Exploring Glacier -- Best Views, Trails, and Activities

Glacier National Park is a land of towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and trails that will challenge and inspire even the most seasoned adventurers. Covering over a million square miles, it’s also one of the most beloved and frequently visited national parks in the United States, drawing visitors from all over the world who dream of witnessing its wild beauty firsthand.

But planning a trip to Glacier? That’s another beast entirely. With multiple reservation systems, including the required vehicle reservation, long drive times, and unpredictable weather, Glacier can be an overwhelming park to visit. However, once you get past the logistics, you’re left with some of the most breathtaking landscapes in America.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about experiencing Glacier, from scenic drives to wildlife encounters and the best hikes you can’t miss!

Podcast Episode Overview

Have you visited Glacier National Park yet?

This is one of the parks that we get the most questions about! So in this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we are exploring this fantastic national park and sharing our best tips for your next trip.

We love Glacier National Park, and if you’re looking for mountains, waterfalls, hiking trails, and tons of wildlife, we think you’ll love it too!

Join us as we cover:

Why Going-to-the-Sun Road is the most epic national park drive
What you’ll find on the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road
Why Bird Woman Falls is a must-see
Where to find the best hikes in the park
What you’ll find on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road
The best way to see glaciers
Our favorite hikes on the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road
The most dangerous part of visiting this park
Why we don’t like to use the Glacier shuttle
Where to find the best huckleberry foods near the park
Why you’ll love Many Glacier
Where to spot wildlife in the park
Our favorite plants to see in the area
What to check out at the North Fork Area
Bowman Lake and huckleberry bearclaws

There are so many incredible things to do in Glacier National Park. While it is busy, there are also plenty of trails that you can go to to get away from the crowds and enjoy the gorgeous scenery.

If you’re ready to plan your trip to Glacier National Park, head over to YouTube to see our trip-planning videos. You can also check out our itinerary to make planning your trip a breeze!

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

Going-to-the-Sun Road: The Crown Jewel of Glacier

No trip to Glacier National Park is complete without driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the only road that cuts through the park from west to east. This 50-mile stretch is an engineering marvel, clinging to the mountainside as it winds its way through jaw-dropping landscapes. If you’ve never been to Glacier before, be prepared—this drive is not for the faint of heart. At points, you’ll find yourself staring over the edge of a 2,000-foot drop with little more than a small rock wall separating you from the abyss.

We usually start the drive from the west side of the park, near Apgar and Lake McDonald Lodge. For the first stretch, you’re driving through thick forests, passing Avalanche Creek and some great pullouts. But the real magic happens after “The Loop,” where you start ascending into the heart of Glacier’s mountains. The higher you go, the more surreal the views become, and by the time you reach Logan Pass, you’ll understand why this road is considered one of the most scenic drives in the world.

To get in the west park entrance, you’ll need a vehicle reservation or a reservation in the park during peak travel months. Glacier is one of the hardest parts to get reservations for, so I recommend checking out our free resources or grabbing one of our itineraries.

Must-See Stops on Going-to-the-Sun Road:

Birdwoman Falls Overlook – A stunning 600-foot waterfall pouring down the cliffs across the valley.
The Weeping Wall – A roadside waterfall that sprays mist over your car in early July.
Logan Pass – The highest point on the road, home to wildflower-filled alpine meadows and endless mountain views.
Jackson Glacier Overlook – One of the few best places in the park to see a glacier with easy access.

Hiking at Logan Pass: The Heart of the Park

If you want to experience the best way to explore Glacier National Park, you have to get out on the hiking trails! And Logan Pass is the perfect place to do just that. This high-alpine wonderland is home to two of the park’s most famous hikes: the Highline Trail and the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail.

The Highline Trail is an epic ridgeline hike that hugs the Continental Divide, providing nonstop views of rugged peaks, wildflower meadows, and sweeping valleys. This is a great way for serious hikers to experience the park. The first stretch includes a narrow section with a sheer drop-off (there’s a cable to hold onto if that makes you feel better), but after that, it’s smooth sailing through some of the most dramatic scenery in the park.

