[Glacier National Park] What to do in Lake McDonald?

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Lake McDonald Area Profile

Glacier national park is divided into five areas. Lake McDonald,Many Glacier, North Fork and Goat Haunt,St. Mary,Two MedicineThe Lake McDonald area refers to the entire area of the park that surrounds Lake McDonald on the western half of the park, starting roughly at the west entrance to the park and following Going-to-the-sun Road through the center of the park to the location of the Trail of the Cedars.

Since most visitors enter the park from the west entrance, Lake McDonald area is the first stop for most of them. From the west entrance, it takes only about half an hour to drive along the Going-to-the-sun road through the 10-mile long Lake McDonald, but there are many places worth stopping at along the way, including Apgar visitor center, one of the three visitor centers in Glacier national park, Apgar village, Lake McDonald Lodge, where you can take a boat ride on the lake, and also Lake McDonald Lodge, where you can take a boat ride on the lake. Apgar village, Lake McDonald Lodge, where you can take a boat ride on the lake, and 12 hiking routes.

The park shuttle buses are also very convenient. Although some stops will be closed in 2021 due to the epidemic, the key stops at Apgar visitor center, Lake McDonald Lodge and Avalanche Creek will still be open. It is important to note that at this time, reservations are required to ride the shuttle buses, and tickets can be picked up at the Apgar Visitor Center. You can pick up tickets and maps at the Apgar Visitor Center, which is about 2 miles from the west entrance.

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 1

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 2

In terms of itinerary, if you just want to go through customs quickly, a half-day trip is enough. If you want to take your time to explore the area, take a few more walks or visit the lake, arranging a 1~2 day trip in this area is not too long.

Apgar Village

Apgar Village is located at the south end of Lake McDonalds, it is the place with the most restaurants and stores in the park, and it is the only place where you can find restaurants and stores during the epidemic. During the epidemic period, you can only find restaurants here, Glacier outfitters can rent all kinds of outdoor equipment, you can rent equipment here if you want to go biking or kayaking. We came here to rent bear spray. There are a lot of bears in Glacier National Park, so if you want to go hiking, you should bring bear spray.

Even if you're not here to dine and shop, Apgar village is a worthwhile stop, built right on the shore of the lake at the southernmost tip of Lake McDonald. The view of Lake McDonald from this angle is different from the other locations on Going-to-the-sun road, looking out to the north at Stanton mountain, Mt. Brown. The days we entered Glacier National Park were actually during the west coast wildfire season, and there was a lot of smoke around Lake McDonald, but the air here was relatively good.

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 3

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 4

On the way back, I passed by Apgar again, and the view of the lake is even more beautiful when the weather is good.

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 8

Glacier national park Lake Mcdonalds Regional Lake View

Lake McDonald Lodge

Lake McDonald Lodge is the largest lodge on the west side of the park, and is also the earliest lodge in Glacier national park. It has a Swiss country style exterior, with a row of quaint cabins facing the lake, and it is also the most comfortable room to stay in during this whole trip. The restaurant here is also the best on the Going-to-the-sun road, but in 2021, due to an epidemic, it will only be available for take-out. There is a nearby camp store set up for the campsite next door, which sells slightly cheaper drinks and dry food.

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 10 — Camp store

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 11 — Camp store

Across the street from the cabin is Lake McDonalds, where water sports and Lake McDonald boat tours operate. Although the view of the lake is a bit hazy due to the wildfires, Lake McDonald is still a great place to play in the water.

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 14

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 15

hiking trail

Lake McDonald's TrailThere are twelve trails in total, we grabbed the Trail of the cedars and Avalanche lake early in the morning, these two trails are actually connected, the trail of the cedars will connect to the Avalanche lake trail, the entrance is at the Avalanche picnic area. the parking space is very limited in the whole Glacier national park. The parking space in the whole Glacier national park is very limited. We arrived at 6am in the morning and managed to grab the last parking space in the trail of the cedars. If you are late, you can take the shuttle bus to Avalanche creek station.

Trail of the cedars

Trail of the cedars is a flat and easy to walk circular trail, the entire cypress forest, the length of the trail is 0.7 miles, suitable for both the elderly and children.

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 19

Lake McDonald, Glacier national park lake McDonald 20

Avalanche lake trail

Avalanche lake is the most recommended trail in Lake McDonald area, this is a little bit more difficult, moderately difficult trail, the one way is 2.3 miles back and forth is more than 7 kilometers, but it is not difficult to walk. The scenery along the way is great. The trail roughly follows the Avalanche creek up to the mountain, all the way through Avalanche gorge to Avalanche lake, we are considered to be an early start, when we went up the mountain, there were not too many people, when we reached the end of the trail, we could still enjoy the quiet view of the lake, and then when we went down the mountain at around 8 o'clock, there were more people on the trail.