Nearest Hospitals & Emergency Services to Glacier National Park
Know where to go in an emergency — nearest hospitals by entrance, walk-in clinics, air ambulance coverage, and critical cell service gaps inside Glacier.
Glacier's remote wilderness demands preparation. Cell service is nearly nonexistent inside the park, the nearest hospital on the west side is 25 miles away, and air evacuation can take critical minutes. Know your options before you arrive.
- (406) 888-7800 park emergency line, 24/7
- 25 miles to nearest 24/7 ER (west)
- 8 minutes A.L.E.R.T. lift-off goal
- 3 zones with any cell service
Logan Health – Whitefish — West side · Whitefish
Primary ERClosest 24/7 emergency room on the west side — your first stop for most injuries.
- Equipped for broken bones, lacerations, cardiac events, and acute illness
- Board-certified emergency physicians and surgeons on staff
- Critical Access designation: major trauma cases are stabilized and transferred to Kalispell
- Address: 1600 Hospital Way, Whitefish, MT 59937
Most park-related injuries — sprains, cuts, fractures, dehydration — can be handled here. The facility has 24/7 imaging and lab, and accepts most insurance.
Logan Health Medical Center – Kalispell — West side · Kalispell
Level III trauma hubRegion's only Level III trauma center with a helipad — for serious trauma and air evacuation staging.
- Only Level III trauma center in northwest Montana — handles head injuries, internal bleeding, spinal injuries, multi-system trauma
- Full surgical capabilities, ICU, cardiac/stroke care, interventional radiology, Level III NICU
- Home base for A.L.E.R.T. air ambulance service (8-minute lift-off goal, 350-mile radius)
- Address: 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901
For serious trauma, Kalispell is where air ambulances deliver patients and where the region's highest level of care is available. Nearest Level II trauma centers are 180–240 miles away.
Logan Health Walk-In Care – West Glacier — West side · Park entrance
Closest facilitySteps from the West Entrance — seasonal clinic for minor injuries, X-ray, and lab work.
- Located at 100 Rea Road, steps from the West Glacier entrance
- Board-certified NPs and PAs — digital X-ray, minor laceration repair, CLIA lab
- Closed October through May; winter visitors must drive to Whitefish or Kalispell
- Phone: (406) 888-9924; most insurance accepted
This is your closest option for sprained ankles, minor cuts, and basic medical advice. For anything serious, you'll be referred to Whitefish or Kalispell.
Logan Health – Cut Bank — East side · Cut Bank
East-side primary EREast-side Critical Access Hospital — your nearest 24/7 ER from St. Mary, Many Glacier, or Two Medicine.
- Designated Trauma Receiving Facility — stabilizes and transfers serious cases to Kalispell via A.L.E.R.T.
- Mobile MRI and imaging; visiting specialists; laboratory and physical therapy
- Address: 802 2nd St SE, Cut Bank, MT 59427
- Phone: (406) 873-2251
For east-side visitors, Cut Bank is significantly closer than Kalispell. However, serious trauma cases are airlifted to Kalispell's Level III center.
Blackfeet Community Hospital – Browning — East side · Browning
Alternate east ERIHS-operated hospital on the Blackfeet Reservation — emergency services available to all visitors.
- Primarily serves enrolled Blackfeet Nation members, but emergency services available to all patients
- Address: 760 Hospital Circle, Browning, MT 59417
- Phone: (406) 338-6100
- Similar distance to Cut Bank — choose based on directions or A.L.E.R.T. recommendations
A.L.E.R.T. Air Ambulance Service — Kalispell base · 350-mile radius
Wilderness lifelineHelicopter rescue from wilderness — 8-minute lift-off goal for backcountry emergencies across the region.
- Activated by park rangers, hospitals, or dispatchers — no pre-authorization needed
- Equipped with RSI, ventilator, chest tube capability, blood products, avalanche and water rescue
- Neonatal/pediatric team for medical transports
- Can respond to terrain and weather conditions — ground transport deployed if weather prevents flying
A.L.E.R.T. has flown over 20,000 missions since 1975, making it the nation's pioneering hospital-based air ambulance. For backcountry emergencies, activation happens automatically through ranger coordination.
Common Questions
What is the emergency phone number for Glacier National Park?
Call (406) 888-7800, the Glacier National Park Communications Center, 24/7. Standard 911 works only at West Glacier, Apgar Village, and partial St. Mary coverage. Most of the park — Many Glacier, Logan Pass, Two Medicine, and all backcountry — has zero cell service.
Is there a hospital inside Glacier National Park?
No hospital inside the park, but there is a seasonal walk-in clinic at West Glacier (Logan Health Walk-In Care, 100 Rea Road) open daily 9 AM–5 PM from Memorial Day through September 30. Closed October through May. The nearest 24/7 ER is Logan Health – Whitefish, 25 miles away on the west side.
What should I do if there's an emergency in the backcountry?
Activate your personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, SPOT) to send an SOS and reach park dispatch at (406) 888-7800. Do not count on cell service — coverage is zero outside a few park entrances. Rangers are trained wilderness first responders and will coordinate helicopter evacuation if needed.
Is there a 24-hour pharmacy near Glacier National Park?
The only 24-hour pharmacy in the region is Walgreens in Kalispell (40 W Idaho St), approximately 32 miles from the West Entrance. No 24-hour pharmacy exists on the east side. Bring all prescription medications and essential OTC supplies before you arrive.
