Are you planning a trip to Glacier National Park, but do not know where to start? If so, the guide to this Glacier National Park will be even more important to you.
From snow-capped mountains to glacial blue waters, there are spectacular views of every nook and cranny. Whether you like hiking, scenic driving, or exploring uneven roads, this guide to Glacier National Park will help you plan the perfect trip to this Montana National Park.
In this guide, you will find an overview of the park, tips on when and where to visit, and ideas on what to do in Glacier National Park. We’re starting to plan your trip by diving into this Glacier National Park Guide.
Why should you go to Glacier National Park?
Glacier National Park is experiencing the devastating effects of climate change. When the park opened in 1910, there were about 100 glaciers within the park. In 2021, less than 25 glaciers remained. The glacier is home to many wildlife.
We saw everything from black bears to flat eagles. In fact, we were often a little too close for comfort with bears, sheep, and moose. Some of the most rewarding hikes I have done in Glacier National Park. The trails can be crowded, and the scenery and wildlife recognition are perfect. Glacier Everyone has something.
Climbing ranges from easy, flat trails to steep climbs. I spent 10 days in the glacier and could not wait to go back. So the guide to this Glacier National Park will be more important to you.
Best time to visit Glacier National Park
The best time to visit is between July and early September. The main road through the park, Going-to-The-Sun Road, only opens during the peak season from late June to early September.
To be safe, plan your trip between late July and early September to ensure you have access to all areas of the park. I visited on Labor Day weekend (early September) and had no problems. Accordingly, the guide to Glacier National Park will be more important to you.
Where to stay near Glacier National Park
If you do not intend to stay in campgrounds or lodges within the boundaries of the park, you may want to choose to stay on the west side of the park, on the east side of the park, or to make time between the two. While I was at the glacier, we spent 5 nights on the east side of the park and 3 nights on the west side of the park.
If I have to do it again, I spend 6-7 nights on the east side of the park and 1-2 nights on the west side. The east side of the park is close to St. Mary’s, Logan Pass, many glaciers, and Too Medicine, where you will spend most of your time. The downside is that it is more remote with limited dining and retail options and fewer places to stay.
Stay on the east side
Spend most of your night on the east side of the park. You will spend less time driving and more time exploring everything the glacier has to offer. I recommend staying in St. Mary’s. You are a few minutes from St. Mary’s Visitor Center, an hour by two drugs and more than half an hour to most glaciers.
For any national park tour, I highly recommend staying at Airbnb, VRBO, or other rental homes. I stayed in cottages on the glacier. It is a small cottage community outside the park. These cabins are perfect for groups of 4 and most homes have 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Sit on the back porch and reward yourself with stunning views of Lake St. Mary after a long day of tiring mountaineering. Be sure to book in advance.
Campgrounds
Camping in Glacier National Park is a great option for adventurous, budget-minded travelers. Most glacier camps are open from June to early September. Camps are sometimes closed due to bear activity. If you want to camp on the glacier, be sure to monitor the condition of the campground and plan accordingly.
Detachable camps
Glacier National Park has 4 campsites that can be booked online in advance via Recreation.Gov. Reservations are issued six months in advance. If you are planning a trip in early September 2020, make a reservation in early March 2020.
- Team Camp Apgar Camps (Lake MacDonald)
- Fish Creek (McDonald’s Lake)
- Most Glaciers (Most Glaciers)
- St. Mary (St. Mary)
All of these campgrounds have drinking water and restrooms.
First-come, first-served camps
The rest of the campground serves first come first served. To see the historical filling times for each campground, check out the park’s camp status page. Select the campground you like and navigate to a historic month using the drop-down menu in the lower left. For first-timers, the first service camps are spread across various parts of the park:
- McDonald’s Lake – Apgar, Sprague Creek, and Avalanche
- St. Mary – The Rising Sun.
- Two drugs – a cut bank and two drugs
- North Folk and Goat Hont – Logging Creek, Quartz Creek, Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake
Moon reviewed the best camping sites in Glacier National Park to help you choose one. If you are interested in backcountry camping, check out my favorite backpacking-focused blog, Clever Hiker.
The best climb in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park has over 700 miles of climbing trails and more than 50 days of climbing. So how do you choose what to do? I have written everything about my favorite glacier climbs in my Glacier National Park Climbing Guide, but here are a few specifics.
1. Highline Trail Garden Wall
The Highline Trail is a 12-mile one-way climb that begins at the Logan Pass Visitor Center. This trail is often referred to as a specimen of the Glacier National Park. With everything from grassy lawns to amazing benefits, this climb should be on your to-do list. The best part? Garden wall.
This strenuous straight-up climb is the best part of the entire climb. Do you find yourself choking and questioning the whole trek up the mountain? Yes. Is it worth it? 110%. The garden wall takes you to the side of the hill to see the Grinnell Glacier.
