Lake McDonald Reviews

We spent a day at lake Macdonald, in the Apgar village, we rented double kayaks for $18 per hour and paddle boards for $10 per hour! Had so much fun on them, very fun day on an amazing lake, water was perfectly calm, perfect swimming temperature, only suggestion is take water shoes, the rocks really hurt the feet, the water is so clear and blue, you won’t believe how amazing the lake is! Definitely recommend you go here for a day and have an amazing day on the water, also small boat rentals are $25 for an hour! Very well priced!

Make sure to stay here, take the boat ride, eat meals on the rocks, and wander through the lodge. A great intro to what Glacier is all about.

You can really do whatever you want to do activity wise. It’s a beautiful lake, many different places to stop along its shore to admire it or jump into the water. At the lodge area, a lot of people use it as a jumping off point for hikes, or swim area, boat rentals, boat cruise, dining, catch the red bus. Lots of rangers to ask questions of. It’s a must stop along the going to sun road.

The lake is beautiful with crystal clear water and colorful stones on the lake bed. Nice beach area in front of the lodge that the kids enjoyed. The lodge wasn't bad but it just felt worn out. It has a nice view of the lake but the lobby and restaurant were not impressive. We didn't stay there so maybe the rooms are better than the public areas. Certainly swing by and see the lake and lodge, great sunset viewing spot.

We really enjoyed the beauty of Lake McDonald. It's background of mountains and large fresh water peacefulness was quite a treat!

My daughter and I rented fishing poles and fished. We didn't catch anything but the water is breath taking and views amazing. Such a beautiful lake.

This is a must see starting point for almost any hiking/traveling trip to Glacier. The park is so huge that one must drive pretty far to get to different trail heads, but many many off shoots are available from around lake Mcdonald.

We drove up to Glacier National Park and stopped here. The scenery is beautiful for on a Saturday it was bumper to bumper traffic but worth the traffics and drive.

It was a very windy day when we were there. But, so beautiful. You can see evidence of the recent forest fire. But that did not take away from the experience. We took the boat ride on the lake. That was a lot of fun, but the rangers do talk a bit too much. The scenery is spectacular.

The views from this area of Glacier National Park were spectacular! They made the long drive worth every minute.

Beautiful! Be cautious, it’s easy to get a flat tire as the road has sharp edges around the lake if you go off a bit. We got a flat one and no service/no spare tire either. Rangers helped us to get to the city.

Our rental company didn’t help us at all after we spent 8 hrs outside at night waiting for a towing truck at 39F degrees. We ended up calling Bruce @ American Towing Company who saved us. Amazing service!!! Please save his phone in case you get in trouble on a west side: +14068928111

Very beautiful lake!!! We were swimming there everyday. My 2 years old daughter was playing with rocks. You can rent a boat there and go fishing, or rent kayak. Amazing view in the morning from boat dock!!!

Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park has spectacular scenery, Crystal clear waters and colourful pebble riddled beaches. The drive to McDonald lake and after the lake is amazing, A must visit. Best time to visit this area is mid to late June once the roads are cleared of snow.

We didn't stay in the hotel but we stopped off and walked around. there is a bar and restaurant. Nice gift shop and overall cool place. the views outside are amazing and you can take a boat tour from here. We opted for the St. Mary Lake boat tour instead but just walking around and exploring here is worth it. Close to the hike to Avalanche lake which it amazing.

Lake McDonald can be seen shortly upon entering Glacier National Park. There is some off road parking to stop for viewing and photos. As you drive around Glacier and climb higher the road narrows and there are fewer places to park a vehicle.
This is a great photo opportunity.

We stopped a couple of times here just to take in the scenery along the lake shore. Gorgeous area, next time we plan on renting kayaks so we can kayak part of the lake.

Dont plan on fishing in this cold water lake, but you can swim, boat and have fun. We didn't stay in the facilities here, but they looked nice and the food smelled great.

Stunning spot with great views around a beautiful lake surrounded by forested and snow-capped mountains.Only downside is that its very popular and very busy. For less crowds try one of the other lakes to the north.

Even on a rainy day this place was beautiful! The creek that feeds into the lake at the lodge is absolutely beautiful and the smooth, multicolored rocks are a sight to see. We took the boat tour of the lake and learned a ton of information about the area from a retired park ranger.

I took the hour long boat ride out onto the lake. By itself it wasn't very exciting, but the Forest Ranger that talked about the history was 93 years old, sharp as a tack, and had lived a lot of the history. Was an awesome experience!

All of Glacier National Park is beautiful; Lake McDonald is no exception. The water so blue. Nature at its absolute best. Move your trip forward before the glaciers disappear. We do and are so happy with that decision.

Beautiful Lake and be sure to stop by the lodge for some interesting architecture. One of many beautiful stops in Glacier National Park.

The clearest , cleanest water I have ever seen.
Bicyclers paradise. Miles and miles of trails. Wildlife everywhere. Tons to do and see.

View from Apgar Village for additional views of the lake. You can also drive around to Rocky Point trail for a short hike to the lake. Foliage was beautiful.

This picture was taken at 5:30 AM on July 3. This Lake is large with spectacular views no matter where you are situated. Boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and hiking around this lake are recommended activities. Swimming, for people who are okay with extra chilled waters, is an option.

The lake is gorgeous. A good place to view it is from the dock. You can get photos with colorful rocks on the edge of the blue lake with mountains in the background.

There are no words to express how epic this location is. Visiting from Florida this was mind blowing epic. Must do without a doubt. Visit in the winter less crowded and better prices. Visit Apgar too. You won’t regret it

Lake McDonald and the surrounding area is simply beautiful. We were there in early September and encountered a few people and enjoyed the Park Rangers evening campfire presentation. Just a great experience!

Although I think their are prettier lakes in the park, this one is the closest to the west side of the park and is closest to the towns. I am not sure if it is the largest lake in the park, but it has to be close.

We stopped for lunch at the Lodge. The lobby of the Lodge provides a convenient waiting room until a table becomes available. Our party of five was seated in about half of the estimated wait time. Views of the Lake are obstructed by evergreen trees between the Lodge and the Lake. The service and food were good.

The lake is very beautiful, especially with the mountains and glaciers in the background. There are also places for camping and lodging next to the lake...

This lake was absolutely stunning! The water is crystal clear and the rocks along the bottom, all the colors of the rainbow! Just a word of warning-it's COLD!!!!!!

While driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road, we stopped at Lake McDonald and saw the beautiful colored rocks. Had the sun been shining, I'm sure the rocks would have been even more colorful. The views were amazing! The water was so clear! A must stop!

Drove the west end of Road to the sun. Lake McDonald is a beautiful lake. Great pictures. Don't miss it. Road to the sun is closed for construction from Avalanche creek to Logan Pass. Will drive around to see east side tomorrow.

Lake McDonaldbis a true American gem. Flanked by mountains and beaches, this lake has something for all just a short stroll or watching the sites is a pleasure. Fishing, kayaking, boating and scenic touring are available. Don’t Miss !

Another great drive on the Going to the Sun road. They are making improvements to the road with paving new pull off. They are also putting benches there. The forest on the north side of the lake has burnt but in a couple years it will be beautiful again. A great drive.

Went to the lake while staying at Lake MacDonald lodge. Pretty scenery and did see some people going in the water (late July) but it was still a bit cool.

The lake is easily accessible, it's close to the west end of the park, and can be reached from the western gate via the Going to the Sun Road, without worrying about having to drive through any mountain passes. There are several pull-outs along the road, but you can enjoy the lake more, if you have the time, by taking a boat tour, or just by renting a boat and exploring on your own (both of these can be done near the Lake McDonald Lodge, towards the northeastern end of the lake. The views of the surrounding mountains, the color of the lake, and the peace and tranquility are very nice.

One of our first hikes at Glacier, we did the Rocky Point Loop Lookout. The lake water is very clear and you can see all the colors of rocks in lake. It's a quiet hike which wasn't crowded. It was nice seeing all the snow capped mtns off in the distance.

Take a ride around Lake McDonald and view the freshness of this lake. There is hiking trails, boating, fishing, and so much sight seeing to view. So clean and so beautiful.

The word iconic is vastly overused, but the views on this lake are unparalleled. It is an absolutely breathtaking spot.

We (our family of seven) rented kayaks here and the scenery was spectacular. The water was calm and the lake was easy to navigate. We rented a canoe, tandem kayak and single kayaks. The surrounding area has lots of shops, ice cream, restaurants and outdoor recreational equipment rentals. The views are breathtaking and well worth your time.

Visited in early June and had to see this lake. Took a two person kayak out and the water was not as cold as I thought it would be. The views on the lake were great and the stones/colors were beautiful. Woke up early the next morning and parked at the south parking lot for sunrise. There was no wind and the water was like glass which made for some breathtaking pictures of the mountains and sunrise reflecting on the water. 100% recommend waking up early to see this.

We caught a boat at Lake McDonald Lodge and toured the lake as the sun was going down. It was spectacular, in part because the area was shrouded in smoke from the grass fires, coming south from Alberta. Taking a boat tour is a cool and lovely way to see Lake McDonald.

Truly a throwback -- no electronics, just the great outdoors with hiking, boating, lounging on large lakefront veranda, rides on small, historic buses to the top of the majestic pass

Really nice place to chill. We went at the end of September and early so it wasn't crowded however everything was shut for the season Apparently gets pretty crowded in the peak season as does every park in the North American Rockies.

Take the boat cruise that leaves from the Lodge. It's not expensive. Nice ranger-naturalist narration.

We traveled with family here the first of July to see Glaciers. However, due to COVID-19, park rangers have closed HWY 2 leading up to the glaciers. You can still drive for up to 18 miles along the scenic highway. The lake is beautiful. Keep in mind park rangers also tend to close out access to HWY 2 for no reason. We had to wait for 3 hours driving around before they finally opened the park.

Beautiful!! Be sure to see it in early morning haze to get a photo like these. With people get sillouettes. So pretty!

We just sat for a while and enjoyed the view and the peace and quiet. The kids were so in awe at all the pretty , smooth rocks and the clear water! We could have sat for hours. The mountain reflection when the waters are calm makes it all that much better!

While the area was really crowded with tourists, we were able to make our way to the lake relatively easy. The gravel rocks under the water are beautiful.

This lake was Crystal clear and had many beautiful rocks to look at. We would have loved to kayak it, but it was a cold and rainy day.

