Lake McDonald is a crystal clear lake in Glacier National Park full of colorful stones surrounded by Montana mountains.
Overview
There are a few large lakes in Glacier National Park that were carved out by glaciers, but Lake McDonald is the largest in the park.
Panoramic photo of Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald Plan
When we first booked our trip to Glacier National Park, we booked the scenic boat tour on Lake McDonald. Before getting there, we decided to switch our boat ride to St. Mary Lake but we knew we still needed to stop and see the famous colorful rocks of the lake. Lake McDonald is the second big stop along Going-to-the-Sun Road if you enter through the West Entrance near West Glacier and Kalispell.
Getting There
Location
Glacier National Park is in northwest Montana near the border of the United States and Canada. The nearest airport is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana. This gets you near the Glacier National Park’s West Entrance. Otherwise, if you want to go through the East Entrance on Going-to-the-Sun Road or also make a trip up to the Many Glacier or North Forks area, you’ll want to stay in St. Mary or Babb.
Best Time to Go
Most of Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed from about October through June due to snow and ice. Most of the time, the road from the West Entrance to Lake McDonald Lodge and the surrounding area is open to vehicle traffic year-round, but amenities may be limited. While the summer months are peak season and more busy, it’s the best time to explore Glacier National Park.
Lake McDonald
The creek that spills into Lake McDonald from Apgar Village
Lake McDonald
Who Can Go?
There’s a small area along the lake with a sidewalk that’s wheelchair accessible along with the boat dock out into the lake. Otherwise, for those who are able to traverse the rocky shoreline, you can get right up to the edge of the lake. We saw families there with very young children as well as solo travelers and older couples along the lakeside.
What You'll See
- Check out the colorful rocks on the shores of the largest lake in Glacier
- Glacier Park Boat Companie’s historic vessel offers 1-hour scenic tours of the lake
- Looking across the lake you see the Howe Ridge
- Walk through the historic Swiss-inspired McDonald Lodge
Lake McDonald is famous for colorful rocks
Looking out at the lake
What to Bring & Wear
If you want to take a dip in the lake, bring swimwear and a towel to the lakeside. We didn’t have our suits but still took off our shoes, rolled up our pants, and stuck our feet in the cold glacial lake.
Where to Go
There are many places throughout the west side of the park, on the west side of the Continental Divide, to sit on the side of Lake McDonald. The two most popular are at Apgar on the westernmost side of the lake and near Lake McDonald Lodge on the southeastern side of the lake.
Ryan playing by the lake
Stephanie and Justin at Lake McDonald
How Long Does it Take?
There are so many things to see around the Lake McDonald Lodge area. Plan to spend at least an hour exploring the area and seeing all of the buildings, shops, and the lakeside.
Cost
The only cost for going to Lake McDonald is the entrance fee to get into Glacier National Park. It costs $35 for a private vehicle, or you can get an annual pass to the park for $70 or use an interagency pass such as the America the Beautiful pass for $80.
Tips for Lake McDonald
- Come around lunchtime and have your meal at Russell’s Fireside Dining Room, Jammer Joe’s Grill and Pizzeria, or Lucke’s Lounge.
- Stay in the park at Lake McDonald Lodge where all guest rooms have two queen beds