (9/19/21) but unfortunately the weather wasn't on our side. It was a constant mist/rain the entire hike and then getting into Grinnell Glacier it was snowing! We arrived at the parking lot by 7AM and there were already 10 cars parked and we started the hike around 7:30. By the time we got back, around 1PM, the lot was full but the rain started coming down more so people were leaving. It's about a 10-11 mile hike RT. During the summer, you can opt to pay to take a boat across Lake Josephine to shorten the hike, but that was the easiest part. The part of the hike where you walk above Lake Josephine is probably the most picturesque - so gorgeous but a little foggy. When you finally get to the Glacier you're greeted with the bluest water bend and snow covered mountains. For this hike, the way back is easier and we were happy about that because we were cold and starting to feel miserable. Would love to do this hike again with better weather but it was still a beautiful one to do! We drove Going-to-the-Sun road and round the Rising Sun Boat Deck parking lot (which was empty during this time) and it was the perfect spot for a nap.

My friends and I hiked to Grinnell Overlook via the Granite park trail. The whole trail was out and…read moreback and a total of about 11.4 miles with around 3500 ft of elevation. Not gonna lie, the last stretch (the Garden Wall) was pretty rough as the trail was very narrow and incredibly rocky, and the wind was constantly screaming and whipping your face (definitely bring a windbreaker and protect your hats!!!). But despite the difficulty for us average hikers and the sad state of our feet afterwards, my friends and I absolutely loved the experience. It wasn't just about the view at the top for us. The entire trail was stunning and since we hiked late September, the red and golden foliage all around us made us feel like we were in another world. We saw various wildlife as well - mostly deer and chipmunks!

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Grinnell Glacier
Grinnell Glacier
Grinnell Glacier

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Glacier Guides and Montana Raft - Scenic float bus

Glacier Guides and Montana Raft

4.8(139 reviews)
6.6 mi

Perfect rafting trip!!!! So affordable ($80 adult & $60 kids) but really fun and safe. Econ was our…read moreguide and he knew the river like the back of his hand. Check in was easy & very clearly explained, transport to the launch site was fun and we all had a blast. We went in mid-August but it sounds like early summer and spring is when the river is really flowing when the snowcap is melting. Would HIGHLY recommend!

For 30 years, I have dreamed of floating down the Flathead river along the legendary snow-capped…read moremountain peaks of Glacier National Park. Over the years, I have looked at dozens (OK, hundreds) of photos of the wet, smiling faces of the boaters splashing and paddling through the whitewater rapids. They always look so happy and excited! Oh, how I wanted to be "that guy" in the photo. In 2024, I decided I had waited long enough and pulled the trigger. With a gentle nudge from my best friend, I booked a 2-day whitewater rafting adventure with Glacier Guides and Montana Raft. It was time- and it was now my turn! We made our way north in June, 2025 crossing through 8 states and into Montana. A day before we arrived at the Glacier Guide office, I received a call from our rafting guide, Zack. He sounded as excited as we were and walked us through the itinerary and what we could expect when we arrived. Very professional! The day had come! When we arrived at the Glacier Guide Office, we were greeted by our guides, Zack and Abby who are absolute Rock Stars and clearly love what they do. They made sure we had all the recommended gear and helped us re-pack our gear into waterproof bags for our Rocky Mountain adventure. We met the others assigned to our boat and got fitted for wet suits, life jackets and helmets. Within an hour, we loaded into our bus and headed north- 2 big, blue rafts in tow. The first day was spent easing down the Flathead River along the banks of Glacier National Park. The views were just beautiful. Our guide on the first day was Abby, who was as funny as she was skilled at navigating the Class II river. Zack floated ahead of us in the "gear boat" which carried all our tents, food and camping gear. We stopped for lunch around noon which gave us an opportunity to stretch our legs and get to know the other members of our party. Bald eagles were observed every so often, as were momma ducks with their babies close by. Everyone was on the lookout for grizzly bears that are common in Glacier, but unfortunately none were seen on our trip. After lunch, we continued down the river for several hours until Zack found a good spot to call "home" for the night. We had a few hours before nightfall and spent our time making camp, hanging wet clothes and enjoying some of the most beautiful mountain views in the world. We helped the guides unload the gear boat before enjoying grilled steak and salmon for dinner. The food was fantastic, as was the fellowship! After dinner, we sat around a little campfire and relaxed with our new friends. Tired from a long day on the water, we all headed to our tents around 10:00 PM. 6:00 AM, daylight and the smell of coffee and bacon stirred us from our tents. With the sounds of the river flowing below, we eased into the new day with a great breakfast before we broke camp, donned our protective gear and loaded our raft. We changed captains and Zack guided us down the river after a safety brief, Abby navigated the "gear boat" a safe distance behind. Another glorious Montana day on the river. The closer we got to the entrance of Glacier Park, the more dramatic the views and more challenging the whitewater became. Zack expertly and safely navigated the Class III rapids, all while we paddled like crazy when the order "All forward!" was given. The last stretch of water had 8 named rapids like "Bone Crusher," "Pinball" and "The Big Squeeze." All of us got drenched to the bone and wouldn't have it any other way. It was the Montana trip of a lifetime and everything I hoped it would be. As our 2-day, overnight adventure came to an end, our guides "high-fived" us and thanked us for joining them. I was sad to leave, I cannot lie. Zack and Abby with Glacier Guides knocked it out of the park- true professionals and an absolute pleasure to be around. I will never forget my Rocky Mountain adventure and am so grateful for the staff of Glacier Guides that helped make a dream come true. I can confidently recommend Glacier Guides to anyone. ~David T. Leuba