A favorite spot to take pictures, picnic, and kayak or visit nearby gift shops. Whatever your interests are you will be happy with your decisions. Since this spot is close to the west entrance of the park, it can be busy during the peak season.

The wind at Lake McDonald can come up so one must be aware of the conditions if you are planning a water activity. There is a picnic area at the south end of the Lake with bathrooms, benches, tables and access to the shoreline for a quiet time by the water.

your not going to glacier and not going to spend time around lake mcdonald....the south end is abgar village motels gift shop food ice cream the boat launch and the beach look at the web cam to see the lake,,,,,as you north along the lake its the views...the the little village at lake mcdonald lodge and beyond the lake to the north is the river that feeds the lake lots of parking along the way

Driving back down Going to the Sun Road, we stopped in this historic lodge for an early dinner. We were able to sit at a table overlooking the lake. The food was certainly satisfactory but not outstanding. It was a hot July day and there was no air conditioning. The Lodge was built in 1913 and it's on Lake McDonald. Although I'm glad we looked around this beautiful old building, I would not choose to eat there again.

you can not beat the water quality here nor can you ask for a more incredibly colorful beach line! the water in late july is a perfect complement to the heat of the day. watercraft rentals are available both within and from outside of the park. I thought that the Glacier Guides (just a mile or so from the park entrance) and rentals that were perfect for single day adventures to the lake.
bring plenty of fish friendly sunscreen and plan at least one or two afternoons to take in all the wonders of the incredible lake McDonald!

This was one of the prettiest lakes I've ever seen. The rocks are all amazing colors, and the lake is amazingly calm. It's perfect for skipping rocks, and you can paddle board and do other water activities pretty easily!

Years ago I hiked in around the shores of Lake McDonald to camp, it was worth it just to avoid the crowds and have the opposite lakeshore to yourself.

Beautiful, icon views of Glacier National Park! Love the areas where you can sit and look at the water and just relax. There are many trail options from easy to hard around the lake as well. Taking a boat cruise is another great way to get off the beaten path and enjoy Glacier NP!

What amazing views. First day the lake was like glass and the water so clear you could see the bottom even where it was quite deep. The stones were all colors. The next day the lake was choppy because of the wind and the color was dark and menacing. The mountains looked down on the lake in all their majesty.

We came here because we wanted to see the colored rocks on the floor of the lake. They are spectacular. Fish lake picnic area was great. Played in the water had a picnic then went on to trail of the cedars and going to the sun road. Definitely want to come back and explore some more

When you enter Glacier National Park from the west entrance on The going-to-the-sun road, Lake McDonald is right there. There is a lodge, tour boat, kayak, and boat for rent. There is a red bus tour (free ride) that stop at Lake McDonald Lodge and will take you around the park.

We went to Lake McDonald Lodge and rented double kayaks...we were pleasantly surprised that they had them available immediately! Absolutely perfect weather and beautiful views! We could see snow capped mountains in the distance. We paddled (or tried to paddle...) to the rapids coming from Johns Lake into Lake McDonald...the current was too swift but it was cool to see the bridge and rapids. Afterwards we got cocktails at the lounge and you can bring them out to the benches overlooking the grounds of the hotel and the lake. Perfect end to our day. The prairie dogs enjoyed the views with us. Honestly I thought the area would be way more crowded but the reservation system is helping with that. The environment was chill and relaxed...not a bunch of frantic tourists taking photos. Highly recommend!!

Beautiful glacier formed lake on the west end of Glacier National Park. We did the boat ride. The day we went it was very calm unlike the day before. You could see the reflected montains and trees in the lake.

This lake was very beautiful. We saw it along the GTTS road, from a hiking trail, and from the Lake McDonald lodge. We went to the lodge and bought some drinks and sat down by the water to enjoy the view. When there isn't any wind you get a perfect reflection of the mountains off the water.

Lake Mcdonald is the largest lake in Glacier National, Apgar village is on just one part of it.It is a beautiful sight and the lake lines the Going to the sun road thur the west side of the park. Lake Mcdonald historical lodge is a nice walk to the shoreline of the lake.Also check out ranger talks given about the Lake and property

Explore Glacier National Park's Wild and Scenic border river, come and visit it now! It is really beautiful.

Hiked near and then took a boat ride on Lake McDonald...gorgeous, crystal clear water. The hour long boat from Lake McDonald Lodge ride was well narrated and full of insightful history

There are multiple ways to access the lake and we really enjoyed walking along the rocky shoreline. The rocks have incredible colors due to the rich minerals magnified by the water. It's a nice body of water to take a cooling dip in, if you like cold water! The water is crystal clear and you're surrounded by majestic mountains. The lake is very accessible from the Apgar Village.

This lake is quite large and beautiful. You can rent boats and kayaks in Apgar to go out on the lake. It's a chilly lake but that didn't stop my kids from wading in.

Absolutely one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. If you get the chance to go do it. It was all amazing.

Lake MacDonald offers a cruise on the lake, hosted by the park ranger, with a wealth of knowledge about the lake and surrounding area. The trip takes about an hour, and is a real adventure. Totally enjoyed this cruise.

Lake Mcdonald was OK as compared to other places in the park. The west side of the lake was burned in the last 4 to 5 years So it’s not as pretty as it has been. I really liked the inlet from the river. That view was beautiful. The lake McDonald Lodge is unique and fun to check it out. The cool thing is that it’s 500 feet deep.

the lake is big, with mountains around it, however, didn't see much snow or ice on the mountains, may be it's mid-July, all the snow melts, and can't see any glaciers on the mountains as well, I see the lake at the McDonald lodge, not sure if other position can have better view with some snow or glaciers. The water is clear, can see some fish. There is also boat tour for the lake

We enjoyed a picnic lunch by Lake McDonald. It is a very large lake and you can take a boat ride across it (but we didn't). You can also do kayak rentals. The mountains in the background make a beautiful spot. There were a couple grizzly spottings along the shore and in the water so definitely be on alert.

I have been to it all but I could not find Glacier National Park as a whole but I saw Lake McDonald on the way. On a clear day the blues and greens are marvelous! The color! The vibrant colors in the mountains and trees. If driving, the curves and the drops can be insane and scary but stop when you can to take pictures and enjoy the view. We did not hike but I want to next time! I plan to come here many more times!! Great for the family or with friends. There were a lot of bikers biking up the curvy roads on the way so watch out for them as it is very hard to see around some of the corners. I wish we would have camped and next time I hope to. I had heard that there was a bus like vehicle that would pick you up at all the scenic views so that you did not have to drive. I drove because I didn't know how long it would take to get out of the park when stopping at every stop (we did it in one day more like 3/4 of the day there) Be careful especially at night!

Lake McDonald is one of the first things you'll see after entering Glacier National Park. It's beauty depends on the time of day and sunlight. Boat tours are available, but we did not take one. We simply drove by and stopped a few turnouts for photos. (In my opinion, St. Mary Lake at the other end of Glacier National Park is prettier and turned out better in my photos, but it might have just been our timing.)

this is a beautiful place and pictures galore. loved roaming around great place to visit there were numerous people all ages. if hiking would suggest a child carry back pack as the trails are not made for little legs

This is a wonderfully beautiful lake with many hiking trails of various difficulty levels. There are boat tours, a historic hotel, and is the heart of Glacier National Park.

Cool clear waters and beautiful colored rocks make this the prettiest lake that I have ever seen. The mountain backdrop is breathtaking. We stayed in a cabin where the lake turns into a creek. The view was amazing!!

How would you like to drop you phone into a lake and see it at the bottom, only to discover the bottom is 40 feet deep in that area. This lake is incredibly clear and beautiful. 400+ feet deep we were told. Such a breathtaking place to visit.

Beautiful boat ride on Lake McDonald. Our captain, Ethan, was so informative about the lake and park history.
Highly recommend.

Lake McDonald is on the west end of Going to the Sun Road, which follows the south shore of the lake for about 9 miles. There are places to pull over and view the lake, or one can stop at Lake McDonald Lodge (food, boat tours) on the east end of the lake or Apgar Village on the west end (camping, lodging, food, kayak rentals, visitor center). Several hiking trails encircle the lake. I thought that St. Mary Lake was prettier, but it may just have just been the time of day because we were at Lake McDonald in the early morning when the sun was still low in the sky.

Driving along the lake your view is bothered by trees. You have to stop and park for a view. Bu5 the parking options are limited.

Despite the forest fires which had closed 50% of the Going to the Sun Rd, we spent time hiking at McDonald Lake and taking it in's beauty. Beautiful clear chilly water but the view were awesome

The lake is beautiful. There is a lodge there that can provide (expensive) food and free restrooms. No WiFi. But before getting to the lodge you can get snacks at the store a short walking distance away and then go to the lodge peer and rent a boat for a ride in the lake (25 $ an hour for a motor boat). A very nice place for a visit with kids.

Pretty as you turn back and head towards the mountains. Whether you have ranger guide or the captain, probably similiar. be ready for various weather ..went from HOt to chilly and stormy.

Great spot to stop for a,picnic lots of parking with great views and peace and quiet. Great for a relaxing break

Great tour guide who rounded the Lake and gave some interesting information over the course of an hour. Lots of opportunities to take pictures. Weather was perfect. Some smoke in the area from the western Canadian wildfires.

Since we have weak knees, we picked the easiest hikes around Lake McDonald. Rocky Point Trail is a 2-mile loop near the Fish Creek Campground. There is a sign at the campground that points to the trail through an unpaved road. There is a good sized unpaved parking lot. Before the trailhead, you will pass a Picnic area as I see people eating in the parking lot.

Johns Lake Loop is also a 2-mile hike north of Lake McDonald. There is a trailhead and paved parking at N. McDonald Rd which is off Going-to-the-Sun Rd. You'll be rewarded with views of the McDonald Falls and McDonald Creek. Johns Lake itself is not spectacular. There are no restrooms on this trail.

Further north of Johns Lake Loop is the 0.5 mile Trail of Cedars loop which is at the Avalanche Lake Campground and Trailhead, so there's lots of parking. This is a highly trafficked area and there are vault toilets. Part of the trail is a boardwalk.

The lake was so calm, the reflections were like glass. Very scenic. Parking was a problem because a lot of the parking areas were under construction.

We stayed at The Apgar motel it was great ! The staff especially Shirley at the service desk was great! Loved Lake McDonald it was beautiful anytime of the day in very close to the motel !!

