Plan Your Visit to Glacier National Park
This Glacier National Park travel guide helps you plan a first visit without spending hours figuring out what is actually worth your vacation time. Glacier is enormous, and the places you’ve probably saved photos of are scattered across Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Lake McDonald, and the North Fork, so trying to see everything in one trip can quickly turn into too much driving and not enough time outside.
You will find what not to miss, where to stay, when to visit, and the practical details you need before you arrive. I’ve also included the experiences that make Glacier memorable, from driving Going-to-the-Sun Road and looking for mountain goats near Logan Pass to seeing the colored rocks at Lake McDonald, hiking past waterfalls, eating something made with huckleberries, and watching the mountains turn pink at sunset.
READ 10 Day Glacier National Park and the Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary
Glacier National Park at a Glance
Location: Northwestern Montana along the Canadian border
How much time: 3–5 days for a first visit
Best time to visit: July through mid-September for the best chance of open high-elevation roads and trails
Don’t miss: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass, Lake McDonald, St. Mary Lake, and Many Glacier
Best scenic drive: Going-to-the-Sun Road
Best easy walk: Trail of the Cedars
Best first hike: Hidden Lake Overlook
Best area for hiking: Many Glacier
Best waterfall day: Baring Falls, St. Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls
Best local treat: Anything huckleberry
Where to stay: Inside the park or in West Glacier, St. Mary, East Glacier Park Village, or nearby communities
Good to know: Glacier is much larger than it looks on a map. West Glacier to Many Glacier can take 2½–3 hours by car.
Plan ahead: Road access, parking rules, shuttles, trail closures, and construction change frequently. Check current NPS conditions shortly before your trip.
Glacier National Park Travel Guide
Top 10 Things to Do in Glacier National Park
1. Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road
2. Stop at Logan Pass and hike toward Hidden Lake Overlook
3. See the colorful rocks along Lake McDonald
4. Walk the Trail of the Cedars to Avalanche Gorge
5. See Wild Goose Island on St. Mary Lake
6. Hike to Baring Falls, St. Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls
7. Spend a day hiking or boating in Many Glacier
8. Explore Two Medicine and see Running Eagle Falls
9. Drive to Polebridge for a huckleberry bear claw and continue toward Bowman Lake
10. Watch the sunset and stay after dark for stargazing
Facts About Glacier National Park
- You need a reservation to enter Glacier National Park
- Glacier National Park was the 10th US National Park
- In 1932 Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park and the United States Glacier National Park became Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
- In 1995 Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park became a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- It is possible to cross the Canadian border into Waterton Lake at Goat Haunt (with a passport)
- In 1850 there were 150 glaciers in the area, today there are 26
- Harrison Glacier is the largest glacier in the park, it is 1,661,456 sq meters
- Lake McDonald is the park’s largest lake, it is 10 miles long and 500 feet deep
- Going to the Sun Road was completed in 1932 and is a National Historic Landmark, National Historic Place, and Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
- Glacier National Park became an International Biosphere Reserve in 1974
- There are 762 lakes in the park: 131 are named, and 631 are unnamed
- The symbol of Glacier National Park is the mountain goat
- There are 175 mountains and 3 ranges in the park, Mt Cleveland is the highest at 10,448 feet
- There are 300 grizzlies and 600 black bears in Glacier National Park
- Rain that falls on Triple Divide Peak will flow into the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans
- Glacier National Park averages 139 inches of snow between January and mid-March
Where is Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana along the US-Canada border. The closest airport is the Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell MT. It is 35 miles from the airport to the park.
Best Time of Year to Visit Glacier National Park
The summer season is from late June through mid-September. Temperatures average in the 80s. Hiking and white water rafting are popular activities during the summer months. July and August are the busiest times to visit Glacier National Park. West Glacier trees begin to change color in mid-September and the trees in East Glacier begin to change color in early October. Most of the park is closed in the winter. Roads to Apgar Visitor Center and Lake McDonald Lodge are often plowed in the winter. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular winter activities in Glacier National Park. Going to Sun Road is closed to vehicles but open for biking during the spring.
Transportation in Glacier National Park
Utilize the park’s free hop on hop off shuttle system providing service on the Going to the Sun Road between Apgar Visitor Center and St Mary Visitor Center July 1st through Labor Day. The park and shuttle system is divided into two areas. One group of busses drives from Apgar Village to Logan Pass and the other drives from St Mary Visitor Center to Logan Pass.
West Side
North Fork Area (Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake, Polebridge)
Apgar Village (Lake McDonald)
Logan Pass
East Side
St Mary Lake (Rising Sun and St Mary)
Many Glacier (Swiftcurrent Lake, Grinnell Glacier Trail)
Two Medicine (and Cut Bank)
Glacier National Park Restaurants
Glacier National Park has many restaurants to choose from. They are open from late June through Labor Day. Be sure to try bison burgers with huckleberry BBQ sauce and elk meatloaf while in the area. Also, the huckleberry bear claw from Polebridge Mercantile is worth the gorgeous drive.
Many Glacier: Ptarmigan Dining Room, Swiss Lodge, Heidi’s Snack Shop
Lake McDonald: Jammer Joes Grill and Pizzeria, Eddie’s Café, Lucke’s Lounge, Fireside Dining Room
Rising Sun: Two Dog Fats Grill, Nell’s at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
Accommodation Near Glacier National Park
There are 13 campgrounds with over 1000 sites in Glacier National Park. Check here for dates open, fees, and reservation information. Backcountry camping permits are available. Seven lodges are available in Glacier National Park: Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, Many Glacier Hotel, Apgar Village Lodge, Cedar Creek Lodge, Village Inn at Apgar, and Motel Lake McDonald. In addition, Sperry Chalet and Granite Park Chalet both provide backcountry lodging. Lodging is also available in nearby communities of West Glacier, East Glacier Park Village, and St Mary as well as the resort cities of Whitefish and Kalispell.
