Hotels

Television reception is limited in the Glacier National Park area, so if TV is important to you, check not only that the lodging facility has in-room TVs, but also call and ask just what channels they get.

Inside the Park--With only one exception, Glacier Park, Inc. (GPI) operates the hostelries in Glacier National Park. Lake McDonald Lodge, Glacier Park Lodge, and Many Glacier Hotel are first-tier properties that have been popular destinations since early in the century. Swiftcurrent Motor Inn is typical of the casual motel-style properties at the other end of the spectrum, providing decent but undistinguished accommodations for less money. Although the lodges have a considerable charm, they don't have spas, air-conditioning, or in-room televisions.

Reserve well in advance. August dates may fill before the spring thaw. For more information on the following properties or to make a reservation, contact Glacier Park, Inc., 106 Cooperative Way, Suite 104, Kalispell, MT 59901 (tel. 406/756-2444; fax 406/257-0384; www.glacierparkinc.com)

In West Glacier--In addition to the West Glacier properties discussed, the Mountain Timbers, P.O. Box 94, West Glacier, MT 59936 (tel. 800/841-3835 or 406/387-5830; fax 406/387-5835; mtntmbrs@digisys.net) was a moderately priced bed-and-breakfast inn that was closed for remodeling late in 2001, with no date for reopening. Situated on 240 acres, the lodge offers easy access to the West Glacier and Camas Creek entrances to the park, and should be worth checking out when it reopens.