Great views from just about everywhere on the lake. Good easy day hikes. We hiked Rocky Point which takes you through a pine forest and end with a great view of the lake. We did not see any bears but they highly recommend brining bear spray

Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It is easily seen behind Lake McDonald Lodge where they have boat rides on this lake or you can sit on the shore to ponder its beauty. You also have viewpoints at several stops at the western edge of the park where you can stop for photos with this scenic lake in the background.

Lake Macdonald is just gorgeous! Took my niece and nephews here 3 times in the duration of one week. Yes, ice cream each time we visited, that's what aunties do! You can enjoy huckleberry ice cream or soda on shore. Our favorite pastime is get on the canoe and get rolling. Gotta burn off all the ice cream we have been having;)

This place is so beautiful. We were unable to see anything else in Glacier National Park due to off season, but this was my main thing to see. The lake is do beautiful, crystal clear from the glacier history. The colored rocks are amazing & the reflection from the snow covered peaks are reflections like glass into the lake. A definite stop! Peak season you can see more of the Park but to crowded for us! Enjoyed my time with my husband.

We started our day on the east side of Glacier where it rained on us on our morning hikes. Even with the rain it was spectacular. The afternoon was spent on the west side and by Lake McDonald. There were a poo-load of people at Apgar, thus we moved up the side of the lake till we were near the top and just pulled off at one of the turnouts. There was a short trail to the shore and we had an awesome view of the lake and mountains as the sky had cleared on the west side for the most part. Beautiful area. Watched a gent just pull in trout one after the other.

No matter what trail you take you get amazing views of this lake. Its clear, but cold. The coolest part is where avalanche creek meets it the bluish water hits the lake water. If you can take a hike around the lake I recommend it.

Though not the most impressive lake in Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald is very pretty with very still water and surrounded by beautiful mountains. If you are visiting Glacier National Park, I recommend stopping by Lake McDonald at least once.

We were able to take the Lake McDonald boat tour. The tour takes you around the lake, and a tour guide provides narration giving some history of the lake, the park, and the surrounding area. Our tour guide was very good and knew a lot about the park, which made for a fun experience.

Although the view from the boat isn't substantially different from what you can see on the shore, we did get to see some unique landscapes -- especially the mountains to the north.

Note that if you have a reservation for the boat tour you will be able to enter the park from West Glacier even if you do not have a Going to the Sun Road ticket. I suspect many reservations did this as we were able to take the boat tour with a last minute reservation from the wait list due to large numbers of no-show reservations.

Overall, the tour is relaxing and a nice way to take in views of the surrounding mountains. We did get to see some wildlife from the boat including birds.

The best way to experience Lake McDonald is from the Lake McDonald Lodge. Be sure to check out the river north of the lake as well for some pretty views of rushing water. There are also hiking trails in the area.

We were there during a storm and the clouds were settled in on the peaks. Then the sun popped through and there was a rainbow. Luckily I got a shot since I brought the camera.

Boats can be rented at various locations on the lake. Apgar village and McDonald Lodge both have them.

Gorgeous terrain, to explore a day away! I did learn there is No cell reception so advise your husband lol!!

Took the one hour boat cruise on board the 90 year old wooden craft that was spotless and in great condition. The tour included educational commentary by a National Park Service guide who provided the history, geology, topology and evolution of this lake and its surrounds. Time well spent at a very reasonable price. Strongly suggest reservations well in advance as it sells out- most of the tours the day we were there were "sold out".

We went down to the lake to see the pretty rocks. We stopped first along the going to the sun road than went into the village. We also went kayaking on the lake. It was easy and they gave us great instructions.

We visited both the Apgar and Lake McDonald Lodge areas during our trip to the park. We took the boat ride from the lodge ten years ago and we decided to do it again this year. It was worth it both times. You'll either have the captain or a park ranger give an overview of the history of the park and the geological features. Since we got off the road, we were able to really see the smoke from the wildfire that was burning.

There are also numerous outfitters that rent various rowboats, canoes, and kayaks for use on the lake at both the Apgar and lodge areas if one is interested in that.

Upon entering Glacier National Park on the west side, and starting up the Going to the Sun Road, you will follow along Lake McDonald. The lake served as the primary way to reach Lake McDonald Lodge before the road was built. This is why the front of the lodge faces the lake. While the entire ride is breathtaking, there are numerous pull overs to both access the lake and take pictures. A popular spot, and my particular favorite, is on the pier at the southern end of the lake located in Apgar Village. This provides a comprehensive view looking northward with the lake laid out before you and the majestic mountains in the distance. There are numerous activities provided by the lake as well, including boating, fishing, wild life viewing and many lakeside trails. Even in winter when the road is closed past the lodge you will not be disappointed . The lake is surely an important jewel in the Crown of the Continent!

We rented a boat for about an hour and had a lot of fun. Views were awesome. There are shops and restaurants as well. Plus Lake McDonald lodge at one end. Views were great as with everywhere in the park. I believe this lake is no longer glacier fed but is the largest lake in the park. worth the visit.

The drive along Lake McDonald from the Apgar entrance was very pretty. The lake, framed by majestic mountains, was calm, pure, and placid. The pullouts were great places to stop for photos.

Many good spots along the drive to take pictures and nice hiking on the non road side. Waterfalls and cascades further up the river. We were lucky and had snow, mist and calm for a variety of pictures.

Large beautiful lake when first entering Glacier National Park. Stop and get out and enjoy the fresh air and shoreline

Took the boat trip from the lake mcdonald lodge since we were staying here and it was a very enjoyable 1 hour out on the water with our 91 year old active ranger guide (he was fantastic!!!!!!!!). Highly recommended way to see this beautiful lake.

We were stunned by the night time views of the sky over Lake McDonald! We could see the Milky Way galaxy because of llack of light pollution and no clouds. The view of the lake itself is wonderful and changes throughout the day with the lighting. We stayed lakeside in the Apgar motel which was small and rustic, but sufficient for our needs.

This is a review and its rating based on 2 different experiences in 2020 after the park closures on the east side...and after the extreme crowding that began before the Going to the Sun Road opened for the season. In a more normal year, the rating would be 5 stars.

Your first taste of Glacier will most likely be gazing in awe from the toe of Lake McDonald at Apgar Village. You will be looking across the entire length of the lake and beyond up to the mountains in the distance where you will eventually be heading via the Going to the Sun Road after it opens.

The lake water is clear beyond belief and, yes, cold! You will be able to easily see the renowned multi-colored stones through the lens of water and take home some amazing pictures of them to show your family & friends.

Even in this confusing year, you will be able to rent single or double kayaks, paddle-boards, small stature canoes, BEAR SPRAY and swim...brrrr...in the lake if you are brave. The water will be frigid early in the season as it comes down directly from the snow melt in the mountains right next to the lake. It will feel nice and cooling as the season heats up and the days get warmer and longer. The kids will be skipping stones once you teach them how.

Sunrise and Sunset from the toe of Lake McDonald is just gorgeous and very peaceful. Its a great place to begin your day and wind it down at night. The beach right at the Village Inn, the boat dock or Apgar Picnic area just a little west of the shops offer great sunrise/sunset views.
===
Once you begin your drive up and along the lake, you will be tempted to stop and walk down to the water again for photos or just to sit at the waterside in the sun for a while. Fallen trees with roots splayed wide and up in the air...taller than a lot of men...are often found at waters edge. They make the photos even more dramatic and offer a great place to take selfies with the kids.
===
This year,because of the Covid edicts, you will NOT be allowed into the the Lake McDonald Lodge unless you are registered guests for the night you arrive. You cannot stop for lunch or the lounge for a drink like normal or use the inside restrooms there. The gift shop is closed and lobby is off limits. You can find take-out but must walk around to the back of the Lodge and order from there. There will be the block restrooms located between the Lodge and camp-store there. Expect distancing lines. Expect competition for parking.

There will be NO boat tours on Lake McDonald this year. There will be NO Red Bus tours and NONE of the Free Hikers Shuttles there from the Lodge....or anywhere else for that matter.

At the very northern-most end of Lake McDonald you will come to the best hike on the Lake McDonald side of the park. The Trail of the Cedars, is a fully accessible, boardwalked trail which runs underneath 600 year old Cedars with a fern carpet on the forest floor. Eventually that 1 mile trail joins up with the more difficult hike to Avalanche Lake making the total hike 6 miles long. That will give you a first taste of hiking in Glacier.

In early Summer when the water is rushing full in McDonald Creek, its also fun to take the McDonald Creek trail up and back down. That trailhead is found after a left hand turn north of the Lodge and over a little bridge at the far end of Lake McDonald.

My family and I were visiting West Glacier and had fun in the sun after several days of rain. This place is beautiful, reminds me of Jenny Lake in Grand Tetons. Water is clear and nice rocky beaches are fun to swim and hang out at . Kids had a blast, good family hang out for the afternoon.

Lovely to drive around the lake entering the park. Would recommend. Was unfortunately very smokey due to the fires so maybe check this before you go if visiting in August/September 2017

Apgar is the perfect campground-it definitely felt like we were away but not stranded. Lake McDonald was like a postcard, and we rented kayaks to get a little more up close with nature. Every one of the ranger programs was excellent, and every ranger we spoke to was helpful and excited to help us find a way to experience GNP. Going To The Sun Road was, as promised, breathtaking and a bit harrowing. Definitely get to Logan Pass early (before 9am) or take a shuttle, and hike to Hidden Lake or it’s overlook. The east side felt a little more forgotten. St Mary Lake is gorgeous! Tent-camped in St Mary for the second half of our stay, showers not operational and no one could give us info about where there might be working showers. Beautiful views & saw a grizzly.

About the new camping reservation system, which I agree with and understand the reasoning for: I will not tent camp in a busy park using this system again. Because it’s almost impossible to secure several nights in a row of campsites, it is a lot of extra work to constantly be setting up and undoing tents and changing campsites. It also invariably eats into your days’ activities. We were lucky to secure two nights of our stay in the same site, and that felt so relaxing! But beware to all tent campers.

Still, nothing could diminish what a gem this park is and the experience of this wonder!

Beautiful lake among the many st Glacier. There is a lodge at g th his location and restaurant. Take time here to enjoy a boat ride to explore the beauty of Glacier from a different perspective than land travel. Unbelievable views.

This is the first lake you come to when you enter the park from the west. It's very picturesque with greenery and mountains off in the distance. There are some cascades in the creek leading up to it.

The rocks are not nearly as colorful as the photoshopped ones you see online but it's still worth stopping and looking. The lake is so peaceful and serene!

