What’s It Like to Stay in Apgar Village When Visiting Glacier National Park?

An Epic Cabin Stay in the Heart of Apgar Village on the West Side of Glacier National Park

This past summer, my mom, daughters, and I got to experience what it’s like to stay in Apgar Village first hand after getting a fairly last minute reservation to stay there.

We’ve visited Apgar Village numerous times before without staying overnight there. Our overnight stay added a new layer of fun and awe to our Apgar Village experience.

So was it worth it for me to basically stalk the Glacier National Park lodging reservation site until a cancellation opened up? (Yes, this is what I did, refreshing multiple times a day for several weeks and waiting for a cancellation to happen!)

Short answer: YES! We loved the convenience, peacefulness, and beauty of staying in Apgar Village.

Read on for more details on which part of Apgar Village we stayed in, what we loved about our accommodation, and what else there is to do in Apgar Village.

Read More –> Where to Stay in Glacier Guide: Comparison of Lodges in Glacier National Park

Why We Love Apgar Village Inn, Cabins, and Shops

Apgar Village is one of the best places to stay when exploring Glacier National Park. 

Why?

First off, it’s located inside the park right off Going to the Sun Road. It’s also less than ten minutes from the west entrance of the park and the little town of West Glacier. This means you’re close to shopping and restaurants. 

You’re also just roughly 45 minutes from Kalispell and 35 minutes from Whitefish, which are both fun day trips to do from Glacier National Park. 

In addition to being by the park’s most convenient entrance, the scenery around Apgar Village is simply beautiful.

Read More: Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park

Apgar Village is nestled right alongside Lake McDonald, one of the most beautiful lakes in Glacier National Park. You can quickly walk to the water’s edge from the shops and accommodations in Apgar Village. 

Where to Stay in Apgar Village

Apgar Village has several different options for where to spend the night in this area of Glacier National Park, many with views of Lake McDonald.

My family and I stayed in one of the cabins, part of Apgar Lodge and Cabins. While there we also had the chance to tour the Village Inn and see some of the other lodging options.

Here’s what you should know about each spot before booking your stay in Apgar Village. 

We’ll start with where we stayed: Apgar Village Lodge Cabins.

Apgar Village Cabin Review: Family-Friendly Fun with Extra Space

We absolutely loved our stay in one of the cabins at Apgar Lodge and Cabins. We booked a 2-room, 2-queen bed cabin. The cabin was so peaceful in the evening and we were right by the water. We could have put our kayaks in the water mere steps from our door (and we saw our neighbors doing just that!). 

It’s important to note that most of the cabins (of which there are many) don’t open up directly onto the lake like ours did.

However, all are a short walk to the water’s edge. I’m not sure how we got so lucky with our location, especially since we checked in later in the day, too.

I’d call to ask if you can reserve a specific cabin after booking online – I say to book online because if you’re booking last minute and hoping for cancellations or booking for the following summer, rooms sell out fast. 

There is also a room request box when you’re checking out online, which I’d also fill out asking to be in a cabin next to the water or as close as possible, but still follow up with a call. 

Inside, the cabin was much more spacious than expected. It felt like a real mountain cabin with the log walls and understated decor.

The bathroom was small, but clean.

So was the bedroom, which had comfy mattresses. We appreciated the coffee maker with coffee and filters in the kitchen. The ease of the layout made us wish we were staying longer than just a night. 

In the morning, we enjoyed coffee outside on the picnic table while my daughters played in the water. 

Read More: Tips for Visiting Glacier National Park with Kids

We truly loved our stay there! But don’t just take my word for it —> see more reviews by travelers who have stayed in the cabins here. That link also has reviews from people who stayed at the next place on our list: Apgar Village Lodge Motel.

Apgar Village Lodge Motel: Simple Convenience

Also part of Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins is a small roadside-style motel. This is a great option for budget travelers who still want to be by the action.

The motel rooms are right next to the reception building for Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins. On the other side of the motel rooms is Eddie’s, the main restaurant in Apgar. 

These rooms come with one or two queen beds, or one queen and one double. 

Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins is run by the Pursuit Collection. 

Apgar Village Inn: Epic Lakefront Views

As mentioned, I loved the cabin because of the extra room and space to run around right outside the door for my kiddos.

But…if you’re good with a standard hotel-size room and – perhaps most importantly – guaranteed lake views from your accommodation, then definitely look into staying at Apgar Village Inn. 

Run by Xanterra, the Apgar Village Inn is built right alongside the water’s edge. It has two stories and each room has a front window overlooking a shared balcony and a serene Lake McDonald view. You’ll feel almost as if you’re sleeping on top of the water! 

The rooms are decorated in soothing teals and tans. 

But this is no doubt where you’ll want to do most of your hanging, with a drink in hand:

—> See travelers’ reviews for Apgar Village Inn here.

Apgar Campground

If you’re more inclined to camping, check out Apgar Campground, which has tent and RV sites. 

—> See travelers’ reviews for Apgar Campground here.

Going-to-the-Sun Road Access from Apgar Village

Another bonus of staying in either Apgar Lodge & Cabins or Apgar Village Inn is that you don’t need the vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road. Staying there lets you enter the park with proof of your reservation in Apgar Village that night. Without that proof (and without a vehicle reservation) you are restricted as to when you can come through the West Entrance of the park. See more about Going to the Sun restrictions here.

We also found that we were able to access the Going to the Sun Road to get to Logan Pass the next morning since we didn’t have to go through a checkpoint again. This is worth mentioning since that was not the case at Rising Sun Motor Inn on the east side of the park, where we stayed near the St. Mary entrance. 

What Else is There to Do in Apgar Village?

Love paddle boarding or kayaking? There’s a water sports equipment rental shop called Glacier Outfitters located right in Apgar Village. You can launch your kayak on the north end of Apgar off the dock there. 

Renting from Glacier Outfitters can actually be more convenient than bringing your own because you can bypass the watercraft inspection which you must do if you bring your own so they can be checked for invasive mussels. The inspection spot is located right by Apgar Village. 

You’ll also find a few gift shops, a convenience store, a restaurant and ice cream shop, and a grassy area with lake views. 

The Cedar Tree gift shop is especially memorable due to a couple large cedar trees growing inside the shop and out through the roof.

Apgar Village is also where you’ll find the Backcountry Permit office and the Visitor Center for the west side of Glacier. 

Enjoy Your Stay in Apgar Village

All in all…we love Apgar Village, especially in the evenings after the crowds subside. This peaceful evening atmosphere makes it a lovely place to spend a night or two (or ten!) while in Glacier National Park. 

Read More:
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–Best Hikes in Glacier National Park
–What Is Glacier National Park Like in Winter?
–Review of Staying in St. Mary Village
–Izaak Walton Inn: A Fabulous Base for Exploring Glacier National Park
–The Best Seattle to Glacier National Park Itinerary