2026 Complete Travel Guide to Glacier National Park: Essential Tips & Unforgettable Experiences

Glacier National Park, located in the U.S. state of Montana, borders Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park to the north and is one of the most popular national parks.

Glacier is known for alpine scenery, glacially carved valleys, beautiful lakes, wildlife, and classic hiking trails.

You can visit on foot, by bus, by bike, by horseback riding, or by boat, enjoying the white ice on the peaks, the mountain views reflected on the lakes, and the beautiful scenery among the trees in the mountains.

Also, you may encounter a wide range of wildlife and can get a wonderful nature tour. If planning to visit Glacier National Park, this Glacier National Park guide will surely help you.

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What to see and do in Glacier National Park What’s there to do?

Glacier National Park is a hiker’s paradise. The park offers 1,100 kilometers of hiking trails, including trails along the mountain walls and the lakes, and you can choose from a variety of trails in different areas and at different levels of difficulty to experience the hiking fun. Popular trails include the Trail of the Cedar, Avalanche Lake Trail, and Highline Trail.

In Glacier National Park, there are more than 200 lakes of all sizes, formed by the melting of glaciers, so the water quality is fresh and clean, and the visual sensation is very good, the more famous ones are Lake McDonald (Lake McDonald), Hidden Lake (Hidden Lake), and Avalanche Lake (Avalanche Lake).

In addition to hiking through Glacier National Park, you can take the park’s iconic red tour buses along various routes, experience a scenic ride on the biking trails, or enjoy the sights along the way on a boat, kayak, or on horseback.

The Best time to visit Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is open year-round, and June through September is the best time of year to visit Glacier National Park.

The months of July and August are the most popular time for tourists when all the visitor service facilities are open and the temperature is suitable for the majority of tourists to go there, as the temperature is favorable and the physical sensation during the tour is relatively comfortable.

During September there are fewer visitors to the park and the wildlife is more active, you can also see the beautiful sight of the vegetation as it begins to change color for those who want to hike Glacier National Park in a quieter setting.

During the winter months of May through October, many roads and visitor services are closed due to snow and ice, or yielding snow, which affects excursion travel.

Direct Flight to Glacier National Park

Major commercial airports near Glacier National Park are:

• Glacier Park International Airport: Airport code FCA, about 30 miles from the west entrance to Glacier National Park, about 30 minutes by car;
• Missoula International Airport: Airport code MSO, about 150 miles from the west entrance to Glacier National Park, about 2 hours 30 minutes by car;
• Great Falls International Airport: Airport code GTF, approximately 130 – 165 miles from the east entrance to Glacier National Park, approximately 2 hours and 22 minutes by car.

Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)

Driving distance to the west entrance of Glacier National Park is about 30 miles by car and takes about 30 minutes by car.

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Driving distance to the west entrance of Glacier National Park is about 150 miles by car and takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes by car.

Great Falls International Airport (GTF)

Driving distance to the east entrance of Glacier National Park is approximately 130 – 165 miles driving distance and takes about 2 hours and 22 minutes by car.

Transportation of Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park offers paved roads, so it’s great for driving. There are a total of seven entrances to the park, with the West Glacier Entrance and St. Mary Entrance being the most heavily traveled entrances.

When visiting the park, you can either drive your car or take the free shuttle bus provided in the park.

If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can choose to take the train or a paid shuttle bus to the park.

A. Seven entrances to the park

There are seven entrances to Glacier National Park:

1. Polebridge Ranger Station Entrance on the northwest side of the property
2. Camas Creek Entrance located on the west side
3. West Glacier Entrance on the southwest side of the property
4. Two Medicine Entrance on the southeast side
5. Cut Bank Entrance on the southeast side
6. St. Mary Entrance on the east side of the building
7. Many Glacier Entrance on the northeast side

B. Access to the park by car or by train

When driving to the park, you generally choose the West Glacier Entrance on the west side of the park to come directly to Lake McDonald or follow Highway 89 on the east side to the three eastern entrances Two Medicine Entrance, St. Mary Entrance, and Many Glacier Entrance.