This is the type of lake you would want to hang out at all day and just relax. You have so many different options from this location. From hikes, beaches, hotels, snacks, water boat tours and more. You really can do it all from here. Such a great place to spend the day. If you are staying on the west side of the park you should be able to get to it easily and if you are on the east side you will need to drive the sun road to get there. Well worth the effort.

Absolutely fell in love with this place, so tranquil and unspoilt, so easy to get lost in the awe of your surroundings, every view is breathtaking. Access roads are good and there are just enough amenities in and around the area without it becoming too tourist(y)

This is the largest lake in Glacier National Park, and is simply breathtakingly beautiful. The are tons of options for things to do here.

My group enjoyed picnicking from several different spots around the lake. Lots of people were out kayaking or taking the boat tours.

This is the first thing you come to on the Going to the Sun road, and gives you a great introduction to Glacier.

This is really pretty. The Mountains reflect of the water,the pretty colored stones in the water. They rent little boast her for just 25 dollars,we spent several hours here,really pretty.You could see it pretty quickly if you do not have much time and it would still be worthwhile.

We rented a double-kayak at the Apgar boat rental and paddled out to the middle of Lake McDonald, and back. Lovely mountain scenery and a beautiful lake. The boat rental staff were very helpful.

Definitely stop off the main road & spend some time here. Great place for a picnic break.
We went down a bit past the lodge & found an area with only 2 other people around.
The stony beach & clear water were so pretty. It was a windy, choppy day with lots of waves when we visited
.
Water reminded me of something you’d see in The Caribbean, not Montana! Lol
Gorgeous

We stopped here a few times on our recent trip to Glacier National Park. The weather varied from warm and sunny to quite chilly (low 50s and windy on an August day), but we still enjoyed the stop each time. We traveled with 3 kids: 11, 9, and 4 years old. They enjoyed skipping some rocks at the lake. The water is so clear, the views are wonderful. We did not have a chance to watch a sunset at this spot, but I hear that's quite lovely too.
It was not our favorite spot within the park, but definitely worth visiting if you have some extra time.

Be amazed at the reflection of the snow capped mountains in the clear waters of this lake. A nature lovers paradise.

We took at drive through Glacier, although the Road to the Sun was closed. It was still a pretty view, but Lake McDonald was one of my favorite stops. Breathtaking clear water surrounded by miles of mountains. A very pretty spot.

This lake is tremendously large. It is just below McDonald's Lodge and the views are spectacular. There are lots of turnouts and you can take some beautiful photography anywhere on the Going to the Sun Road

The first thing that you come across when you enter going to the sun road is the lake.
It's huge, lovely and serene.
There are points where you can get off and take pictures or sit besides the lake.

View lake from Apgar and see fantastic mountain views across the lake. What a view when sun is shining on the mountains. Beautiful places to stay in Apgar and Lake McDonald Lodge. Lake tours by boat available at Lake McDonald Lodge. Multiple stops along road to go down to lake for fishing, kayaking, or swimming. Many trails along the route - Johns Lake, Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake. Restaurants in Apgar and the Lodge for lunch or dinner.

We arrived to Lake McDonald during forest fire and we rode on the last boat before all boat line closed. We saw helicopter pouring chemical to stop fire from boat. Eagle nests on trees. The lake is beautiful especially during sunset time.

We have spent four days visiting the West Glacier area and truly enjoyed the every changing views of Lake McDonald as we drove up the east shoreline from Apgar Village to Lake McDonald Lodge. With no wind and sunny skies the reflections of mountains and clouds make it look like something you would create using photoshop... the gray days the views are still spectacular, but not as vivid. The water by the shore is so clear you can see all the amazing colors of the pebbles. If the water had not been so cold, we would have rented a kayak and spent even more time on this magnificent lake.

Kind of funny to see one-, two- and three-star reviews for a place as beautiful as Lake McDonald, and especially b/c of Covid-related "issues" (that aren't really the park's fault, and certainly aren't the lake's fault), and things like "there are better areas of the park," but hey, to each his/her own.

I thought the lake was gorgeous, and you can still go kayaking, SUPing and boating on it, as well as wading/swimming in it, or just sit on the shore, have a picnic and enjoy the view.

Immediately inside Glacier National Park at the Apgar Visitor Center, is where you join the 'Going to the Sun' Road. Lake McDonald lies just to the left of the road. It is 10-miles long and you will drive along it's length. It's narrow and quite deep so the water is clean, fresh, and cold making it ideal for fishing for several varieties of trout. Lake McDonald Lodge is near there. You can also find equipment rentals at the Lodge.

As it had been raining when we were there, we got out just to take photos. The water is clear and the pebbles at the bottom are many beautiful colors.
The shoreline is tree-lined and there are pull outs. These are the safest way to see the lake and take photos.

We did stop in at the lodge and took some photos there as well. It was built in 1913 and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark since 1987.
Bar at the Lodge. Check with local regulations for pets in the Lodge.

Lake McDonald is currently experiencing some terrible smoke due to fires on the Northeastern shore of the lake. Visibility when I went was very low. You can rent kayaks and other watercraft at the Apgar Village, and perhaps other places as well. Until the fires are dealt with, I would go elsewhere in the park.

Stopped before or red bus tour for lunch to see the view. What a peaceful spot to sit lakeside and contemplate nature. This spot is beautiful.

My photos are so pretty at this spot, white puffy clouds reflecting in the crystal clear waters. Amazing.

The lake is like a mirror on calm days, but can develop whitecaps quickly when the weather changes. Kayakers and canoes enjoy the calm waters. Scenic boat ride behind the lodge on the lake available. Hike Rocky Point and the McDonald Lake trails to experience the beauty of this area. Lovely rock beaches to relax and wade in the frigid water on a hot day.

Lake McDonald is indeed a large and beautiful lake. The lodge area is nice enough but not near as nice as Many Glaciers. The reading room was a welcome respite.

If you go to glacier and don’t see lake McDonald, you’re nuts. The lake and the views are gorgeous and apgar village is a great little place for souvenirs and food.

Highly recommended to see! It's the largest lake in Glacier National Park and worth the hike. You can also kayak and canoe if you don't like hiking. I'm told some people even scuba in it since it's 472ft deep! But it's surreal and goregous to see!

We drove past the lake in both directions and stopped at the lodge fo a closer look. We did not see any wildlife on our drive on Going to the Sun road but the scenery was spectacular. My impression of the boat tour of the lake is that it more of a boat ride.

We enjoyed a hike around part of Lake Macdonald on the Fish Creek Wildlife/Nature Loop trail. We were able to get close to the lake and even dip in our toes! The lake was crystal clear, and the hike boasted amazing views of snow covered mountains. We hiked with our three boys (ages 12, 10, and 8), and it was an easy hike for them. I would recommend it for families with children. This is easily accessible from the Fish Creek campground, which is only a couple of miles tops from Apgar Village. There were many kayakers enjoying the lake the day of our hike, and that looked like another enjoyable way to enjoy the lake. There were kayak rental vendors in Apgar Village.

Beautiful evening tour of the lake with lots of interesting information. A great way to end a day in Glacier.

What a beautiful lake with the mountains in the background. After a busy day of exploring it was a peaceful place to rest and reflect on all that we had seen and the absolute blessing it was to see all of the beauty that there is in the world. It was a place to easily forget the ugliness.

Located in Apgar village with plenty of parking, you can see the views of Lake McDonald. We rented a boat for an hour for $25, the lake was choppy but got great views. Only could go so far because of the Forest Fires. Would recommend stopping by before getting on Going to the Sun Road (which is currently closed due to fires).

We visited Glacier National Park late May. The lake is gorgeous, with breath taking views of the mountains all around it. There are some turnouts so you can get out of your car to take photos or walk on trails. Which is nice. You can take boat rides and rent kayaks on the lake , but we did not have time.
Highly recommend seeing the lake with all the bonus things to see and do.

We had a picnic dinner here beside the lake and were visited by deer. It was pretty quiet and relaxing. The view was nice. You do need to clear out by sundown though.

If you touch the water in the summer, it is semi-warm compared to other lakes where it is freezing. You can canoe, swim, or rent a motor boat. I didn't' get to fish , but I understand you don't need a driver's license to catch trout in the lake.

We spent half a day kayaking and paddleboarding on the lake. The beach is rocky, but fine for a picnic lunch. Rentals were easy and in good condition, even towards the end of the season. There was smoke in the air from fires deeper in the park, but that's common during fire season.

During our recent Glacier Park visit we stayed at the Village Inn lodge right at the Apgar end of the lake. From our room we enjoyed a fantastic view down the length of the lake with a mountain vista as a backdrop - mesmerizing and exquisitely beautiful as the clouds and light alter the view almost minute by minute. During the season boats and kayaks can be rented in Apgar Village. Lake McDonald is one of the larger lakes that we found in our hikes and drives within the park and certainly one of the more outstanding of the Glacier Park lakes.

No matter what you are oding at GNP, it is worth taking some time to relax on the side of this lake. We had a few picnic lunches, and stopped a few times to walk in the water. The rocks are beautiful. There are plenth of pull outs that allow you to park and take a short walk to the lake.

Lake McDonald is the largest lake (~10x1 miles, up to 130 meters deep) inside US Glacial National Park that my family visited at the beginning of August 2018. The lake is beautiful because of the blue-coloured lake that is surrounded by thick green woods under clear blue sky. Its beauty is comparable to the beauty of the several big lakes in Canadian Rockies but different in that it’s hard to see glacials on the tops of the hills that are around the lake. You can view the beauty by driving along going-to-the-sun-road that is on the south or southeast side of this lake. In addition, in the Apgar Sprague Picnic Area on the side of the road close the the lake bank, you can park you car and enjoy your food and drinks while go down to the beach to view and enjoy the natural beauty of the lake and the surroundings.

We drove by this lake numerous times while visiting the park. Exceptionally
beautiful. As an amateur photographer, I appreciated the changes given the light and time of day.

We only had a few minutes here but it was sure pretty and popular. Had a place to rent boats and such. Saw several folks enjoying swimming in the pretty water.

Lake McDonald was beautiful, even in January. We have been there for decades. It was more beautiful and breathtaking than I remembered. Loads of snow and ice (be careful walking), we had a family snowball fight by the edge of the lake. Some stores and restaurants were open but not all. Be flexible in the winter.

We stopped by the lake to take in the view. Its so beautiful to look at the white cap mountains with the water. You can take out a permit to kayak near the lake but we passed on that because of time. If you are taking a boat in the water, every vehicle needs to be inspected beforehand in order to protect the lake from an invasive species of mussel.

