Glacier Tips - What You Need To Know Before You Go!

For many national park lovers, Glacier National Park is the ultimate bucket-list destination. Towering peaks, turquoise alpine lakes, and trails that weave through some of the most stunning mountain landscapes in the world make it a great place worth visiting over and over again.

But let’s be honest—planning a trip to Glacier isn’t as easy as it used to be. With the ever-changing vehicle reservation system, extreme seasonality, and growing crowds, it’s become one of the most complicated parks to visit in the United States.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. After years of helping park visitors navigate Glacier’s quirks, we’re sharing the top five things you need to know before you go. Let’s jump in!

Podcast Episode Overview

In this episode of Exploring the National Parks, we’re diving deep into the top tips you need to know before you go to Glacier National Park.

Glacier is a truly stunning park, but it can be pretty overwhelming to plan a trip there. We’ll walk you through everything from understanding the short season to scoring those coveted lodging reservations (hint: book early!).

Plus, we’ll share our insider strategies for beating the crowds and making the most of your time in this incredible park.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

The tiny window of time when the park is fully open
How to avoid getting stuck in the off-season with nothing to do
The secret to snagging a campsite or hotel reservation
Why you might need to set your alarm for 4:00 AM (and why it’s worth it!)
How to plan your day to avoid the busiest crowds
How to take advantage of Glacier’s world-class mountain hiking trails

There is so much to see and do in Glacier and we hope these tips help you get out there and make the most of your trip! If you need help, make sure to check out our Glacier itinerary!

Your mission for today: Do you have any Glacier tips that we missed? We want to hear from you! Head over to the Dirt in My Shoes Facebook or Instagram page and let us know your top tips for visiting Glacier National Park.

And be sure to catch our whole bad banana story (and let us know if you can relate!).

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

Tip #1. Glacier National Park Is Extremely Seasonal

Glacier is not your typical national park when it comes to accessibility. While many parks are open year-round with most major hikes and sites available from spring through fall, Glacier has a tiny window when you can experience everything the park has to offer.

If you want full access to the park—including driving the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road and hiking the best trails—plan your trip between mid-July and mid-August.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, the park’s main artery, often doesn’t fully open until late June or early July due to snow at higher elevations. Even when the road opens, high-elevation trails like the Highline Trail or Hidden Lake Overlook may still be snow-covered for a few weeks.

August is your best time for clear trails and fully open areas, but wildfire smoke can become a big issue, obscuring views and making it hard to breathe.

By early September, many park facilities begin shutting down, and in October, winter conditions start rolling in.

If you’re planning a trip outside of that prime window, you need to adjust your expectations. The east side of the park, including Many Glacier and Two Medicine, often opens earlier than the Going-to-the-Sun Road, so you may be able to explore those areas even if the full park isn’t accessible.

Tip #2. You Have to Plan Around Crowds

If you show up at Glacier National Park expecting to take your time in the morning, eat a leisurely breakfast, and then roll into the park at 10 a.m., you will have a very bad time. Parking lots fill up early, traffic backs up, and entrance reservations make spontaneous visits nearly impossible.

To avoid the worst of the crowds, stick to these two golden rules:

Get into the park early. Ideally, you should be driving in before sunrise. Logan Pass Visitor Center, one of the most sought-after parking areas, fills up before 7 a.m. during peak season.
Utilize the evenings. If waking up early isn’t your thing, consider heading into the park around dinner time. From 5 p.m. onward, many of the crowds clear out, and you’ll have a good chance to see wildlife such as mountain goats, bighorn sheep, or even grizzly bears with fewer people around.

Tip #3. Book Lodging as Early as Possible

Glacier’s in-park lodging is booked 13 months in advance. Yes, you read that right—more than a year out. If you have your heart set on staying at Many Glacier Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge, or any of the historic in-park accommodations, you need to plan ahead.

For campgrounds, reservations open six months in advance and disappear almost instantly. If you don’t snag a spot inside the park, have a backup plan at a private campground outside the park and check for last-minute cancellations.

If you can’t stay inside the park, avoid booking in Kalispell or Whitefish unless you have no other choice. These towns add at least 45 minutes to your drive into the park each day. Instead, look for accommodations in Apgar Village, Columbia Falls, or St. Mary to save valuable time in the morning.

Something I do to make sure we have a spot to stay near the park is to book refundable campsites outside of Glacier that open a year in advance. If I manage to book a campsite in the park, I’ll cancel that campsite. If I don’t snag a coveted campsite in Glacier, I always have my backup site!

We have a YouTube video that details all the information you need to get an entrance reservation, or you can grab one of our Glacier National Park itineraries, which has a more detailed YouTube video to walk you through the process.

Tip #4. Understand Glacier’s Layout Before You Go

Glacier National Park spans over one million square miles, making it one of the largest protected areas in the United States. If you’re not familiar with the park’s layout, you could spend hours driving in the wrong direction. Here are some key things to know:

Going-to-the-Sun Road: This scenic road cuts through the heart of the park, crossing the Continental Divide and connecting the west and east sides. It takes at least 1.5 to 2 hours to drive it without stops, so plan accordingly.
West Side vs. East Side: The park’s west entrance (near West Glacier Entrance) is more developed and crowded, while the east side (Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Two Medicine) offers stunning scenery with fewer services.
Many Glacier & Two Medicine: These areas of the park have some of the best hikes, but they are NOT connected by roads within the park. If you stay on the west side of the park, expect a 2+ hour drive to reach Many Glacier.

Tip #5. Hiking Is the Best Way to Experience Glacier

If you only do one thing in Glacier, it should be hiking. This park is home to some of the best hikes in North America, and the best way to take in the scenery isn’t always from a parking area. Some of the best places to hike include:

Highline Trail: A stunning alpine hiking trail with jaw-dropping views and minimal elevation gain. Even if you don’t hike the full 12 miles, walking the first mile is worth it.
Hidden Lake Trail: A moderate 3-mile hike from Logan Pass with incredible mountain views and a good chance to see mountain goats.
Grinnell Glacier Trail: One of the most famous trails in the park, leading to a glacier-fed lake in Many Glacier.
Avalanche Lake: A great 4.5-mile round trip hike with a beautiful glacial lake at the end.

Whether you’re up for a full-day trek or a quick walk, the best things to do in Glacier involve getting on a trail!

Making the Most of Your Glacier Adventure

Glacier National Park is one of the most scenic drives and outdoor adventures in the United States, but it takes effort to experience it the right way. By planning around the park’s seasonality, crowds, and logistics, you’ll set yourself up for an unforgettable trip.

And if this still feels like too much to handle, check out our Glacier Itinerary! And, we have a ton of free resources for you to make the best of your trip to Glacier.

Happy exploring!

Links mentioned in this podcast episode:

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Glacier Tips – What You Need To Know Before You Go!