Alternatively, take the Empire Builder Amtrak train and then catch a paid shuttle into the park.

self-driving

If you are traveling from the west, you can take Highway 2 north to West Glacier Entrance;

If you’re coming from the east, take Highway 89 and follow the signs to the three entrances to the east.

catch the train

You can take the Empire Builder Amtrak train and get off at West Glacier or Essex.

At the West Glacier Station, the condominiums offer the WEST SIDE Shuttle, which transports guests to the Lake McDonald Lodge and Village Inn in the park for a fee, and reservations are required.

Choice of driving or shuttles in the park

There are plenty of paved roads in the park, which are usually in good condition, and you can choose to visit the park by driving yourself, or by taking the free or paid shuttle buses. If you drive, check current road status, construction updates, shuttle operations, and any seasonal access rules before entering the park.

self-driving

Some of the park’s interior roads are open seasonally, so you should check the park’s interior road information on time prior to your trip to ensure that you will be able to complete your trip.

If you are preparing to travel to Going-to-the-Sun Road, in addition to checking the Road Information page, you should check the Road Status page to make sure that you can travel fully and smoothly on the current road.

Also, some lanes in the park are restricted to large-size vehicles:

Vehicles and combinations of vehicles exceeding 21 feet (6.4 m) in length, including bumpers, and 8 feet (2.4 m) in width, including reflectors, are prohibited on the road between Avalanche Campground and the Rising Sun Picnic Area parking lot.

In parts of Logan Pass, it can be very difficult to travel with vehicles over 10 feet (3 m) in height.

Therefore, if your vehicle dimensions exceed: 21 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 10 feet in height, you should take care to avoid the above roadways when arranging your driving route.

Free Shuttle Bus

During the summer months, free shuttles are offered on a first-come, first-served basis on the Going-to-the-Sun trail. Shuttle service is available for regular riders, as well as shuttle service exclusively for riding tourists.

Shuttle buses with tolls

Glacier National Park offers two paid shuttles:

• Many Glacier Hiker’s Shuttle: is a shuttle service between Many Glacier Hotel or SwiftCurrent Motor Inn and the St. Mary Visitor Center that runs 7/1/2022 – 9/14/2022 and costs $14 for adults and $7 for children. The price is $14 for adults and $7 for children.
• West Side Shuttle: is a shuttle service between West Glacier Train Station and Lake McDonald Lodge or Village Inn that operates from 5/13/2022 – 9/26/2022 and costs $14 for adults and $7 for children.

Reservations are not required for rides, which are on a first-come, first-served basis, and seating is limited.

For specific times of the shuttle, please check the specifics.

How is accommodation organized in Glacier National Park?

Glacier National Park offers accommodations at several of the most popular classics within the park, such as the three-star Many Glacier Hotel, and the popular Lake McDonald Lodge, plus a large number of campgrounds for convenience.

Also, outside the hotel, different types of accommodations are available, all a relatively short distance away, making it easy for you to stay after your visit and return to the park the next day.

A. Accommodation in the park

#1. Cedar Creek Lodge ⭐⭐ 4.4 / 5.0 (347 reviews)

#2. Lake McDonald Lodge ⭐⭐ 4.6 / 5.0 (1,191 reviews)

#3. Many Glacier Hotel ⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 / 5.0 (968 条评价)

#4. Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins ⭐⭐ 4.2 / 5.0 (160 reviews)

#5. Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins ⭐⭐ 4.5 / 5.0 (190 reviews)

#6. Village Inn at Apgar ⭐⭐ 4.6 / 5.0 (153 reviews)

B. Off-park accommodation

#6. Under Canvas Glacier ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.5/ 10.0 88 reviews

#7. Reclusive Moose Cabins ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.7 / 10.0 24 reviews

#8. Glacier Acres Guest Ranch 8.9/ 10.0 166 reviews

#9. Lodge at Whitefish Lake ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.0 / 10.0 237 reviews

