Glacier National Park

Going-to-the-Sun Road & St. Mary:
Avalanche Lake (5.9 miles, 757 feet elev. gain): Arguably the most stunning lake in Glacier NP, Avalanche Lake is fed by a multitude of waterfalls that cascade down the cliffs beyond its shores. The pleasant hike through the forest includes the popular Trail of the Cedars.
The Highline Trail & Grinnell Glacier Overlook: The Highline Trail is one of the most breathtaking trails in the United States, period. Starting at Logan Pass, the trail follows the base of the Garden Wall high above the tree line, offering a grand perspective of Glacier National Park’s lush landscape and distant peaks. If you venture onto the Highline Trail, you should absolutely make the trek to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. Reaching the overlook requires navigation of a steep, rocky detour… but it’s worth the effort. You can visit the overlook via the Highline Trail either via an out-and-back hike (15.0 miles, 3,415 feet elev. gain) or a point-to-point hike (13.6 miles, 2,325 feet elev. gain) that ends at the Loop Trailhead.
Hidden Lake (5.1 miles, 1,338 feet elev. gain): This iconic lake, which features Bearhat Mountain rising above it, is reachable via this scenic hike that departs from Logan Pass. You can see Hidden Lake via a shorter trail (2.7 miles) that guides you to an overlook.
Siyeh Pass (9.9 miles, 2,247 feet elev. gain): The point-to-point hike through Siyeh Pass starts among the trees before rising up to a rocky, exposed mountain pass.
St. Mary & Virginia Falls (3.1 miles, 452 feet elev. gain): This short hike guides you to two stunning waterfalls with plenty of opportunities to take a dip in their icy blue waters.

Many Glacier Area:
Iceberg Lake (9.6 miles, 1,459 feet elev. gain): Iceberg Lake is memorable for the towering rock faces on all sides and – as the name implies – the chunks of ice that can occasionally be found on the surface.
Ptarmigan Tunnel (10.6 miles, 2,362 feet elev. gain): Though it may seem odd to hike so far simply to reach a tunnel, the view on the other side of it is worth the mileage.
Redrock Falls (3.7 miles, 342 feet elev. gain): This short hike in the Many Glacier area guides you to a scenic waterfall that feeds Redrock Lake.
Grinnell Lakes & Grinnell Glacier (10 miles, 2,066 feet elev. gain): Even if you’ve viewed Grinnell Glacier from above, it’s worth your time to visit Upper Grinnell Lake and view the glacier from below. Detouring to lower Grinnell Lake adds ~2.5 miles.
Cracker Lake (12.5 miles, 1,617 feet elev. gain): Visiting this less-popular lake can yield peace & quiet while still presenting great views of Glacier’s backcountry.

Two Medicine Area:
Upper Two Medicine Lake (9.3 miles, 813 feet elev. gain): Hiking to Upper Two Medicine Lake offers a chance to escape the crowds in other parts of Glacier while still showcasing the park’s unparalleled beauty.
Aster & Rockwell Falls (8.0 miles, 928 feet elev. gain): Waterfall chasers will enjoy this long hike through the forest to reach two waterfalls in the Two Medicine area.
Scenic Point via CDT (7.7 miles, 2,365 feet elev. gain): This small section of the Continental Divide Trail brings hikers to an unnamed overlook of the Two Medicine region on the eastern edge of Glacier. The perspective of the valley to the west is unmatched.

The West Side (Lake McDonald & North Fork):
Apgar Lookout (7.1 miles, 1,906 feet elev. gain): The climb to Apgar Lookout yields a birds-eye perspective of Lake McDonald and the distant Logan Pass. It’s a view of the park that many visitors never experience.
Johns Lake (2.0 miles, 190 feet elev. gain): This easy hike around the north end of Lake McDonald sits along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s a nice diversion that sees less traffic than other hikes in the vicinity.
Hidden Meadow (2.5 miles, 226 feet elev. gain): Walking around Hidden Meadow offers a chance for easy hiking without the crowds. The hike navigates a marsh which supports lots of wildlife and plant life.
Numa Ridge & Bowman Lake (11.3 miles, 2,992 feet elev. gain): Tucked away in the northwestern corner of Glacier National Park, this hike provides stunning lake views and sweeping mountain vistas.

