Izaak Walton Inn Review: History, Ski Trails, Cabins, & What the Website Doesn’t Tell You
View of LOGE, Glacier, formerly known as, Izaak Walton Inn a resort located adjacent to Glacier National Park and oasis for all season outdoor adventure here in Northwest Montana
If you’ve ever dreamed of cozying up in a snowy cabin tucked in between mountain peaks and railroad tracks, the Izaak Walton Inn in Essex, Montana might already be on your radar. This historic ski-in, ski-out property sits on most southern part of Glacier National Park making it the perfect home base to explore the park and avoid crowds at this quaint lodge.
I recently spent a winter weekend here (not as a sponsored guest or through any collaboration, but simply as a traveler curious about the experience and the inn’s new ownership). Below, I’ll share the history, change of ownership, the logistics, amenities, and why I loved this visit.
The Quick Facts:
Address: 290 Izaak Walton Inn Rd, Essex, MT 59916
Proximity to:
Kalispell International Airport: one hour drive (51 miles)
Glacier National Park West Entrance: 31 minutes drive (17 miles)
Cabin amenities: dog friendly (with pet kit - for added cost), wi-fi, parking (only at main lodge in the winter), full kitchen (with basic pots/pans), sauna and hot tub (currently down for maintenance), direct access to groomed cross-country ski tracks, bar and restaurant on site, gear rentals (included in amenity fee), late check out and early check in (with fee)
*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase at no extra cost to you.
A Brief History of Izaak walton inn
Built in 1939 along the Great Northern Railway, the Izaak Walton Inn was original designed for housing for railway workers and travelers. Its Tudor Revival architecture and deep connection to the regions rail history earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
For decades, it’s been a beloved local landmark. The inn takes its name from Izaak Walton, an English writer who celebrated the joys of nature, friendship, and fly fishing. Izaak Walton is most famously known for his book, The Compleat Angler, written in 1653.
If you love travel-inspired reads, check out this list:
→Read Your Way through the West
A small historical note: the cottage associated with Walton in Staffordshire, England did suffer a fire in 1927 sparked by a steam train, but that event predates this inn by more than a decade and isn’t directly related to the lodge here, as often confused.
For a unique stay, reserve the Great Northern Locomotive Train Car
New ownership: what’s changed
In 2022, the Izaak Walton Inn was purchased by LOGE Camps, a Washington-based outdoor hospitality brand known for renovating classic adventure lodges, specifically they, “find forgotten motels near our favorite towns and trails and bring them back to life.” This change stirred mixed emotions in the local community, after all, this inn had always been owned and deeply personal to Montanans.
LOGE’s team promised to preserve the properties historic charm while modernizing the infrastructure and updating the guest experience. From what I saw, the updates were tasteful and practical: warm design choices while still honoring the quirks of a historic site.
On their website, LOGE highlights sustainability as part of their renovation approach “by reusing and rebuilding, every detail is considered for its impact, from the low-flow fixtures to sprucing up old furniture to donating anything we don’t use to nearby shelters.” During the transition, however, the inn hosted an auction of more than 1,000 furnishings and decor pieces, according to the Hungry Horse News. It’s not unusual for hospitality companies to clear inventory during updates, but it does showcase the tension between sustainable ideals and the realities of large-scale renovation. To me, it felt less like a contradiction and more of a reminder that even well-intended brands balance vision with logistics when reviving older properties like the Izaak Walton Inn.
When the sale first made local news, LOGE shared with Montana Free Press that it donates 1% of top-line revenue to nonprofits supporting outdoor recreation, a generous model that signaled long-term community investment. Now, the company’s website states that $1 per room night goes to a local organizations, and guests can also donate to offset their carbon footprint through the Cool Effect program.
In Montana, that partnership currently supports groups like Wild Montana and Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center. Two organizations rooted in preserving access, safety, and stewardship across public lands.
It’s a thoughtful initiative that connects travelers directly to sustainability efforts, but it’s also a subtle reminder of how corporate stewardship has evolves: from a percentage-based promise to a per-stay contribution that shares the responsibility with the guests. Both approaches have merit, and in a place as storied as the Izaak Walton Inn, it’s interesting to watch how that balance continues to take shape.
That said, there’s still a hands-off approach that could work for some and not others. Communication is minimal, missing the personal touch of a previously privately-owned operation. Still, the bones of the experience seem to be present as a remote, train-accessible mountain escape that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
For me, what will keep me coming back to LOGE properties are the straightforward costs, the ease of accessing rental equipment without extra fees, pet-friendly accommodations, and, of course, some of the best locations in the West. From Bend, Oregon to Leavenworth and Westport, Washington, Wolf Creek, Colorado, and even Missoula, Montana. This lodge offered not only comfort, but a launchpad into incredible adventures. without all the hidden fees, hassle, or pretentiousness you sometimes encounter with corporate hospitality.
Ski-in, ski-out cabins at LOGE Glacier
The Location: A Glacier National park Base that actually works
Essex sits halfway between West Glacier and East Glacier, making the inn an ideal base for park exploration especially if you’re visiting in the winter or early spring when many park lodges are closed.
You can reach it easily by car along Highway 2, or via Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which stops steps from the property. This trip, we brought my dog, Zoë, so we opted to drive.
From here, you can drive to:
West Glacier Entrance: 27 miles (32m)
Marias Pass: 17 miles (21m)
Saint Mary Visitor Center: 72 miles (1h 25m)
Two Medicine Entrance: 48 miles (1h 12m)
Many Glacier Entrance: 84 miles (1h 36m)
It’s remote enough to be an escape, yet central enough for day trips into Glacier National Park skirting some of the crowds (depending on the time of year).
