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Glacier Vista River Cottage

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Beautiful and peaceful! Evening view from the Gazebo.
Beautiful big yard with Lilacs,  Mature fruit trees, Fire pit and Outdoor BBQ
Master Bedroom with Tepur-pedic Queen size mattress
The full kitchen allows being able to cook as if at home.
Glacier View River Cottage

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8102.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Columbia Falls, MT
  • Glacier Adventure Guides
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Big Sky Waterpark
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Meadow Lake Golf Course
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Kalispell, MT (FCA-Glacier Park Intl.)
    ‪8 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Glacier Vista River Cottage

Glacier Vista River Cottage is a beautiful, serene cottage that was completely remodeled and updated in 2008 yet retains a sensible country charm and privacy. GVRC is situated on 5 acres bordering the Flathead River, and the property allows access to an island accessed only through a bridge shared with one neighbor. Abundant wildlife frequents the property, which boasts 250 feet of river frontage and views into Glacier National Park. There is easy access for fishing, canoeing, or rafting while a 12x24 gazebo provides a perfect setting for picnics, sight-seeing, fishing, and much more. You can easily lose yourself on the island and it's rarely frequented game trails. Here you get a chance to experience some of Montana's land and beauty as its best.

The cottage is conveniently located in the Flathead Valley just minutes from shopping, great dining, and outdoor recreation. It is 3 minutes drive to the charming town of Columbia Falls, 10 minutes from Whitefish/Big Mountain ski resort or the city of Kalispell, 15 minutes from Glacier National Park, and 30 minutes from Bigfork/Flathead Lake. The cottage has easy and quick access to the Glacier International Airport.

The fully furnished cottage has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, front and side porches and all the necessities for a comfortable stay. A wood stove keeps the cottage warm and cozy in even the coldest winter nights, but during the summer the riverside and creekside firepits might be a better place to warm your bones!

Amenities: Master Bedroom: Queen memory foam Log Bed, walk-in closet, and direct backyard and river access.
- Second Bedroom: Queen pillow top bed and mirrored closet.

There are two beds as well as an air mattress or two with built in air pumps, and a comfortable couch. On top of that, the couch is super comfortable...it's hard not to fall asleep there! It's comfortable for 4, but a few more people can squeeze in.

Other features include:
- Wood Stove, electric heat
- 42 inch TV & extensive movie collection, stereo.
- High speed wireless Internet
- Washer, Dryer
- Barbeque/BBQ Grill, Wood Burning Grill over Bonfire pit.
- Full kitchen.
- Paved road to the house.
- Private bridge and trails on property.
- split firewood, coffee/tea, condiments, dish & clothes soap.

Please note that we are in a rural area and there is a lot of wildlife around. We have deer, rabbits, wild turkey, eagles, and even the occasional bear that can frequent the yard. A few insects may occasionally enter the home, as may be expected in any verdant environment. Keeping the doors and windows closed helps to limit this, but you can't beat fresh air. So if you are squeamish city folk, a hotel might be a better option...

I have set this cabin up as a calm and peaceful vacation retreat, with all the comforts to ensure a happy and comfortable escape from the hustle of normal life. But since my family and I can't be there all the time, I am pleased to share it with you. I hope you can enjoy it as much as I do!

GVRC is a dog friendly home. While we make every effort to minimize any impact of pets on the home, please be aware of this if allergies are a concern for you or your family. For those guests wanting to bring pets, we charge an extra cleaning fee of $75 for the first pet and $25 for each subsequent pet. It should be noted that the property is not fenced, and that dogs are not allowed on the trails in Glacier National Park.

We do have some exterior security cameras at the doors, which are only monitored when the cabin is vacant, or if there is some type of issue.

Important note for guests checking in with pets:
Please note that if you have pets the extra cleaning fee is payable prior to checking in. Pets are not allowed in the home until we receive the extra fee. Please be reminded that pets are not allowed on the trails at Glacier National Park due to the risk of bears or disturbing wildlife. Finally, remember that the property is not fenced. Please do not allow your pets in the yard unsupervised!

Property manager

Reilly Smith
Premier Host

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Columbia Falls

Located in Columbia Falls, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Meadow Lake Golf Course and Glacier Lanes and Casino are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Big Sky Waterpark and House of Mystery and Montana Vortex. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Glacier Bank Park or Majestic Valley Arena. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and ice skating.
Map
Columbia Falls, MT

What's nearby

  • Glacier Lanes and Casino - 8 min drive - 5.6 km
  • Glacier Adventure Guides - 8 min drive - 5.2 km
  • Big Sky Waterpark - 8 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Meadow Lake Golf Course - 10 min drive - 5.4 km
  • House of Mystery and Montana Vortex - 12 min drive - 10.6 km

Getting around

  • Whitefish Depot - 16 min drive
  • Kalispell, MT (FCA-Glacier Park Intl.) - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Midway Tavern - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Blue Moon Nite Club - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Gunsight Saloon - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Silver Bullet Bar - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Glacier Vista River Cottage pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Glacier Vista River Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Glacier Vista River Cottage?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Glacier Vista River Cottage located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Flathead River and 3.1 mi (4.9 km) from Glacier Adventure Guides. Meadow Lake Golf Course and Glacier Lanes and Casino are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 51 out of 65 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 65 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 65 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 65 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Robin L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolute Heaven

Beautiful property. Will rent again. We.loved it.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Flathead Extravaganza

Wonderful place to vacation. Home furnished well. Privacy was awesome. This place felt like we were at a friends cabin.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachel V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Clean cabin

The cabin was in close proximity to Glacier and all the surrounding activities. Very clean and well maintained. Great communication of details. Will stay again if in the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay!

