Hey there! Are you ready to plan an extraordinary trip to Glacier National Park?! From the sparkling lakes and gushing waterfalls to the exciting wildlife and majestic mountains, you are sure to find something that everyone in your group will LOVE.
Glacier is a place where memories are made and talked about for years to come. It will fill your soul with wonder and amazement. It’s a place that you will never want to leave!
There is so much to do. You may have already looked at a map and been a little overwhelmed — and eager — to make sure that you don’t miss the best sights.
I’m a former park ranger, and I’ll help you plan your vacation down to the details. I’ve extensively explored Glacier and am here to help! Whether this is your first time to Glacier, or if you are returning after many years and would like to be reintroduced to the park, this list of 10 things is for you.
What You Need to Know About Glacier
- With five large entrances and several out-of-the-way sections to explore, Glacier is a large and complex national park. For the best experience, get an early start to your day and have a solid plan — like this detailed itinerary.
- Even with 13 front-country campgrounds, competition for sites is fierce. Learn about camping in Glacier if you plan on camping in the park.
- Glacier is an extremely seasonal park! Expect weather-related closures to remain in place from approximately October – June. For more information on the park’s operating hours and seasons, click here.
- Several options are available to you if you decide not to drive through the park on your own — or choose not to fight the crowds for parking spaces! Consider taking the Glacier Shuttle or a Red Bus Tour if you want to leave your car for the day.
- Reserve a room at least one year in advance if you plan on staying in one of Glacier’s seven lodges — they get snatched up fast! Otherwise, numerous options are available just outside of the park at each entrance.
- Numerous hiking trails converge and overlap in this park, so you don’t want to be caught hiking without a map. This is the map I use and recommend for Glacier National Park.
Traffic and crowding in Glacier can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s extremely hard to find parking in this park — the lots are almost always full!
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this Glacier Itinerary. You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
I’ll make sure that you don’t miss the sights that make this park so famous, but I also want to provide a few treasures that are off-the-beaten-path as well. Let the adventure begin!
Click NEXT to see the list of 10 things you can’t miss on your first visit to Glacier National Park.
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Hello Ash, thank you for making such a wonderful site! How hot would it be in July? I have heard some lodging options do not have air-conditioning. How do you rate the road to Many Glacier? My car is just a RWD sedan. Thank you for any input!!
Hi Thomas, you’ll find Glacier temps/what to expect month-by-month here. The road to Many Glacier has some washboarding. It’s not the best, but people drive cars back in there all the time.
Hey Ash! This is my 4th Itinerary I am getting from you! They are so helpful! I’m getting a little late to the game planning a trip to glacier. We were hoping to go to Florida but plans changed. Everything in the park is full for lodging. Where would be your next recommendation to stay? Whitefish to far?
Hey Audra! You’ll find my recs in the Lodging Guide included with you itinerary. And I also have a post about where to stay that will help a lot! But yes, I do think that Whitefish is too far :)
Hi, this was a great article and very helpful. We are going to go end of September this year. Do you know whether we will be able to drive going to the sun road? Will it still be open? I know that the boats seem to stop around September 10. I was really hoping to hit it where they would be very few crowds, but things still be open. Any insight?
The road usually stays open until about mid-October, weather-permitting. You’ll find a full article about what to expect during each month here!
Hi Ash. We are planning a 7 day on the ground trip to Glacier in early August. We’ll have 6 adults and a 2 year old. We will be staying in Babb for the first 4 nights and then West Glacier for the remaining. I have downloaded your 4-day itinerary and we are in the process of booking res’ for GTTS, boat tour etc. and the Itinerary is very helpful. Do you have any recommendations to flip your Itinerary around in that we are in the East part of the Park first and then the West for the final few days? Any insight you can give is invaluable and I am so excited to spend my 60th birthday at Glacier with my wife, 3 sons, daughter in law and grandson in August!
Thanks!
Hey David! Please contact me here with your question so that I can better help you adjust your itinerary!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’ve read several of your posts and you always make the overwhelming job of planning a National Park Trip so much easier. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you!
Thanks Jill! Happy to help!
I would like to visit Glacier National Park for our honeymoon in late September. Is there anything to do at that time. How would swimming be? What else is there around Glacier National Park in the area to do?
You’ll find a whole post about when to visit, broken down by month, here!
Hi! My husband and I, ages 61 and 58, are really not hikers. Could do something easy. Planning to be there for a couple of days in May. I know GTTS road is not open. Is there still plenty for us to see? Some beautiful views? Thank you!
Hey Teresa! You’ll likely be able to get to Lake McDonald and possibly even Avalanche Creek at that time of year from the west side. The east side is a little more unknown regarding how far you’ll be able to drive in. When I’m in the park before the GTTS Road fully opens, I like to split up my lodging between the west and east sides so that I can get to everything that’s open at that time of year. Have fun!
Hi,
Can you clarify for me, if we have activities scheduled in the park, like a Red Bus Tour, or River Rafting, we don’t need to work about a vehicle access pass? Is this a correct assumption?
Thanks so much
The Red Bus Tours count, but the rafting probably doesn’t — the activity has to be along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. There’s a list of activities that count towards the reservation requirement on Glacier’s website!
