When planning your trip to Glacier National Park, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by all the options of accommodations. Between cabins, the number of different towns you can stay at, and more, knowing the best places to stay near Glacier National Park can take up the majority of your time when it comes to deciding what to do!

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are looking for the perfect lodging for your trip to Montana.

Book in advance

One of the most common mistakes visitors often make is that they wait until only a month or two before their vacation to book their hotel. As the park becomes more and more popular, spots start to fill up quickly. This is especially true when it comes to lodging inside the park, which can fill up over a year in advance. If you plan at staying at one of the historic lodges, then you will want to get on the park’s website months and months before you plan on going. This can help you when you are looking to get those rooms for certain.

Look to outside the park

If you are traveling on a budget but you still want to make sure that you are close enough to enjoy Glacier, then looking to some of the nearby towns for camping or hotels might be the way to go. In fact, you will find most accommodation options are located in the towns of Whitefish, Columbia Falls, and Kalispell. All offer different benefits, and you will want to decide if you want a more remote experience or if you want to have some places where you can have a sit-down meal and wander the town.

Consider vacation rentals

One popular option that more and more tourists to the area are turning to is looking into vacation rentals through popular sites. Not only does this allow you to experience life as a local, but it can also be a little bit cheaper than looking into staying at some of the larger hotel chains. While this might not be for everyone, it can help you if you have a large group of people coming with you or you want to get away from some of the crowds that tend to flock to the park during the summer months.

Look at reviews

Not all hotels are perfect for your vacation, and knowing the type you want to have before you go into book can save you a lot of time and money. Reviews can help you determine whether or not that type of accommodation is right for you. It’s often worth it to do a bit of research in order to see if a place will live up to your expectations. Nothing is worse than staying at a place where you don’t feel comfortable and that won’t let you get the rest you need after heading out on your hikes.

With these tips in mind, you’ll find the perfect place to stay near Glacier National Park!