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One of the most-visited national parks in the United States, Glacier National Park needs hardly any introduction. Sitting a short hop from the Canadian border in northwestern Montana, the 1,583-square-mile wilderness is a topographical dream of ripple-ridged mountain peaks, plunging glacier-gouged valleys, and alpine lakes sitting in the shadow of receding glaciers. Covered by 700 miles of hiking trails—including the famed Highline Trail—and iconic driving routes like the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier draws millions of visitors (a whopping 2.908 million in 2022) to be wowed by the incredible mountains, idyllic lakes, and resident wildlife like black bears and moose.
As snowfall cuts off the heart of the park during the winter, summer is the peak high season in this sky-scraping park. Getting there is easy, with regular flights landing at Glacier Park International Airport in nearby Kalispell, just north of Flathead Lake. With limited accommodation options available within park boundaries and extremely high demand during the summer months, your best bet for finding a room (and some breathing room) is to stay outside the park.
With two main entrances at St. Mary along the park’s northeastern border and West Glacier at the southwestern end, Glacier-goers can opt for quiet, peaceful stays at the less-trafficked St. Mary or stay close to Whitefish and Columbia Falls for more dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Whichever entrance area you choose, the forests, fields, and mountains around the national park have plenty of stylish, design-forward vacation rental options to choose from, ranging from tiny homes to Scandi-inspired cabins.
The 9 Best Glacier National Park Cabins and Vacation Rentals
The Nooq — Whitefish, MT
Vibe: Scandinavian Haven
The ultimate booking for design lovers around Glacier National Park is undoubtedly the nooq: a Scandinavian-inspired, minimalist ski chalet and cabin close to Whitefish. With a monochromatic exterior of birch white and jet-black that looks even more striking during the wintertime snowfalls, this Insta-famous stay was built and designed by adventure photographers Alex Strohl and Andrea Dabene as a base between far-flung trips around the world. The chic, minimalist interior has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, and plenty of luxe amenities from a washer and dryer to a hang-out loft with high-quality entertainment system. But the living room is the main knockout, featuring a floor-to-ceiling, church-like peak window overlooking the pristine forest outside. The teardrop-esque fireplace dangling from the ceiling is a lovely touch as well.
Located near Whitefish Mountain Resort, the Nooq provides easy access to Whitefish Lake and the Flathead River, where you might go rafting or kayaking, in addition to Glacier National Park. Availability for the Nooq is limited and bookings go fast.
Rate: $650/night
The Glacier Retreat - Columbia Falls, MT
Vibe: Contemporary Cabin
If you’re looking for a cabin rental near Glacier that’s more “chic and trendy” and less “log cabin,” you’ll find yourself right at home staying at the Glacier Retreat. A modern cabin overlooking a lush, tree-lined meadow close to Columbia Falls, roughly half an hour from the west entrance and iconic Lake McDonald, the two-bedroom tiny home is extremely on-trend with its sharp clean lines, neutral color palette, and white, minimalist interior. Sparsely decorated in true Scandi style, the hygge-y living area and bedrooms both have large forest-view windows. A spick-and-span outdoor deck at the front of the cabin overlooks the meadow, with a firepit and hot tub off to the side. The kitchen is a bit basic, with only a stove and no oven, but with downtown Whitefish just 10 minutes away, you can easily do most of your dining in town.
Rate: $364/night
Raven’s Nest - Columbia Falls, MT
Vibe: Aerial A-Frame
Covered in glowing, golden wood with black trim and roof panels, this elevated A-frame is an eye-catching beacon of style amid the wild forests of northern Montana. Located on the Mountain Treehouse Retreat, a five-acre wooded lot in Columbia Falls, the Raven’s Nest is one of two design-forward accommodation options on the property. The modern farmhouse-style interior features sliding barn doors, minimalist decor, and gold and metal accents. Entering the cabin through the living room, the open-concept space connects to a nicely-outfitted kitchen with a dishwasher, farmhouse sink, and floating shelves. The second bed-and-bath is located just off the kitchen. A small wing extends outward from the main A-frame, forming a cozy little reading nook with forest-view windows. The upstairs loft houses the main bedroom and bathroom. There's wifi inside, and a firepit outside. Staying here, you have access not only to Glacier National Park, which is roughly 30 minutes away but also to Whitefish Mountain Resort, one of the big area ski resorts.
Rate: $399/night
Meadowlark Treehouse - Columbia Falls, MT
Vibe: Swiss Family Robinson Escape
Another cabin rental at Mountain Treehouse Retreat, this stately two-story treehouse feels like something out of a fairy tale with its spiral staircase entrance, gabled roofs, shingled chimneys, and tree trunks running directly through the floor for a rustic cabin feel. Both floors feature scenic outdoor balconies, as well as large windows so you’re always able to appreciate your treetop view of the forest and mountains. The first floor features a small but well-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, bathroom, and living area, with an iron staircase spiraling up the master loft bedroom. The space can sleep up to 4 people and you also have access to a fire pit and picnic area on the ground.
