Camping cabins near West Glacier, Montana provide convenient access to Glacier National Park while offering more comfort than tent camping. At elevations ranging from 3,200 to 3,500 feet, the area experiences warm summer days and cool evenings, with typical July temperatures ranging from 45°F at night to 80°F during the day. Most cabin facilities in the area operate seasonally from mid-May through September.
What to do
Fishing at Lake Five: Lake Five Resort offers access to a clear mountain lake just minutes from Glacier National Park. "You can rent their kayaks and paddle boards or bring your own. They have ice and firewood available other than that stock up on supplies. The nearest regular grocery is 35 minutes away in Whitefish," notes a visitor at Lake Five Resort.
Attend live events: Evening entertainment is available at select campgrounds. "To have live music available each night in a very open inviting area that looks out at the mountains is pretty amazing," reports one camper at West Glacier KOA Resort. Another visitor mentions, "There is a brewery and restaurant close by. The Gunsight restaurant in downtown Columbia Falls is a must, especially on Taco Tues."
Pick wild berries: Some campgrounds feature native berry bushes for seasonal picking. "He has juneberries on property and let me pick them. They were everywhere. Got a couple of good breakfast smoothies and a lot of local spots with Huckleberry items," shares a visitor about Sundance Campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many visitors appreciate the natural setting of cabin areas. "We had a separate fire pit area, with kind of a split level effect," notes one camper at Glacier Campground. Another visitor describes Mountain Meadow: "We lucked out with site #50 though, it was very secluded and the picnic firepit area was like our own little cubby in the woods."
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain skies offer excellent night viewing. "Incredible night sky. Only other place I've seen so many stars/the Milky Way was Death Valley," shares a visitor about Glacier Campground.
Off-grid relaxation: Several cabin properties offer a true retreat experience. "You're gonna pay for it, but if you're gonna stay in the area and you want to splurge on your stay this would be the place. My wife really enjoyed the fact that it had an electric fence around the perimeter to try and preclude wildlife from entering the park area," explains a guest at West Glacier KOA Resort.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Securing cabin accommodations requires advance planning. "This is both a campsite review and a Dyrt Ranger product review. We almost cancelled our trip to Glacier due to the current forest fires that have closed some of the park. We decided to take a chance on it though, and stayed just outside the west entrance of the park," explains a visitor at Glacier Campground.
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities close during winter. "We were only there to sleep. Got in, set up, went to sleep, packed up at 5am and headed out to Glacier. It would be a fine base for GNP activities," shares a camper at Sundance Campground.
Noise considerations: Some cabins experience road or rail noise. "The highway at night can be fairly noisy, but you're about 5 minutes from the entrance to the park... highly worth it. If you can't find a place inside the park, I would highly recommend them," notes a guest at Moose Creek RV Resort and Bed & Breakfast.
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreation options: Some facilities offer activities specifically for children. "They do have many great things though: an excellent distance from Glacier and Kalispell, a dog park, and great spots to stay at (depending on where your cabin/spot is located)," reports a visitor about West Glacier KOA.
Consider cabin layouts: Family configurations vary between properties. "Group sites: you must have at least 10 people to stay here. Booked for a family reunion, was a nice layout. Site is wooded and shady. Facilities modern but still basic," explains a camper at Apgar Group Sites.
Check shower facilities: Bathroom amenities vary widely between properties. "Campsite was very clean and well kept. Nice gravel and grass area with picnic table. Bathrooms were amazing! 2 large stalls and 3 large showers, 1 was handicap. Very clean, nice tile and spacious," notes a visitor at Columbia Falls RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose cabin or RV sites based on your specific needs. "The sites are level, but just barely. Although the trees are nice, they are so close to the parking area that we were unable to extend our awning," advises an RVer about Sundance Campground.
Check hookup locations: Utility positioning varies between properties. "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," explains a visitor at West Glacier RV & Cabin Resort.
Consider sites with extra amenities: Some properties offer enhanced features. "LOVED our stay here. We got a prized corner spot with privacy of trees. So nice to have a grassy site, too. Super close to West Glacier, East Glacier is much more of a drive, but we knew that," shares a camper at North American RV Park & Yurt Village.