For a short hike, but equally rewarding, the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is a 3-mile round-trip journey that leads to a stunning viewpoint overlooking Hidden Lake. It’s one of the best places in the park to see mountain goats, which often lounge right near the boardwalk trail. But be prepared—if you visit in late June, this trail is often buried under feet of snow, turning it into an unintentional (and hilarious) slip-and-slide for unprepared hikers.

Many Glacier: Wildlife Haven and Legendary Hikes

While Going-to-the-Sun Road gets most of the attention, Many Glacier is where you’ll find the real magic. This secluded section of the park is home to some of the best hikes, most abundant wild animals, and most stunning scenery Glacier has to offer.

The Grinnell Glacier Trail is the signature hike here, and for good reason. This strenuous 11-mile round-trip hike takes you past turquoise lakes, towering cliffs, and, finally, to a breathtaking overlook of Grinnell Glacier itself. If you want to cut off a few miles, you can take a scenic boat ride across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine before beginning your hike.

Wildlife is everywhere in Many Glacier. We’ve seen grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and black bears here on almost every trip. One of our favorite spots for a guaranteed moose sighting? Fishercap Lake, just a short walk from the Many Glacier Hotel, where moose often feed in the water at sunset.

Two Medicine: Glacier’s Best-Kept Secret

If you’re looking for a quieter, less crowded part of Glacier National Park, Two Medicine is where you want to go. This region of the park has some of the most striking mountain scenery and fantastic hiking trails, but without the chaos of the main areas.

One of our favorite hikes here is the Upper Two Medicine Lake Trail. It’s an 11-mile round-trip hike that takes you deep into the backcountry camping areas of the park, where you’ll pass waterfalls, alpine meadows, and—if you time it right—entire fields of beargrass in bloom. There’s also a boat tour that can shave a few miles off your trek if you’re looking for an easier day.

And if you’re craving some incredible food after your hike, don’t miss The Whistle Stop in Columbia Falls, home to the legendary stuffed huckleberry French toast! It’s the kind of meal that will ruin regular French toast for you forever.

How to Avoid the Crowds and Have an Amazing Trip

Glacier National Park is busier than ever, and with new service reservations in place for multiple areas of the park, planning ahead is crucial. But don’t let the peak season crowds scare you off—there are plenty of ways to experience the park without feeling like you’re at Disneyland.

Tips for Beating the Crowds:

Visit early or late in the season – July and August are peak season. If you can, aim for September instead.
Hike early or late in the day – Most park visitors hit the trails between 9 AM and 3 PM. If you start before 7 AM or after 5 PM, you’ll have much more solitude.
Head to less-visited areas – Two Medicine, North Fork, and Waterton Lakes National Park offer incredible experiences with far fewer people.
Check current conditions – The National Park Service updates conditions for road closures, weather, and wildlife activity frequently.

No matter how often we visit Glacier National Park, it never fails to blow us away. Whether you’re driving Going-to-the-Sun Road, hiking to Iceberg Lake, or watching moose at sunset, Glacier is the kind of unique experience that stays with you long after you’ve left.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your Glacier National Park itinerary, hiking boots, bear spray, and plan your first visit to one of the most incredible national parks on Earth!

See you on the trails!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Are you hoping to visit all of the national parks? Sign up for your FREE NATIONAL PARKS CHECKLIST so you can easily see where you’ve been and where you still need to go!

Don’t Miss the Next Episode of the Exploring the National Parks Podcast

Join in the fun weekly! We are always sharing new stories and fun facts about the incredible national parks. Please subscribe on your favorite platform:

and more

If you enjoy the podcast, we would be so grateful if you could leave us a rating or review wherever you listen to the podcast!

Connect with Ash and John

YouTube

Instagram

Facebook

Looking for more podcast episodes? Click here to browse all episodes of the Exploring the National Parks podcast.