Ten miles long and a mile wide, Lake McDonald is Glacier National Park’s largest lake and is conveniently located just north of West Glacier.
It’s also accessible in winter, making it an awesome afternoon trip if you’re just looking to get out of town.
Lake access can be had via the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is open all the way to the Lake McDonald Lodge, even in winter.
It offers visitors a great way to take in the sights and do some landscape photography.
While thousands of people see the park in summer or fall, fewer get the chance to see its scenic wonder in spring.
How To Get There:
To get to Lake McDonald from Kalispell, take U.S. Highway 2 and drive 33 miles east to West Glacier.
Once there, take a left under the railroad bridge and into the park.
Drive about two miles into the park.
A left will take you toward Apgar and a right will take you along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Visitors must pay an entrance fee.