GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
“No words can describe the grandeur and majesty of these mountains…
…and even photographs seem hopelessly to dwarf and belittle the most impressive peaks. The fact that it is altogether unknown, the beauty of its scenery, and the opportunity it offers for mountain climbing, give the region a wonderful attraction for the lover of nature.”
— GEORGE BIRD GRINNELL (“Crown of the Continent” in Century Magazine, 1901)
Welcome to the Ultimate Glacier Trip Planning Guide
Glacier National Park is known as “the crown of the continent”, and one visit is all it takes to see why! Breathtaking mountain landscapes, high alpine meadows, powerful waterfalls, majestic glaciers, and wildlife galore await you in this stunning section of Montana.
Whether you are a casual traveler or an avid outdoorsman, you can find adventures among Glacier’s staggering peaks. It’s your turn to experience this enchanting place — it’s your turn to discover its magic.
GLACIER AT-A-GLANCE
Location: Montana
What It’s Famous For: Glaciers, of course! And epic mountain vistas.
Highest Elevation You Can Reach by Road: 6,646 feet above sea level (Logan Pass)
Established: May 11, 1910 — this is national park #10
Size: 1 million acres
Crowd Levels: High, with around 3 million visitors per year — this is the 10th busiest national park
COMMON GLACIER TRIP PLANNING QUESTIONS
Where is Glacier, and how do I get there?
Glacier National Park is located in Northern Montana. It is approximately 40 minutes from Kalispell, MT, 2.5 hours from Missoula, MT, and 3.5 hours from Calgary, Canada.
I suggest flying into Kalispell. In this article, I share details about the best airports and roads in the area.
Is Glacier open year-round?
Glacier is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to do everything you’re hoping to do.
Learn more about the weather, hours, and common closures that may affect your trip to the park.
How many days should I spend in Glacier?
You’ll want at least three full days in Glacier, but if you have four, you’ll get to see a lot more!
See my recommendations for the amount of time to spend in the park, as well as how to split your time between multiple parks.
When is the best time to visit Glacier?
When choosing the best time to visit Glacier, you’ll want to consider things like what’s open, crowd levels, and weather.
Here are my suggestions if you’re hoping to:
- Beat the crowds: June or September
- Travel during the summer: July
- See lots of wildlife: September
- Go backpacking: late July or August
- Save money: early October
- Have a unique adventure: December
This article provides a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect in Glacier — including information on weather, closures, crowds, and which points of interest will be open.
THINGS TO DO IN GLACIER
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit
- Lake McDonald
- Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Fishercap Lake
- Trail of the Cedars
- St. Mary Falls
- Highline Trail
- Grinnell Lake and Boat Tour
- Avalanche Lake
- Hidden Lake Overlook
- See a Glacier
This popular article outlines each can’t-miss spot in Glacier in great detail. You’ll learn about the important things you need to know about each stop, and driving directions are included.
The Best Things to Do In Glacier:
IF YOU LOVE RANGER PROGRAMS
- Wildlife talks
- Evening programs
- Guided hikes
IN WINTER
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
IF YOU DON’T WANT TO HIKE
- Rafting
- Boat tour
- Scenic drives
IN A WHEELCHAIR
- Trail of the Cedars
- Running Eagle Falls
- Red Bus tour
This massive list of things to do in Glacier will cover any adventure you need for your group.
In addition to the items mentioned above, it also includes high adventure activities, things to do with a dog, biking, things to do with kids, best hikes, and more. There’s something for everyone!
The Best Easy Hikes
Looking for good beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, or wheelchair-friendly trail options? This list details the best hikes in Glacier.
Dog-friendly Activities
Learn about all the places you can bring your dog in and around Glacier.
The Highline Trail Guide
The Highline Trail is Glacier’s most famous trail. Experience the jaw-dropping mountain views as you travel along the cliffs!
Bear Safety 101
Glacier is bear country, so be sure to read up on best practices in case you encounter a bear!
GLACIER ITINERARY
Do you LOVE to have a plan while traveling?
You’ve probably been spending a lot of time and money to make your trip possible. But don’t forget about the most important part — the day-to-day details!
When you get to Glacier, will you have all the information you need to confidently navigate around the park and avoid the crowds?
This hour-by-hour itinerary will make sure you see the best of the park — no more research needed!
LODGING IN GLACIER
Where Should I Stay?
This article provides information on the gateway towns and lodging options in the Glacier area.
All About Camping
Learn all about the campgrounds in the park and how to snag a site.
GETTING AROUND GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Cars
You can drive to all viewpoint and trailhead parking areas with your own car.
If you don’t want to drive your own vehicle on the Going-to-the-Sun Road (or if your vehicle is too large to drive on this road, see below), Glacier runs a free park shuttle along this road. You can also take a Red Bus Tour if you’d rather someone else do the driving.
Be advised that traffic jams are extremely common in Glacier and parking lots are almost always filled to capacity! If you’d like some help planning your day so that you can navigate the shuttle or get parking without having to circle parking lots, take a look at this itinerary.
Oversized Vehicles
Glacier is a challenge to navigate in an RV or bus due to its narrow mountain roads and small parking areas.
To drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, your vehicle can’t be longer than 21 feet, wider than 8 feet, and taller than 10 feet. Take these specifications seriously…this road is narrow and dangerous in a larger vehicle. You also cannot drive to Bowman Lake with a vehicle longer than 21 feet.
Other roads in the park can be traveled with a large vehicle, but as for parking, there aren’t a lot of large parking stalls. In the middle of the day, it may be nearly impossible to find parking in Glacier’s parking lots with a big vehicle, so definitely pack your patience!
If you are visiting Glacier in an oversized vehicle, I recommend parking at the Apgar or St. Mary Visitor Centers and catching the free park shuttle. Or, for a little more sightseeing freedom, you might consider renting a smaller vehicle for your time in Glacier.
Planning a trip to Glacier can be overwhelming.
How do you make a solid plan if you’ve never been to the park before? How do you keep everyone in your group excited and engaged?
You can spend hours on the internet searching for things to do, but you still won’t find the insider tips and first-hand knowledge that I’ve gained from working as a park ranger.
If you’re hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people, check out this Glacier Itinerary.
You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Thanks for using the Ultimate Glacier Trip Planning Guide
You may also be interested in one of these nearby national parks:
Yellowstone National Park
Banff National Park
Jasper National Park
Disclosure: This Glacier Trip Planning Guide may contain affiliate links, which means that (at no extra cost to you) I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase. I don’t recommend anything that I don’t personally love and use myself! Thanks for your support. — Ash