Three years after purchasing and renovating the historic Izaak Walton Inn in Essex, Montana the Washington based hospitality company LOGE Camps is winding down operations across its portfolio including the LOGE in Missoula after its board discovered a real estate portfolio in significant distress and cited a lack of cashflow and inability to continue paying required operating costs.

Staff at LOGE Glacier were notified that the site will be closing its operations in the near future, with employment expected to conclude on or about March 6, 2026. The closure of one of the few year round hotels near Glacier National Park delivers a sharp blow to the small community of Essex and the broader gateway region that depends on steady visitor traffic in both winter and summer.

As a historic rail stop along Amtrak’s Empire Builder and a lodging anchor 30 miles east of West Glacier, the Inn has long supported tourism tied directly to Glacier National Park, sustaining local jobs, restaurants, outfitters, and seasonal workers whose livelihoods depend on consistent visitation.

The economic ripple effects could extend well beyond Essex, where only about six dozen residents live year round, and into surrounding Flathead Valley communities that benefit from overnight stays, cross country ski tourism, and rail travelers. The Izaak Walton Inn’s winter operations, including groomed ski trails and hospitality services, have helped stabilize tourism outside peak summer months, contributing to the economic vitality of communities near the Walton Inn and reinforcing Montana’s reputation as a four season destination.

Its closure threatens reduced visitor spending, fewer employment opportunities, and added strain on small businesses already navigating seasonal fluctuations. At a time when Glacier National Park remains a cornerstone of the Montana economy, the loss of a historic, year round lodging hub underscores how financial instability at a single property can reverberate across regional tourism networks and impact the state’s broader economic health.

LOGE to Shutter Historic Izaak Walton Inn, Other Properties Amid Bankruptcy