Dog Friendly Lodging Near Glacier National Park – There is no doubt about the natural beauty of Glacier National Park. But the glacier can be a challenge for people traveling with pets. We share how to get the most out of your pet’s visit.
Glacier National Park is an amazing place where the desert along the continental divide remains untouched and the mountains reach to the sky. But for people traveling with dogs, visiting our national parks is not the easiest.
Dog Friendly Lodging Near Glacier National Park
Glacier is one of the few places in North America where all of our native carnivores still survive. Grizzlies and black bears, wolves and cougars roam the steep slopes and green valleys. Protecting the national park and its inhabitants means strict restrictions on where animals can go.
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There are only a few roads in the glacier. One runs north-south along the park’s western boundary. Highway 2 connects the village of East Glacier Park to West Glacier. And the most famous, Going-to-the-Sun Road, crosses the center of the park for 80 kilometers to the east and west.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is the most popular way to tour the park. The drive takes about 3 hours – each way – if you stop to take a few photos along the way. And why wouldn’t you want to stop and take photos?
Along Going-to-the-Sun Road, pets are allowed in designated areas. This means picnic areas, parking lots and within 100 meters of roads. Basically, your dog will have a long day in the car.
If you’re driving toward the sun (and you should), plan to make several short stops along the way so you can get out and get your legs out.
Dog Friendly Lodging Near Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park has only one dog-friendly trail, and that’s only when it’s not covered in snow. The Macdonald Creek Bike Trail is a paved road that runs 2.5 miles between West Glacier and Apgar Village.
Is Glacier National Park less pet-friendly than expected? Consider a trip across the border to Waterton Lakes National Park, where dogs are welcome!
We suggest picking up the trail at West Glacier, grabbing ice cream at Eddy’s when you get to Apgar, resting at Lake McDonald, then returning to the trailhead.
Keep in mind that if you wander through Glacier National Park with your four-legged friends, you may encounter wildlife along the park’s roads and trails, so be careful. Bears are known to chase dogs, which can be dangerous for you and your pup.
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Once you’ve ridden the Going-to-the-Sun Highway and the McDonald Creek Bike Trail, there’s not much fun left in Glacier National Park for your canine companion.
You can find pet sitters for your four-legged friends or daycare to keep your dog company while you explore the park’s trails. Or you can explore the surrounding area for other activities to enjoy together!
Although Glacier National Park may not be the most dog-friendly place, it is! From large national forests to small, friendly towns, western Montana has a lot to offer travelers with pets.
Just across the border from the popular Glacier National Park in the United States is the equally spectacular and very dog-friendly Waterton Lakes National Park!
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Waterton is known for its crystal clear lakes, waterfalls and towering mountain peaks. But our favorite part is everything you and your dog can do together!
For a great hike, head south through the national forests with your pup. The Flathead, Kootenai, and Lewis and Clark National Forests are all easily accessible by car. And all National Forest trails are pet friendly!
In fact, off-leash dogs are allowed in most national forest areas. But because of the local wildlife, this is not a good idea unless you have extremely reliable recalls.
Hungry Horse Reservoir in the Flathead National Forest is particularly beautiful, and the trails feel like you have them all to yourself.
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Flathead Lake is incredible. We spent a week visiting Glacier National Park for dog-friendly adventures and gave it five stars. A must-see if you’re visiting western Montana. Here you will find hiking trails, camping, outdoor festivals, boating, swimming and much more.
The lake is about an hour’s drive from the west entrance to Glacier National Park. It is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, measuring approximately 19 miles long and 10 miles wide. So your travel time may vary slightly depending on the lake you visit.
Much of the area around Flathead Lake is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation, established in 1855 during the Treaty of Hellgate. The region is home to three tribes: the Bitterroot Salish, Upper Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai.
In addition to tribal lands, six Montana State Park units dot the shores of Flathead Lake. Together, these units form Flathead Lake State Park. Five of the national park’s units are pet-friendly and allow dogs on a leash:
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Yellow Bay only offers tent campsites (first come, first served), but other dog-friendly campgrounds offer both tent and RV sites. Some even have campsites for hiking, biking or boating! Cool Whip, Hercules and I camped among our fans at Wayfarers, Big Arm and West Shore. Each offers a slightly different experience, so it’s fun to wander around the lake.
Two of my favorite features at these parks are the numerous pet trash cans and the trailhead stations with free leashes. They make cleaning up after your dog so much easier and allow you to have safe, pet-friendly adventures!
Wayfarers is a 67-acre forested beauty located in the town of Bigfork, Montana. We have a big North Shore (Minnesota) atmosphere with pine trees on the rocky coast. And it offers the perfect vantage point to enjoy the sunset after a full day of adventure.
If you prefer urban trails with fewer wildlife encounters, check out the Swan River Trail in Bigfork. This is an easy 3 mile hike with great views of the Swan River.
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Plus, the town of Bigfork is great if you love art, theater, live music, film festivals, art festivals, farmers markets, and dog sled rides in the winter! Bigfork offers several pet-friendly options when you’re not camping.
This was my favorite stop, and probably the dogs too – the park ranger gave the dogs lots of snacks when we arrived! If you’re looking for a place to relax surrounded by nature, West Shore is the place for you. The campsite is located in a vast pine forest, giving you plenty of room to breathe.
But don’t spend all your time sleeping! There are many trails in the park. Hike the Osprey Overlook Trail to the top of the hill for great views. Then head towards the Lakeshore Trail, under the Linderman Lookout. The view from the trees over Flathead Lake is incredible!
At the lake, you can have a snack at the picnic table or skip the rocks with the many smooth and colorful stones that are part of the coast.
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Cool Whip didn’t want to get his toes wet, but your dog might! Dogs are allowed on the beach and in the water unless otherwise noted.
If you and your adventurous pup want to camp right on the water, Big Arm is the park for you! Be sure to bring leveling blocks if you’re staying in a van or camper: being so close to the coast, many campsites have uneven terrain. But it’s worth a try! There’s nothing like cooking dinner and enjoying a campfire by the lake.
Kalispell, Montana is one of the magazine’s newest cities for 2021. And it’s just 30 minutes from Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, ski resorts, and several state and national forests. Just outside of town is Lone Pine State Park with a variety of hiking trails (no camping available).
Historically, the city has focused on agriculture and industrial activities. However, its appeal for outdoor adventure and tourism continues to grow. It’s a great place to set up base camp if you want to stay in town, as you’ll find the most options for dog-friendly activities, lodging, grocery stores, laundromats, veterinary and pet supplies for pet owners.
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At the south end of Flathead Lake is the town of Polson. This cute little community has a lot to offer: cute cafes, museums, antique shops and much more.
Polson is also home to the Flathead Cherry Festival. During the festival, Main Street in downtown Polson is closed to traffic for two days to celebrate the cherry with vendors, artists, and lots of great food. Can’t come to the festival? Many cherry growers thrive in the area, so you’ll see plenty of signs listing cherries for sale in season.
Want to let your dog play on a leash? Go to the Travis Dolphin Dog Park. There’s room on the hill for them to run around, as well as a dock and water access if your pup likes to swim.
Polson also owns businesses that rent kayaks and canoes. Train with your canoe