#10. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kalispell, an IHG Hotel ⭐⭐ 8.5 / 10.0 209 reviews

#11. Hampton Inn Kalispell ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.7/ 10.0 360 reviews

#12. Buffalo Lodge of Bigfork 8.3/ 10.0 66 reviews

#13. Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn and Suites ⭐⭐⭐ 8.8 / 10.0 212条评价

#14. Outlook Inn Bed and Breakfast ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.7/ 10.0 63 reviews

#15 Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Kalispell, MT – Glacier Lodge ⭐⭐ 9.2 / 10.0 874条评价

#16 The Islander Inn ⭐⭐⭐ 8.8/ 10.0 213条评价

#17. Kalispell Studio on 1 Acre by Shops and Glacier Park 9.2 / 10.0 17 reviews

C. Camping sites in the park

There are a total of 13 campsites set up in Glacier National Park.

Eight of the campsites are first-come, first-served:

• Avalanche Campground
• Bowman Lake Campground
• Cut Bank Campground
• Kintla Lake Campground
• Logging Creek Campground
• Quartz Creek Campground
• Rising Sun Campground
• Two Medicine Campground

Reservations are required for 5 campsites:

• Apgar Campground Reservations
• Fish Creek Campground Reservations
• Many Glacier Campground Reservations
• St. Mary Campground by Appointment
• Sprague Creek Campground by appointment

What are some good restaurants in Glacier National Park?

Dining in Glacier National Park is more limited, offering five main restaurants.

Outside of the park, however, and in conjunction with the hotel, a wider variety of restaurant types are offered to choose from.

A. Restaurants in parks

#Eddie`s Cafe map

#2. Russell’s Fireside Dining Room Map

#3. Lucke’s Lounge map.

#4. Ptarmigan Dining Room Map

#5. Swiss Lounge map

B. Restaurants outside parks

#6. Belton Grill Dining Room & Tap Room 4.7 / 5.0 73 reviews map

#7. Glacier Highland 3.9 / 5.0 113 reviews map

#8. Middle Fork Eats 4.4 / 5.0 7 reviews Maps

#9. Beargrass Café 5.0 / 5.0 13 reviews Maps

#10. Great Northern Railway Cafe 4.4 / 5.0 68 reviews Maps

#11. Sunflower Cafe & BBQ 4.9 / 5.0 186 reviews Maps

#12. Lazy Bear Cafe 4.7 / 5.0 3 reviews Maps

#13. Josephine’s Speakeasy 4.7 / 5.0 190 reviews Maps

#14. Patch’s Alpine Grill 4.5 / 5.0 69 reviews Maps

#15. Glacier Grill & Pizza 4.8 / 5.0 152 reviews Maps

#16. Dan d’Lion 5.0 / 5.0 67 reviews Maps

#17. Willow’s huckleberry land 4.0 / 5.0 462 reviews map

What to bring to visit Glacier National Park?

• Hiking Shoes: Hiking tours require a comfortable pair of hiking shoes, depending on the season of travel, you can wear hiking shoes that are more breathable or have a warming effect.

• Walking stick: Carrying a walking stick can reduce the strain of hiking tours while reducing the risk of injury.

• All-in-one Jacket: Some of the attractions in the park are located at higher elevations, so the temperature can drop significantly, so bring an all-in-one jacket to keep warm in time.

• Insect-repellent spray: will be needed when entering forested areas in the summer.

• Sunscreen: required when traveling to Glacier National Park in the summer.

• Lightweight raincoat: to protect against sudden rainfall.

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• Camera: to capture the beautiful scenery along the way.

• Water Bottle: Hydrate your body in time for the trekking journey.

• Bear Spray: Cannot be taken on airplanes, available at all Glacier National Park Lodge retail stores.

Itinerary and Attractions

Glacier National Park has a relatively high concentration of popular attractions, so it’s possible to schedule a 2-day trip to see them all at once.

Day 1

Enter the park from Saint Mary’s on the east side and take a boat ride on Saint Mary’s Lake, enjoying lakeshore views, Saint Mary’s Falls, and more.

