Lake McDonald, Glacial lake in Glacier National Park, Montana, US
Lake McDonald extends ten miles in length and reaches depths of 472 feet, forming the largest water body within Glacier National Park.
The lake basin emerged through extensive glacial activity during the Ice Age, which carved out the characteristic U-shaped valley and surrounding peaks.
The Lake McDonald Lodge, built in 1913, combines American Western and Swiss architectural elements to create a mountain retreat experience.
Visitors can access four campgrounds near the lake, including Apgar, Avalanche, Fish Creek, and Sprague Creek, with facilities for overnight stays.
Western red cedar and hemlock forests surround the lake, creating habitats for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, and black bears.
Location: Flathead County
Elevation above the sea: 960 m
GPS coordinates: 48.56920,-113.93500
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:49
Montana offers a range of landscapes from the peaks of Glacier National Park to the central plains. The state has several mountain routes including the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Beartooth Highway, both exceeding 3,000 meters in elevation. Glacial lakes such as Flathead Lake and Lake McDonald stretch over miles, with geological formations revealing millions of years of natural history. The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman holds significant dinosaur fossil collections. Montana's mining history is evident in the streets of Virginia City, a former territorial capital founded in 1863, where over 200 buildings from the 19th century are preserved. The Little Bighorn Battlefield commemorates the 1876 conflicts between the U.S. Army and Native American nations. To observe local wildlife, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center houses bears and wolves in protected habitats. Hikers can take the 18-kilometer Highline Trail along the continental divide or walk to the Grinnell Glacier through alpine lakes in Glacier National Park.
Sperry Chalet
11.6 km
Lake McDonald Lodge
6.8 km
Mount Brown
11.6 km
Sperry Glacier
14.1 km
Belton Chalets
8.6 km
Kelly's Camp Historic District
6.9 km
Lake McDonald Lodge Historic District
6.9 km
Mount Brown Fire Lookout
10 km
Apgar Fire Lookout
8.5 km
Gunsight Mountain (Montana)
14.5 km
Headquarters Historic District
8.3 km
Edwards Mountain
12.5 km
Mount Vaught
13.2 km
Upper Lake McDonald Ranger Station Historic District
9 km
West Entrance Station
8 km
Fish Creek Bay Boathouse
3.9 km
Burton and Lulu Wheeler Cabin
9 km
Harrison Lake Patrol Cabin
14 km
Wheeler Camp
9 km
Apgar Campground
6.1 km
Apgar Visitor Center
6.5 km
Fish Creek Campground Amphitheater
4.2 km
Fish Creek Campground
4.4 km
Lake Ellen Wilson Campground
13.9 km
Apgar Campground Amphitheater
5.7 km
Sprague Creek Campground
5.5 km
Greve's Tourist Cabins
7.6 km
Sperry Campground
11.6 kmReviews
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