Lake McDonald lies at an elevation of 3,153 feet (961 m)[1] and is on the west side of the Continental Divide.

[2] The lake is home to numerous native species of trout, and other game fish.

The lake is surrounded by a dense coniferous forest dominated by various species of spruce, fir, and larch.

[3][4] At the westernmost section of the lake in Apgar there is a National Park Service visitor center with limited lodging and dining facilities.

[2] McDonald Creek flows into and drains from the lake, and empties into the Middle Fork Flathead River shortly after.