I would definitely want to spend all day and kayak those crystal clear waters. Potable water is accessible in the campground, and restroom facilities provide flush toilets and sinks with running water. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your But my favorite place to see the beauty of Lake McDonald is at Apgar Village. a lot of use from motorboats and pleasure boats. The first portage is located at north end of the parking lot and is about 100 metres long on a wide and well travelled trail. If those are full, what is the distance to the next campsite? We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. development in Glacier National Park is a far cry from the development the lakeshore. There are no cottages on the lake and you can have a true wilderness experience only a short drive from Toronto. Access:Note: you can download a high resolution version of this map by right clicking it and selecting "save image". Only tent and hammock camping is allowed – no towed-units (i.e. We reserved our spot probably 2 months in advance. Amazing! You'll put your canoes in on McDonald Lake and travel northwest to the waterfall connecting McDonald to McCrae. It all looks perfect. a part of the glacier broke off. Fork of the Flathead River. Tour the lake aboard the antique wooden boat the Desmet. Glacier Park Annual Pass $35. crystal clear, very cold and has next to no nutrients. The camp grounds you described must be amazing. The best time to fish for these gullible - although the lake can receive a fair amount of use from canoeists along Known for its view of the mountains and its colorful pebbles lining the shores, Lake McDonald is definitely one of the places at Glacier you don’t want to miss. adventures and follow local regulations. sight. However, these campgrounds are heavily trafficked, loud, and offer little serenity. Do not get confused by the portage trail at the north end which leads to McDonald Lake. Showers, flush toilets, and disposal stations are offered at this campground. Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead, adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb along the trail until you see the branch off to your left for Snyder Lakes. Creek. Johns Lake Loop is also a 2-mile hike north of Lake McDonald. Full kitchen units are available on the first floor while units providing for larger parties are located on the second. Apgar Campground is situated on the southern tip of Lake McDonald in beautiful Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana. Campsites are on ... Mount Brown Lookout in Glacier National Park is not a hike for the faint of heart! crept down from the mountains, pushing a massive amount of dirt, rock The waters of Lake McDonald, not surprisingly, mirror those of McDonald Ten miles long and nearly 500 feet deep, Lake McDonald, the largest lake in Glacial National Park. West Glacier Restaurant, located at Apgar Village, serves food all day in a traditional diner atmosphere, perfect for the family. Your pictures are incredible, makes me want to go there to have a shoot! Numerous Experience some Muskoka wilderness and have an epic adventure, and do this all for free. thanks, Please note, comments must be approved before they are published. Two hours from Toronto, McCrae Lake Conservation Reserve is a great destination for a simple backcountry canoe or hiking trip. Weather looks great and the sky and water is beautiful. in other National Parks in the United States. It seems you went there at the perfect time. The Going to the Sun Road runs parallel to the lake as it heads from the west entrance and Apgar Village to Logan Pass.. You can take a dip in the cold waters of the lake, paddle a kayak or canoe, or just watch the clouds float by. The motel rooms are small and the amenities are simple, but you’ll find what you need here for a great national park stay. Once entering the west gate of the park, you’ll be on Going-to-the-Sun road and Lake McDonald will appear on the left. Beautiful lake! It's a busy part of the park but I've caught some beautiful sunrise and sunsets here. One would suspect that with its scenic beauty, Lake McDonald would get Hello! The lodges at national parks really are quite amazing. Oh yes – they are abundant!! Thanks! Located just minutes from West Glacier. Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. On a calm day, which occurs fairly frequently in the mornings and evenings, the mirrored reflection of the mountains in the lake provides a stunning sight. I will have to add this to my list of things to do next year. I really need to get myself a tripod for those fast shutter speed moments! Due to the poor fishing, Lake McDonald gets little fishing pressure. There is access to a series of day hikes and amenities such as a camp store, restaurant, and tour services within a mile of the campsite. Paddle your gear to the camp spot and enjoy the scenery and the only burn in your shoulders from the sunshine on your back and not the pack straps of your overloaded pack! Reservations for the backcountry campsite can be made at the permit office in Apgar Village, or check availability online: nps.gov. Make sure to go early if you want to get a spot! Photo opportunities seem amazing here! Apgar Campground, the largest campground in Glacier National Park, takes reservations only for group sites, while the rest is first-come first-served. Starting out at the Sperry Trailhead adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, climb 9 miles up the trail to Comeau Pass. Gorgeous scenery and photos! What a great guide to the national park. I really liked your photography suggestions about how to get the reflections. It's a 1600 ft slow increase in elevation. Lodging in the park fills up far in advance, so reservations during peak seasons (July and August) are highly encouraged. I am planning a trip in a couple weekends – I have typically gone in with a canoe and camped at one of the open spots. park at the town of West Glacier. Read More... © 2015 - Travel Heals. If you have an hour to visit Lake McDonald, spend it at Apgar Village (especially the beach). The largest lake in the park, McDonald is akin to a glacial fjord, with its crystal-clear waters ringed by snow-capped mountains. Yes the water was very cold still in August, too, but my husband can never resist getting in. However, that option isnt great for more people and we are hoping to hike this time. This is so beautiful. Sprague Creek is a small 25-site campground on the northeast shore of the lake, about 9 miles from the west entrance of the park. You'll be rewarded with views of the McDonald Falls and McDonald Creek. Thanks for the tips of where to stay regardless of your budget, that’s really helpful! Pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains and spectac... Overview Since this lake is so big, there are many ways to see and experience it. Anglers can expect to find rainbow, cutthroat, lake and bull trout. In fact, most of these photos were taken on that beach at Apgar Village. The introduction of lake trout and Valley, generally the lake has few motorboats on it even during the summer What I’d really like to do is head back with my camera and spend a weekend photographing those mountains! I think staying in Lake McDonald Lodge for a night would be my cup of tea. Crossing through the center of the park, the road moves over the Continental Divide and through the most spectacular views in the park. Guests staying in the newly renovated Snyder Hall will think they are sleeping in a home remodeled by Chip and Joanna Gaines. There is a trailhead and paved parking at N. McDonald Rd which is off Going-to-the-Sun Rd. Subscribe to our newsletter to received exlusive specials and travel deals! So I definitely won’t tell you that I want to go for a swim. Here you’ll find a beautiful beach with pristine views of the length of the lake and view of the mountain range on the other side of it. There is a free shuttle service at this campground with access to other stops on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Was planning to make a trip to Lake McDonald end November but not sure if the view then is worth th trip. is sadly lacking in fishing quality. The water reflection and the color of the sky is just perfect! We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. Please explore responsibly! Cruise the lake aboard the antique wooden vessel, DeSmet. And, of course, those colorful pebbles. Sprague Creek Campground is a small campground and is first-come first-served. This is a perfect place to sleep out under the stars if weather permits.