It’s easy to get to Glacier National Park in Montana, but your vehicle should have a full tank/charge before entering this park’s boundaries, since there are no available services. And, while you may purchase some necessities at park lodging, it might also be a good idea to stock up on the necessities, like water and food outside the park.

Locations of the nearest commercial airports to Glacier National Park / Google Maps screenshot

By Plane

If you are flying and then driving to Glacier, the three closest airports with commercial airlines are:

• Glacier Park International Airport near Kalispell and approximately 30 miles (48.28 km) west of the West Entrance along US-2 E to the town of West Glacier.
  
  
• Missoula International Airport, approximately 150 miles (241.4 km) south of the West Entrance. From the airport, follow W Broadway St to US-93 N/U.S. Hwy 93 N in Wye. Continue along US-93 N to Montana Hwy 35 W toward either Kalispell or Columbia Falls, then travel US-2 E to West Glacier.
  
  
• Great Falls International Airport located between 130 miles (209.2 km) and 165 miles (265.5 km) east of the St Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier Entrances. From the airport, travel I 15-N to Exit 348 (MT-44 W/Valier Hwy). Follow MT-44 W to US-89, turn right, and proceed to and through Browning and on toward the eastern side of Glacier National Park.

By Train

If you feel like riding the rails into the park, you can reserve a seat on Amtrak's historic Empire Builder train line, which stops year-round at West Glacier (Belton), the Izaak Walton Inn at Essex, and seasonally at East Glacier Park. In the summer, Glacier National Park Lodges provides a shuttle (for a fee) that transports West Glacier Amtrak passengers between the train depot, Apgar Village, and the Lake McDonald Lodge. Reservations are required.

By Car

Driving route to the West Entrance, Glacier National Park / Google Maps screenshot

Plan on making a road trip of it? One of the easiest routes is via I 90-E or -W toward Missoula, Montana. If you are driving the interstate eastward, you’ll take the US-93 N/U.S. Hwy 93 N, continuing along US-93 N to Montana Hwy 35 W toward either Kalispell or Columbia Falls, where you will then travel US-2 E to West Glacier and the park’s West Entrance.

Driving the interstate westward, you’ll drive past Missoula then take the US-93 N/U.S. Hwy 93 N exit and follow the same directions toward the West Entrance.

Keeping The Vehicle Moving

There are no gas stations within the park’s boundaries. However, you’ll be able to gas up at communities bordering the park. The nearest gas stations to Glacier’s West Entrance is at West Glacier. Kalispell and Columbia Falls provide a wider choice with more services.

The nearest gas station on the east side of the park is at St. Mary Village, approximately 1 mile (1.61 km) east of the park’s visitor center.

Thronson’s General Store in Babb, near the Many Glacier entrance, and Bear Track Travel Center in East Glacier Park, Montana provide gasoline.

For electric vehicles (EVs), there are two chargers at the Apgar Visitor Center, and at Lake McDonald Lodge, both on the west side of Glacier, and a charger at the St. Mary Visitor Center on the east side of the park. Note: the chargers are free of charge to use, but limited to two hours of charging time when in heavy demand.

Plugshare.com indicates charging stations in communities around the park, although some are under repair. The larger towns of Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Browning will have more consistent service.

Speaking of larger towns, while there are small general stores near Glacier’s lodges, your best bet for stocking up on groceries, water, and other supplies will be at Kalispell, Columbia Falls, St. Mary, and Browning.

Area map around Glacier National Park / Google Maps screenshot