In 1913, the Great Northern Railway completed the Glacier Park Lodge — a massive timber structure at the edge of the Blackfeet Reservation, anchoring the new East Glacier station stop on their transcontinental line.
The railway’s marketing campaign was called “See America First,” and the lodge was meant to prove that the American West could compete with the Swiss Alps.
They brought in enormous Douglas fir logs from the Pacific Northwest, erected them as pillars in the Great Hall, and built one of the most distinctive hotel lobbies in North America.
The Amtrak Empire Builder still stops at the station across the street. That’s not a historical reenactment — that’s just Tuesday in East Glacier.
TL;DR
- East Glacier Park Village (~300 year-round residents) is Glacier National Park’s southern east-side gateway, built by the Great Northern Railway in 1913.
- Glacier Park Lodge — a National Historic Landmark with a Great Hall featuring 60-foot Douglas fir log pillars — is one of the most architecturally extraordinary hotels in Montana.
- Two Medicine Valley (9 miles inside the park) is the least-crowded major Glacier valley with some of the most dramatic scenery anywhere in the park.
- Amtrak Empire Builder stops here daily — one of the most scenic train arrivals in the United States.
- Best for: travelers wanting a quieter Glacier experience, history enthusiasts, Amtrak travelers, families, and the east-side Glacier perspective.
East Glacier Park at a Glance
| Year-round population | ~300 |
|---|---|
| County | Glacier County |
| Region | Northwest Montana (Glacier Country) |
| Elevation | 4,795 ft |
| Amtrak | Yes — Empire Builder (Chicago–Seattle) |
| Distance to Two Medicine Entrance | ~9 miles (~15 min) |
| Distance to St. Mary (Going-to-the-Sun East) | ~32 miles (~40 min) |
| Distance to Many Glacier | ~50 miles (~1 hour) |
| Distance to Browning | ~12 miles (~15 min) |
| Best for | Glacier east-side access, Glacier Park Lodge, quieter Glacier experience, Amtrak travel |
What Makes East Glacier Park Different
East Glacier’s identity is inseparable from the Great Northern Railway. James J. Hill’s railroad opened the region in 1891, and his son Louis W. Hill created the park concession and built the lodge as part of an ambitious campaign to turn Glacier into America’s premier tourism destination.
The strategy worked — Glacier became a national park in 1910, and the network of chalets, tent camps, and the flagship Glacier Park Lodge built in its wake defined the park’s character for a generation.
What East Glacier offers today that the west side doesn’t is scale and quiet. The west side — Whitefish, Kalispell, Apgar, Lake McDonald — carries the majority of Glacier’s 3+ million annual visitors.
The east side, despite equivalent beauty, gets far fewer people. Two Medicine Valley on a July morning feels nothing like the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor. That differential is real and significant for anyone who values a national park experience without constant crowds.
The Blackfeet Nation reservation borders the village immediately to the east — Browning is just 12 miles away, and the cultural context of the Blackfeet homeland is part of the east-side Glacier experience in a way the west side doesn’t have.
For broader trip planning, see my Montana cities and towns hub and the Going-to-the-Sun Road guide.
The Top 10 Things to Do In & Around East Glacier
1. Tour the Glacier Park Lodge Great Hall
The hotel’s Great Hall features 60-foot-tall Douglas fir logs — each weighing up to 15,000 pounds — as structural pillars. The logs came from the Pacific Northwest by rail in 1912. The ceiling is 60 feet above the lobby floor. Even guests not staying at the lodge should walk through the Great Hall; it’s one of the most impressive interior spaces in Montana. The hotel is open mid-May through late September.
2. Two Medicine Valley (9 miles inside the park)
The most undervisited major valley in Glacier National Park. Two Medicine Lake sits beneath the jagged peaks of Rising Wolf Mountain (9,513 ft) and Sinopah Mountain. A boat tour crosses the lake to the trailhead for Upper Two Medicine Lake and Twin Falls. Running Eagle Falls (also called Trick Falls) is a 1-mile round-trip from the trailhead — a waterfall that pours from a cave in the rock face, revealing a second fall beneath it at low water. One of Glacier’s most unusual features.
3. Hike Scenic Point Trail
A 6.6-mile round-trip hike from the Two Medicine area rising above treeline to a viewpoint with extraordinary panoramas — Glacier’s peaks to the west, the Rocky Mountain Front dropping to the plains to the east, and the Two Medicine Valley below. One of the finest viewpoint hikes accessible from East Glacier. Strenuous.
4. Arrive (or Depart) by Amtrak Empire Builder
The Empire Builder stops at East Glacier daily — eastbound in the morning, westbound in the early afternoon. Arriving by train from the east — watching the Rocky Mountain Front approach through the windows — is one of the most cinematic travel experiences in Montana. The station building (open seasonally) is historic. Even if you’re driving, consider the departure platform for the experience.
