If there is one place in the world that genuinely feels as if it is too stunning for this plant, it might be Glacier National Park. Rugged mountains that seem to jut out of the prairie frame this spectacular, welcoming, and awe inspiring park. This past summer, I spent ten days in Glacier, and am here to give you all the recommendations for planning your perfect trip!
Best time to go:
Summer is the busiest season in the park, but also the most accessible time to visit many of the park’s great features. Some areas, such as the Lake McDonald area, are open year round for visitors, but it will be COLD. I would personally recommend a shoulder season like late August or early September; however, the crowds at this park felt very manageable and not overwhelming.
Where to stay:
If you are interested in staying in the park, the Apgar campground in the Lake McDonald region is great for access to the town of West Glacier as well as access to the park. It is the largest campsite in the park, and has many different amenities that make staying there a fun and enjoyable experience.
How long to stay?
Highlights can be done in 4-5 days, but I recommend 9-10 days for the fully immersive experience.You don’t want to rush through your experience!
Other unique campsites include the Two Medicine campsite, the Many Glacier campground, and the St. Mary campground. All are in wonderful, different regions of the park and are great for immersing yourself in that specific area.
If camping is not quite your speed but you still want to stay in the park, I recommend the Many Glacier lodge. The lodge is one of the most famous historic buildings in the park, and allows for a rustic, unique experience while still enjoying the scenery.
There are also a variety of small towns surrounding the park, particularly West Glacier, Kalispell, or Whitefish. One thing to note is the park is large and several popular areas are not close together, so plan accordingly if you are staying outside of the park. For example, Whitefish is about 35 minutes from the entrance to West Glacier, but over two hours from the entrance to Many Glacier!
Regions of Glacier:
There are several different regions of this massive park, and I will very briefly go over each section. When planning your trip, I recommend focusing on specific hikes or regions you know you want to visit, and expanding your trip out from those regions. Because the park is so big, advanced planning can help make every part of the trip run smoother.
Note: A frequent shuttle service connects the Lake McDonald, Logan Pass, and St. Mary’s regions of the park. I highly recommend the shuttle service-it makes navigating the Going to the Sun Road much easier, and helps reduce traffic in the park. When I visited in summer of 2023 there were some delays due to construction around Lake McDonald, but 90% of the time the shuttle ran smoothly.
Lake McDonald region-right by the Apgar campground, you could spend your whole vacation playing at this lake and admiring the famous colorful rocks. Lake McDonald hosts a variety of activities, including swimming, kayaking, boat tours, and a hike around the whole lake (approximately 7 miles). Avalanche Lake is another awesome hike in this region.
Logan Pass-If you follow the Going to the Sun Road from Lake McDonald, you will eventually make it to Logan’s Pass, an alpine area of the park that is the starting point for some spectacular parks. The Highline trail starts from the Logan Pass visitor center, and is one of my favorite hikes in North America. The visitor center is also the starting place for Hidden Lake hike, which offers a spectacular view of an alpine lake and is a great spot for seeing mountain goats, marmots, and grizzlies. Grizzly bears frequently visit Hidden Lake, and there is an awesome lookout platform that can be used to safely spot the bears. Just make sure to bring binoculars!
St. Mary’s Area-home to the largest visitor center in the park, as well as several different convenience stores and a gas station. There are some interesting hikes on this side of the park, as well as a unique nature trail.
Many Glacier-The Many Glacier region is one of the most spectacular places to see wildlife in the park, but it is a bit trickier to get to-the area is not connected by the shuttle system, and has a separate entrance from the Going to the Sun Road. However, this area is almost mandatory on a trip to Glacier. Top hikes include Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake. One note: there are more grizzly bear sightings in this area of the park than anywhere else, so be cautious and prepared when venturing out.
Two Medicine region-The Two Medicine region of the park is a more remote and quiet area, and a region I strongly recommend if you are looking to take a break from the crowds of the more popular regions. I recommend the Upper Two Medicine Lake Loop for a lovely hike in the area. This hike also has several very unique backcountry campsites that would make for a great spot on a beginner backpacking trip.
North Fork and Goat Haunt-These are two very remote areas of the park that require four wheel drive and a bit of creativity. I spent a day in the North Fork region and could not recommend it enough-we went to Bowman Lake, an awesome lake that has swimming access, a hike around the lake, spectacular views, restrooms, and way less people! If you are in the area, I also recommend checking out Polebridge, a quirky western town that has a delightful convenience store and some fun lodging options.
Must do hikes:
The Highline Trail-This trail is my favorite in North America (so far!).It is just spectacular; no way around it. The trail can be done as an out and back, but I would recommend utilizing the shuttle system. Have the shuttle drop you off at Logan Pass and begin hiking the trail. You can hike as much or as little as you want, but I would recommend hiking all the way to the Granite Park Chalet, which sells snacks and beverages. You can also add to the adventure by staying at Granite Park and using the lodge as a base camp for several more remote alpine hiking adventures, but staying at the chalet does require advanced reservations. I recommend hiking to the chalet, then following the trail back down and having the shuttle pick you up at the Loop stop. This is a great way to complete the hike because you do not have to worry about driving and managing a car, and you do not have to backtrack any-the trail will be one way.
Grinnell Glacier-this is a spectacular out and back hike that is probably one of the most famous sights in the whole park. Grinnell Glacier is melting, which makes it even more important to visit and see this spectacular natural sight while it is still here. The hike is strenuous, and there are several stream crossings and tight switchbacks, but the reward is worth the struggle. We arrived at the top to see a vast pool with icebergs floating around, and there were several brave souls who jumped into the glacier water at the top! We also saw both bighorn sheep and mountain goats on this hike, so the wildlife was top notch.
Other notes:
The ranger talks at Glacier were some of the most interesting talks I have ever heard (and I have been to 32 parks!) and I highly recommend them for learning more about the region and all the different scientific and historical elements of the park. The talks usually happen at an amphitheater and all are invited! The schedule is typically posted at the campground or the visitor center.
We went to the park during the summer, which is huckleberry season! There are huckleberry products everywhere, and they are delicious and a must while in Glacier! I recommend some huckleberry jam and bread as an end of day treat, but any of the huckleberry products will be spectacular.
Please be respectful of the land by staying on the trail and packing out any trash you might have. Most of Glacier National Park is in an alpine environment that is very fragile, and even something as small as a footprint can hurt the ecosystem.
Bring bear spray, and know how to use it! All of the park rangers can help go over the proper and safe way to use the spray, and are a good resource for knowing general bear safety in the region.
Glacier National Park is an absolutely stunning region of the country, and I hope this guide is helpful for planning your next trip!