Which Amtrak station is best for Glacier National Park?

The stunning landscapes of Glacier National Park are easy to reach on Amtrak’s Empire Builder route, with three stations located near the park. Each station offers different amenities, lodging options, and transportation connections, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your travel plans.

This guide includes area information and travel logistics for each train station, helping you decide which option will make your train trip to Glacier National Park enjoyable and convenient.

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Whitefish

Great for: Rental cars, restaurants, upscale lodging

Whitefish, Montana is a charming and walkable town with great restaurants, local shops, and a variety of accommodations. It’s a great area if you want to relax and sightsee outside of the national park (which is a 40-minute drive away). Plus, the nearby airport provides the option to fly in one direction if you don’t want to travel on Amtrak round trip.

Transportation

Hertz and Budget rental cars at the station (you must book in advance if you want to pick up your car when you arrive)
Turo rental cars (can usually be dropped off at the location of your choosing)
Whitefish Outfitters tours to Glacier Park
Free shuttle to select hotels and resorts
Uber, Lyft, taxi

Lodging

Whitefish is a resort town with a variety of lodging within walking distance of the Amtrak station:

Vacation rentals
The Farmhouse Inn
The Firebrand Hotel
Whitefish Downtown Suites
Lodge at Whitefish Lake (walking time is 30 minutes or use the lodge shuttle)
Grouse Mountain Lodge (walking time is 30 minutes or use the lodge shuttle)

Tips

Many businesses are closed on holidays (including Labor Day).
You can go skiing at the nearby Whitefish Mountain Resort in the winter.
In the summer, you can explore many hiking trails, visit Whitefish Lake State Park (boat rentals available), and spend time at City Beach.
The best mountain scenery is between Whitefish and East Glacier Park, so if you’re traveling from the Pacific Northwest on Amtrak, you won’t see it unless you travel past Whitefish.

East Glacier Park

Great for: Easy summer trips

For an easy trip that doesn’t involve transportation planning, travel to the East Glacier Park Station. You can walk to the historic Glacier Park Lodge and other accommodations after getting off the train, with options to explore Glacier National Park via shuttles and tour buses at the lodge. Book your stay early as the station and lodge are only open from mid-spring to mid-fall.

Transportation

Lodging

Tips

East Glacier is at the edge of Glacier National Park. While you can see mountains in the distance, you won’t actually be in them (just the foothills).
The lodge is old and doesn’t have elevators, so be sure to book a first floor room if you are unable to go up and down stairs. You’ll also want to pack light if your room is on an upper level.
The best scenery is west of this station, which is best seen on eastbound trains. You’ll miss it if you’re traveling round trip from Chicago or other cities in the Midwest.

West Glacier

Great for: Stays in the national park

If you want to stay in Glacier National Park and be surrounded by mountains, choose West Glacier as your destination. The main entrance to the national park is only a one-minute shuttle ride away, and the station is also in walking distance of the West Glacier Village and lodging just outside the national park.

Transportation

Lodging

You can walk to the following lodging from the train station:

The limited lodge shuttle can also take you to accommodations inside the park (or use the Mountain Shuttle for more options):

Apgar Village Inn
Apgar Village Lodge
Apgar Campground (10-minute walk from shuttle stop)
Lake McDonald Lodge & Cabins

Tips

The shuttle to the national park only operates when trains arrive (early in the morning and evening).
The Belton Chalet was the first lodge built by the Great Northern Railroad, and there’s a fine dining restaurant in the building.
The Glacier Raft Company (whitewater rafting and fly fishing trips), the South Boundary Trail, a small grocery store and a few restaurants are in walking distance of the Amtrak station.