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The Boathouse on the shores of Lake McDonald Glacier National Park

Holiday home with kitchen, near Lake McDonald

Photo gallery for The Boathouse on the shores of Lake McDonald Glacier National Park

Enjoy Lake McDonald out your front door Boat not included in rental
Exterior lake side view
Exterior from parking area & road
Miscellaneous
Sunrises & sunsets on the lake

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 460.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
West Glacier, MT
  • Place, Lake McDonald
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Place, Apgar Visitor Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Glacier National Park
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Airport, Kalispell, MT (FCA-Glacier Park Intl.)
    ‪48 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony

About this property

The Boathouse on the shores of Lake McDonald Glacier National Park

Skip the hassle with entering the park daily by staying inside Glacier National Park. Our quiet cozy location inside Glacier National Park, steps to Lake Mcdonald  pristine glacial lake. Enjoy coming back from your GNP adventures to your own private rock beach with outstanding views of the garden wall. The Boathouse offers a private master bedroom with king bed and seperate loft area bedroom with two twin beds all accessible by seperate staircases. Each bedroom offers views of Lake McDonald. The loft twin bedroom also features a private deck and Hulu TV.  The main level has a large full bath and full kitchen for all your cooking needs. Our living area features a comfortable area to relax from a day in the park with a dining area. Our place is surrounded by an old cedar forest with views of the Garden wall too. Enjoy your own private beach on the shores of Lake McDonald. Boat rentals are available in Apgar. We do not offer use of owners private boats or the boat in the picture for rental use.

Additional guests must be approved by manager. Max total guest for our rental is 4 guests.

This property does not allow pets or smoking inside.

Note: This property is located inside GNP on the West side of the park but is located near Apgar Village outside of the reservation ticket check point inside the park.This property does require a timed Going to the Sun Vehicle reservation ticket to access points from Apgar Village check station to Logan's pass on the West Side of the park. You will need to purchase a National Parks Pass and a vehicle reservation ticket for any park entrance gates inside the park you wish to access. I.e. Many Glacier, Northfork, Polebridge, West Side of Going to the Sun Road. 

At time of reservation, we do require reserved guest to sign a rental agreement. Our confirmation email will include the link to the agreement from Glacier View Vacation Rentals. 

2027 Reservations: We will open our calendar to all 2027 reservations starting August 1st, 2026. Please check back with us, to reserve your spot with us.

 

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Amenities

Kitchen
Parking available
Barbecue

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

West Glacier

West Glacier is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Glacier National Park and Lake McDonald. Glacier Anglers and Amazing Fun Center are also worth visiting.
View more Holiday homes in West GlacierOpens in a new window
Map
West Glacier, MT

What's nearby

  • Lake McDonald - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Apgar Visitor Center - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Glacier National Park - 6 min drive - 4.4 km
  • Alberta Tourist Information Center - 7 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Glacier View Golf Course - 7 min drive - 5.1 km

Getting around

  • West Glacier Station - 6 min drive
  • Kalispell, MT (FCA-Glacier Park Intl.) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Freda's Bar - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Sunflower Cafe - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Belton Grill Dining & Tap Room - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Glacier National Pizza - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪West Glacier Village Restaurant - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Boathouse on the shores of Lake McDonald Glacier National Park pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Boathouse on the shores of Lake McDonald Glacier National Park?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Boathouse on the shores of Lake McDonald Glacier National Park?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Boathouse on the shores of Lake McDonald Glacier National Park located?

Situated in West Glacier, this holiday home is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Lake McDonald and 2.4 mi (3.9 km) from Glacier National Park. Apgar Visitor Center and Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 85 out of 96 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 96 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 96 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 96 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 96 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Amie V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very beautiful stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dawn C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacation

Absolutely perfect stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spectacular spot!

There are few places more spectacular than Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, and to be able to stay on the shores and take in the view in a private setting is hard to beat! The property is well equipped and maintained, but we were there to enjoy the outdoors, and our stay was just perfect.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carly W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous!

Loved the boathouse! I can’t believe this place exists! Its location right inside the park is perfect and made sightseeing so much easier. The home itself was lovely with the red accented kitchen! My kids didn’t want to leave!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Getaway

This was perfect for our family of four (including two kids under 10). Amazing views of the lake and mountains from the lower outside sitting area and dock. Enjoyed morning coffee and evening cocktails with that priceless view. So worth it! We loved the convenience of staying in the park. Great location adjacent to Apgar and so close to the West Glacier entrance. Highly recommend and can’t wait to be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Tom Heginbotham

Christie was very responsive to emails.

Christie was very responsive to emails.

10/10 Excellent

Marcia F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect location! Great access to GNP and little villages nearby to grab daily supplies and meals. We enjoyed early hikes and afternoons by the lake. Thank you!!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

SHEREE R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great stay. Great location on the lake. easy to find. very clean. beds were very comfortable. Well supplied kitchen. Host was very responsive. Location is after park entrance but before you get onto the going to the sun road. Stairs to both bedrooms, so keep that in mind if you have mobility issues.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dari B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Setting

We stayed at the Boathouse in West Glacier for its location inside the Park and also attended an excellent music festival in Whitefish. It was absolutely perfect. The place is cozy, clean, and right on the water — waking up to those lake views was amazing.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

James D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home. Beautiful location
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Crystal Nattin

W

We cannot wait to come back! Thank you so much for the cute coffee cup! ??