Rate: $399/night
Cozy Orchard Cabin - Martin City, MT
Vibe: Frontier Fantasy
Located in Martin City, a small town roughly ten minutes from West Glacier, the Cozy Orchard Cabin aka Ahern Cabin features an open porch and old-school rustic exterior of wood and metal. Built in the 1950s and named after an Antarctic glacier, the interior has been tastefully updated for the modern day. With two bedrooms, one bathroom, and space for up to six occupants, the cabin comes with a charming living room (outfitted in outdoorsy kitsch like pennant banners and red flannel curtains), full kitchen, and dining area next to a woodburning fireplace. Outside, the cozy cabin faces a tranquil orchard of trees with mountains rising on the horizon, making for a nice backdrop for firing up the grill or lounging out on the lawn. If you'd like to try hiking the Great Northern, the mountain that gives its name to many local businesses, this cabin puts you close to the trailhead. It's also family-friendly and pet-friendly too.
Rate: $461/night
ElkCalf Mountain A-Frame - Coram, MT
Vibe: Cutey Cabin
This twee A-frame cabin situated seven miles from the west entrance to Glacier National Park may be small in size but it goes big on the cuteness factor. Furnished in locally-sourced aspen and topped with a sleek black roof, it feels both rustic and contemporary. Inside, the two-story interior has a downstairs kitchenette, bathroom with shower, and small sitting area. Climbing the ladder to the loft space, you’ll find the bed tucked into a small but cozy space with a window looking out onto the rear of the cabin. Even though the interior is a bit on the small side, you’ll want to spend all your time outside anyway on the covered deck at the front of the cabin (or hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking in the park). Sit back in the Adirondack chairs, cook up a barbecue on the provided grill, or take a dip in the hot tub.
Rate: $300/night
Glacier Getaway - West Glacier, MT
Vibe: Lovely Log Cabin
Capable of sleeping up to six people, this spacious, classic Lincoln Log-style cabin is ideal for larger families or friend groups coming for a getaway at Glacier National Park. Illuminated by a large triangular window on the front face of the cabin, the warm, wooden interior is divided up into two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a snug living area, and a fully-equipped kitchen. An upstairs loft makes for a great hang-out space, directly facing the window for mountain views while playing pool or unwinding in the plush couches and chairs. You’ll want to spend as much time as possible outdoors on the front deck, which includes a Jacuzzi and access to a firepit.
Rate: $285/night
Tiny Homes at St. Mary Village - St. Mary, MT
Vibe: Tiny House Town
With East Flattop Mountain, Curly Bear Mountain, and other peaks in the eastern Lewis Range fringing the horizon, the St. Mary Tiny House Village sits poised like a miniature frontier town before the mighty wilderness. A collection of 10 charming tiny homes spaced out across a plot of land close to the park's east side entrance, each is painted an eye-catching primary color that jumps out from the surrounding landscape palette of greens and browns. Inside, the small but charming space comes outfitted with a kitchenette, couch, dining table, and a separate queen-bed bedroom area separated from the main living area by a sliding barn-style door. With the couch converting into a trundle bed, each mini-home sleeps up to four. A few feet away, each tiny home also comes with a private wood-paneled bathhouse, complete with a jetted bathtub. Set on its own concrete pad, cabin-dwellers also have a little outdoor picnic table for lounging and enjoying the view. The park entrance is less than a minute’s drive away, and dining can be found in the tiny town of St. Mary at spots like the Snowgoose Grill and Kip’s Beer Garden. There’s also a grocery store, gas station, and small boutiques if you want to make use of your kitchenette and outfit yourself for park adventures.
Rate: From $299/night
A-Frame Hiker’s Cabin - Babb, MT
Vibe: Wes Anderson A-Frame
With a bright red roof and trim, white exterior walls, and a petite frame, this quaint A-frame getaway near Duck Lake (a 10-15 minute drive north of St. Mary) would look right at home in a Wes Anderson film. The compact but spick-and-span and well-laid-out single-room interior has everything you need for your stay, including a comfy bed, couch, dining table, kitchenette, and bathroom with shower. If you plan on spending the majority of your time exploring the national park, which is roughly a 10-minute drive south, the small space is the perfect basecamp for essentials like eating, sleeping, and showering. But the outdoor wooden deck, which fronts a wildflower-speckled meadow and a copse of small trees that adds some privacy from the rest of the property, is the perfect spot for morning coffee or sitting out in the evening for a beverage by the firepit. Viewable from the rear of the cabin, Chief Mountain rises above the flat plains for a dramatic landmark.
Rate: $249/night
Published 07-06-2023