In the afternoon, drive or take a scenic bus tour along the Going-to-the-Sun Road and enjoy the sights along the way.

Then take the Highline Trail or Logan Pass to Hidden Lake, Grinnell Glacier to Upper Grinnell Lake, or the Avalanche Trail. Head to Avalanche Lake for a hike and different views of the lake.

Overnight stay at a hotel in the park or campground.

Day 2

In the morning, head to Two Medicine Lake for a short hike with views of the lake.

Head to Lake McDonald for lunch, and spend the afternoon kayaking, horseback riding, or biking.

Going-to-the-Sun Road

Google Maps

The most important road in Glacier National Park, which divides the park into East and West, follows the paved highway, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the mountains on both sides of the driveway, as well as glacial lakes and waterfalls.

Also, you can choose to ride on the road for a different viewing experience.

Several points of interest can be reached along the Sunward Trail, but portions of this trail may be closed due to weather, and you should keep an eye on Glacier National Park’s road information page before traveling to determine your itinerary.

Lake McDonald

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 / 5.0 (274 reviews)

Google Maps

Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park by area, and several lodges and cabins have been built around the lake, making it one of the most visited attractions.

You enter through the park’s southwest entrance and quickly make your way to Lake McDonald, which not only offers several hiking trails but also a wealth of tourist activities including boat cruises, rides, horseback tours, and sightseeing buses, making it a must-visit attraction when visiting Glacier National Park.

Hidden Lake

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 / 5.0 (45 reviews)

Google Maps

Hidden Lake is located in the heart of Glacier National Park and is accessible from both the east and west entrances at similar distances, making it ideal for scheduling a visit in the middle of your trip.

This glacial lake, tucked away in the mountains, can be reached via the Highline Trail or by following the Hidden Lake Trail from Logan Pass, either of which is a bit more strenuous.

However, when you reach Hidden Lake, you can enjoy a marvelous view surrounded by mountains.

You may encounter bears during your hike, so keep bear spray handy.

Logan Pass

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5.0 (119 reviews)

Google Maps

Logen Pass is one of the most heavily visited sites in the heart of Glacier National Park, and there is the Logen Pass Visitor Center where visitors can take a break, refill their food and water supplies, do some shopping, and more.

Meanwhile, at an altitude of 6,466 feet, you can take in some of the most incredible views in Glacier National Park or observe a variety of wildlife, such as mountain goats or bears.

This is also the entrance to several major trails and is a good rest stop if you choose to go back and forth along a trail.

Note that temperatures are cooler year-round here, even in July, and much colder than at the bottom of the mountain, so you’ll need to wear warm clothing.

Highline Trail

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

Google Maps

One of the most difficult trails in Glacier Park, but also one of the most popular, as you can enjoy multiple views along the High Line Trail, including glacier-covered valleys, a natural “garden wall” of flowers at the top of the mountain, and a wide variety of mountain wildlife, etc. If you are experienced in mountain hiking, you should not miss this trail. If you’re experienced in mountain hiking, you won’t want to miss this hiking trail.

Avalanche Trail

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 / 5.0 (472 reviews)

Google Maps

The avalanche trail takes you through avalanche canyons, forests, and finally to Avalanche Lake, with multiple waterfalls on the way, and is generally gentle, with only the occasional raised tree root or rock.

Near the Avalanche Trail, you’ll also find the Trail of the Cedars, arguably the least difficult hike in the park, with a paved trail that you can even easily push a stroller on.

Grinnell Glacier

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 / 5.0 (58 reviews)

Google Maps

The Grinnell Glacier is a must-see for photographers, and along the Grinnell Glacier Trail you may encounter a variety of wildlife, such as small groundhogs to large bighorn sheep, and maybe even bears, so remember to carry bear spray.

You’ll also see Lake Josephine, and Grinnell Lake, and at the end of the trail you’ll come to Upper Grinnell Lake.

At Grinnell Glacier, you’ll have breathtaking views of the mountains and lake in the distance from the view deck, which is 1,600 feet above sea level.