If you’re planning a longer trip check out these additional reads:
→ Three Short & Easy Hikes in Glacier Worth the Hype
→ What to Pack for Glacier National Park Day Hikes (free downloadable list)
ski-in, ski-out Cabins & other room options
The ski-in/ski-out cabins are exactly what you imagine: small, cozy, and nestled right against the groomed Nordic trails. Just note, this isn’t downhill skiing, it’s all cross country.
I appreciate how quiet it felt in the winter. The trails were well maintained except for a few due to downed trees from a recent storm. Gear is available, but I’m glad I brought my own set since there wasn’t any support to be sized for boots, skis, or poles if you’re new too the sport.
The Nordic trails are extensive, 33 km of groomed loops that range from beginner-friendly (me!) to more challenging terrain. There were a couple of trails closed from recently downed trees from a storm last month. Although not super intuitive, it added an extra element of adventure to our visit. Here’s the maps we had access to as of January 10, 2025.
The cabins themselves are rustic, but comfortable with small kitchens that made weekend cooking totally doable (and honestly, a highlight of the trip).
Other room options include: Main Lodge rooms, Historic Train Cars, Family Rooms (suites), School House Rooms, and the Great Northern Locomotive (which also has a kitchen). All options are pet friendly, include gear rentals, and access to all the standard amenities such as hot tub (down for maintenance during our visit) and sauna.
What we Ate (AND WHY THE KITCHEN SURPRISED US)
One of the biggest surprises of our trip was the restaurant onsite. If you stay here, definitely carve out time to enjoy both breakfast and lunch/dinner. *Warning, the kitchen seems to recommend a reservation for dinner, but not for breakfast or lunch. Additionally, the breakfast cutoff times are strictly enforced.
Alas, here’s what we tried:
Chicken-Fried Steak (breakfast)
Breakfast Burrito
Bacon Bleu Burger with side salad
Chicken Sandwich with side salad
Beef Tallow Fries
BLTs
Fried Brussel Sprouts (restocked on Saturday)
We barely spoke between bites for each meal. The menu might seem simple at first glance, but the execution exceeded our expectations. Take the burger for example: 8oz of Montana sourced beef with caramelized onion, smoked blue cheese, and garlic may on a brioche bun. Perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Service was the icing on the cake and we were met with welcoming and friendly staff for each refuel.
That said, my partner and I always love cooking at least one meal when we go for cabin weekends. The cabin kitchens aren’t stocked heavily, but we had what we needed to get the job done (well…Taylor did the work, I mostly enjoyed the results).
I’ll be writing a separate post soon with our full ‘Cabin Cooking Essentials’ list and will link it here when it’s live.
One thing that made planning easy: I texted the contact phone number ahead of time and they shared what was included in the kitchen and offered to help locate items if we didn’t have them in the room.
A classic BLT for brunch before clipping into skis for the rest of the day
WHAT THE WEBSITE DOESN’T TELL YOU
Staff availability: with the keyless entry system, there’s no formal check-in or check-out process. We must have arrived during a shift change on Friday evening, so we found our way around the property on our own and picked up any gear from the Annex area. There’s a phone number to text if you need help, but honestly, we fumbled our way just fine and it was nice to simply show up and enjoy the space without a big check-in routine
Equipment: all rental gear is located in the Annex Room. We guessed the door code that matched our cabin and were able to grab skis for the weekend without any formal process. Make sure your familiar with the basics of cross-country skiing (skate vs. classic, sizing, etc.) before you go since it’s self-serve setup that works best if you already know what you need
Nordic Day Passes: a day pass is required to use the trails, but it’s included with your stay. You can request it from the front desk if you plan to ski
Groceries: here’s no grocery store nearby, so plan ahead and stock up in Columbia Falls before you head out if you’re coming from the Flathead Valley
Cell Service: I had zero bars during the stay, but being offline felt great. Wi-Fi worked really well in both the cabins and the main lodge, so you do have the option of staying connected if needed
Website & App: several links on the website and app were broken, so finding consistent info took some effort. I’d recommend texting the property ahead of time to confirm any additional questions
WHY I RECOMMEND IT
Even with a few changes, Izaak Walton Inn remains one for the most unique places to stay near Glacier National Park. It’s quiet, full of character, and perfect for travelers who appreciate a slower pace, but still have access to adventures right out the front door.
This is a great base for solo travel, couples weekend away, or a full family trip.
PLAN YOUR STAY
If you’d like to book your own stay, check out the rates and cabin availability here:
→ Book the Izaak Walton Inn
If you’re building your Glacier itinerary, you might also like these posts:
→ Biking Going-to-the-Sun Road
→ Backpacking Gear List (for adding some crunch to your trip)
Be sure to learn more about the park
→ National Park Service: Glacier
Stay tuned for a couple packing lists!
Trails near the cabins were lit up at night time to allow for quick laps under the stars after the sunset
FINAL THOUGHTS
My stay wasn’t sponsored, I paid for everything out of pocket, which I think makes this review even more important. There’s a magic in finding a place that brings us closer to nature with cozy comforts (and great food). The Izaak Walton Inn (or LOGE Glacier) is exactly that: a historic base camp for slow travelers, winter dreamers, and those who still love the sound of a train echoing through the mountains.
These sleds were essential for getting our bags easily back and forth to the car and found near the bike rack at the entrance of the hotel nearest to parking. They also doubled as transportation when Zoë refused to walk across the grated pedestrian bridge without a ride (or carrying her 60-lb squirmy body).
Keep exploring
Looking for more Montana reading? Check out my other posts:
Reading My Way Into the West: A Booklist for Montana and Beyond
What I Packed For a 3-day, 2-night Backpacking Trip and What I’d Replace
Uncut Guide to Glacier National Park and the Surrounding Area Version 1
*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase at no extra cost to you.