Living in West Glacier puts you at the doorstep of Glacier National Park's west entrance. This small community of around 220 residents sits at the confluence of the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead River, serving as the primary gateway to the park and home to the park's headquarters complex. Residents enjoy access to world-class hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road, plus local amenities including restaurants, shops, and an 18-hole golf course. The community expands during the summer tourist season when outdoor guides and hospitality businesses thrive. With Amtrak service at the historic Belton station and stunning mountain views, West Glacier creates an authentic Montana experience for those who want to live surrounded by wilderness and adventure.
With only around 220 permanent residents, West Glacier proves that living at the doorstep of one of America's most iconic national parks doesn't require fighting crowds—unless you count the occasional grizzly bear (who definitely wins any doorstep disputes). This tiny community sits right where the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead River meet, making it a confluence of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. The historic Belton Amtrak station means you can literally train yourself to love small-town living. During summer, the population swells with outdoor guides and hospitality workers, creating a seasonal rhythm that's anything but glacial. If you want to wake up to Going-to-the-Sun Road views without the going, going, gone real estate prices of bigger resort towns, West Glacier is your gateway to authentic Montana living.