The view of the lake from the south to the north (and other areas) are simply amazing. When the lake is still in the morning the reflection of the mountains and surrounding areas are beautiful.

Regardless of time of day the views are incredible and would recommend time inside the park at/around the lake.

We didn't stay at the lodge because IMHO it's not worth the price. (Like many of the National Park lodging places it's outdated, small with no amenities - except location). We DID take the boat tour, which is well worth it - and you don't have to stay at the lodge to do it (but allow plenty of time to get there.) You can also just stop at the lodge (driving or on Red Bus) and just enjoy it for a while and then travel on.

We rode the tour boat built in 1930 and the tour bus built in 1937. We hiked the Cedars trail loop and the John's lake loop. There are many waterfalls in the park. The park is the most eastern, northwest rainforest. We stayed at the Cobb House which is a short walk from the main lodge. It used to be staff housing and now has been converted into a small 4 room accommodation. It felt like we were off by ourselves.

Beautiful reflections and colorful stones. Maybe you can rent a canoe there or go supping. Its beau
itiful surrounded by the mountains and woods.

This is a Great location for photos or just to take in the beautiful view. A must if your in the area

Surly Lake McDonald was once amazing. The entire north side had a fire and all its trees are dead. The Lake shows signs of human waste contamination. It is murkey, cloudy, and a strange green in July 2022. It should have presented more like a glacier melt lake. We stayed at a campground on the lake. The national Campground was overcrowded and gone are the days when campers are well behaved or thoughtful about their neighbors, other campers. We couldn't get out of there fast enough! Also, the roads, trails, and villages near Lake McDonald are all overcrowded.

We rented paddle boards on the lake from Eco Sky rentals and that was a lot of fun. We also did the boat tour which wasn’t too exciting. The lake is beautiful but if anyone has seen all of the Instagram photos of the “fruity pebbles” colored rocks, you will be disappointed. The rocks are very pretty but they are not the pictures on Instagram are photoshopped and do not look as bright and clear in person. Wish I had not had those expectations going in because they are still very pretty if you aren’t expecting vibrancy.

Lake McDonald was simple breathtaking. It reminded me of Zakopane in Poland. And just like Zakopane, it’s beauty is almost spiritual.

This lake is so beautiful. You can immediately fell your body relax. So enjoy it. It is very peaseful and quiet. The last time I was here it was smoke covered. This time the sky was crystal clear.

The drive to here from the West Entrance requires no crazy cliff sections of the Going to the Sun Road if that is a concern of yours. Pull into the Apgar Village entrance and there is a picnic area right there with a gorgeous beach and view of Glacier's mountains. Relaxing, space to get away from crowds and clear views. Only wish we had time to kayak on it.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road was closed from Apgar to Logan’s Pass due to wildfires during my visit (9/2 – 9/5). I did go to Apgar at the foot of Lake McDonald. The smoke was so heavy that I could barely see the mountains. I could see most of the lake. The lake was blue and clear.

A little smokey due to forest fires in the area, still a beautiful lake next to Going-to-the Sun Road. Not enough pull-offs, due to road construction. One nite on our way home smoke made Sun look like Orange Ball, And the Orange was reflecting in the lake, very beautiful.

Lake McDonald in the Late Fall is worth seeing even when the Sun Road is closed. The skies are clear of smoke and there is a light dusting of snow on the mountain tops.

Several days we went into the park, we would go into Apgar Village to walk around and walk on the Lake shore. I was amazed by the many colors of the rocks and shapes. The views of the mountains from the lake are beautiful. There are cabins and motel rooms on the shore that would be relaxing to stay in.

Lake McDonald is huge! You can stop at a number of places or just view it as you are driving by!!!!!

Visiting this lake leaves you feeling peaceful and in awe. I highly recommend kayaking/canoeing on this lake so that you can have uninterrupted views of the mountains. Very busy during high traffic seasons - July 4th, Labor Day weekend, etc. Highly recommended.

Pretty area. The lodge is very nice. They have a nice boat tour you can take around the lake. There is a nice little camping style grocery store close to the lodge too.

We arrived at Kalispell (Glacier International Airport) and drove less than an hour to the Lake McDonald Lodge. The lodge being a great place to stay only complemented the overall experience of Lake McDonald. There’s a great boat ride that allows you to experience the lake from multiple vantage points and there are a number of hiking trails, for example Avalanche Lake, John’s Lake and a trip to McDonald Falls. If you’re only intent is to traverse the Going-To-The-Sun-Road, I’d definitely recommended stopping at Lake McDonald on the way.

Lake McDonald is huge and the best place to see it is from the Lake McDonald Lodge. The scenery is stunning. You can rent kayaks, go on a scenic cruise or just meander along the lakeshore.

Visited the Park briefly in early January when most of the park is inaccessible, and it made a pleasant half a day trip from Whitefish. The West Glacier gate was open and not staffed. From there we were able to drive the part of the Going-to-the-Sun-Road that remains open in Winter to get to near Lake McDonald Lodge. You can park the car on a parking lot just off the main road; There were working and open washrooms at that carpark. From there you can walk, ski or snowshoe the closed Going-to-the-Sun Road to get to McDonald Falls and Sacred Dancing Cascade. John’s Lake Loop trail was partially closed due to bridge construction on North Lake McDonald Rd, so we opted to skip it. The walk was easy (on a paved but snow-covered road), there were only a handful of people there, and we saw some elk wandering about. The walk from parking lot to Sacred Dancing Cascade is approx. 7km back and forth, and took us 1 hour 30 mins of leisure walking.
Lake McDonald Lodge is closed for the season, but you can access a small pier and beach in front of it for pleasant lake views. Apgar Village was also fully closed for the season. There’s again a small parking lot facing McDonald Lake, with a tiny pier with beautiful views of the lake and of the beach hotel, The Village Inn (also closed). All in all, we enjoyed our short venture. It’s lovely for a quick ski or snowshoe, or to just get a glimpse of Glacier National Park in the quiet Winter season.

Absolutely beautiful!! Drive around it in the morning but don't miss it in the evening!! The sunset is absolutely breathtaking and the water when we went was like glass!! The rocks are legitimately that bright!!!

Amazing beauty everywhere you turn! We took the lake cruise due to physical limitations with hiking. Cruises were a great way to see Glacier!

Picturesue and breath taking views. Gorgeuos lake with colorful stones, perfect picnic spot to spend time with family and lots of shopping and eating options. kayak and boat rentals are open. Bring your mat and spend the day at the lake dipping your picnic chair and feet in the lake water. There are ice cream and coffee shops at the shopping area.

Many things to,see around the lake but the colored,stones,were awesome. Pictures do not do them justice. Nice hiking trails for various levels. Easy to spend the day there.

Worth a stop while driving, gorgeous views of the lake, perfect for a kid stop, or lunch break. Easy access from road.

When you are at Glacier Nation park you must checkout the stunning beauty and the breathtaking view of lake McDonald.
It is the largest lake in GNP approximately 10 miles long, more than a mile wide and 472 feet deep.
One of the most striking features of Lake McDonald is the presence of a variety of colored rocks and pebbles just below the water surface and on the shores.
The rocks range in color from dark red to maroon, and from green to blue. The waters of the lakes are remarkably clear due to the yearlong low temperatures that prohibit the growth of planktons.
You can almost see details on the bottom of the lakes.
We went to the beach at Apgar Village near the visitor center and it was serene! It was my birthday and best birthday ever!!! It was so peaceful and amazing to just sit by this pristine lake and enjoy the view with the stunning view of clear water and the colored pebbles.
Colored rocks are also can be seen in abundance tjroughout the shores of Lake McDonald. I always wanted to experience that! We took a drive further up the road and came across with McDonald waterfall as well.

Very beautiful, peaceful lake with gorgeous views. At the boat dock there are boat trips that you can book and the have canoes that can be rented at a very reasonable rate per hour. You can also just walk along shore and enjoy. Some people were having a picnic lunch and just sitting back to enjoy.

The Lake has changed significantly from last year after the Howe Ridge Fire. It remains pristinely blue when the suns out with the entire ridge Lake McDonald looks out I’m devastated by the fire. Going the Sun road is currently not open & has planned construction this summer. We still had a wonderful time for a second year in a row taking in new hikes, waterfalls & meals at the lodge. Make sure to save time to take the boat around Lake McDonald!

Beautiful spot. Lovely clean lake. We took a boat ride and saw an eagle nest and its mommy. The water was kinda chilly but so clear and wonderful

Stunning views. Crystal clear water.

Lots of places to pull off for a tranquil stop to take in nature’s beauty.

Lake McDonald is huge and you can see if for miles as you drive along the road. We parked and walked along it's edge and took a boat tour.

When we saw this lake in the winter it was as beautiful as in the summer. However, we were dealing with a lot of smoke this summer, so that took away from its beauty. It was so calm, blue, and the mountains surround it. Large lake.

Now that Lake McDonald is again accessible without a Sun Road Ticket, we visited again and enjoyed it as much as before. The long distance views from the beach next to the Village Inn, from the boat dock & the Apgar Picnic Area are the best for lake/mountain peak photos. The beach also gives you a chance to photograph the famous multi colored rocks beneath the water.

What a beautiful place to watch the sunset, skip rocks or just soak in the beauty of the mountains. The rocks along this shoreline make this a rock skipping paradise.

We spent a great deal of time driving past this lake during our stay. It was visible from many of the attractions we visited. We stayed at the Lake McDonald Lodge and enjoyed the view from our hotel.

This is one of the many beautiful lakes in Glacier National Park. We took an boat tour one morning but had to disembark soon after loading up due to lightning in the area.
The lake is usually calm, serene, and picturesque. It is the perfect lake for kayaking or canoeing.
The iconic photo of the colored rocks and mountains in the background is usually taken from Apgar Village. Very beautiful!

This is truly one of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL places on the entire planet. You could easily spend weeks here and NEVER get bored.
I loved every second we spent here and can't wait to go back.
You have access to thousands of activities, or you can choose to do nothing but soak in the beauty, and you'll be happy either way.

We enjoyed every angle of this amazing lake. It was beautiful any time of the day. We were there before the fires so our views were fantastic.

Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier park. Arctic blue and green Very deep. Nature and wild life all around. Take a boat over to Kelly’s camp. Take a boat tour. Rent kayaks. Just enjoy the fresh water and have fun. The water is cold, but you will numb up quickly. As well, if you like to stand up paddle board, the cold water will help keep your balance.

