Walsh Cottage on the shores of Lake McDonald

West Glacier, Montana
$309 avg/night Minimum Stay 1 Nights
Bed 1

Bed

Bath 1

Bath

Home Cottage

Property Type

Sleep 2

Max Sleeps

Night 1 nights

Min Stay

Summary:

No Reservation Ticket Required at our property



The Space:

Why wait for long lines to enter Glacier National Park Our property is located inside Glacier National Park at the head of  Lake McDonald past the park entrances! Our location will get you closer to the trails, hikes and Logan's pass without the long wait.For the serious mountain adventurer or nature-loving vacationer, enjoy the majestic environment of Glacier National Park from this unique location. Part of the historic Senator Thomas Walsh property, relax in your retro 1950s one room guest cottage that sleeps 2 and immerse yourself in the wonders of the park. A one of a kind property steps to the shores of Lake McDonald, Lake McDonald Lodge and hiking trails.



Your private cottage, with its original cedar paneling, is equipped with a king-sized bed, full bath, sizeable closet to store your gear, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, Kuerig coffee maker, electric hot water kettle, and electric baseboard heat. There is Starlink WiFi for Internet and wifi-calling. If you don't want to miss out on the big game or show, you can bring your own personal device and connect to the WIFI. There is no landline.



Right out your door, take a short path down to the head of Lake McDonald, where you can swim, sunbathe, fish for trout at the mouth of McDonald Creek, or simply sit on the beach and read a book while gazing down the beautiful ten-mile lake. If you bring your own canoe, kayak, or paddle board, make sure to stop at the Watercraft Inspection Station in Apgar right after entering the park for your inspection sticker.



On the one-acre compound sits the large cedar log cabin that Senator Thomas J. Walsh built in 1905 to entertain his family and friends, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You will also find the original ice house, pump house, and Genevieve Walsh Gudger’s (the Senator’s daughter) upper cabin, built in the 1940s.



The perfect ‘base camp’ from which to explore the park, you are only a half mile from the iconic Going to the Sun Road. Considered one of the most scenic drives in the world, go north for twenty-miles and arrive at Logan Pass on the Continental Divide. From there, access many of the major hikes in the park. Just a 5 minute drive to the Historic Lake McDonald Lodge for exploring and dining at the historic Charlie Russell Dining Room.



Within easy walking distance, hike along McDonald Creek for a mile or two to a series of waterfalls, or continue on for another 1.5 miles to dead end at Paradise Falls. Or take the 2.5-mile John’s Lake Loop, an easy hike through the ancient cedar forests. Drive up the Going to the Sun road for a few miles and hike to the shores of Avalanche Lake, surrounded by sheer mountain sides with many glimmering waterfalls. Picnic with friendly chipmunks and before descending soak your hot and tired feet in the lake’s crystal-clear icy water.



For basic supplies, it’s a half hour drive south to West Glacier, with major shopping done in nearby Columbia Falls, Kalispell, or Whitefish. There is a small mercantile at the nearby Lake McDonald Lodge for bare necessities. 



This property does not have full size kitchen but does offer a dorm size refrigerator, toaster, microwave and kuerig coffee maker for your daily needs. Bring breakfast supplies and items to make your packable lunch for the day. Enjoy a dinner at Lake McDonald Lodge or the Belton Chalet in West Glacier. A beautiful drive in the evening with the occasional bear crossing.

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  • Feature Features
  • Map Map
  • School District Rates & Availability
  • Review Review

Feature Features

  • PETS

    No Pets Allowed
  • DINING

    Dining Table
  • SAFETY

    Carbon Monoxide Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Carbon Monoxide Detector On The Property) Fire Extinguisher Smoke Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Smoke Detector On The Property)
  • BEDROOM

    1 Bedroom Bed Sheets Provided
  • GENERAL

    Unit Size: 600 Sq Ft (56 Sq M)
  • KITCHEN

    Coffee/tea Maker Cookware/dishes/utensils Microwave Refrigerator Toaster
  • PARKING

    Onsite Parking
  • INTERNET

    WiFi Available
  • OUTDOORS

    Garden
  • BATHROOMS

    1 Bathroom Hair Dryer Shampoo Shower Towels Provided
  • WORKSPACES

    Office
  • LANGS SPOKEN

    English
  • THINGS TO DO

    Cycling Nearby Fishing Nearby Golf Privileges Horse Riding Nearby Mountain Climbing Nearby
  • CLIMATE CONTROL

    Heating
  • FAMILY FRIENDLY

    Travel Crib
  • LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS

    In A Rural Location In The Mountains On The River
  • SERVICES AND CONVENIENCES

    Iron/ironing Board
  • SUITABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY

    Smoke-free Property

CheckIn Check-in : 04:00 PM CheckOut Check-out : 10:00 AM
No Wheelchair No smoking No pets Children allowed
Occupancy Max occupancy : 2

Map Map

School District Rates & Availability

Review Review

  • Winnie

    Submitted Sep 24, 2025

    Stayed Sep 20, 2025

    Have every thing I need. Quiet and comfortable.

