Lake McDonald Lodge Historic District

Lake McDonald Lodge Historic District is a collection of historic buildings at a lake in Montana featuring a three-story stone and wood main building, guest cabins, dormitories, and service structures surrounded by cedar forest. The site sits within Glacier National Park and contains multiple architectural styles from the park's early development period.

The district originated as the Lewis Glacier Hotel, built between 1913 and 1914, and received National Historic Landmark status in 1987 for its architectural importance. The site developed gradually from 1907 onward with original log cabins that represent the park's early settlement period.

The main lodge lobby displays inscriptions in the Kootenai language of local Native Americans on its concrete floor and features a central fireplace showing traditional regional craftsmanship. These elements reflect the site's connection to indigenous culture and early settlement in the area.

Visitors can choose from several accommodation options within the main lodge, duplex cabins, Snyder Hall, or the Cobb House. The area is easiest to reach during warmer months, and exploring on foot takes time since the grounds spread across a large space near the lake shore.

The district preserves eleven original log cabins from 1907 that stand among the park's oldest remaining structures. A stone bridge crossing Snyder Creek, completed in 1934, connects different areas and shows the building techniques available to early architects of the region.

Location: Flathead County

Architectural style: rustic architecture

GPS coordinates: 48.61778,-113.87722

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:22