This lake has healing powers! We hiked 3 hours prior, and we hike our kids played in the water.. we soaked out feet and skipped rocks. This iconic lake really does look like fruity pebbles and with a little “photoshop” the lake rocks pop vibrantly. We think the water was around 55-60° when we went late June. The view is spectacular and it’s very relaxing! Highly recommend a stop here!

We did a boat tour on this lake The lake is beautiful and very clean . The water was cold but people were swimming in it. Great place to sit and just relax.

This place is a little more subdued compared to Many Glacier Hotel but still very nice. If you can book a cabin I would highly recommend that. So there is no
a/c, no TV,no internet, but who needs it in this setting. The restaurant there takes no reservations but is very good.

Visited here during sever wildfires recently. The lake and area would be stunning but completely shrouded in smoke the whole time we were there. Would advise going earlier in the season if possible when there is a lower fire risk (we went in September)

Spent the day around Lake McDonald in Glacier N.P. Probably one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth. The glacier lake is so clear and pristine showing the multi-colored rocks and reflection of the mountains. Incredible views and so peaceful! Take a picnic lunch, take your time and stop at the turnouts to truly enjoy the beauty. Wonderful trip and a don't miss stop around the lake and Going-to-the Sun Road.

Beautiful - Tues after Memorial Day, not much traffic which was great - didn't go in the Lodge, wasn't clear signage that it was open to the public. Going to the Sun road closed just past there at Avalanche pass so not much to do but turn around and come back out of the Park.

This lake was our destination for a late afternoon picnic with friends. We pulled off of the road and walked down to the lake. The water is crystal clear, cool, and so quiet. We spent a few hours just enjoying being in this beautiful piece of nature. Skipping rocks and watching the kayaks and SUPs rounded out our relaxation. This was the perfect end to a day of hiking in Glacier National Park. We had the BEST picnic meal and this location added to our pleasure. Seek a quiet area and just sit, with your feet in the water, and relax.

The lake was beautiful - calm and amazing reflections of the mountains and clouds. We were there just after the Going-to-the-Sun road reopened after the big fires but, unfortunately=y, the hotel and lake activities remained closed. However the lake was worth a visit in its own right.
Well worth a detour

While driving the Going to the Sun Road we stopped by the Lake McDonald Lodge and took in all the views. It's amazing! Great stop!

We were staying in Whitefish-- so wanted to enter through the West Glacier Park entrance. On checking, we discovered that even though it was the end of June--there was still several feet of snow on Rising to the Sky highway. So we drove only to Lake MacDonald as the road was closed just past there.

Turns out that the Park is quite pretty no matter what the weather is like ! The roads and trails are well maintained and signed.There are lots of Park Rangers around to help out if needed .And the mountains, lakes, forests, and fields are all very pretty.

We took a very interesting boat tour on Lake MacDonald which was very well narrated by a Park Ranger with an MS Degree in Geology. She explained how the terrain and glaciers had been formed, and how they evoked and changed over time. She also used rock samples to illustrate her points. Very well done !!

Really pretty lake and mountain area, with such a nice picnic and beach hangout!
It feels like you're secluded within a private section of the lake without the mad lake rush. The water feels great and is see through, I just wish there was more smooth surface beneath the lake and not walk on stones and pebbles the whole lake!

Lake McDonald should be viewed, experienced, explored and admired throughout your visit to the park. Two lodges (Lake McDonald Lodge and The Village Inn) rest on its shores and you can also view it by stopping along the road. The sunrise gave inspiring views and so did the sunset. The night sky reflection was also stunning. There are outfitters who rent paddle boards and kayaks if you want to get out on the lake, too.

A group of my friends and I spent the day kayaking and relaxing at Lake Mcdonald. We rented kayaks for the day and went about 2 hours out straight towards the mountains and still didn’t make it to the other side (it’s huge). We started at 8am as I would highly recommend as it got very busy around 11am. Also, it warms up pretty quick on a clear day. If you don’t have plans to kayak or rent a boat it is still a must see. There is a beach to hangout at and the water is crystal clear. Also, Apgar is a neat little town to check out.

Beautiful views although there was a smoky haze that filled the air when I was there and you couldn't even tell there were mountains in the background due to the nearby fires. Such a beautiful area. I hope the rain and snow will soon offer some relief from the fires.

We toured the inside of Lake McDonald Lodge with emphasis on the restored chandeliers and artwork on the 2nd floor of Glacier Park commissioned by The Great Northern Railroad between 1909 and 1915.

We also went on an interpretive hike along Lake McDonald and McDonald Creek. It was an easy trail of about 1 1/2 miles. Our hike did not requir any special equipment other than sunscreen and a hat.

There are many outdoor water opportunities at various places along this large lake. We saw kayakers in many places, and stand up paddleboard in some places. Many of the beaches have picnic areas nearby.

Stop along the lake for the many photo opportunities.

A definite five star place to see. The lake is lovely- many photo ops along the lakeshore drive. Take time to kayak or paddle board. I believe fishing is allowed without a fishing license. Picnics by the lake would be fantastic. The lake is so clean and clear and a true vision!

The lodge was beautiful and worth a ten minute side trip; they have a great souvenir shop, and the lobby is filled with old, authentic details. Walk down to the lake and breathe it all in- it's also one of the places where you can catch a boat but I correctly did not plan a boat ride at this location. If you go for a boat ride do it at Many Glacier instead.

This is many people's "first stop" in Glacier National Park, since is
It's closer to the entrance. First you are so amazed, but as your vacation continues and you see St. Mary's Lake, Going-to-the-SunRd., etc, etc. you realize this lake is very average. However; if this is just average in Glacier Ntl Park.....then pinch me!

Its an absolute visit if you are going to Glacier park, It located really close to West entrance. There are several activities you can do around.
There is a horseback trail rides near by, paddle boards/kayak/canoe/motor boat rentals are available. It just so beautiful.

My husband and I went to Glacier for his 30th birthday. We originally wanted to stay on Lake McDonald but we had to change plans because of the fires. If you get the opportunity it would be gorgeous to stay on the lake with a view. We are going to go back to GNP and this is certainly where we want to stay!

We stayed at the lodge and it was beautiful and rustic. The lodge was very beautiful and clean and comfortable. There is a boat that goes out on the lake but the weather was too rough for us. The lake was windy and quite rough the night we were there. The trails around were beautiful and different because they included close views of running water and a tributary creek to Lake McDonald.

We stayed on Lake McDonald in Apgar Village. Such a lovely quaint place to chill & relax. The lake provides a lot of water activities for boating enthusiasts. There are kayaks, canoes, motor boats to rent for a day on the water! Great place to see wildlife as well!

Kayaking on Lake McDonald is truly breathtaking. Pictures are beautiful, but really can't do it justice. We went out early and for a while were the only ones on the lake. Water was like glass and crystal clear. I cannot recommend highly enough.

Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It is not glacially fed, so it does not have the striking turquoise color of the east side lakes, but it is crystal clear, serene and beautiful.
We stopped here on our way out of the park on our last day. We dipped our feet in the lake before going into the lodge for dinner. It is so peaceful there, I was sorry I hadn't been able to get us a cabin to stay in while on this trip. I think they book up as soon as the reservations open up.

We preferred other lakes within the parks, ie Two Medicine, Waterton, Bowman, Linnel. Mcdonald area very congested. The fire aftermath definitely does not help the views. Recommend basing on east side for less traffic.

We rented an aluminum boat (with a 9 horse Honda motor) from the dock of the Lake McDonald Lodge, and we have NO REGRETS. Go early in the day and you'll have a good chance of getting a boat (they only have 5 to rent). There are no big crowds to deal with like you'll find at the Apgar Village dock. We had the boat for 2 hours ($23 per hour, prorated after the first hour), Water was smooth as glass and so incredibly peaceful. Took soooooo many pictures because the scenery from the water was amazing. Everything looks different from the water. Water was so clear I could clearly see the bottom on the edges of the lake, which made it look so much shallower than it actually was. I highly recommend renting a motor boat from the Lake McDonald Lodge.

Crystal clear skies and water when we were there. As you might guess the water is flat out cold in early June. We went down to the Lake from the Lodge. There is a boat dock that stayed fairly busy. The Lake is about 10 miles long and about 10 square miles.

Serene Lake McDonald is a great place to stop and spend some time enjoying the mountains, water and occasionally some wildlife while you're in Glacier. There's a restaurant nearby if you're hungry and shops if you need a souvenir. Even if you don't need food or trinkets, stop along Lake McDonald and enjoy the view. If you're up to it, you can rent a kayak or boat and spend time on the lake as well.

We stopped for lunch at the lodge. After dining we planned to take the boat excursion but it had already sold out. Having some time then, we proceeded to just wander around the lake area and relax.

The water is clean, amazingly clear and the views are Amazing! We spent the better part of 2 hours down by the water just relaxing and enjoying the scenery. Several parents we spoke to used the area to let their younger children play and burn off some energy.

The nearby lodge has a restaurant and gift shop. It is well worth a visit.

it is a huge lake and very beautiful , you can stop , park and go down to the lake but parking is limited during rush season so start early if you plan on stopping at the lake

This was the perfect place for our HQ, as we explored the park. Beautiful views across the lake, short walk over to store and kayak rentals. quick access to road to get onto trail heads in early AM. it was perfect!

If you are entering Glacier from the west side, Apgar will be one of the first things you come to. There are two things we wanted to do at Lake McDonald; eat a picnic lunch alongside the banks of the lake, and get an iconic photo of the lake with mountains in the background.

We accomplished our first goal by having a picnic lunch at the lake and it was a wonderful experience. The lake is beautiful and you can see some wildlife simply while sitting there with squirrels and deer around. Getting that iconic shot of the lake and mountains proved to be more difficult. We made three trips to the boat dock over a two week period where you can walk out onto the lake and get a good shot, but all three times, it was too foggy to get a good, clear shot of the mountains reflecting off the water. Still, though, it was a fantastic experience.

It's everything you see on the internet photos and then some. As you drive along the lake in the evening, pick a pull-out with no other cars, bring your chair to the shore and breathe it in. My children would've still be there if I let them (we were there over a week ago). Once the lake ends and the creek begins, the pebbles get bigger, but the scenery continues to infuse you with peace. So glad we got to see it!

By far the prettiest lake in the region, and that too during sunset, a photographers dream .. one would find a lot of pros waiting for that perfect moment to add it to their collection.

Visited about a week ago, and inspite of all the wildfire surronding the Glacier national park with the smoke and all, it was a sight to behold.
A friend wanted to add the much sought after pics for his collection and glad that we accompanied him at that time.

