This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think Missoula is the best choice for flying into Montana for your Glacier National Park trip!
Hear me out, Glacier isn’t exactly a budget-friendly destination. It’s packed with pricey resorts and vacation rentals. While planning my trip, I couldn’t find a single hotel under $120-$150 a night, and car rental prices were through the roof. That’s when I decided to widen my search, and I came across Missoula.
In this blog post, I’ll share why Missoula ended up being the best airport choice for me when flying to Montana. I’ll also explain why I chose Flathead as my base for two nights. You can find a detailed review of my stay at Flathead Lake Hostel in a separate post.
Missoula is a vibrant city in western Montana, just two hours south of Glacier National Park. It’s known for its art scene, river surfing, and historic carousel. You can also watch my Montana Vlog, where I share everything we did on our 3-day trip.
Here are my 5 Reasons Why Missoula Should Be Your Flying Base:
Better Flight Prices
If you’re planning to fly into Montana instead of driving, I highly recommend choosing Missoula over Kalispell or West Glacier. Flights to Kalispell and West Glacier can be 1.5 to 2 times more expensive than those to Missoula.
We booked one-way tickets using Alaska Airlines miles and paid just 4,000 miles per ticket, which I think is a steal! The same tickets to Kalispell were for 10,000 miles. Alaska Airlines is also one of the best options for flying into Montana, especially if you’re coming from Seattle or elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest. Here’s an example of the price difference I noticed while booking our flights.
Kalispell flights
Missoula flights
Better Car Rental Prices
Just like flights, car rentals were significantly cheaper in Missoula compared to Kalispell, nearly half the price! Since Missoula is only about two hours from Glacier National Park and the drive is incredibly scenic, we decided to give it a shot—and we’re so glad we did.
We didn’t stay in Missoula overnight, but drove an hour north to Flathead Lake Hostel, which turned out to be the perfect budget-friendly base for our two-night stay. (You can read more about our experience in the review blog post.
To give you an idea of the price difference: the day we booked our rental, prices in Kalispell surged as high as $1,200!
Affordable Stay Options
Accommodation is another major expense in and around Glacier National Park, especially during peak season. So, we expanded our hotel search early on and even considered camping, but unfortunately, campsites weren’t available on our travel dates.
I wouldn’t recommend doing a round-trip from Missoula to Glacier every day, it’s a long drive. However, we did find a great middle ground: a cozy hostel near Flathead Lake for just $75 a night! Not only did it offer beautiful lake views, but it was also just 50 minutes from the park entrance, making it the perfect budget-friendly base for exploring Glacier.
Kalispell hotel
West Glacier hotel
Flathead Lake hostel
Lively Downtown & Arts Scene
If you get a chance to explore Missoula, I highly recommend it. Home to the University of Montana, the city buzzes with youthful energy and creative vibes. Strolling through the downtown area, you’ll find colorful murals, art galleries, music venues, and museums. If you’re visiting on the first Friday of the month, don’t miss the First Friday Art Walks, a monthly celebration of local art. Plus, live music lovers will enjoy a packed concert calendar at venues like the historic Wilma Theater and the Kettle House Amphitheater.
We only had a brief time to explore downtown but instantly loved its laid-back charm. One highlight was Caras Park, one of the city’s most popular spots. It offered a stunning view of the river with Mount Sentinel in the background, and a beautifully preserved historic carousel that’s open to the public year-round. We spent some time here soaking in the views and enjoying a slice of pizza from an award-winning local spot. It was the perfect downtown moment.
Gastronomy Scene
Another thing Missoula is known for is its vibrant food scene, which emphasizes local ingredients sourced from area ranchers, farmers, and bakers. While searching for the best places to eat, we were pleasantly surprised by the variety of dining options, from Montana-inspired French bistros to cozy cafés and craft breweries.
We decided to try two of the town’s most popular spots: Biga Pizza and Tagliare Delicatessen.
Biga Pizza has won several awards and is known for making everything from scratch using fresh, local ingredients. I can confidently say, it was the best pepperoni pizza I’ve had in the U.S.! It’s an absolute must-try. If you skip it, you’re seriously missing out on a delectable slice of heaven.
Tagliare Delicatessen is a relatively new establishment but has quickly earned a loyal following among locals. We tried the Mega Death Sandwich, which was packed with meat and veggies and absolutely delicious. It’s definitely a place I’d love to revisit and sample more of their menu.
One thing I noticed at both places, the food was a little oily, but honestly, that’s probably what made it so flavorful!
Also, don’t miss the food trucks at Caras Park, especially if you’re visiting during an event or festival. You can check their official website for the latest schedule and vendor lineup.
Bonus Things to Do Near Missoula
In this section, I want to highlight two hidden gems we discovered on our way to Glacier National Park, perfect for anyone planning a scenic route through western Montana.
Flathead Lake State Park
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the U.S. west of the Mississippi River, with over 160 miles of pristine shoreline. It’s also considered one of the cleanest lakes in the world, making it an excellent spot for swimming, kayaking, or just soaking in some quiet lake views near Glacier National Park.
During our trip, we stayed at Flathead Lake Hostel, located on the northwest side of the lake. On our return journey, we explored two lake access points:
- Volunteer Park, Lakeside – a peaceful spot with beautiful views and great for a quick stop.
- Big Arm Unit of Flathead Lake State Park – one of six official access points to the lake. Each area offers a unique perspective and stunning views, so you can choose one based on your route or preference.
Pro Tip: The state park has an entry fee of $8 per vehicle, but if you’re a Montana resident or driving a car with Montana plates, entry is free.
Huckleberry Jam Factory
Huckleberries are a Montana summer staple, especially from July to August, and tasting huckleberry-based products is a must! We stumbled upon this adorable jam factory in St. Ignatius, right off Highway 93, and highly recommend stopping by.
We tried their huckleberry milkshake and huckleberry cheesecake, and both were absolutely delicious. We also picked up a jar of bourbon huckleberry jam, which had a rich, sweet kick that we both loved.
Pro tip: Make sure to check your bags if you’re flying, as you can’t carry jam in your cabin luggage. Thankfully, our Alaska Airlines credit card gave us one free checked bag, which saved us both money and our jam!
For more details about our stay, check out my Flathead Lake Hostel review or watch the hostel tour on YouTube. You can also explore my Glacier National Park vlog to see how we spent our day in the park.
