Lake McDonald is the largest lake in the park, being 10 miles long and
a mile wide. Its shores are heavily forested with cedar, hemlock,
white pine, and larch. At its head, impressive, rocky summits rise to
elevations 6,000 feet above its waters. The Going-to-the-Sun Highway
runs along its southeastern shore. Its outlet is 2 miles above Belton
station.
Lake McDonald Hotel is on the highway near the upper end of the lake.
It has a store for general supplies, a gasoline station, curio shop,
and all modern conveniences. Its dining room, facing the lake, is one
of the most appropriate and charming in the park. Its lobby is filled
with well-mounted animals and birds of the region. It is the focal
point for trails to Sperry Chalet and Gunsight Pass, Upper McDonald
Valley, the summit of Mount Brown, and Arrow Lake. There is good
fishing in Arrow and Snyder Lakes.
Private cabin camps are located at the head and foot of the lake. A
general store and gasoline filling station are located at the foot of
the lake. A well-equipped public auto campground is at Sprague Creek,
near Lake McDonald Hotel.
Ranger-naturalist services are available at the hotel. Lectures on
popular natural history are delivered each evening in the hotel lobby
and at the Sprague Creek campfire circle. A cut wild-flower exhibit is
also placed in the hotel. Self-guiding trails lead to Fish and Johns
Lakes, short distances from the hotel.