Glacier Park Lodge
Escape to the Glacier Park Lodge
Glacier Park Lodge is one of the first lodges to be built by the Great Northern Railway, and it acts as the unofficial eastern gateway to Glacier National Park. Located just outside the park's southeastern borders, Glacier Park Lodge provides a luxurious yet cozy atmosphere with log architecture, flower gardens, and mountain peaks in the background.
Glacier Park Lodge was the brainchild of Louis W. Hill, son of former Great Northern Railway owner, James J. Hill. After the railroad was turned over to him in 1907, Louis W. Hill had plans to enhance his freight lines to include more passenger transportation in the same way that the Northern Pacific Railroad had done with Yellowstone National Park. Hill lobbied heavily for the creation of Glacier National Park. After the park was created in 1910, Hill quickly began construction of his lodges and backcountry chalets.
Hill wanted the lodge to be built with enormous logs of 36-40 inches in diameter. Since trees that size did not grow in the Glacier area, he had over 60 logs shipped from the Northwest. The Blackfeet Indians who lived near the area referred to the building as "Big Tree Lodge." Even the most seasoned of travelers will be awed by the construction of Glacier Park Lodge.
It took a crew of 75 men 15 months to finish the two main buildings of the lodge. The lodge finally opened on June 15, 1913. The original decor of the lodge was an eclectic mix of Native American artifacts, stuffed animals, and Japanese lanterns. The Japanese decor was intended to promote Hill's newest train, the "Orient Express."
Despite its historical significance, Glacier Park Lodge currently offers an array of modern amenities. The lodge offers 163 fully furnished rooms, a swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, and a nine-hole pitch n'putt golf course. Guests can enjoy a martini at the cocktail lounge, or a hearty meal at the Great Northern Steak and Rib House. If you would like to experience a hayride or go on a bus tour, hotel staff will gladly make arrangements for you.
Rooms overlook mountain vistas and start at $170. Glacier Park Lodge has a longer season than other establishments around the park. It opens in early June and closes in late September. To ensure you get a room, it is recommended that you make reservations before your arrival.
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