5. Drive to St. Mary & the East End of Going-to-the-Sun Road
32 miles north on US-89 brings you to St. Mary, the eastern terminus of Going-to-the-Sun Road. The east-side approach to Logan Pass — climbing through the St. Mary Valley with views back over the plains — is distinct from the west-side experience and equally spectacular. See the full Going-to-the-Sun Road guide.
6. Many Glacier Valley (50 miles north)
The crown jewel of Glacier’s east side — arguably the most dramatic valley in the entire park. Swiftcurrent Lake backed by the many-towered summits around Grinnell Glacier. The hike to Grinnell Glacier (11 miles RT) or the shorter Swiftcurrent Nature Trail (2.5 miles) are both worthwhile. Many Glacier Hotel (1915) is a second historic railway hotel.
7. Browning and Museum of the Plains Indian (12 miles east)
The Blackfeet Nation capital with the finest Plains Indian cultural museum in Montana. See Browning guide.
8. Hike the Firebrand Pass Trail
An 8.6-mile round-trip hike from the Two Medicine area climbing over Firebrand Pass with views into Glacier’s interior. Less trafficked than comparable hikes on the west side.
9. Two Medicine Lake Boat Tour (Seasonal)
A guided boat tour on Two Medicine Lake runs in summer — crossing the lake and providing narrated interpretation of the valley’s geology, wildlife, and history. Departs from the Two Medicine boat dock. Book ahead in peak season.
10. Glacier’s East Side Wildlife Watching
The east side’s proximity to the Rocky Mountain Front and open prairie means excellent wildlife viewing — grizzly bears, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, and wolves are all present in the Two Medicine and St. Mary areas. Early morning and evening are peak times.
Where to Stay
| Hotel | Vibe | Price (Peak Summer) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier Park Lodge | Historic 1913 railway hotel | $250–500/night | Most travelers to East Glacier |
| Brownie’s Hostel & Hotel | Budget, backpacker-friendly | $50–130/night | Budget travelers, hikers |
| Backpacker’s Inn | Bunkhouse style | $40–80/night | Budget, solo travelers |
| Serrano’s B&B | Small, personal | $150–230/night | Couples |
| Many Glacier Hotel (inside park) | Historic 1915 railway hotel | $300–500/night | Many Glacier area focus |
Booking note: Glacier Park Lodge books 6–12 months in advance for peak July/August. Many Glacier Hotel (operated by the same concessioner) also books far ahead. Reserve as early as possible.
Where to Eat
East Glacier has limited dining — the village is genuinely small:
- Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant — the most beloved restaurant in East Glacier, a long-running institution for Glacier hikers; Mexican food in a cozy cabin setting. Arrive early or expect a wait.
- Glacier Park Lodge Dining Room — full-service breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the historic lodge; quality and prices reflect the setting
- Two Medicine Grill — casual café near the lodge for quick meals and coffee
- Brownie’s Bakery — coffee, pastries, and sandwiches; a hiker’s morning staple
- Luna (small café) — light meals and espresso
Getting There & Around
By car from Kalispell: ~80 miles east on US-2, about 1.5 hours through the Flathead Valley and Marias Pass.
By car from Browning: 12 miles west on US-2, about 15 minutes.
By Amtrak Empire Builder: Daily stops at the East Glacier Park Station (station open seasonally). Eastbound arrival approximately 7–8 a.m.; westbound approximately 12–1 p.m. (verify current schedule at amtrak.com). One of the most scenic train approaches in the American West.
By car from Great Falls: ~145 miles northwest via US-89 through Browning, about 2.5 hours.
Around the village: East Glacier is walkable for the village itself. A car is required for Two Medicine and all other park destinations.
What East Glacier Unlocks
Two Medicine Valley (9 miles)
The least-crowded major Glacier valley — a genuinely spectacular alternative to the crowded Going-to-the-Sun corridor.
St. Mary & Going-to-the-Sun Road East (32 miles)
The full east-to-west Glacier drive. See Going-to-the-Sun Road guide.
Many Glacier (50 miles)
Glacier’s most dramatic valley. Worth the 1-hour drive.
Browning & Museum of the Plains Indian (12 miles)
Blackfeet Nation cultural center.
Glacier’s North Fork & Polebridge (via the park)
The most remote and wild section of Glacier, accessible via the inside North Fork Road.
When to Visit East Glacier
June–September (Main Season): Glacier Park Lodge is open, Two Medicine fully accessible, all restaurant/services operating. July and August are peak but significantly less crowded than the west side.
September: My favorite month — summer crowds gone, fall colors in the aspens and larches, wildlife preparing for winter. Some services begin closing after Labor Day.
