Top Essex Hotel Deals

Make the Most of Your Essex Stay

A railway outpost in the wilderness

Essex exists as little more than a historic railway stop along the southern edge of Glacier National Park, where the Izaak Walton Inn's Tudor Revival architecture has anchored this remote community since 1939. Built to house Great Northern Railway crews working the challenging Marias Pass route, the property features converted cabooses and luxury railcars preserving the area's transportation heritage. The Amtrak Empire Builder still makes flag stops here. Note that the inn closed in March 2026, significantly limiting visitor services.

Wildlife viewing and wilderness access

The Walton Goat Lick Overlook, located 2 miles east along Highway 2, draws visitors to watch mountain goats congregate at mineral-rich cliffs above the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, particularly during late spring and early summer. This accessible viewing platform requires no strenuous hiking while delivering authentic wildlife encounters. The surrounding Great Bear Wilderness offers serious backcountry trails for deeper immersion in Montana's rugged landscape.

Planning your visit

With the inn's closure, Essex now functions primarily as a transit point and trailhead rather than a full-service destination. Travelers should base themselves in Kalispell or Whitefish, both offering airport access and amenities, while using Essex for day-trip wildlife viewing and wilderness exploration along this dramatic stretch of the Continental Divide.

Frequently Asked Questions about Essex

Can I use my miles on Delta Stays to book hotels in Essex?

Yes, you can use your Delta miles for your hotel reservation in Essex, or you can opt for a miles-plus-cash combination to provide more booking options. Upon accessing your Delta SkyMiles® account, you will find Member-valued offers at participating properties that could enhance your visit.

What is the benefit of booking my Essex hotel directly on Delta Stays?

As a SkyMiles Member, you will earn 2 miles per $1 you spend on completed hotel stays and vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays. You will also enjoy access to special Member offers at select properties, and have the flexibility to pay with miles, cash, or a combination of both. To receive your miles, make sure to log in to your SkyMiles account or provide your SkyMiles number during checkout when making a cash payment. Please allow up to 8 weeks after completing a stay for miles to appear in the SkyMiles account provided. Please also note that if you use miles to pay for any portion of your stay, you will not earn miles on that reservation, including any amount paid with cash.

Is it possible to change or cancel my hotel booking made through Delta Stays?

Each property maintains its own cancellation policy. We recommend reviewing the cancellation terms displayed in the property information section before confirming your reservation. Some rates are refundable, while others are non-refundable. Any modifications or cancellations to your reservation may affect the mileage credits you earn and receive in your account.

Can I use my Delta SkyMiles® American Express® Card to book?

As a Delta SkyMiles® Gold, Platinum, or Reserve American Express® Cardholder, you enjoy the advantage of earning additional miles alongside numerous valuable benefits, including an annual statement credit of up to $200 applicable toward prepaid accommodations booked through Delta Cars and Stays. Note that terms apply to these offerings. For an overview of all advantages associated with your card membership, please visit the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Credit Cards page where you can review complete benefit details.

Can I earn MQDs on Delta Stays hotel bookings?

Delta Stays occasionally offers valued promotions allowing SkyMiles Members to accumulate Medallion® Qualification Dollars when booking accommodations through their platform. For the most current MQD earning opportunities and their associated requirements, we recommend visiting the dedicated Delta Stays MQD Offer page where you can review all available offers and their corresponding terms and conditions.

Do I need to have a Delta SkyMiles account to book hotels on Delta Stays?

No, Delta Stays is available to everyone for hotel bookings. However, by becoming a SkyMiles Member, you will unlock the ability to earn miles and access Member-only prices and offers. As a SkyMiles Member, you will receive 2 miles per $1 spent through Delta Cars and Stays (not including taxes and other charges). Joining the SkyMiles program is entirely free. Visit the delta.com to join today.

On Delta Stays, can I book a vacation rental?

Yes, beyond traditional hotels, Delta Stays provides an extensive collection of vacation rentals for your travel needs. You can explore a variety of homes, condos, and distinctive accommodations powered by Vrbo on the Vacation Rentals page.

What's a good time of year to visit Essex?

To experience Essex during great weather, consider a visit in July when temperatures are warm and trails in nearby Glacier National Park are fully accessible with sunny skies. For off-peak prices and fewer crowds, consider visiting during September when temperatures are milder, fall colors emerge, and visitor numbers drop significantly.

*Terms and conditions:

Mileage Offer:

SkyMiles Members will earn two (2) miles per US$1 or equivalent foreign currency spent at https://carsandstays.delta.com/Opens in a new window on the base hotel rate for a completed hotel stay. Base hotel rate is the cost of the hotel room, before taxes and fees, charged at the time of booking or upon checkout. Taxes and fees, gratuities, room service other booking charges, or any bookings which are paid or reduced by miles, redemption vouchers or discount codes are excluded from mileage credit. For clarity, if miles are used as a form of payment (whether for all or a portion of the booking), no portion of the booking will be eligible to earn miles under this offer. Except with respect to the Hertz Mileage offer (listed below), SkyMiles Members will earn two (2) miles per eligible US$1 or equivalent foreign currency spent at https://carsandstays.delta.com/Cars on the base car rental rate for a completed car qualifying rental booking (“Qualifying Dollars”). A qualifying rental booking includes rentals at a participating location for one or more days at rates other than travel industry rates or discounts, wholesale of tour package rates or discounts, wholesale tour package rates, insurance/dealer replacement rates, corporate and government rates, group travel discounts, or rentals in conjunction with a frequent flyer car award, or other corporate agreements applicable to the respective car company. Calculation of the applicable standard mileage offer is listed below by car rental company. Qualifying Dollars include the base car rental rate, which is the cost of the car rental before taxes and fees, charged at the time of booking. Taxes, fees, other incidental charges, or other booking charges or any bookings which are paid or reduced by redemption vouchers or discount codes are excluded from mileage credit and are not included in the Qualifying Dollars.

This mileage offer does not apply to stays or car rentals booked through Delta Vacations or any cruises booked through Delta Cruises.

Standard mileage offer for car rentals booked at https://www.delta.com/Opens in a new window or https://carsandstays.delta.com/Opens in a new window:

Hertz Reservations:

• General SkyMiles Members earn 4 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Silver Medallions earn 5 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Gold Medallions earn 6 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Platinum Medallions earn 7 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Diamond Medallions earn 8 miles per Qualifying Dollar

Dollar and Thrifty Reservations:

• All SkyMiles Members earn 4 miles per Qualifying Dollar

Alamo, Enterprise, National, Avis, Budget, Payless and SIXT Reservations:

• All SkyMiles Members earn 2 miles per Qualifying Dollar