Planning a trip to The Lodge at Whitefish Lake? We want to make your journey as smooth as possible. Due to scheduled runway improvements at Glacier Park International Airport in July 2026, some travelers may find limited flight availability during portions of the month.
Fortunately, there are several other appealing ways to reach Whitefish and Glacier National Park. Below you’ll find details about the July runway project, as well as helpful travel suggestions to help you plan your arrival.
Glacier Park International Airport (GPIA) will complete a runway rehabilitation project in July 2026 to extend the life of the runway and ensure safe, efficient air travel in Montana's Flathead Valley. During this time, the main runway will have temporary weekday closures, with flights resuming each weekend.
July 2026 Runway Closure Schedule The main runway will be closed Monday at 6:00 p.m. through Friday at 10:00 a.m. on the following dates:
To accommodate peak travel, the runway will reopen for flights each weekend from Friday through Monday. Construction crews will work around the clock during weekday closures to keep the project on schedule.
Runway 12–30, used primarily for smaller aircraft, will remain open throughout the project, except during the July 27–31 closure period.
If you are planning travel to Whitefish during this time, we recommend checking with your airline for the latest flight schedules and considering nearby regional airports if needed.
Fortunately, there are other convenient ways to reach Whitefish. In addition to flying directly into Glacier Park International Airport on weekends, guests can also fly into nearby regional airports and enjoy a scenic drive to Whitefish. The most popular options include:
Rental cars are readily available at both airports, and private transfers can be arranged from Missoula with The Local Transport for a comfortable, door-to-door journey. Plus, Dollar Rent-A-Car in Missoula is waiving drop fees for one-way rental cars between MSO and Whitefish during July 2026!
Check out our blog to make your Missoula airport arrival the start of your great Montana adventure!
Amtrak's Empire Builder connects Chicago with Seattle & Portand with daily arrivals into downtown Whitefish. This train stops in St. Paul, MN, Fargo, ND, Spokane, WA, and many other cities along the way!
Learn everything you need to know about accessing Glacier National Park in 2026 on our Glacier National Park FAQ page. We look forward to welcoming you to Whitefish!