Tips for Visiting Glacier National Park
- Stop for gas and groceries in Columbia Falls or Whitefish
- Purchase bear spray and learn bear safety
- Never feed bears, and always use food storage containers
- Report all bear sightings immediately
- Keep your distance from goats, bighorn sheep, and bears, they are not friendly
- Hold your thumb in front of you and if your thumb does not cover the animal, you are too close
- Download offline maps; cell service is inconsistent
- There are no gas stations in the park
- Rent a small car; Going to Sun Road has tight turns
- The park has a shuttle system but many areas are remote and you will need a car
- Do popular hikes before 8 am
- Parking is limited and it is common to be turned away from Logan’s Pass during peak hours
- Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited on Going to the Sun Road between Avalanche Campground and Rising Sun picnic area
- Pets are not allowed on trails, backcountry areas, or any building
- Be safe; do not hike alone; always wait for others, there is safety in numbers
- Glacier National Park is spread out, plan your itinerary before you arrive
- Temperatures can change drastically; bring warm clothes and an umbrella
- Visitor centers have water bottle-filling stations
- A fishing license is not required in the park, and live bait is prohibited
- Ticks are most active in Spring and early Summer; check yourself and remove them immediately
- Practice Leave No Trace Principles
- Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass
Things to Do at Glacier National Park
- Drive the famous Going to the Sun Road
- Rent a canoe and paddle around Lake McDonald
- Photograph McDonald Falls and the Sacred Cascades
- Hike the Trail of the Cedars to Avalanche Gorge
- Drive under the Weeping Wall
- Stop at Logan Pass and enjoy the view
- Check out Bird Women Falls
- Watch for mountain goats on the hike to Hidden Lake Overlook
- Cross the Continental Divide on the Highline Trail
- Take a photo of the park’s 7th largest glacier at the Jackson Glacier Overlook
- Hike to Baring Falls, St Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls
- Enjoy the view from the Sun Point Nature Trail
- Photograph Wild Goose Island
- Go for a swim in Bowman Lake
- Take a boat tour of Many Glacier
- Hike to Apikuni Falls
- Photograph the Grinnell Glacier
- Check out the icebergs in Upper Grinnell Lake
- Snack on a huckleberry bear claw at Polebridge Mercantile
- Eat huckleberry ice cream at Many Glacier Lodge or Eddie’s in Apgar Village
- Watch the sunset at St Mary Lake
- Find a dark spot to stargaze and photograph the Milky Way
- Kayak in Swiftcurrent Lake
- Look for moose feeding at Fishercap Lake during sunrise
- Buy huckleberry steak sauce souvenirs
- Go whitewater rafting on Middle Fork Flathead
- Enjoy the wildflowers in Paradise Meadow
- Photograph Lake Josephine with Mount Gould in the background
- Hike to Running Eagle Falls and Paradise Point at Two Medicine Lake
- Hike to Iceberg Lake and photograph the icebergs
- Enter Canada’s Waterton Lake at Goat Haunt
Glacier National Park Travel Guide Three-Day Itinerary
Arrival Day:
Pick up a rental car and stop for water, groceries, and bear spray before checking into the accommodation. Spend the evening at Lake McDonald. Be sure to photograph Lake McDonald from the lodge, hike to McDonald Falls, and check out Sacred Cascades from the footbridge. If time permits, walk the Trail of the Cedars boardwalk loop to Avalanche Gorge (.7 miles). Grab a huckleberry ice cream from Eddies and find a spot to watch the sunset on Lake McDonald. Settle into your accommodation and look for the Milky Way before going to sleep.
Day One: Explore Going to the Sun Road
Photograph Bird Woman Falls, Haystack Falls, and the Weeping Wall.
Stop at Big Bend to take a photo of the valley and mountains.
Hike to the Hidden Lake overlooks from Logan’s Pass Visitor Center, 1.5 miles. Watch for mountain goats and bighorn sheep along the trail.
Photograph the Jackson Glacier and continue on to St. Mary Lake.
Park at Sunrift Gorge and hike to Baring Falls, S.t Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls.
Photograph St. Mary Lake from Sun Point and stop at the Wild Goose Island Overlook.
Turn around and return to Apgar Village for dinner at Eddie’s.
Day Two: Many Glacier
Check out the lodge at Many Glacier before taking a boat tour of Many Glacier.
Hike to Grinnell Lake: Take the boat across Swiftcurrent Lake to Lake Josephine. It is a very short up/downhill walk between the lakes. Then, hike 1.1 miles (one way) to Grinnell Lake. Return and hike as much of the trail to Grinnell Glacier as time allows.
Return to the lodge and relax on the porch overlooking the lake.
Day Three: Two Medicine Lake
Get up early and drive to Polebridge Mercantile for a Huckleberry Bear Claw.
Stop in the resort town of White Fish and shop for souvenirs.
Drive out to Two Medicine Lake and see two waterfalls in one at Running Eagle Falls.
Hike 1.4 miles RT to Paradise Point or 9.7 miles around Two Medicine Lake.
Take the boat across the lake, then hike 4 miles RT past Twin Falls to Upper Medicine Lake.
Hike a section of the Continental Divide on the Mt. Henry Trail or 5.5 miles to No Name Lake
Have more time? Cross into Canada and explore Waterton Lake National Park or take a helicopter ride over glaciers, waterfalls, Iceberg Lake, and Waterton Lake.
Check with the Glacier National Park Service for current events
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