October–May: East Glacier is largely closed. The lodge and most services shut down. Marias Pass (US-2) stays open year-round, but park roads close.
Amtrak year-round: The Empire Builder runs daily regardless of season — a winter train arrival at East Glacier is extraordinary and appropriately desolate.
See best time to visit Montana for broader seasonal context.
Personal Tips
Glacier Park Lodge Great Hall at breakfast: The lodge dining room in the morning light, with the log pillars and the early sun through the windows, is one of the most beautiful hotel interiors in Montana. Worth staying for or visiting even as a non-guest.
Two Medicine first, then St. Mary: If you’re based in East Glacier, do Two Medicine on day one (quick, spectacular, not crowded) and then dedicate a full day to the Going-to-the-Sun Road from St. Mary west.
Book Many Glacier as a separate overnight. It’s 50 miles from East Glacier — doable as a day trip but exhausting. The Many Glacier Hotel is worth a night if you can get a reservation.
The Serrano’s line is worth it. The restaurant is small and East Glacier hikers fill it fast. Arrive 30 minutes before opening or accept a wait. The food justifies both.
Running Eagle Falls is mandatory. A 1-mile round-trip from the Two Medicine parking area. Most beautiful waterfall accessible with minimal effort in all of Glacier.
Amtrak arrival is unforgettable. If any part of your itinerary allows arriving by Empire Builder, do it. The train drops from the Hi-Line into the Rocky Mountain Front and arrives at East Glacier in morning light with mountains filling the windows.
East Glacier Park Quick Facts
| Established | 1913 (Glacier Park Lodge and station) |
|---|---|
| Glacier Park Lodge | National Historic Landmark; open mid-May to late September |
| Two Medicine entrance to park | 9 miles from village |
| Amtrak | Daily — Empire Builder both directions |
| Average summer high | 72°F |
| Average winter low | 10°F |
| Annual precipitation | ~17 inches (much drier than west side) |
Conclusion
East Glacier is Glacier National Park’s most dignified entrance — a historic railway hotel, a train that still arrives daily, and access to the park’s quietest and arguably most dramatic valleys. For travelers who’ve done the west side before, or who simply want a less-crowded version of a Glacier trip, the east side accessed from here is the right call.
Have an East Glacier question? Drop it in the comments — I read every one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Glacier Park Village worth visiting?
Yes — East Glacier Park Village is absolutely worth visiting. The Glacier Park Lodge (1913 National Historic Landmark) has one of the most extraordinary hotel interiors in Montana. Two Medicine Valley (9 miles inside the park) is spectacularly beautiful and far less crowded than the west side. The daily Amtrak Empire Builder stop makes it one of the few Montana communities reachable by train. For a quieter Glacier experience, East Glacier is the right choice.
What is Glacier Park Lodge?
Glacier Park Lodge is a 1913 National Historic Landmark hotel built by the Great Northern Railway in East Glacier Park Village. The hotel’s Great Hall features 60-foot Douglas fir log pillars — each weighing up to 15,000 pounds — giving it the most dramatic hotel interior in Montana. The lodge is open approximately mid-May through late September and serves as the focal point of the East Glacier gateway.
How far is East Glacier from the Going-to-the-Sun Road?
East Glacier Park Village is approximately 32 miles from St. Mary, the eastern terminus of Going-to-the-Sun Road — about a 40-minute drive north on US-89. The east-side approach to the Going-to-the-Sun Road provides a different perspective from the west-side drive and is equally spectacular.
Can you take a train to East Glacier?
Yes — East Glacier Park Station is a stop on Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which runs daily service between Chicago and Portland/Seattle (both directions). It’s one of the most scenic Amtrak arrivals in the United States, with the Rocky Mountain Front visible through the windows as the train descends from the Hi-Line toward the station.
What is Two Medicine Valley in Glacier?
Two Medicine Valley is one of Glacier National Park’s major valleys, located 9 miles from East Glacier Park Village via the Two Medicine Road. The valley features Two Medicine Lake backed by dramatic peaks, Running Eagle Falls (a unique cave waterfall), and hiking trails to Scenic Point and Upper Two Medicine Lake. It’s consistently less crowded than comparable destinations on the park’s west side.
When is Glacier Park Lodge open?
Glacier Park Lodge is typically open from mid-May through late September. The exact dates vary year to year based on operating conditions. The surrounding village has very limited services outside this seasonal window. Check the Glacier National Park Lodges website for current year operating dates.
Is the east side of Glacier less crowded than the west side?
Yes — significantly. The west side of Glacier National Park (accessed from Whitefish, Kalispell, and West Glacier) carries the large majority of the park’s 3+ million annual visitors. The east side — including Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Many Glacier — sees far fewer visitors despite equivalent or superior scenic beauty. Two Medicine in particular is dramatically undervisited relative to comparable west-side destinations.
