Glacier National Park - Lodging Alternatives at the Amtrak Train Stations by Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park received its name in 1910. George Bird Grinnell, Montana, an early explorer who has been urging the government to protect the United States to that country instrumental. Today, over 2 million people visit the 1,500 square miles of the park each year.

Luckily, Glacier National Park, is Amtrak's Empire Builder years served. The Great Northern Railway (GN), which uses the footsteps Amtrak is practiced today, assuming the first one in the region along thestops. Here are lodging alternatives close to the four Glacier stops (going from east to west):

East Glacier Park: In 1913, GN opened its first Glacier lodge, the Glacier Park Hotel in East Glacier Park. Now known as the Glacier Park Lodge and Resort, the hotel retains the rugged looks of a century ago with modern amenities. The resort is open from late-May to late-September. Located across the street from the Amtrak train station, the 161-room lodge has accommodations that range from rustic "value box" room at a "glacial Golf House" about ½ mile from the main house. The resort also has three restaurants and a "Cowboy Cookout" on Tuesday and Wednesday. There are two shops on the property. Finally, there are about 20 other hotels and campsites nearby.

Essex are in a small sliver of land between Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Essex, and Izaak Walton Inn. Built in 1939 by GN the winter snow clearing houseCrews, the hotel operates all year round. The Izaak Walton is located next to the Amtrak stop at Essex. You can choose one of the 33 rooms in the inn, four restored railroad baggage car and six modern family cabins. The restaurant is open for three meals a day. Reproductions of historic Great Northern dishes are featured items in the gift shop of the Hotel James J. Hill.

West Glacier: There are dozens of hotels and camping near West Glacier. Three properties are on the coastLake McDonald in Glacier National Park. At the southern end, in the village of Apgar, there is the Village Inn at Apgar (the last glacier lodge built in the area of GN) and the Apgar Village Lodge. Apgar has a visitor center, a restaurant and gift boutiques. At the northern end of Lake McDonald's, the beautiful Lake McDonald Lodge, Cottages and Inn. The main house was built by GN 1914 in a Swiss chalet motifs. The resort has three restaurants, a souvenir shop and a camp gates.

Whitefish: Columbia Falls,Kalispell and Whitefish are numerous accommodation options, including traditional hotels, condominiums, bed and breakfasts, farms and campsites. Within an hour's drive from Glacier National Park, this attractive alternative for those who want to experience more than just the park. For example, Whitefish Mountain Resort offers winter sports and summer hiking activities. In addition, Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, for its fishing and boating activities known.There are many good restaurants and shops in this area.