The only moderately priced rooms in the area are in the woods alongside McDonald Creek at the Apgar Village Lodge (406/888-5484, www.westglacier.com [1], mid-May–Sept.), with older motel rooms (the cheapest ones without TVs or alarm clocks) running $78–108 and cabins for $94–250.
Hike seven miles from Logan Pass [2] along the Highline Trail [3] to reach the backcountry
Granite Park Chalet (888/345-2649, www.graniteparkchalet.com [4], July–mid-Sept., $80 first person, $68 each additional person in room, $15 optional linen fee; reserve well in advance), built in 1914 and perched on an igneous outcropping at the north end of the Garden Wall.
Four trails lead to the chalet; the most popular is the stunningly beautiful, nearly level Highline Trail, which follows the base of the Garden Wall from Logan Pass. (Hikers with a fear of heights should note that in some places the Highline Trail hugs the edge of a cliff.)
Other trails come in from the loop on Going-to-the-Sun Road [5] (four miles), over Swiftcurrent Pass from Many Glacier [6] (eight miles), and from Goat Haunt at the head of Waterton Lake [7] (an approximately 23-mile backpacking trip via the northern extension of the Highline Trail).
Hikers generally bring their own sleeping bags, food, and water, although it is possible to rent bedding and purchase premade meals—be sure to do this via the website in advance of your trip. In lieu of electricity, there’s a propane stove and a few propane lights. Guests may use the kitchen area to prepare their own food, and though there’s no running water, guests are provided with filtered water to drink. It’s also possible to spend an extra $15 for bed linens if you don’t want to bring a sleeping bag.
Links:
[1] http://www.westglacier.com
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/glacier-national-park/logan-pass-st-mary/sights/logan-pass
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/glacier-national-park/logan-pass-st-mary/hiking/hikes-around-logan-pass/highline-trail
[4] http://www.graniteparkchalet.com
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/glacier-national-park/lake-mcdonald-valley/sights/going-the-sun-road
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/glacier-national-park/many-glacier
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/montana/glacier-national-park/waterton-lakes-national-park/sights/upper-waterton-lake