Going-to-the-Sun Road: Glacier’s famous highway runs right through the middle of the park It offers stunning views of the park’s central region, access to Logan Pass, and access to some of Glacier’s most popular trails. Entering the GTTS Road from the west side of Glacier requires a timed entrance reservation from 7AM-3PM, but entering from the east side near St. Mary does not. In most years, this road is only open from late June until October due to snow in the winter months.
Boat Tours: Glacier Park Boat Company is an authorized concessioner that operates in the national park, offering boat tours of lakes like St. Mary Lake and Lake McDonald. A guided boat tour is a relaxing way to enjoy Glacier’s gorgeous scenery. You can also rent kayaks on the two lakes I mentioned, if you’d prefer to navigate the water on your own.
Catch a Sunrise or Sunset: Glacier’s majestic landscapes gain a new coat of paint in the early and late hours of the day. Good spots to enjoy golden hour include the Wild Goose Island Overlook, Lake McDonald’s shoreline, any spot along the Highline Trail, or the Many Glacier Hotel.
Lake McDonald: Perhaps Glacier’s most well-known lake, Lake McDonald is central to many of the activities on the western side of the park. Apgar Village, two campgrounds, several hiking trails, and Lake McDonald Lodge all sit along its shoreline. The lake is famous for colorful rocks along its shoreline. On a warm day, I’d recommend swimming or kayaking on this incredible lake.
Cycling: The winding, well-paved roads of Glacier National Park are a road cyclist’s dream. If you’re up for a rewarding challenge, consider crossing Going-to-the-Sun Road on two wheels. Several local outfitters offer bicycle rentals around the park.
Spot Wildlife: Many people come to Glacier simply to enjoy the park’s wildlife. Grizzly bears, black bears, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and foxes are some of the park’s more well-known residents. Bring a camera & bear spray, and keep your distance!
Camping: With 13 developed campgrounds, Glacier National Park offers plenty of opportunity to sleep under the stars. Many of these campgrounds offer easy access to park activities, adding another layer of appeal to this lodging option. See the “General Tips” section for more info on camping in the park.
Rafting: The Flathead River provides exciting rafting opportunities, a unique way to explore Glacier’s natural beauty. Several companies offer guided rafting adventures on both the Middle Fork & North Fork of the Flathead River.
Backpacking: One of the best ways to experience the serenity that Glacier offers is by escaping into the backcountry. With over 700 miles of trails and dozens of backcountry sites, there’s seemingly endless opportunity to enjoy Glacier’s less-visited regions. Be sure to grab a wilderness permit in advance, which are released both via lottery and via general sale.

Waterton Lakes National Park: Waterton Lakes forms the Canadian section of the “Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park,” a contiguous park separated by Canada’s border. You can reach the park via backpacking or by driving across the border. The park offers much of the same scenery and activities as Glacier.
Idaho: The state next door to Glacier National Park offers a host of exciting and often-overlooked locations for nature enthusiasts to enjoy. Several national forests exist in Idaho’s panhandle – a few hours’ drive from Glacier – offering peaceful escapes into nature. Further south, the Sawtooth Range and Craters of the Moon are worthwhile places to spend a few days.
Banff National Park: Canada’s world-famous Banff lies only a few hours’ drive from Glacier. It’s common for travelers to pair their visit to Glacier with a few days in Banff and the surrounding Canadian parks. Banff is home to towering rocky peaks, vibrant blue lakes, enormous glaciers, sprawling forests, and abundant wildlife. It’s a place that – in my opinion – everyone should visit at some point in their life!

When to Visit: Glacier’s peak season is short, typically lasting from late June into September. During this time, the park’s services are fully operational, trails are free of snow, Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, and vegetation & wildlife abound. This is also the time that most visitors frequent the park. If you want to enjoy the park’s offerings but avoid the crowds, try visiting in early June or in late September through early October. Be sure to check current conditions before you visit, to see what’s open and closed.
How Long to Visit: There’s no such thing as a visit to Glacier that is “too long.” If it’s your first time in Glacier, budget 3-5 days to explore the park’s many areas and enjoy its best trails. But be warned… you’ll likely want to come back.
How to Get There: Though Glacier is isolated geographically, there are plenty of ways to reach the park with relative ease. The road network leading to the park is extensive and well-traveled, making it easy to visit on a road trip. If visiting from afar, consider flying into Kalispell, MT or Calgary, Canada.
Where to Stay: Visitors can choose from thirteen campgrounds to stay in Glacier National Park. Seven of these campgrounds have reservable sites and sit in close proximity to activities in the park. Those include Apgar and Fish Creek (on the west side), Sprague Creek and Avalanche (central, along GTTS Road), St. Mary (on the east side), Many Glacier, and Two Medicine. Lodging is also available within the park, with several lodges operated by Glacier National Park Lodges spanning the width of the park. Outside of the park, you can find lodging and private campgrounds in Kalispell, West Glacier, and St. Mary, among other small towns.
What to Bring: Your most important item to pack? BEAR SPRAY! Bear spray can be purchased at park visitor centers or in stores around the park. Otherwise, bring your usual hiking & camping gear when you visit Glacier National Park. Sturdy hiking boots, trekking poles, 3-5 liters of water, sun protection, and layers are essential for longer trails. Early in peak season, you may want to bring trail crampons to navigate snowy patches along the trails at higher elevations.

DO carry bear spray with you at all times.
 DO check on road & trail conditions before you enter the park. GTTS Road typically opens up by late June, as do most trails. However, closures are still common due to other factors, like maintenance or bear activity.
 DO make reservations far in advance for Glacier. Campgrounds & lodging often book up the second availability is released, and tickets for GTTS Road often sell out fast. Be flexible in your plans and make backup options.
 DO get an early start. The parking lots at Glacier’s most popular trailheads often fill up early in the morning. Logan Pass – in particular – is often full by 7AM during peak season.
DON’T approach or feed wildlife. Keep 100 yards from bears and 25 yards away from all other wildlife. And don’t feed the chipmunks, no matter how much they beg you to.
DON’T forget your passport! If you plan to visit Waterton Lakes or cross into Canada for other travel plans, be sure to bring the proper documentation.
DON’T disrespect the park’s natural beauty. Stay on trails, enjoy the scenery at a safe distance, and don’t scramble on rock faces or mountains.