Fun Fact: Glacier National Park Lakes

Glacier National Park is often referred to as the Crown of the Continent. The jewels in this crown must be the over 700 lakes which dot the mountain landscape.  Fun Fact: Only 131 of those Glacier National Park lakes are named!

The largest Glacier National Park lake is Lake McDonald.  This 10 mile long body of water is located on the west side of the park along side the Going to the Sun Road. (Check out this Going to the Sun Road Trip Tip.) It is easy to access the shoreline of Lake McDonald.  It is a great place to get away from the park crowds!

Overlooking Lake McDonald is the historic Lake McDonald Lodge. As with the other lodges in Glacier, be prepared to book very early if you have your heart set on this prime location! We tried to book in November for the following summer and there was no availability.  Try to book as soon as they allow reservations for the next season.

Many Glacier National Park lakes are relatively clear.  The cold water temperature prevents  the growth of plankton which can lead to greater water clarity. This beautiful clear water, however, is not necessarily safe to drink.

Located in glacial carved valleys flanked by majestic mountains, Glacier Park’s lakes are a spectacular sight. With so many lakes and hundreds of miles of hiking trails in Glacier National Park, you’ll never run out of places to explore!