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Glacier Guides and Montana Raft - Bone crusher and just a blast!

Bone crusher and just a blast!

Glacier Guides and Montana Raft
Glacier Guides and Montana Raft - Nature walk van

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Nature walk van

Glacier Outfitters - Kayaks

Glacier Outfitters

4.7(51 reviews)
0.1 mi

Views views views!…read more Great change of pace after days of hiking. I rented a 1 seater kayak from glacier outfitters. It may look like a far walk but it isn't! Totally doable. The staff was very nice to explain everything to me. They showed me the lake map and where to go and not go, etc. Instructions were very clear. I rented 2 hours (they have you 15 mins for the round trip walk). The walk from the rental to the lake I thought was a bit of a walk but it was not bad to haul the kayak there, they are on wheels so it is not bad. You leave the wheels near the trees. Returning the kayak was fairly easy as well. There are lockers available that you can put your stuff if you don't want to take it with you. The minimum number of hours is 2 hours and it was 40 something. Overall it was a good experience! Everything was great. Would recommend and use service again.

We made reservations at Glacier Outfitters for kayaks for the day. (highly recommend reservations)…read more There is a small parking lot and some street parking but it was not a busy day and it was full. We had people waiting for our parking spot when we returned to the car. I'm not sure where people would park when it gets very busy. Perhaps there is another parking lot I didn't see. When you walk up to G.O. you sign waivers, pay the fee and are gathered in an area for instructions. The man who provided the instructions was very informative. Advised us of areas in Flathead Lake to avoid including a rough water area and a few bald eagle's nests as they recently laid eggs. After instructions, you are provided with the kayak, paddle, life jacket and a cart to roll the kayak down to the lake. Now, I'm pretty strong but the kayaks are heavy. I did think to myself, how would someone with less strength get this kayak down to the lake? Something to ask about if you are renting as it is several yards to walk with a heavy kayak. The carts were easy to remove and stash while we spent the day in the lake. When you finish kayaking, you simply load the kayak back on the cart and roll it back to G.O., drop off gear and you are done. We had a great experience with Glacier Outfitters and would use them again.

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Glacier Outfitters - 2025 August

2025 August

Glacier Outfitters - 2025 August

2025 August

Glacier Outfitters - 2025 August

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2025 August

Glacier Campground - Lounge area off the office

Glacier Campground

4.2(38 reviews)
3.1 mi

This is a fantastic campground located 1 1/2 miles from the Going-to-the-Sun Road in west Glacier…read moreNational Park. The service staff is great, there is an onsite cafe (Sunflower Cafe), showers, electric/water hookups, dump station, and large play area. Sites vary from tents to RVs to Cabins, with a maximum RV length of 32'. Our motorhome is 32' with two slides and our site was just right. It was very level for parking, has a fire ring and picnic table (all the tables in the park are in good condition & freshly painted). Some sites are not as level, but they accommodate a wide range of RV & tent campers. The Sunflower Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in the outside dining area or to go. We had the beef brisket one night and a breakfast sandwich one morning. Both meals were delicious. Although we are in Montana and were expecting to see a lot of pro-GOP/anti-Dem flags & attitudes, we were pleasantly surprised to see none! Our camping neighbors were a nice gay married couple who were super friendly. Liberals, gays and other progressive people would be very comfortable here, as would those not-so-woke. Price-wise they are cheaper than the nearby KOA and are a great option for those who don't camp in the park. We paid $302 (with AAA discount) for 4 nights.

if you have to cancel for any kind of reason they will charge you $75 regardless if it's due to…read moreunforeseen circumstances or an emergency. The owner has no consideration even canceling two months in advance, they do not care what-so-ever about their customers. what happened to local businesses caring about people other than taking advantage of people by taking $75. Anything to rip people off. yes it's in their cancellation policy but there are always extenuating circumstances that can preclude waiving that outrageous fee.

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Glacier Campground - Our campsite was very level, but a bit narrow.

Our campsite was very level, but a bit narrow.

Glacier Campground - Office, store and lounge

Office, store and lounge

Glacier Campground - Seating outside the office

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Seating outside the office

Lake McDonald - lakes - Updated May 2026

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