Lake McDonald and Bowman Lake

Glacier’s biggest lake, ringed by peaks.

Lake McDonald is about 10 miles long and 472 feet deep, the largest lake in Glacier National Park, with Apgar Village and its rental shops at the south end. Rent at Apgar for an easy shoreline paddle, or drive the rough North Fork road to Bowman Lake for a quieter, wilder one. Every boat, even an inflatable SUP, needs a free inspection and launch permit before it touches park water.

At a glance

Lake McDonald

About 10 mi long, 472 ft deep

Bowman Lake

1,706 acres; motors limited to 10 hp

Launch permit

Free, after an invasive species inspection

Inspections

Apgar and Polebridge; 21-ft vehicle-and-trailer limit on the Bowman road

No-wake zone

South end, by the Apgar beaches

Good for

Beginner, Intermediate

What’s here

• Flatwater
• Boat rentals
• Paddleboarding
• Swimming
• Fishing

Rentals, guides and shops

• Glacier Outfitters

  Single, tandem and family kayaks and SUPs in Apgar Village, steps from the lake; bikes and bear spray too.

• Glacier Park Boat Co.

  Historic wooden tour boats, plus kayak, canoe, paddleboard, rowboat and motorboat rentals at Apgar, Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier and Two Medicine.

• Flathead Outdoors

  Kayak and paddleboard rentals on Lake McDonald from the Cedar Tree Gift Shop in Apgar.

Where to stay

• lodgeLake McDonald Lodge

  Historic lodge on the lake’s east shore, with boat tours and rentals at its dock.

  20 min drive
• cabinApgar Village Lodge & Cabins

  Rooms and cabins at the foot of the lake in Apgar.

  Apgar
• hostelNorth Fork Hostel

  Simple hostel in Polebridge, the base for Bowman Lake.

  Polebridge, 1.5 hr drive

Nearby

• Going-to-the-Sun Road · From Apgar

  The park’s cross-mountain drive starts along the lake’s east shore.

• Polebridge Mercantile & Bakery · 1.5 hr drive

  Bakery and general store on the way to Bowman Lake.

• Lake McDonald boat tour · Lake McDonald Lodge

  Ride the most historic boat in Glacier Park Boat Co.’s wooden fleet.

Getting there

• Glacier Park International (FCA) · about 30 min drive
• Missoula · about 2.5 hr
• Spokane · about 4.5 hr

Directions in Google Maps