We stayed 4/30/23-5/07/23! The island was wonderful. Unfortunately the roads in glacier were still closed, but we were able to enjoy everything else around the area!! Will definitely try to stay here again during Summer!!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Ray S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

nice cabin close to Glacier NP and Columbia Falls

Very quiet, about right sized for 2 bedrooms, walk to river view, saw wild turkeys and deer every day.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Glacier River Cabin Review

This property is anazing. The indoors is comfy and provides evetything needed fir your comfort. Kitchen fully equiped with everything you could possibility needed. We loved the outdoors sitting by the fire. Watching the deer play and just sitting at the Gazabo by the river. Location is perfect close to everything. Would definitely reccommend to others.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Leanda H., Eckville, Alberta canada

Great place to stay

We stayed here for three nights, and really enjoyed the location. The cabin was perfect for two couples, two queen beds and two bathrooms. If the weather would have been nicer we would have spent time out by the river, it was beautiful there. Nice central location for going to Whitefish or Kalispel. Would definitely recommend this as a place to stay for others.

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S., Hendersonville, NC

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place

The place is totally awesome! It was nice and clean. The owner is super nice. The private little island is super cool! It's the best place! Can not wait to go back!
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shelley B., Portland, Oregon

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful property

This vacation rental was fully equipped with everything that we needed. Quiet property, but conveniently located to the Park. Owner is very prompt in responding to emails. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tina G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice property close to Glacier National Park

This house is an excellent place to stay near Glacier National Park. Nice amenities and good sized rooms. Beautiful view of the river and scenery from the gazebo. The only complaint I have is the bed in the master is really not that comfortable. I woke up two days in a row with a back ache. I slept a couple of nights on the couch (which is pretty comfortable) to remedy the sore back.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

brian l., Scottsdale Arizona

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Glacier View river cabin

This place is awesome! Management was stellar, we forgot some things and they helped us get them back right away! You can float and kayak on the Flathead River and get off right at the gazebo! We in friends that came to visit us had a cookout out on the river. It was wonderful. This spot has good open space away from the hustle and bustle yet is only 10 to 12 minutes from all the great action and restaurants in all three of the major cities. We went boating, kayaking, floating, pontoon, boating, and of course tour glacier Park!! Just trying to figure out when we can get back there again!
Stayed 30 nights in Jun 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Seth H., Arizona

Spectacular Montana Rental Cabin by the River!

This was the dream vacation we always wanted and it was because of the beauty and serenity this cabin provided. It was clean, had everything we needed, and friendly owner who took great care in everything he did. It is easy to access both the river and stream during Summer. It has large outside living spaces with grass, trees (including an apple tree), and cozy chairs. The inside was very clean, organized, well-maintaned, and easy to make our new home away from home. The location couldn't be better. Close to city amenities, but still private and wooded. It gave easy access to Glacier Park, Kalispell, and White Fish. The description of the cottage is accurate and we felt even more pleased with it when we arrived. It is truly that wonderful!

8/10 Good

Peggy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Relaxing Get Away

We have mixed feelings about this place. It is located 25 minutes from GNP entrance. The grocery store is only about 4 minutes away which is great. As stated on the listing it is a short walk to the gazebo and water- which was a relaxing place to hang out. The picture needs updated though. There are no views from the house itself. The beds are comfortable, though 6 adults is a squeeze. I would say 4 adults and 2 little kids would be better. Our stay started with being told the dishwasher was broken, we did get a credit since I would not have rented a place without a dishwasher. We also immediately unplugged an arlo camera located INSIDE the property. It was facing the door but VRBO doesn't allow recording devices inside the home. Overall there have been some great updates, it was nice to eat outside at the picnic table every night for dinner. There is a man living in an RV between this property and the neighbor, twice my daughter and daughter in law saw him urinating out the door. It seems like the owner has been working over the years to improve the rental and we are grateful to have stayed. However the photos should be updated, several others have said the dishwasher was broken, you need to be okay with dog smell and hair, remove all inside cameras- which honestly made us feel uncomfortable even after they were unplugged.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Cheri B., Plainfield, CT

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Wonderful Location!