It seems the only camping still available during our trip is in St Mary’s. can your itinerary still work if we are based out of this side of the park?
Yes, I provide a section about making adjustments based on where you’re staying!
Just purchased the 4 Day Itinerary for Glacier! Thank you for all the info you provide. I found you a couple of years ago and purchased your guides for RMNP, Grand Tetons and Yellowstone and so glad I did. The info you provide is spot on and so very helpful!
Thanks Michelle! I’m excited to “go” to Glacier with you!!
Definately a bucket list item for me. My wife and I had planned on going there in June 2020 and had to cancel due to CV. Maybe 2022.
I hope you can make it soon!
Hi Ash, We are planning a family trip total of 15..
10 adults, 2 age 13-15 and 3 age 5,7,8 .. Planning mid July 2021.. Can you give suggestions to stay (1 week), along with 4 -5 days of sightseeing?
Thanks
Hey Linda, this itinerary will suit your plans perfectly: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/glacier-itinerary/ It’s exactly what I would do with my family in that amount of time. Have fun!
We’ll be in Glacier in two weeks. We are not hikers😔 but would love to walk some to see good views. Would we be able to see good views if we walk a mile r/t each of Highland Trail and Hidden Lake trail from Logan Pass. Thanks
Yes, lots of good views up there!
My daughter recommended this trip as a gift to my wife. My problem is that I am Handicapped and can’t walk that far. Do you have an idea that we can use. I don’t want to get out there and not able to do anything. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
Hey Darren,
Glacier is a great park for that! There are many gorgeous views that are accessed along the road or with a short walk. I think you will love driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road through those beautiful mountains! Many Glacier and Two Medicine are also great for views. You can find more info here: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/physical-mobility.htm
I hope you’re able to visit soon!
Hi Ash!
I’m hoping to go visit Glacier Park for mu birthday next year in July. I’ve always dreamed of swimming in a beautiful lake and be able to swim in and around waterfalls. Is there such a place in Glacier park where I could make my dream come true? Also are there any areas that are secluded or not visited as much as the popular tourist destinations? Thank you for any information you could provide.
Hi Angie,
There are some great lakes for swimming…albeit cold ones :) Glacier has some beautiful waterfalls, but you’ll want to be careful not to swim where there are strong currents. The rivers can be quite powerful. You’ll find some great recommendations plus places to go to beat the crowds here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ Have fun!
Hi there!
Looking to travel with our family of 5 Mid June to GNP and it appears that about 17 miles of Going to sun road will be accessible on West side and 5 miles on East side due to road construction. Will there be any hikes that we can’t get to or any alternative type of plans we should make?
Yeah, you won’t be able to access Logan Pass, Hidden Lake Overlook, the Highline Trail, etc. Any of those high elevation hikes/viewpoints won’t be accessible until the road is fully open. Have a great trip!
What do you recommend doing in early March?? I don’t know what will be open. We are going to stop by while we are in the area skiing.
It will depend on how much of the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, but you can usually make it partly around Lake McDonald from the west side. There are some nice trails around that area {Avalanche Lake, Johns Lake, and McDonald Falls} if the road is open that far. You’ll probably want cross-country skis or snowshoes though! The St. Mary area on the east side is open a short way to the lake as well if you want the views. Have fun!
Hey Ash! We’ve purchased a few of your itineraries for a big trip we’re taking this summer! Can’t wait!! One thing you didn’t mention on your can’t-miss list that has a lot of positive ratings is the Iceburg Lake Trail. We’re considering extending our trip by a day to try it. I’d love to know your thoughts/recommendations…
It’s awesome!! If you have an extra day to complete a long trail like that, totally worth it :)
Hi Ash! I love your website. My family and I are planning a trailer trip from Glacier to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons for 2 weeks this coming August and we’ve already gotten so much great information for our trip. I just have a few quick questions about trailer camping in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. When the campground calls for RV length max 30 ft, does that mean trailer and tow vehicle combined length? Our trailer is 25 ft and our tow vehicle is 17 ft. We really want to stay in the most beautiful campground possible as we don’t want to feel like we’re living in a parking lot. We want some privacy and seclusion if at all possible. Can you recommend your favorite campgrounds in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons that take reservations with that in mind? Thank you so much for this wealth of information!
Hey Kelly! It’s super confusing :( I have tried to figure out the campgrounds in Yellowstone and how long a trailer can be, but I’m still not sure. Your best bet if you want to be sure you can fit is to check out Fishing Bridge or try to stay somewhere outside of the park. I’m sure there are campsites within the park that you’ll fit in, I’m just not comfortable making a suggestion based on the info I have.
You’ll be able to fit into Colter Bay or Gros Ventre in Grand Teton though :)
I need to follow you! We are heading to Glacier N.P the first week of August, Then on to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Jackson during the month of August. We have a 25ft.RV
Driving the Going-to-the-Sun road is one of my favorite drives ever (between that and the Icefields Parkway). Thanks for the info!
Of course! I haven’t done Icefields Parkway yet, but it’s definitely on my list :)