DAY 1 · IN THE PARK
Lake McDonald and the Sun Road
- Leave early, fuel and coffee in town
- Park at Apgar, ride the shuttle up to Logan Pass
- Back in town for dinner
The classic west-side day. The road from Apgar is the reason to sleep on this side.
GATEWAY TOWN / WEST SIDE OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Martin City
Martin City, 9 miles to West Glacier entrance; quiet working town with limited late-night options; gas/groceries thin after dark.
TO THE WEST ENTRANCE9 miles (14 km)via US 2
NEAREST AIRPORTGlacier Park International AirportFCA
SERVICESFuel in townGroceries available
PEAK SEASONSummer (June–August)Quieter: Mid-May to mid-September
Listing photography for Martin City. Views are inspiration, not a promise of light, weather or availability.
01 / WHERE YOU STAND
Martin City is a west-side base.
Plan the park from that fact.
Boundary from the National Park Service; lakes, roads and towns from OpenStreetMap. Orientation only, not a navigation map.
Martin City is a 313-resident working town with a suburban-rural vibe. Historically linked to Hungry Horse Dam, it remains a calm outpost where most residents own homes and keep to themselves. It sits about 9 miles from Glacier’s West Glacier entrance, with Kalispell 24 miles away for big-city services.
Martin City fits if
- You want a quiet, cheap base close to Hungry Horse and about 14 minutes from the west entrance.
- A bar with character matters more than a hotel lobby.
Think twice if
- You need groceries or fuel on site; both are down the road in Hungry Horse or Columbia Falls.
- Your days are on the east side.
- Martin City boomed during the Hungry Horse Dam project and lies near Glacier National Park. Visit Montana ↗
- Spotted Bear Campground, reached via the Hungry Horse Reservoir roads from Martin City, is on the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Visit Montana ↗
- The Spotted Bear Ranger District beyond Martin City contains the Spotted Bear River, the Great Bear and Bob Marshall Wildernesses, and the South Fork Flathead. Forest Service ↗
- Primitive camping is available year-round at Glacier's Apgar Campground. NPS ↗
- No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026. NPS ↗
- West side shuttle routes depart from Apgar Visitor Center and Lake McDonald Lodge and stop at The Loop and Logan Pass only. NPS ↗
- The estimated travel time between Apgar and Logan Pass is about 90 minutes. NPS ↗
- Glacier National Park has no cell phone coverage outside Apgar and St. Mary. NPS ↗
02 / DAYS FROM A MARTIN CITY BED
This could be your 3 days from Martin City.
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 2 · IN THE PARK
A west-side trail day
- Bear spray and lunch packed before you leave
- One trail: Avalanche Lake, Trail of the Cedars or a Lake McDonald shoreline walk
- An easy evening back in town
Pick one trail and give it the day. Trailhead parking fills by mid-morning in summer.
DAY 3 · NEAR TOWN
A slower day near town
- Late breakfast
- Something outside the park: the river, a lake, a short local trail
- Early dinner
For a rest day, a smoky or rainy day, or the day you arrive.
DAY 4 · IN THE PARK
Two Medicine or the east side
- Earliest start of the trip
- Around the south of the park on US 2 to East Glacier and Two Medicine
- Long drive back, or sleep on the east side
Possible from here, but a long day. Many Glacier and St. Mary are better from an east-side bed.
03 / SLEEP CLOSER TO YOUR PLANS
Where will you sleep in Martin City?
Best areas: Stay in Martin City for proximity to amenities; Whitefish offers resort vibes about 20 minutes away. Book in advance during peak season; last-minute deals can appear outside the rush Every place below has a Save button so it lands in your Glacier trip.
Camping and RV parks in Martin City
Hookups and showers here; in-park campgrounds are first-come or reserved months out. Check length limits before you commit.
Emery Bay Campground
Glacier NP family campground with basic facilities and variable water.
RVs and campers: up to 32 feet
04 / THE PART OF THE TRIP YOU DO NOT PLAN IN THE PARK
Eat and drink in Martin City
Local dives, casual diners, lodge eateries, bar-and-grill options. Kitchens close early by city standards; check hours before you count on a late dinner.
Eat and drink in Martin City
South Fork Saloon
South Fork Saloon crackles with glacier grit; the grill's char and brine cut through the grease.
Paul Bunyan Bar & Grill
Paul Bunyan Bar & Grill in Glacier National Park serves bold, char-crisp bites that cut through the mountain air.
Late-night reality
Most kitchens close early; local bars stay open later depending on crowds; Cabin Fever Days brings extra shuttle options and activity
05 / BEFORE YOU DRIVE TO THE ENTRANCE
Stock up before the park.
Inside, there is almost nothing.
Groceries, fuel, bear spray
Gas stations have limited hours; this is your last chance for sturdy resupply before Glacier. Kalispell is the go-to for full groceries, bigger gas stations, and major services; car rentals are available in Martin City and nearby Kalispell. Bear spray and other outdoor gear should be checked with local outfitters or bought in Kalispell/Whitefish.
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 is available from the Walmart in the gateway towns.
- Glacier National Park has no cell phone coverage outside Apgar and St. Mary. NPS ↗
- Download the park map and your trail notes in town; nothing loads once you are past the entrance.
07 / THE DETAILS THAT CHANGE THE PLAN
Practical Martin City
- Getting here
Fly: Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) ~15.5 miles southwest by road.
- To the park without a car
Public shuttles loop during Cabin Fever Days through Martin City, Hungry Horse, and Coram; direct Glacier NP shuttle not specifically listed
- Cell and Wi-Fi
Cell: Verizon coverage; AT&T coverage; T-Mobile coverage varies; WiFi available in most rentals
- Seasons
Peak: Summer (June–August). Shoulder: Mid-May to mid-September. Shoulder season runs mid-May to mid-September; summer is busiest. Cabin Fever Days and Barstool Ski Races draw crowds in February.
- Booking
Book in advance during peak season; last-minute deals can appear outside the rush
- Services
Gas stations, limited groceries, lodging options, medical access in Kalispell, ATMs in Whitefish/Kalispell
- Lodging mix
Hotels, lodges, inns, cabins, vacation rentals, RV resorts
- Events
Cabin Fever Days, Barstool Ski Races; other events listed on Eventbrite
- Winter
Town remains active with winter events; not a total shutdown
Good to know
- Gas stations have limited hours; plan ahead.
- No full supermarket in town—stock up in Kalispell.
- Kitchens likely stop serving early.
- Shuttles run during Cabin Fever Days through Martin City, Hungry Horse, and Coram.
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
Questions people ask about Martin City
Is there a supermarket in Martin City?
No full supermarket in town; plan to stock up in Kalispell or Whitefish.
What are the kitchen hours like?
Kitchens in town likely close early; plan accordingly.
Is there a shuttle to Glacier National Park?
Public shuttles operate during Cabin Fever Days through Martin City, Hungry Horse, and Coram; direct Glacier NP shuttle availability isn’t listed.
Do I need a car to get around?
Yes—Car is recommended. Martin City is not very walkable; Whitefish or Kalispell offer more dining and lodging options, about 20-25 minutes away.
Where can I access cash and medical services?
ATMs are available in Whitefish and Kalispell; Kalispell is the closest major medical center at about 24 miles away.
10 / FOLLOW THE NEXT QUESTION
What would make this
trip feel possible?
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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