The location of this property was great. Check in was very easy. The cottage was not clean upon our arrival. Kitchen had to be wiped down and grease removed from kitchen counter. Microwave was splattered with spaghetti sauce and refrigerator and freezer where dirty. Inside of cabinet are not the cleanest. Master bedroom mattress was just awful with the most worn out mattress pad on the top. The stuffing of the mattress pad hung over the side in clumps. I do not understand how this could have been left on the bed. Mattress sits on plywood not on box spring. It was very hard. Rug in bedroom had a bad smell and was not pleasant when door was left closed all night. In all fairness to the property manager, I never called to complain. We arrived late and had to clean the kitchen prior to unpacking my supplies. I did not see a point in contacting them the next day to replace a mattress or a rug in the bedroom. Living room was comfortable with new furniture. When driving up to this property my first reaction was OMG! What did I get myself into. A old couch was left outside on the deck. This was just a bad look and not at all as pictured. This property could be a very nice place, if cleaner and better master bedroom rug and mattress. We stayed for one month and just wished the owner took better pride in the place. The bugs that are found in the home are not concerning as they are the run of the mill forest bugs looking for a warm place to winter. It appeared the owner sprayed or had something down that killed most of them. Met a wonderful neighbor who rescued us from a mother bear and cubs across the bridge to the beautiful gazebo. She drove down to pick us up as we had strolled down. The gazebo and island was a very nice treat. So in closing we feel if these items are addressed it would be a 5 star rating.
Stayed 29 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amanda W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The View

We had such an amazing time at the “River House”. As my daughter called it. The view at the gazebo was beautiful and peaceful. The walk to the river was nice and short. We did see bear and deer there. The house was great for us. It was a tad bit warm with no AC but the fans helped to keep us comfortable. We would definitely stay there again. Thank you so much!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice and cozy little house about 30 minutes from the entrance to West Glacier. Very convenient.

House was clean and well furnished. No AC and the dishwasher was inop. On first arrival saw a muddy creek behind the house. Wife read the log and we saw that you must cross a foot bridge to get to the gazebo on Flathead River. Beautiful!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matt A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Glacier park

The property was great, no AC, I am not sure if this was mentioned in the description. Mostly we didn’t need AC. Dishwasher broken, honestly not a big deal for me.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Jill D.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Family-centric vacation

This house is in a fantastic location--near Glacier National Park, stores and restaurants, and other towns like Whitefish and Kalispell. The master bathroom was clean, spacious, and had tons of towels and linens. For a big family this is always a blessing! There was provisions for either hot weather (lots of fans) or cold weather (wood stove) and the kitchen had everything we needed to cook a meal. The property is absolutely gorgeous but unfortunately we couldn't enjoy it due to a mosquito infestation that happened from recent flooding. Anyone who books this place will hopefully be able to enjoy the fire pit right on the river!! When the host said "the highlight of the property" he wasn't kidding! For a relaxing, family-centric vacation this is the place to be.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Howard B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Great location!

Loved having the river at the back of the property. However, this area did not appear to have been mowed for quite some time. The dishwasher was broken when we arrived and it was NOT repaired during our stay. No Kleenex, skimpy paper towels and toilet paper.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Colleen R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful spot

This cottage is a bit rustic and could use some TLC but beautiful spot! A short hike to enjoy the river and about 20 minutes to West Glacier. Besides Glacier , there are beautiful lakes in the area to enjoy . If you want to set out - it’s about 20 minute drive to Whitefish which is much bigger than Columbia Falls but there are 2 large grocery stores close to the cottage. The property manager was extremely responsive to our needs.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steve W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place

Nice cabin and convenient to the park
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michael K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything worked fine at the VRBO

It was as advertised, we had one issue with slow drains in the kitchen and bathroom but the maintenance man responded immediately.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Samuel C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Columbia Falls - Glacier Trip

We really enjoyed this house with my family of 5. It's not a big house - two bedrooms with nice sized beds and two easily inflatable extra beds - but it was clean and was a good staging ground for exploring Glacier National Park - 20 minutes to the west entrance and about an hour to Polebridge (a must) - and another 20 minutes to Whitefish. The big seller on this property is the acreage it is one. The big island behind the house is amazing, which is shared with just one very friendly neighbor who you will likely not see. The Flathead River and the mountains are a beautiful view and you can use the firewood on the property (just leave some cash for the owner) or on the island to build a fire in the fire pit and enjoy the evening. Our kids thought it was fantastic and so did we. We also really enjoyed the town of Columbia Falls. The people are very nice and if you are there on a Thursday and the weather is nice be sure to check out the local farmer's market for food trucks, local vendors, local craft beer, and live music, It was a blast. There is a grocery store 5 minutes from the house and several restaurants in the area. We recommend Backslope Brewery (we left a growler there if you want to trade it in to save some money on a refill. In short, this isn't a big house, but there is enough space to relax and the property and location are amazing.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

8/10 Good

Amy W., Spokane, WA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Close to Glacier

The home was close to Glacier National Park. It was a cute place and well maintained. We had a couple of small issues but overall it was a good place for us.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joanna M., New York, NY

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy and comfortable cabin in beautiful natural setting!

This was a lovely place to stay. It is very homey and extremely comfortable. The kitchen was very well-equipped, as was the entire property. Unfortunately we didn't need to use the wood stove but I can only imagine how lovely that would have been. There is a bridge over a stream on the property that leads to a large, forested area that overlooks the river. There was heavy snow when we arrived and this was a breathtaking view. Our dog loved it too! We will definitely rent this property again!
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2020

About the host

Hosted by Reilly Smith

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Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests