GATEWAY TOWN / EAST SIDE OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Working farm town, summer gateway to Many Glacier. Last gas and breakfast before the park.
Photographs from the places on this page and the National Park Service. Views are inspiration, not a promise of light, weather or availability. Photo credits: Traveler100 / CC BY-SA 3.0.
01 / WHERE YOU STAND
Boundary from the National Park Service; lakes, roads and towns from OpenStreetMap. Orientation only, not a navigation map.
Babb is a working farming community of 130 on the Blackfeet Reservation, 9 miles north of St. Mary. It's the direct gateway to Glacier's Many Glacier area and sees a summer influx of park-bound travelers. Honest prices on fuel, basic groceries, and casual meals—minimal tourist overlay.
The drive: 9 miles north of St. Mary on US 89; Many Glacier Road leads west 5 miles to the park boundary at Lake Sherburne and 12 miles to Many Glacier Hotel; the Canadian border at Piegan is 10 miles north
02 / DAYS FROM A BABB BED
Editorial day shapes, not timed routes. The order follows the Glacier guide: park days first, a slower day when you need one, the far side of the park only if you have the time.
DAY 1 · IN THE PARK
The east side gives you the lake and the pass without crossing the whole park.
DAY 2 · IN THE PARK
The most crowded parking in the park; be through the entrance early or use the hiker shuttle.
DAY 3 · IN THE PARK
Quieter than Many Glacier. A good second east-side day.
DAY 4 · NEAR TOWN
For a rest day, a smoky or windy day, or the day you arrive.
03 / SLEEP CLOSER TO YOUR PLANS
Best areas: Thronson's Motel is the only lodging option, located along US 89. Convenient for road travelers but can be noisy during peak season. Book motel rooms by June if visiting July–August. Walk-ins are risky; call Thronson's Motel ahead. Every place below has a Save button so it lands in your Glacier trip.
Every bed we track in town, best rated first.
Babb motel with downstairs and upstairs queen-bed rooms, a General Store check-in, and nearby breakfast and lunch.
Glacier gateway hotel in Babb, MT. WiFi, 34.5km from park center, northern access.
05 / BEFORE YOU DRIVE TO THE ENTRANCE
This is your last gas and supplies before Many Glacier. Thronson's General Store has basics (canned goods, drinks, snacks). Fill your gas tank here—prices are notably cheaper than in-park. No outdoor gear shops; buy hiking supplies in Kalispell or St. Mary before arriving.
From our visits, August 2024 and September 2025 Stock up at the Walmart in the valley towns before entering the park - one easy stop covers groceries and supplies.
From our visits, August 2024 and September 2025 Bear spray from the Walmart in the gateway towns runs about forty dollars.
07 / THE DETAILS THAT CHANGE THE PLAN
Fly: Glacier Park International Airport (FCA, Kalispell) via St. Mary and Going-to-the-Sun Road in season; Great Falls International is 130-165 miles east of the east-side entrances per NPS..
No shuttle serves Babb or Many Glacier. In 2026 the park's ticketed Logan Pass Shuttle (July 1 - September 7) runs only along Going-to-the-Sun Road from St. Mary Visitor Center and Rising Sun; you need your own vehicle for Many Glacier Road.
Peak: July–September. Peak congestion on US 89 and at Many Glacier during mid-July to mid-August.. Shoulder: June and early October. Quieter, pleasant weather, but some services may have limited hours.. Summer (July–September) when Many Glacier is accessible, though expect highway traffic. June and early October are quieter with pleasant weather.
Book motel rooms by June if visiting July–August. Walk-ins are risky; call Thronson's Motel ahead.
St. Mary (9 miles south) has larger services and visitor center. Glacier Park visitor centers and historic lodges are in the Many Glacier area northeast.
One roadside motel in town (Thronson's Motel). Nearby cabins and campgrounds include Montana's Duck Lake Lodge and Glacier Elkhorn Cabins & Campground; the Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn are inside the park, 12 miles west. Book July-August stays months ahead.
BabbFest, a one-day summer music gathering, is held in late July in most years; confirm the current date locally before planning around it.
Shutters close. Off-season quiet with minimal services and few visitors.
Review date not recorded. Planning guidance, not a live hours or conditions feed; confirm seasons, hours and bookings with the operator, the town or NPS.
08 / QUICK ANSWERS
Charlie's Place (bar) usually serves pizza until late; most other spots close by 9. Plan your dinner early or eat in St. Mary (9 miles south).
This is it. Fill up here before heading to Many Glacier. Prices are fair but expect peak-season lines in July–August.
Yes, book ahead for July–August. Walk-ins are risky. Call Thronson's Motel (406-732-5530) ahead.
No. Nearest is St. Mary Visitor Center (9 miles south) or Apgar Visitor Center (20+ minutes).
General supplies at Thronson's Store. No outdoor gear shops. Buy in Kalispell or St. Mary before arriving.
Yes, short distances along US 89. Bring bug spray in summer.
10 / FOLLOW THE NEXT QUESTION
Compare this town with in-park lodges and the other gateway towns.
COMPARE TOWNSCheck the side of the park before choosing a bed.
THE EAST-SIDE JUNCTIONWhere the Sun Road meets US 89 and the east side begins.
Review date not recorded. Facts on this page come from the town record and the National Park Service; ratings from Google at the last listing sync; notes marked "from our visits" are dated personal observations.
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