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Northwest Montana
Essex

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Where to stay and
what to do in
Essex, Montana

ACCOMMODATIONS
Bed & Breakfasts
Cabins & Cottages
Hotels & Motels
Vacation Rentals

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Guide to Essex

A small community on Highway 2 near Glacier National Park offering limited services but a couple of big attractions.

One such attraction is the nearby (within a few miles) Walton Goat Lick Overlook. A sign directs you to a paved road ending in an ample parking lot where a paved, short and gentle trail leads to a view spot overlooking the deep canyon of Sheep Creek. Exposed rocks along the creek seep salts and minerals attractive to the local mountain goats. Best months of the year to see the goats are said to be June and July where as many as 75 at a time might appear.

Another big attraction is the Izaak Walton Inn, which is a must see for rail fans and others interested in the history of the Great Northern Railway's Empire Builder. The scenic Inn, which is on the National List of Historic Places, is a well known stop for lunch and a delightful destination for lodging both summer and winter.

Getting to Essex

Road
Essex lies near the southwest corner of Glacier National Park between the communities of West Glacier and East Glacier Park on US Highway 2, the only highway serving the community. The closest Interstate Highways are I-90, which is some 160 miles to the south, and I-15, which is about 100 miles to the east of Essex..

Air
Glacier Park International Airport at Kalispell. Services include Big Sky Airlines, Delta Airlines, Horizon Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Holman Aviation (private charters).

Rail
The daily Amtrak passenger service the Empire Builder runs between Seattle/Portland and Chicago. A depot is located in Essex. The Essex depot is what is known as a flag stop, and perhaps the only remaining such stop on the Amtrak line. A flag stop is a station at which a train stops only when "flagged" to do so, and, if the train is not running behind schedule.

See also the Go Northwest! guide to Glacier National Park

Travel directory for Essex

ACCOMMODATIONS

Sponsored Listing
Izaak Walton Inn. Izaak Walton Inn Road, Box 653, Essex, MT 59916. Phone: 406-888-5700; FAX: 406-888-5200. Email

A rail-fan haven! This historic inn is snuggled between Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness on US Highway 2 midway between West Glacier and East Glacier. The inn features 33 guest rooms plus renovated, heated Cabooses, each of which includes a full kitchen, bath and sleeps up to four people.

Paola Creek Bed & Breakfast. Kelly and Les Hostetler. HC 36, Box 4C, Essex, MT 59916. Phone: 406-888-5061; Reservations: 888-311-5061; FAX: 406-888-5063. Email

Cabins & Cottages

Essex Cabins. Bill Caron. 352 Parma Drive, P.O. Box 662, Essex, MT 59916. Phone: 406-863-2355, or, 406-888-5225. Rates: Seasonal, $125 - $150. E-mail

Glacier River Retreat. Cathy Staunton. 14290 US Hwy 2, HC 37 Box 11A, Essex, MT 59916. Phone: 406-888-5002; FAX: 406-888-9002.

Stanton Creek Lodge. HC 36 Box 2C, Essex, MT 59916. Phone: 406-888-5040.

Hotels & Motels

Denny's. 174 US Highway 2 W., HC 36, Box 1A, Essex, MT 59916. Phone: 406-888-5720; FAX: 406-888-5720.

The Half-Way Motel. US Highway 2 at milepost 178, Box 632, Essex, MT 59916. Phone: 406-888-5650.

Resorts

Izaak Walton Inn. Izaak Walton Inn Road, Box 653, Essex, MT 59916. Phone: 406-888-5700; FAX: 406-888-5200. Email

Vacation Rentals

Withrow House - Wilderness Retreat. Box 655, Essex, MT 59916. Phone: 406-888-5237; Reservations: 406-888-9017.