Guide to Glacier National Park
Plan the perfect trip to Glacier National Park with this complete travel guide! Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including when to visit, what to bring, top things to do, & much more.
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts, Glacier National Park is a nature lovers dream. This park covers nearly 1,000,000 acres of breathtaking nature, preserving 1,000 different species of plant life and hundreds of animals, including grizzly bears, moose, mountain goats, and the endangered Wolverine. The parks diverse ecosystems will take you from the prairie to tundra all in one hike.
This was our 11th National Park of our summer trip and it definitely became one of our favorites. You’ve got to put Glacier on your bucket list!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Glacier
Getting to Glacier
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Top Things to Do
ABOUT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Glacier is a 1,000,000 acre National Park located in Northwest Montana. It was established in 1910 and is a sister park to Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park. The park is known for its dramatic glacial carved mountains and valleys, picturesque blue lakes, and expansive wilderness. The park features over 700 miles of incredible hiking trails, 13 developed campgrounds, rustic style lodging & cabins, water activities, scenic biking, and seasonal ranger programs.
RESERVATION SYSTEM
May 26 to September 10, vehicle reservations are required to enter Glacier National Park’s Going to the Sun Road from 6 a.m to 3 p.m. Reservations can be made 4 months in advance at recreation.gov. Next day reservations open up May 26.
ENTRANCE FEE
$35 per vehicle which is valid for 7 days. You can also use the America the Beautiful Pass to enter for free.
SHUTTLE SYSTEM
May 13th to July 1st the hiker/biker shuttle service operates to take visitors 3 stops beyond vehicle gate closures on the Going to the Sun Road. Once the Going to the Sun Road is officially open for the season, typically around July 1st, the summer shuttle service starts and takes visitors along 13 stops from Apgar Village all the way to St. Mary Visitor Center. The shuttle system is first come first served and provided by Glacier National Park at no extra cost.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times and no longer than 6 feet in length. They’re allowed in picnic areas, front country camping, along park roads, on boats where watercraft are allowed, the Apgar bike path, and along lake shores in developed areas. They aren’t allowed on any trails or in the backcountry.
GETTING TO GLACIER
Glacier National Park is located in the northwest mountains of Montana, right on the border of Canada. The park is accompanied by the charming small town of Whitefish and the dozens of cherry orchards found along Flathead River making Glacier a top summer destination.
Missoula - 138 miles or 2.5 hours
Coeur d’Alene - 273 miles or 4.5 hours
Calgary - 274 miles or 4.5 hours
Bozeman - 329 miles or 5.5 hours
NEAREST AIRPORTS
Glacier Park International Airport
WHEN TO VISIT GLACIER
Glacier spans the Continental Divide giving the park extreme unpredictable weather. Weather on the west side of the park gets most of the rain, cloudy days, and warmer temperatures. While weather on the east side of the park is prone to strong winds, sunny days, and cooler temperatures. Snow may occur up until June and can start as early as September but could to take place at any time of the year.
From May to September the weather is the most comfortable with the highs in the mid 60s to mid 80s and lows in the 30s and 40s with an average of 2 inches of rainfall per month. November to March receive the most snowfall with the average between 15 to 40 feet. Snow removal on the Going to the Sun Road can take months to complete which is why only a portion of the road is open year round.
In our opinion the most ideal time to visit Glacier National Park is in July and August. All roads are typically open by now and all local outfitters & activities are in full swing.
Check for current conditions before planning your trip to Glacier National Park.
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love adding LMNT’s electrolyte packets to stay hydrated for the whole day.
Hiking Shoes
While there are many easy paths to explore in Glacier there are a few trails that are rocky and steep. To have the most comfortable experience on the trails we recommend wearing a proper hiking shoe or boot to provide traction and support.
Sun Protectant
Weather can be unpredictable in the park so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
Hiking Sticks
These have been a LIFE SAVER. Hiking sticks are so helpful in giving you extra support as you climb up steep trails as well as coming down steep trails. They provide extra stability and we no longer hike without them.
First Aid Kit
It’s never a bad idea to carry a small first aid kit while exploring in Glacier. Cell service doesn’t really exist in the park so it’s good to be prepared in case of an emergency.
Crampons
In case there’s snow on the trails, it’s a good idea to carry a pair of crampons so you don’t slip on ice or snow.
Jacket
Temperatures at higher elevations can be 10 to 15 degrees cooler so its not a bad idea to carry a warm jacket with you.
Lunch / Snacks
It is highly recommended to pick a lunch and snacks when exploring Glacier. The parks amenities are a good distance apart and you don't want to be an hours drive from the next general store.
