Dog Friendly Lodging Glacier National Park – There is no doubting the natural beauty of Glacier National Park. But for people traveling with pets, Glacier is a challenge. We share how to make the most of your pet-friendly visit.
Glacier National Park is a beautiful place where the forest remains untouched along the continental divide and the mountains reach to the sky. But for people traveling with dogs, visiting our national parks is not easy.
Dog Friendly Lodging Glacier National Park
The glacier is one of the few places in North America where all of our native carnivores are still alive. Grizzly and black bears, wolves and cougars roam the steep slopes and green valleys. To protect the national park and its inhabitants, there are severe restrictions on where pets are allowed to go.
Traveling With Pets
There are few trails in Glacier. One runs north and south along the western edge of the park. Highway 2 runs from East Glacier Park Village to West Glacier. And the most famous, Going-to-the-Sun Road, cuts east and west across the heart of the park for 50 miles.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is the most popular way to see the park. If you stop for a few photos along the way – in each direction – the drive takes about 3 hours. And why don’t you want to stop for photos?
Along Going-to-the-Sun Road, pets are allowed in developed areas. This means picnic areas, parking lots and within 100 feet of roads. Basically, it’s a long day in the car for your dog.
If you’re driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road (and you should), plan to make a few short stops along the way so your pups can get out and stretch their legs.
Closest Airport To Glacier National Park
There’s only one dog-friendly trail in Glacier National Park, and that’s when it’s not covered in snow. The McDonald Creek Bike Path is a paved path that runs 2.5 miles between West Glacier and Apgar Village.
Is Glacier National Park less pet-friendly than you expected? Consider a trip across the border to Canada’s dog-friendly Waterton Lakes National Park!
We suggest you pick up the West Glacier trail, get ice cream at Eddie’s, when you get to Apgar, relax at Lake McDonald, then get back on the trail.
When hiking with your four-legged friends in Glacier National Park, you may encounter wildlife on the park’s roads and trails, so be careful. Bears are known to chase dogs, which can be dangerous for you and your dog.
Visiting Glacier National Park With Dogs And Nearby Pet Friendly Activities
Once you’ve completed the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the McDonald Creek Bike Trail, there isn’t much fun left in Glacier National Park for your canine companions.
You can find a pet sitter for your furry friend or a daycare to keep your dog while you walk the park’s trails. Or you can check out the surrounding area for more activities to enjoy together!
Glacier National Park is not the friendliest place to visit, but the surrounding area is! From vast national forests to small friendly towns, western Montana has a lot to offer travelers with pets.
Across the border from America’s famous Glacier National Park is Canada’s equally amazing and dog-friendly Waterton Lakes National Park!
East Vs West Glacier National Park
Waterton is known for its crystal clear lakes, waterfalls and a range of high mountain peaks. But our favorite part is what you and your dog can do together!
Head south to one of the national forests with your pup for a great hike. The Flathead, Kootenai, and Lewis and Clark National Forests are all within easy driving distance. And all trails in all national forests are pet friendly!
In fact, dogs are allowed off-leash in most areas of the national forest. But because of the local wildlife, it’s not good if they don’t have super reliable restoration.
Hungry Horse Reservoir in the Flathead National Forest is amazing and the trails feel like they belong to you.
A Woof Overhead: Dog Friendly Lodging In Yosemite Mariposa County
Flathead Lake is amazing. We visited for a week and give it five stars for dog friendly adventures near Glacier National Park. This is an absolute must see if you are visiting Western Montana. You can find hiking trails, camping, outdoor festivals, canoeing, swimming and more.
The lake is approximately one hour from the west entrance of Glacier National Park. It is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River – about 30 miles long and 16 miles wide. Therefore, your travel time may vary depending on which part of the lake you visit.
Most of the area around Flathead Lake is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation, which was established in 1855 by the Treaty of Hellgate. The region is home to three tribes: the Bitterroot Salish, the Upper Pend d’Oreille and the Kootenai.
Along with tribal land, six Montana state park units are located along the shores of Flathead Lake. Together, these units form Flathead Lake State Park. Five state park units are pet-friendly and dogs are allowed on a leash:
Glacier National Park Hotels: Compare Hotels In Glacier National Park From $78/night On Kayak
Yellow Bay only offers tent camping sites (first come, first served), but other dog-friendly campgrounds offer both tent and RV sites. Some even have hiking, biking or boating campsites! Cool Whip, Hercules and I camped in our van at Wayfarers, Big Arm and West Shore. Each one offers a slightly different experience, so it’s really fun to park-hop around the lake.
Two of my favorite parts of these parks are the many pet litter boxes and the trail stations with free slides. They make it easy to clean up after your dog and enjoy safe, friendly adventures!
Wayfarers 67 acres of wilderness beauty hides the town of Bigfork, Montana. We have big North Shore (Minnesota) vibes with pine trees clinging to the rocky shore. And it provides the perfect vantage point to enjoy the sunset after a full day of adventures.
If you prefer urban trails with less chance of wildlife spotting, check out the Swan River Trail in Bigfork. It’s an easy 3 mile walk with great views of the Swan River.
Dog Friendly North Cascades National Park
Plus, the town of Bigfork is great if you enjoy the arts, theater, live music, film festivals, art festivals, farmer’s markets, and dog sledding in the winter! Bigfork has several pet-friendly lodging options if you don’t fancy camping.
This was my favorite stop, and probably the dogs too – the park ranger handed out lots of dog treats when we arrived! If you are looking for a place to relax in nature, West Shore is the place to go. 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 several routes that go through the park. Take the Osprey Overlook Trail to the top of the hill for a great view. Then descend the Linderman Lookout to the Lakeshore Trail. The views through the trees to Flathead Lake are breathtaking!
At the lake you can enjoy a snack at the picnic tables or skip the rocks with very smooth, colorful stones that form part of the beach.
Glacier Park Lodge
Cool Whip doesn’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 adventure pup want to camp by the water, Big Arm is the park for you! Be sure to bring some leveling blocks if you’re living in a van or RV – if you’re near the beach, many campsites have uneven ground. It’s worth it though! Nothing beats a night of cooking by the lake and enjoying a campfire.
Kalispell, Montana is one of Outsider magazine’s hottest towns 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 various hiking trails (no camping available).
Historically, the town focused on agricultural and industrial businesses. However, its appeal to outdoor adventurers and tourism is increasing. It’s the perfect place to set up base camp if you want to stay in town, as you’ll find plenty of options for pet owners with dog-friendly activities, lodging, groceries, laundromat, vet, and pet supplies.
West Glacier Vacation Rentals
In the southern part of the country, 50 km south of Flathead Lake is the capital of the country. This beautiful little community has a lot to offer: great coffee shops, museums, antique shops and more.
Polson is home to the Flathead Cherry Festival. During the festival, Main Street in downtown Polson is closed to traffic for two days to celebrate the cherries with vendors, artists and lots of great food. Can’t make it to the festival? Many cherry orchards grow in the area, so you will see street signs selling cherries in season.
Do you want your dog to play on a leash? Go to Travis Dolphin Dog Park. There’s room on the hill for them to run around, plus a dock and waterway if your dog likes to swim.
Polson also has businesses that offer kayak and canoe rentals. Practice canoeing on your own
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