Saint Mary Lake

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 / 5.0 (74 reviews)

Google Maps

St. Mary’s Lake is located at the eastern entrance to Glacier National Park, and similar to Lake McDonald, it offers a variety of recreational activities; you can take a scenic tour of it from your car along the Sunward Trail or take a vintage wooden boat tour, and on the far western side of St. Mary’s Lake you’ll look at the Great St. Mary Falls.

Two Medicine Lake

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 / 5.0 (109 reviews)

Google Maps

At Two Medicine Lake, you can experience a variety of excursions, such as taking a boat tour on Two Medicine Lake and enjoying the surrounding scenery, or hiking on the surrounding hiking trails; there are as many as 14 hiking trails around Two Medicine Lake, ranging from easy ones that are less than 1 mile to challenging ones that take up to 15 miles round trip.

On the shores of Two Medicine Lake is an old cabin, now Two Medicine Chalet, where President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a radio address in 1934.

Also, the campground near Two Medicine Lake is one of the best places in the park to stargaze at night.

Bus Tours

There are two main tour bus service providers offered in Glacier National Park.

The Red Bus Tours have a more vintage flavor and are red and convertible, check out the booking link.

The other is the more modern Sun Tours, with white buses with air-conditioning, perfect for the summer months, and a sightseeing route that passes through many park cabins with scheduled connections.

Bicycling

There is an additional fee for bicycle access to the park, and you will need to check the park’s information page to determine rideable roads and check the park-provided Bicycle Riding Guidelines page for the most up-to-date access roads and restricted roads.

There is a free shuttle in the park, so you can put your bike on a bike rack and head to the area you want to ride.

You can rent different types of bicycles from here.

Boat Tours

Boat tours in the park are provided by the Glacier Park Boat Co., a boat company founded in 1938, which still offers traditional wooden boats and cruises on several lakes such as McDonald Lodge, Two Medicine Lake, Saint Mary Lake, etc. The boat tours provide detailed explanations to help you learn about the history of Glacier Park while enjoying the lakeshore scenery. Mary Lake, etc. The boat tours provide a detailed explanation of the history of Glacier Park while enjoying the lakeshore views. Booking Connection

Rafting Tours

In addition to taking a guided boat tour, you can also experience kayaking on the lakes in Glacier National Park, which is currently served by four main companies in the park:

• Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Company
• Glacier Raft Company
• Great Northern Resort
• Wild River Adventures

Horseback Riding Tours

Riding on horseback through the mountain passes is the most primitive way to visit the park, and in Glacier National Park you can book a horseback ride to see the different sights of the park on the back of a horse.

Safety in Glacier National Park

When visiting Glacier Park, you need to be aware of the special geology of the area and the wildlife that lives there.

1. Consideration of the geological environment

Glacier National Park, with its large glaciers and rivers, has very low temperatures even in the summer, so you need to bring shoes and clothing with insulation before traveling to prevent dangerous situations with low temperatures.

For hiking boots, it’s best to choose non-slip hiking boots that are suitable for walking on snow or carry hiking boot chains to put on your hiking boots when necessary.

2. Beware of wildlife

Wildlife that can pose a threat to you in Glacier National Park include large mastodons such as bears and mountain lions, as well as microscopic insects such as ticks and Giardia flagellates.

If you encounter large animals such as bears or mountain lions, do not panic and run away, as this will instead cause them to engage in pursuit behavior; back away calmly, and if they show aggression, scare them off by talking loudly, banging on objects to make a loud noise, and waving your arms openly. Also, keep your garbage handy, especially food garbage, to avoid odors that could lure bears closer.

Ticks can bite when visiting Glacier National Park in the summer, so wear long pants with the legs tucked in tightly and carry tick spray to spray regularly on your clothing, as tick bites can lead to many illnesses, such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Giardia flagellates may be present in the natural waters of Glacier Park, so please do not drink directly from the park’s rivers, springs, etc. to avoid contracting this parasite.

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