The Sun setting right behind those peaks, the water changing its colors, the colored rocks, and the small small waves .. as if it was custom made to be beautiful :)
An absolutely wonderful sight, not to miss.

We stopped at Lake Macdonald on the way to Kalispel. We found the lake was totally open, which surprised us. We found some nice trails in the area, so put on the snow shoes and went for a nice hike for an hour or so.

Beautiful lake in GNP! We were there a day after the lodge closed for the season so the area wasn’t crowded at all. Enjoyed walking around the grounds with calm lake water and stunning backdrop. The Apgar part of the lake provides a different view of the surrounding mountains, beautiful! Knowing it was formed from glacier carving during the ice age makes it extra special.

We drove and walked around Lake McDonald. The lake is so clear that when you walk out on a dock you can see all the way to the bottom. You can actually see the fish swimming. The hiking areas are very nice and provide you with exactly what you go to Glacier National Park for!

Sadly this area has been the site of many fires over the years & this year is now exception. We are thankful we made it before it was closed for the season due to the fires. Outside of Going the Sun road this was our favorite part of our time in Glacier. Walking beautiful colored rock beaches, taking a boat tour around the lake was all breathtaking & serene. We will stop here multiple times whenever we visit!

Lake McDonald is usually the first sight viewed by visitors to the park and it doesn't disappoint. The view from Apgar Village is breathtaking at any time, but especially at the beginning or end of the day.
We biked and hiked around the lake and kayaked across much of it as well. It was a little crowded since so much of the rest of the park was closed, but I'd guess things are improving with more of the Going to the Sun Road opening up.

It was a clear, warm, great day for a motorboat journey on Lake McDonald. We got some great photo shots and still had time to just relax and enjoy the beauty. You can rent a motorboat at Agpar for $25 an hour and you can run from end to end of the lake and back to the dock in under 2 hours. Bring some water and be sure to use sunscreen.

We had a wonderful drive by this water feature. In the morning, the reflection of the surrounding mountains into the water was breathtaking. We had planned to stop back later in the day for photos as we were concerned about getting to the Avalanche Lake trailhead in time to get parking. While the latter was accomplished, we sadly found out later that the sweet spot for getting prime photos of the lake would have been on that early morning drive. By mid afternoon, the mountain reflections into the water were not to be seen. Still, on the drive back to Coram, we stopped at nearly every turnoff near the lake to admire the variety of scenery.

This is the largest lake in GNP approximately 10 miles long, more than a mile wide and 472 feet deep. It is amazing to see especially as you see the trees remaining from forest fires, it s very humbling.

We went online and rented a canoe for 2 and a fishing kayak for the kido. The guys did lots of fishing. Talk about beautiful!! The water is clear and blue. Its a great like for swimming as well. If you're wanting a board, kayak or Canoe then I highly suggest you rent one on line. If not the morning spots are filled and you will be waiting in line after lunch for first come, first serve. Our reservation was for 9:30. They told us to be there at 9:15. Lol We tried to get there at 8:30 and was told to come back at 9:15. We should have stayed. At 9:15 the line was forever long. Ppl with 10am reservations were getting their toys before us 🥴. We finally hit the water at 10am. Just be patient and the kids will get you out as fast as they can. It was worth the wait. I will say during this time it was very busy for all employees at GNP and surround. This Covid crap most places were busier then normal and are not getting days off to relax. Be patient with them and have a great time!!

Everyone should stop to see Lake McDonald Lodge and the lake, but also be sure to see the lake from the Apgar Village area where the view up the lake is long and inspiring. Kayaks and paddle boards are available. Find a spot to stop and drink in the view.

We love to stop at the lake. Our favorite activity is renting a boat and exploring the lake. Just sitting on the shore eating huckleberry ice cream is so refreshing. We love it!

Its a long drive to get here , but a reward awaits you when youj arrive . 10 miles long and a mile wide its the largest lake in this area . Kayak , power boat , paddle board .. or just bring a tube to cloat on .. all while taking in the great scenery ... doesn't get any better than this ..

It was fun to finally see the lake in person as seeing it on tv and hearing about it from
Others. Crystal clear water and a beautiful back drop. Pretty hard to miss this lake when heading up the sun road but worth the stop!

This was our first glimpse at the peaks further north, and it is simply difficult to describe how beautiful and peaceful this is. We traveled in early June, so the crowds have not yet arrived. Now that our trip is over, I am glad we came here first, because if you start with the west side and then go north and east, you will be steadily more amazed and humbled by the views and beauty and wildness of this park. While at Lake McDonald, we ate in the lodge and took a one-hour boat cruise, which we highly recommend in order to get a feel for this lake and its surroundings.

There are a lot of people that enjoy this lake, so it's not the most secluded place in the park. We went twice on our trip, and both days there was a haze on the mountains despite it being a sunny day. I'm not sure if that is typical or not. It was still beautiful, but there are more breathtaking places in GNP if you only have a day or two. That being said, if you have enough time, this is definitely worth the trip.

Lake McDonald puts on a show any time of the year. During the summer there is no shortage of activity such as boating, fishing, hiking and any other activity associated with warm weather and long days. While this time of year activity is limited, the lake is still majestic. Because of the unfortunately and unusually warm weather and glaring lack of snow, I had rare access to the west side of the lake on Fish Creek Road. The views are still stunning and there are numerous trails that can be explored along the lake shore. This is great opportunity for a little peace and quiet.

Lake McDonald is beautiful. We drove along Going to Sun Road and ate in the Lodge. You can see a creek spill into the lake right at the foot of the lodge.

This seems to be the highlight of many, but we preferred both St Mary and Two Medicine for both beauty and touring. McDonald seems to see more people, but there is other beauty to behold and nature to enjoy.

During a visit to Glacier National Park my husband and I decided upon an impromptu evening of Kayak fishing on Lake McDonald. I cannot even describe the beauty of this place! The trout fishing was great also! You are able to rent kayaks, etc and the rates weren't bad at all! I will add a few pictures because words just can't describe it.

We arrived at Glacier in mid May and it was a little early for most things. The lake was crystal clear and calm, perfect for an hour of lost thoughts while contemplating the physics of stone skipping. In our busy world filled with so much stuff, it was a much needed respite!

This lake is not too far from the park entrance and is very beautiful. There are several places to stop to enjoy the scenery. You cannot miss this.

This lake is just beautiful! The water was pristine! We went to a small area that had picnic tables. We brought our tubes and had a relaxing day with friends.

When we were here the wind was whipping and causing white caps on the lake, which made the lake even more beautiful. The next day there was no wind and the lake looked like a mirror reflecting the trees around it. Both ways are worth seeing.

The lake is nice. To fully appreciate it book the lake tour on the vintage 1932 boat. It’s narrated and gives you a history of the local area. I spotted a bald eagle in a tree along the shore.

Great views, we went on a boat ride and into the lodge. I recommend the boat ride for the views. But there are parts of the lake without views, and many of the trees are currently burnt. A good stop nonetheless

Great scenery. Great Lake and many trails and attractions to visit all around the lake. Driving around as well as hiking around the lake is highly recommended.

This is a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. Water is COLD for swimming. There are boats you can take both as excursion and independently

Your first real taste of Glacier will most likely be gazing in awe from the toe of Lake McDonald at Apgar Village. You will be looking across the entire length of the lake and beyond to the mountains in the distance where you will eventually be heading via the Going to the Sun Road.

The lake water is clear beyond belief and, yes, cold! You will be able to easily see the renowned multi-colored stones through the lens of water and take home some amazing pictures of them to show your friends. You will be able to rent kayaks, paddle-boards, canoes or boats and swim...brrrr...in the lake if you are brave. The water will be frigid early in the season. It will feel nice and cooling as the season heats up and the days get warmer and longer. The kids will be skipping stones once you teach them how.

Sunrise and Sunset from the toe of Lake McDonald is just gorgeous and very peaceful. Its a great place to begin your day and wind it down at night. The beach right at the Village Inn, the boat dock or Apgar Picnic area just a little west of the shops offer great sunrise/sunset views.

Once you begin your drive up and along the lake, you will be tempted to stop and walk down to the water again for photos or just to sit at the waterside in the sun for a while. Fallen trees with roots splayed wide and up in the air...taller than a lot of men...are often found at waters edge. They make the photos even more dramatic and offer a great place to take selfies with the kids.

At the Lodge you can stop for lunch like we did, shop for souvenirs and admire the historic Lodge's Lobby. You could even take one of the Red Bus tours or hop onto one of the Free Hikers Shuttles there from the Lodge. The free shuttles will take you all the way over the GTTSR to St Mary and back again without having to worry about driving the GTTSR or finding parking during busy times of the day.

At the very northern end of Lake McDonald you will come to the best hike on the Lake McDonald side of the park. The Trail of the Cedars, a boardwalked trail joins up with the more difficult hike to Avalanche Lake. That will give you a first taste of hiking in Glacier. In early Summer when the water is rushing full in McDonald Creek, its also fun to take the McDonald Creek trail up and back down. That trailhead is found after a left hand turn and over a little bridge at the far end of Lake McDonald.

One of my favorite places in the area! It's hard to beat the view and peacefulness of this crystal clear lake!

Stopped by for an afternoon. Ended up getting cocktails, walking down to the lake front to drink them and people watch. Beautiful historic lodge. Went back a second day for lunch. Food was decent, wait was long. Lodge is crowded. But I'm glad we visited.

We were able to drive up to Apar and see Lake McDonald which is beautiful I believe. Unfortunately we did not see much of the lake due to the fires of September 2017.....we looked across the lake and could see the smoke. I am sure it would be enjoyable were you able to see more of it ....thing that the western side of the park would be very crowded there if conditions were better.

We stopped here to see the lake in between the rain that we encountered. We took some pictures and visited The Apgar Visitors' Center. Huckleberry products galore!!

Beautiful lake according to which we went to a Mc.Donalds Falls and Sacred Dancing Cascades. Both are beautiful with short walk to viewpoints.It was right on Going to the Sun road and easy to access.

When you come into the park via the west entrance you are greeted by this beautiful lake. It’s very convenient to rent kayaks in Apgar Village and drag them 100 yards to the water. The water is fairly shallow and pretty mellow. You get wonderful views of the lake as you travel the main road.

Lake McDonald really is as beautiful as all the pictures you see of it. Of course some of the pics you see are photoshop enhanced but they don't need to be.