  • Kevin D.

    Submitted Aug 23, 2025

    Stayed Aug 20, 2025

    Our cozy cabin exceeded all expectations. It was larger than we expected, and there were a number of luxuries we didn’t expect in such a rustic setting, such as the plush bath towels and feather duvet. The bed was VERY comfortable. Everything we could possibly need for our stay was there. And the setting, right on Lake McDonald was exceptional. We enjoyed mornings and evenings amongst the smooth, multi-colored rocks for which the lake is famous. During the days, we used the park’s shuttles to see as much of Glacier as we could. Will definitely return to this cottage. Such a treat to stay in a privately-owned residence.

  • Nicholas

    Submitted Jun 23, 2025

    Stayed Jun 9, 2025

    Wonderful cabin in GNP

  • Schawn W.

    Submitted Oct 8, 2025

    Stayed Oct 1, 2025

    Perfect location for adventures.

  • Lisa B.

    Submitted Sep 29, 2025

    Stayed Sep 23, 2025

    Quaint room and location. Lovely stay! Thank you for a great visit!

  • christine c.

    Submitted Sep 5, 2025

    Stayed Aug 24, 2025

    This cabin is charming, historic, comfortable, and convenient to the park and the lake. We had a medical emergency which caused us to miss our first night and to not get in the second day until around midnight. We had only 1 day to explore there. As it turns out this was the perfect location. We explored and ate at the lodge that day. And that night we walked the short distance down to the lake and watched the sunset. We are maybe the only people who will get in at midnight, but for others who may get in after dark in a certified dark sky area, it would be more helpful, I think to say in the directions to turn onto the dirt road immediately after the green sign. Thank you for a lovely, if brief experience.

  • pam w.

    Submitted Aug 2, 2025

    Stayed Jul 31, 2025

    We had a marvelous stay at the Walsh Cottage. It was perfect for a couple, had all the essentials, a comfortable king bed and bright clean bathroom. Exactly as described. We wandered on Lake McDonald beach and enjoyed the views, hiked from the property up McDonald Creek to the waterfalls and over to John's Lake. Great picture window! A super little cottage. Five stars!

  • David P.

    Submitted Jul 25, 2025

    Stayed Jul 21, 2025

    Great location for a few days in Glacier. Off the beaten path, yet right in the middle of it all.

  • Tina L.

    Submitted Jul 15, 2025

    Stayed Jul 13, 2025

    It was fine. Very remote no tv which was fine we were busy. Description said there would be bear spray and there was not any - truly my only complaint

  • Amy L.

    Submitted Jul 14, 2025

    Stayed Jul 2, 2025

    Adorable cabin right on Lake McDonald. Pictures do not do it justice!

  • Peter P.

    Submitted Jul 14, 2025

    Stayed Jul 6, 2025

    This is a lovely 1947 time-capsule of a cabin sitting just a few yards from the north banks of McDonald Lake. The bed was large and the perfect blend of supportive but soft. The nights were quiet and the drive to activities in the morning was short. The cabin was equipped with everything that we could need - great shampoo, soaps, conditioner; kitchen plates/bowls/silverware; 2 bear sprays, a flashlight... you name it, it was there. We felt both at home and like we were visiting a luxury spa all at the same time.I am definitely recommending this spot to my friends.

  • Rebecca D.

    Submitted Jun 26, 2025

    Stayed Jun 21, 2025

    The outside of this cabin is modest, but inside it's spotless, cozy, and stocked with thoughtful amenities. We appreciated the bear spray provided, along with coffee, a microwave, and a fridge—everything we needed for our stay. It rained much of the time we were there, and when it cleared up, the mosquitoes came out, so come prepared! Since we packed for unpredictable weather, space was a bit tight inside the single-room cabin, with limited spots to hang or store gear.The location is fantastic—right on the east shore of Lake McDonald, offering lake access and beautiful views. It was the perfect base for exploring Going-to-the-Sun Road without needing to worry about timed entry from the west side. Very convenient for early starts!Christie was wonderfully responsive and helpful throughout. The only hiccup was with the direct property charge (separate from the VRBO booking), which had a card issue. With limited cell service, that was a little stressful, but once I connected with Christie, she handled it quickly and kindly. Overall, a great stay in a peaceful, scenic spot.

  • Jason M.

    Submitted Jun 17, 2025

    Stayed Jun 13, 2025

    Great cabin inside the park.

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Total

Includes taxes and fees
$309+
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