8/10 Good

Darla D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful lake view

The property was nice. The views are lovely on lake McDonald. The furniture needs updating. The location is convenient. There is no upstairs bathroom so keep that in mind if you get up during the night. I didn’t like the fact that I had to wash dishes when I left. The price you pay to stay there should cover that! It was a nice stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Glacier Trip

This property is perfect for a stay inside Glacier National Park! Great location on beautiful Lake McDonald! Home was clean, check in was easy, and communication excellent. We loved this property and hope to return soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cindy McNaughton

Very much enjoyed our stay at this lovely and inviting property! It's super clean, comfortable, quie

Very much enjoyed our stay at this lovely and inviting property! It's super clean, comfortable, quiet, and had everything we needed. View of the lake is so beautiful and staying inside the park is amazingly convenient. Kitchen is a bit tight, but fully equipped for meal prep. Ice packs are provided for packing lunches. Heaters worked like champs and plenty of hot water! Lots of park/hiking/dining/activity info on hand. As others have noted, bedrooms are on the second floor and bathroom is on the first floor, this may be a consideration for some. We did see bear tracks on the dirt road, but never the bear! Check-in and directions to the property were clear and easy to follow. Christie responded quickly to questions and was pleasant and helpful.

10/10 Excellent

Susan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love the Bosthouse

Perfect location on the lake. The boathouse had all the amenities we needed. Great view form living room and bedrooms. Would love to return on future trips.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girl’s Birthday Weekend

Great property! Would definitely recommend. Very clean, communication with property manager was easy and very responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carrie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Such a fantastic place

We loved the boathouse. It was so quiet and being right on the lake was so perfect to relax. We were so close to everything on the east side. We were happy to be away from the crowds and enjoy the decks and dock. The accommodations were top notch and so much better than other lodging options we researched. We drove to the west side several times to hike and see the sights but were happy to get back to the tranquil boathouse.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sue L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely home and location

My husband and I stayed at The Boathouse for 4 nights. Highly recommend! The king sized bed was super comfortable, and I loved that there were two fans in the bedroom, one for each side of the bed! We both loved the little gas fireplace in the bedroom for the chilly nights. The kitchen was well supplied for nearly any kind of cooking. The bath towels were thick and plush, important for long hair! The house was incredibly clean. We spent lots of time on the back porch or on the dock just watching the water, or the clouds over Lake McDonald. Hummingbirds came to visit periodically, and we saw golden eagles over the mountains. We were able to get car passes for each day we were there, so it was a quick drive to get into the park and back home after a long day. I do have to say that the steps going down to the lake may not be ideal if you have mobility issues. We hope to come back again!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect home inside of Glacier NP

This home was truly the perfect spot for our family of 3 on our first time visiting Glacier NP the middle of June. We loved the location being inside the park gate and directly on the beautiful lake. It is extremely close to the area that has cafe, kayak/boat/bike/paddleboard rentals. It is also really close to the area with the Apgar visitors center. The GTTS Road didn't open all the way up until a few days after our departure, but we were able to enjoy numerous hikes, kayaking, a visit to McDonald Lodge, etc. Being June, we never had problems finding a parking spot anywhere no matter what time of day it was. We also drove out and around to visit the St Marys entrance. We cooked breakfast and dinners there and used the cooler to pack lunches/water bottles each day for the road. The home was well stocked with dishes/bowls/silverware, very nice pots/pans, cooking utensils, two bear sprays. I appreciated things that you don't always find at VRBO's - hangers, abundance of nice towels/wash cloths, kleenex, comfortable beds. I would highly recommend the GuideAlong app on your phone and purchasing the Glacier tour. It is an audio guide that knows your location and tells you what you are approaching and helpful info as your drive through the park. Christie was a wonderful host with welcome snacks, suggestions on a large grocery store, etc. All three of us want to visit Glacier again and definitely will stay at this fantastic home.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kelley Oglesby

It was absolutely gorgeous and we are so blessed to be able to walk out of the back door and be able

It was absolutely gorgeous and we are so blessed to be able to walk out of the back door and be able to see the lake, touch the water and rocks, and even a "polar plunge". Thank you for snacks and gifts, if we ever come back to the area (live in SC) we would love to stay again!

10/10 Excellent

Diane G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Solitude

I am a Montana native living on the East Coast. I return yearly and feel extremely fortunate to have stayed at the boat house. The reflection off the mountains in the lake water changed throughout the day and evening, a bald eagle is nesting behind the house and all is serene. The house is very comfortable, clean and easily accommodated my elderly father and my brother and his wife. We have an unforgettable time on the lake and being together is this very special place. Thank you.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

John M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unmatched Setting

The view is incredible. The boat house is nestled in a wooded area with only three other houses. Services are close to the west entrance. The beds are comfortable. Will be back with the wife if they have us.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great GNP cabin

Perfect for our family of 2 adults and 2 kids. Very convenient location on the lake and short hike to Apgar village. Gorgeous views on a clear day.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Januarie Fredericks

S

See above Great customer service
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Abigale Stevens

My husband, 2 toddlers, and myself stayed at the boathouse and it was everything we could have hoped

My husband, 2 toddlers, and myself stayed at the boathouse and it was everything we could have hoped for and more!! We stayed mid September and it was very peaceful at the property. The view was beyond beautiful, and we were lucky enough to see a beaver and otter go for morning swims. Our children thoroughly enjoyed themselves and we plan on coming back. Christie was quick to respond and always pleasant. The check in process was seamless and we had no issues during our stay.

About the host

Hosted by Christie Dunn Glacier View Vacation Rentals

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Languages:

English

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