Sperry Chalet
National Historic Landmark Hotel, Reached Only by Trail
Rustic yet refined.
Dining and lodging in the wilderness backcountry of Glacier National Park.
2024 Summer Season:
July 8 through September 11
2024 Overnight rate:
$284 First person, $189 each additional person in the same room.
Plus Montana accomodations tax.
American Plan Only (includes meals) and reservations are required.
What's New:
July 21, 2024 - Sunday
Hot, Hot, Hot.
We are pleased to report that Gunsight Pass and Comeau Pass both have clear trail and are passable by ordinary people wearing ordinary boots.
We are not so pleased to report that this heat is making our fun a bit more challenging. The forecasts show hot conditions through the end of the month and into August. Carry twice as much water as you normally would, set your alarm clock to start your day at sunrise, and rest in the shade a lot if you find yourself hiking in the heat.
We should probably get ready for fire restrictions too. Lets not wait until the formal announcement to start being cautious with open flames or smoking out in the woods.
Happy Hiking
July 9, 2024 - Tuesday
Sperry Chalet is ready for hikers!
We are open for 2024. The mountains are flaunting their majesty like they own the place and the Sperry Kitchen is already hopping with fresh baked bread and fresh pots of coffee.
Hikers be advised, we are expecting very hot conditions for the indefinite future. The two most important things you can do are carry additional water and start your hike early in the day while the air is still cool. Set your alarm clock for sunrise, you want as many hours of cool daylight hiking as you can get.
We also advise avoiding the Gunsight Pass Trail for the time being. There are lingering high angle snow drifts at Gunsight Pass that are very dangerous to cross. All this heat will speed up the job of opening that trail, but it is smart to give the high country another week or so before the pass will be safe to cross.
Happy Hiking!
SPERRY CHALET INFORMATION:
Sperry Chalet was built in 1913 by James J. and son Louis Hill of the Great Northern Railway, the prime developer of Glacier National Park. Opened in 1914 the main buildings consist of a two story dormitory building and a kitchen/dining room building. A maintenance building and a restroom building are located between the dorm and dining room.
In August of 2017 the Sperry Chalet dormitory was consumed by a wildfire. The National Park Service immediately stabilized the remaining stone walls and an ambitious reconstruction project took place over the next two years. Sperry Chalet returned to full service in 2020. Sperry Chalet continues to provide hearty food and comfortable lodging in the same rustic style as the earliest visitors enjoyed.
What to Expect
Be prepared for a strenuous hiking or horsback trip to reach the chalets.
Expect an experience similar to camping, only without the hassles of pitching tents, organizing campsites, sleeping on the ground, or preparing meals. Let the beautiful stone buildings shelter you from the elements while our staff does the cooking.
The facility is primitive and rustic. The private guest rooms are without lights, heat or water. Flashlights are used at night as no candles or fueled lights are allowed. The dining room has a wood stove and propane lights for your comfort.
- Three meals with each night's stay.
- Plenty of warm blankets on your bed.
- Easy access to backcountry hiking and wilderness adventures.
Pack-it-in, Pack-it-out garbage policy. Whatever you carry in, you're expected to carry back out with you.
Meals and dining
- Meals are informal, served table d'hote.
- Dinner is served from 6 to 7 p.m.
- Breakfast served from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
- A sack lunch is provided to enjoy while hiking.
- A la carte lunch service available from 11:30 to 5:00 every day.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the dining room.
A la carte lunch service is available to everyone from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Campers, day hikers, and horseback riders are all welcome in the dining room. Breakfast and dinner are also available to backcountry travelers with advance reservations.
Guest rooms
- All reservations get a private room. No dormitory style housing is available.
- The guest rooms are comfortable, but not modern. No electricity, heat or running water.
- Linens, blankets, pillows and hand towels are provided.
- Flashlights are recommended for night use. No candles, fueled lights or flames of any kind are allowed indoors.
- The restroom facility is outside, with sinks for washing up (no showers or hot water).
- Check-in time is whenever you arrive (hopefully by 6 p.m. for dinner), check-out time is 10 a.m.
Sleeping bag accommodations are not available at Sperry Chalet. A National Park Service campground is available in the Sperry area for those who wish to backpack and camp out. For information on backcountry camping permits in Glacier, see Glacier National Park's Backcountry Camping Guide.
What To Bring
Mountain goats are resident natives of the Sperry/Gunsight area and are almost daily visitors. They are a delight to the photographer as they seem to pose for their picture. But be advised, you are visiting them, they are not visiting you. They are not always 'happy to see you'. Be careful. Do not approach wildlife.
While a toothbrush and a smile are all you'll probably need for an overnight stay, you should still come prepared for the wilderness. Sore, blistered feet and cold wet bodies are the most common fun killers that can be encountered. Be sure to have comfortable, appropriate footwear and good socks, rain gear, and some warm dry clothes with you.
Suggested items for your backpack:
- Full water bottle (Bring two on hot days)
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- First aid supplies (Especially for blisters)
- Food and snacks
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Warm clothing for wind & cold, rainy weather
- Comfortable hiking shoes with extra socks
Weather
The weather in Glacier is temperate and unpredictable. Temperatures in July and August vary from 29 to 80 degrees F at chalet elevations (6500 feet). The evenings are usually cool and the buildings are not heated, so you'll need something warm for evenings and mornings. Always bring your rain gear in the event of sudden thunderstorms and rain squalls.
We are not responsible for the weather or weather related conditions.
