Cabin accommodations near Glacier National Park range from rustic one-room shelters to multi-room units with modern appointments. The park's west entrance area contains the highest concentration of cabin rentals, with several properties situated within 5 miles of the entrance gate. Most cabin facilities remain open from May through September, with limited off-season availability. Annual snowfall averages over 100 inches in the region, affecting winter accessibility.
What to do
Wildlife viewing tours: 10-15 miles from cabins. Guests staying in cabins near Glacier National Park can access multiple wildlife viewing opportunities. "We were able to see some Grizzly bear from the comfort of our car on the way to the trailhead," reports a visitor at St Mary/East Glacier KOA.
Hiking on pet-friendly trails: Outside park boundaries. Since dogs aren't permitted on Glacier National Park trails, cabin campers with pets should look for alternatives. "We got advice at both the campground and at the Geotourism Center about National Forest trails in the area that dogs ARE welcome to hike on," notes a visitor to Glacier Campground.
Lake activities: On-site at select properties. Several cabin properties offer lake access with water recreation. A guest at Lake Five Resort shares, "You can rent their kayaks and paddle boards or bring your own. The lake is cold and gin clear, just like you expect from a mountain lake."
What campers like
Private cabin locations: Varies by property. Many cabin campers appreciate secluded settings. "The tent sites and even cabins are well spaced from neighbors, eco-friendly and kept very clean. The noise level is also minimal and no one is disturbed by RVs or restroom noises," reports a visitor to West Glacier KOA Resort.
Evening activities: Typically 7-9pm. Some properties organize communal activities for cabin guests. A visitor to Moose Creek RV Resort and Bed & Breakfast notes, "They light a group campfire at 7 PM every night for great conversations about what folks saw each day."
Proximity to park entrances: 1-5 miles. Cabin locations near park entrances provide quick access to Glacier's attractions. "This KOA is pretty nice...an excellent distance from Glacier and Kalispell, a dog park, and great spots to stay at (depending on where your cabin/spot is located)," writes one camper about West Glacier KOA Resort.
What you should know
Cabin supply limitations: Bring your own. Most cabin rentals provide minimal supplies. "Make sure you bring towels– while there are sheets on the bed, there are no bath towels," advises a visitor to Lake Five Resort.
Electricity constraints: Limited outlets. Older cabin properties may have few electrical outlets. "They have very limited outlets! One in the main room, used for the fridge and fan, and one in the bathroom, so don't plan on charging your devices after being grungy backpacking for a few days," warns a Lake Five Resort guest.
Restaurant options: On-site at select locations. Some cabin properties operate their own food service. "They have a restaurant, which is very delicious. It has a very nice home town feel. Good service as well," notes a guest at Johnson's Campground & RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Pool access at select properties. Families with children can find cabin properties with recreational facilities. A family staying at North American RV Park & Yurt Village reports, "Close by is a zip line attraction with a blow up slide in water for the little ones and bounce house obstacle with a slide. Also an adventure park that has go karts, bumper cars, lazy river etc."
Room arrangements: Request specific cabin configurations. Cabin sizes and layouts vary significantly between properties. "We have a large group of 24 in 1 group site and we had plenty of space. They charged per person which came as a great surprise," shares a visitor to St Mary/East Glacier KOA.
Laundry facilities: Limited availability. When traveling with children, access to laundry becomes important. "Owners were very accommodating, we snuck in on their closing weekend to visit glacier national park. The showers were clean and hot," reports a visitor to Lake Five Resort.
Tips from RVers
Accessibility between cabins and RVs: Consider layout. Some properties integrate cabins and RV sites in ways that affect privacy. "The RV sites are extremely close together. The fire pits are small for the RVs but very nice for the campers," notes a St Mary/East Glacier KOA visitor.
Electrical compatibility: Check hookup location. Cabin and RV sites may have differently positioned utilities. North American RV Park & Yurt Village visitor notes, "Site layout is fair with the power pedestal way forward so it's either park your tow vehicle behind your trailer or have a lot of length for all your connections."
Cell service and wifi: Variable by location. Connectivity varies widely between cabin properties. "Cell is limited and wifi was not the best. It was fine at the office/camp store," explains a camper at Lake Five Resort.