At 10 miles long, a mile wide in places along with being 472ft deep at its deepest point Lake McDonald is BEAUTIFUL! There are many pull-ins along the lake on the Going to the Sun Road where you can access the "beach". Whilst we only waded in the COLD water, there were people swimming in it.

If you want to pick up a cruise park in the McDonald Lodge parking area and walk down in front of the lodge. The cruise leaves several times a day during the summer months. ENJOY!

beautiful views along the entire lake. It was peaceful since we were visiting early in the morning and some of the creatures were out and about

One of the most beautiful parks in America. The ride along Lake McDonald is scenic with plenty of stopping areas for photos and a walk along the lake edge. The area is perfect for hiking and has a couple of waterfalls along the trails. Early May is a perfect time to visit.

A truly gorgeous lake with a stunning view of the mountains! Lovely from Apgar and from the McDonald Inn. Also, stop in at the inn for a nice lunch and at the diner in Apgar for great sandwiches and huckleberry ice cream.

although we did not dip our feet in Lake McDonald we drove around and buy it quite a bit as we toured West glacier and it was a beautiful experience – we appreciated the blue water that we know would've been cold but beautiful

Peaceful lake with views from all sides. The largest lake in Glacier National Park with the Lodge sitting on its shore and plenty of hikes around the outside.

This side of Glacier Ntl Park is not the best today due to fires from the past. We did 2 hikes around the lake and it is quite depressing to walk in these dead forests. I recommend much more to hike on the east side.

The prettiest setting, one that changes with the weather. Our hotel was right off the lake and We could see it from our rooms. Great place to kayak, canoe or just walk along the shore. We took the hour long boat ride and our ranger “Ranger Doug” was a font of information! Loved every minute of all four days there!

While cruising the “Road to the Sun” Highway we made a stop at Lake McDonald and walked the shoreline. Beautiful views and many great picture spots. The variety of colored stones washing in with the waves was incredible. Travel safe...

So beautiful in August. Warm but windy. Find north lake McDonald’s and ca walk behind the lake. If you pass rangers housing can drive on one lane road other side of lake. Different prospective. Very busy. Even in afternoon.

Our family vacationed at Whitefish, MT and Glacier National Park for a week. Whenever we would come into the park to hike, we would pass Lake McDonald on the way in driving to the parking area for our hike. On the last day of our trip, we were trying to decide what to do in the afternoon, and finally decided to head back to this picturesque lake as our destination, instead of just driving by. We did not go out onto the lake in a boat, but just parked in one of the pull-off areas, walked through a short wooded trail, and sat lakeside with our feet in the water. The water is very cool and felt wonderful to us after days of hiking. It's also fun to just sit there and go through all of the small, smooth, round multicolor rocks that rim the lake. We just relaxed and took photos of the area for awhile. We only saw 3 other people the whole time we were there. A nice relaxing way to spend the final afternoon of our trip.

Stunning lake and scenery. We took a Glacier Park boat ride to savor the beauty of this remote jewel. The guides on the boats are always informative but we so enjoyed the views, even though it was raining and windy. The Glacier Parks boats are works of art in themselves and beautifully maintained, the friendly crew and boats are always ready to go out because of the enclosed seating area/cabin in any weather. In Glacier NP in mid June we had every weather, wind, rain, a snow shower and a magnificent pair of thunderstorms. Dress accordingly in layers! We took 4 boat rides and booked all of them in advance, although you can usually call early in the morning for openings.

Lake McDonald is a large beautiful lake in the west side of Glacier National Park. The lake has great colors in the water depending on the sun. The rocks in the lake are multi colored and amazing. The lake had a lodge that has boat tours, kayaking, and paddle boarding. The views and hiking trails around the lake are amazing!

The first time I saw a picture of this lake I swore it was photo-shopped. Jewel-tone rocks? No way. When we arrived at the lake my jaw dropped at its beauty of the colorful rocks. The lake itself is a great place to hang out, swim, and play. The lodge has a good selection of food but don't miss going behind the lodge, down to the lake, where people have made rock piles in the stream. Fun for hours.

Lake McDonald is one of the largest and one of the deepest lakes in the park and it is not far from the West entrance to the park. It is just spectacularly beautiful and worth a stop at least for photographs. There are guided boat cruises, fishing, and canoeing and kayaking on the lake. It was sacred to the Kootenai people. Just an incredibly beautiful lake. The Going to the Sun road runs right along it.

We loved the park and the lake, please don’t miss it if travelling in this part of the world. The lake has the most gorgeous turquoise colour. Early mornings the fell is ethereal and tranquil. Good for the soul.

As we planned our trip out to Montana we had seen some pictures of places we wanted to visit. Lake McDonald was one that we really wanted to see due to the clear waters and colorful rocks that lie on the lakebed. This lake sits next to the main visitor center and is one of the more well-known lakes within the park. There are a handful of locations to stay at around the lake but because of the prime location they can fill up very quickly. We suggest looking at other travelers and get suggestions on where to go and explore but also venture on your own. Since we stayed along Lake McDonald at the Sprague Creek we got to drive by and find these little areas to stop along the way and get some unique pictures from right behind our tent at the private beach. For this particular shot we wanted to get near a certain coordinate we had researched based on the view. The coordinates for this picture were approximated but we were glad to have been able to find the look we were going for. We suggest going during calmer weather to avoid ripples on the water or to take advantage of some long-exposure photographs to get a smoother look to your pictures!
- @wanderingwithustwo

Beautiful lake, unspoiled, breathtaking mountain backdrops for scenery. Great views from Apgar but even better from the Lake McDonald Lodge. I’m not posting photos because there are plenty of great ones already posted. This place is truly awesome.

My wife and I frequent the park allot and Lake McDonald is a place where we spend allot of time taking pictures. We must have a thousand pictures from this area and depending on time of day, weather and time of year the pictures are very different but the beauty never ends. We kayak allot on this lake and like to put in at the far end of the lake by the ranger cabins. If you get there early in the morning or late afternoon/evening the water on the lake can be like a sheet of glass. It can get breezy/windy/choppy mid day but not always so pick these times to do any water activities.

Wow !! What a beautiful tranquil setting. The water is crystal clear. We love photography and got some great shots of the reflections of the clouds and the mountains on the lake!!!
Definitely worth a visit

Hiking (and driving the Going to the Sun Road) is undoubtedly the major activity draw for while visiting Glacier National Park. Sometimes, however, (particularly if traveling with children) you need to take a break from hiking and enjoy some other activities. Lake MacDonald from Apgar Village is the place to go for some different outdoor fun.

Families can hang out and picnic along the beach and splash in the refreshing water. You can also rent paddle boards, kayaks and small 10hp boats for surprisingly low rates (Ice cream and coffee for the fam cost more than the boat rental).

We rented the small motorboat for 1hr and tooled around the lake. It was a different perspective for seeing the mountains and the lake and we even got to see a bald eagle's nest complete with the resident parent and fledglings.

The paddle boards and kayaks bobbed around the shores and people seemed to be having a great time. There are some stores, eateries and some outfitters in Apgar Village as well to help round-things out.

If you have your own kayaks/boats, there is a put-in for Lake MacDonald here as well.

There are a few pullouts along Going to the Sun Road since the lake is long. However, for great sunset views, try the small beach located at the boat docks.

Lake McDonald was our first impression of Glacier National Park. Oh my-what an impression it made! The crystal clear water and mountains in the background. You must park and walk down to the lake and sit and simply enjoy the view. Dip your feet in the chilly water. Play with the pebble stones. The simple things in life are the best. We stayed in Whitefish and drove to the park each day of our vacation. The view from Apgar Village is beautiful. There is a restaurant at Lake McDonald lodge but DT COVID it is only open to guests staying at the lodge

Favorite part of the park. We rented a motor boat for 2hrs for 30 dollars qith my husband, 6, 4, and 1 yo. Beautiful and relaxing
The boys had a great time swimming too.

This gorgeous lake is the largest in Glacier NP and you can't really miss it if you enter through the West Glacier entrance of the park. Make some time to go kayaking and get out on the lake!

This was such a beautiful place and serene. Our entire family was on a visit to the Glacier Park and stopped by here for a few hours. Breathtaking and a great spot for some beautiful photos.

this is before you get up onto the pass and the very high peaks. in any other park it owuld get 5 stars! Our advice is to get to the park early before the crowds hit the pass then do a walk and then drive back late afternoon after the crowds have gone. Otherwise you will find the car parking places full and be in a moving traffic jam. We highly recommend driving west to east first thing then stop at Sunrift gorge parking area and walk towards St Mary's Falls. The first mile of the walk is stunning with views over the lake and mountains opposite. You are right up in the middle of the highest peaks. Much less busy than most hikes from the visitor center as lots of people turn around and go back there. Then you can get back to lake mcdonald late afternoon when the crowds are gone.

Apgar Village and Lake McDonald Lodge are the 2 best access points to enjoy this lake. Depending on what you want to do will determine where you want to go.

Apgar Village had kayak, SUP and other boat rentals. It had a pretty big beach area (pebbles and not sand), for you to just hang out by the lake. Apgar Village also had plenty of restaurants and shops to enjoy.

Lake McDonald Lodge was the access point for the boat tour of the lake. When we visited, it looked like mostly senior citizens were taking that boat ride. The beach area here also offered a place for kids to skip rocks and enjoy shallow the shallow waters.

The water is pretty cold so you won't see people swimming in the lake. The one nice thing is that the lake is very calm. When we went in mid-August, a lot of the side parking lots between Apgar and Lake McDonald Lodge were closed for construction. Normally those would be the access points where people take the nice pics of the lake with the colored smooth rocks.

Lake McDonald is an amazingly beautiful place with lots of pull-out areas to get down to the water. There are also lots of activities around the lake that can get you on the water if you choose.

Lake McDonald is simply spectacular in the morning, with no wind on the lake. The reflections are just amazing... we drove along the lake and got different shots of the reflections! Loved it!

This majestic lake is not to be missed and offers magnificent photos depending upon the time of day, lighting, skies, etc.
I rented a kayak from the small rental shack on the shore at APGAR. Before 10:00 a.m., the crowds are absent. I had that entire 2 miles of lake to myself 5e week before Labor Day.

Crystal clear water. Beautiful views. Continental divide. We loved this lake and would certainly recommend a visit.

The lakes in Glacier National Park are amazingly pristine and beautiful. To walk around and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds is truly spectacular. Take a drive further up the road and come across a roadside waterfall that is breath taking. The Going to the Sun highway was closed at this time of year (before Memorial Day).