AMENITIES IN THE PARK
VISITOR CENTERS
Three visitor centers are found throughout Glacier National Park, Apgar, Logan Pass, & St. Mary. Open seasonally from May to October and a great place to start your adventure in Glacier. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and permits for backcountry camping. Hours and services vary by season so it’s best to check for current conditions before planning a trip.
LODGING
There are several lodging accommodations available inside the national park, such as, Village Inn Motel, Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, Many Glacier Hotel, Apgar Village Lodge, Motel Lake McDonald. Sperry Chalet and Granite Park Chalet are also available for overnight hikers.
CAMPGROUNDS
There are 13 developed campgrounds throughout Glacier National Park. Six are first come first served and seven require reservations. Amenities offered vary from each campground. Campstores are available in Apgar, Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, Rising Sun, & Two Medicine.
Reservations can be made online up to 6 months in advance.
FOOD & DRINKS
There are a variety of food options available in Glacier, such as, Eddie’s Cafe & Mercantile in Apgar Village, Russell’s Fireside Dining Room, Jammer Joe’s Pizzeria & Grill, Lucke’s Lounge in Lake McDonald, andPtarmigan Dining Room, Swiss Lounge, Nell’s, and Heidi’s in Many Glacier.
TOP THINGS TO DO
CHECK OUT A VISITOR CENTER
Start your exploration of Glacier at a one of the visitor centers. Grab a park map & check out the park movie & exhibit. Stop at the restroom and get the latest scoop from the park ranger. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at the park store.
DRIVE THE GOING TO THE SUN ROAD
If you’re not interested in hiking then you must drive the Going to the Sun Road. This 50 mile scenic drive winds up and around towering mountains, past waterfalls & valleys, and across the continental divide making this one of the top national park scenic drives.
GET ON A TRAIL
A great way to explore the incredible nature of Glacier National Park. Whether it’s an easy scenic stroll or a challenging day hike, Glacier has something for everyone. The most popular in the park are Avalanche Lake, Grinnell Glacier, Highline Trail, Hidden Lake, and St. Mary & Virginia Falls.
For easy trails consider | Trail of the Cedars, Redrock Falls, Johns Lake, Grinnell Lake, & Upper McDonald Creek.
For moderate trails consider | Avalanche Lake, St. Mary & Virginia Falls, Hidden Lake, Iceberg Lake, & Cracker Lake.
For more strenuous trails consider | Grinnell Glacier, Highline Trail, The Garden Wall, Apgar Lookout, Ptarmigan Tunnel, & Siyeh Pass.
Always carry bear spray when hiking any trail in Glacier. Available for purchase at Apgar, Lake McDonald, Logan Pass, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, & Rising Sun.
BACKPACK THE WILDERNESS
For a more in depth exploration of Glacier National Park pick up a backpacking permit and tour the parks remote wilderness. This is a great way to avoid the crowds and experience the incredible night sky. For more information about back country camping, check out the park website.
RED BUS TOUR
For a relaxing tour of Glacier National Park, jump on a vintage 1930s Red Bus, and learn about the history and geology of Glacier. There are a variety of scenic tours to choose from, such as, Western & Eastern Alpine Tour, Big Sky Circle Tour, Western Mountain Majesty Tour, and the Crown of the Continent Tour.
BIKING
Glacier National Park’s Going to the Sun Road is a hotspot for bicyclists for its steep and curvy scenic roads. Bikers can utilize the hiker/biker shuttle system to drop them off at their desired location. During peak season bikers have to be off the road from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for vehicle traffic.
For more info on biking in Glacier, visit the park website.
GET ON THE WATER
Glacier National Park is home to numerous crystal clear blue lakes which make getting out on the water a popular way to tour this park. All boating rentals and adventures available in Glacier are run by Glacier Park Boat Company and include kayak, paddle board, canoe, & power boat rentals, as well as, scenic cruises.
PARKS AS CLASSROOMS
What better way to learn then by bringing the classroom to the park! The National Park System provides a series of curriculum covering topics such a math, science, social studies, and language arts for elementary and middle school learners. A great option for homeschooling or field trips.
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM
If you’re not able to plan a visit to Glacier National Park then this is great way for you’re kids to still learn about the park without actually being there. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program consists of a series of videos and activities to complete with a Virtual Badge to be given at the end.
EXPERIENCE THE DARK SKIES
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019, Glacier National Park provides spectacular viewing of the night sky. For a memorial experience join an evening ranger program or stay overnight in the campground and experience what a truly dark sky looks like.
A solar storm on a night in August.
Let us know about your adventures in Glacier in the comments below!
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HEY THERE!
WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Plan the perfect trip to Glacier National Park with this complete travel guide! Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including when to visit, what to bring, top things to do, & much more.