When you ignore the turquoise waters at the foot of the Grinnell Glacier, you are standing on a continental shelf. Keep your eyes on the mountain goats and mammoths on this trail. Take your binoculars and keep a safe distance from any and all creatures. Since this is a one-way upgrade, it will require more transportation planning than other upgrades.
2. Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint
These 11 miles up and down the climb should be on your bucket list. At the top of the trail is the blue water I saw. Take off those merino wool climbing socks and immerse your fingers in the melting glacier nearby and reward yourself after a long journey.
The Grinnell Glacier Mountain starts at most Glacier hotels and continues toward Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine before reaching 1,600 feet. Get ready to see some of the most famous wildlife on the glacier up close and personal during this climb.
3. Hidden Lake Overlook
Starting from the Logan Pass Visitor Center, this trail is generally regarded as one of the must-sees in Glacier. The 3-mile trek crosses grassy meadows and ends with a view of the hidden lake. If you have extra energy, head down to the lakeshore. Even if you go down 780 feet to the lakeshore, you have to climb that distance again.
4. Avalanche Lake via Cedar Trail
This 4.5-mile climb is a moderate option for days between steep climbs such as the Highline Trail or the Grinnell Glacier. As the only Lake McDonald’s area on this list, it’s well suited for the days you walk through the park.
The climb can provide a great rest from the run. This trail takes you through a forest to Avalanche Lake. This area of the park is the oldest growing area in the park and has not been affected by recent wildfires. Go to Avalanche Lake through the shady forest and sit on the beach for a picnic.
5. Baring St. Mary Virginia Falls
The 6.5-mile up and down trail starts at Sun Point and takes you past three of the park’s most accessible and famous waterfalls. From Baring Falls to St. The road to Mary Falls winds along St. Mary’s Lake and is a perfect place to see the quietly feeding deer and other wildlife.
After stopping at St. Mary’s Falls, head over to Virginia Falls, a waterfall that falls more than 50 feet.go forward. You can climb to the bottom of the main waterfall, but be careful, the rocks are slippery. Stop at the top of Virginia Falls, refuel, and then start your journey to the Sun Point parking lot – just over 3 miles.
More to do at Glacier National Park
Climbing is one of the most popular activities on the glacier, and there are many other activities, rides, and hikes. Here are my favorites. This is why the Guide to Glacier National Park is so important.
Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road
This spectacular drive is a must for every visit to Glacier National Park. Since it is the main road through the park, you will do this in parts throughout your trip. But, I recommend doing it all at once and stopping halfway. If you fly to Calispell or reach Glacier National Park on the west, it’s a great introduction to the park as you make your way to your accommodation on the east side.
See Sunrise at Two Medicine Lake
The two treatments are much less congested than in other areas of the park, such as Logan Pass and most glaciers, which means that the sunrise here is calm and not crowded. You do not have to be a photographer to enjoy this sunrise.
See Sunset at Wild Goose Island Overlook
A short walk from St. Mary’s Visitor Center in Wild Goose Island Overlook is the perfect place for a sunset. Do you think that sounds familiar? It was the opening scene of The Shining. Arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset to find parking and claim your advantage. By sunset, the scene will be home to many photographers and their tripods.
Take a Day Trip to Waterton, Canada
About an hour north of the St. Mary’s Guest Center, Waterton is a small alpine town on Lake Waterton. Explore the city – home to many fancy shops and restaurants. A 2-hour scenic boat ride on Lake Waterton is a must-see. This is a tremendous scenic tour with information on wildlife viewing.
General Tips for Your Trip to Glacier National Park
- Bear needs to carry the spray. Keep it in a holster in your backpack or belt loop for easy access. Know how to use it. Check with the place where you are staying so that it can be provided. If not, you can rent it at a local sports shop or airport. You can not fly or cross the border between USA / Canada with bear spray, so get it locally. Read more about the essential climbing days you should take on each climb.
- Get a 4WD vehicle, especially to go to two glacial and medicinal areas. It’s not off-roading but you better scratch the bottom of their sedans than the people we saw. If not 4WD, get a small to medium-sized SUV that is at least FWD.
- Go to parking lots quickly – especially on many glaciers and Logan Pass. Parking is difficult after Logan Pass around 7:30 a.m. and most glaciers around 8:30 p.m.
- Go to the Super 1 grocery store in Columbia Falls. The rest of the area has no major retail stores. Especially if you’ve been staying in St. Mary’s or any other city on the east side, bring 1-2 bags of crumbs for the meat/dairy products you need to stay cool. There are no grocery stores on that side of the park and it is about a 3 hour’s drive from Columbia Falls to St. Mary’s.
Frequently Asked Questions about Glacier National Park
What is the best Glacier National Park entrance?
The western entrance to Glacier National Park is best known for its proximity to Kalispell and Columbia Falls. The St. Mary’s entrance on the other side of the park provides close access to Logan Pass and the St. Mary’s area.
How many days do you need at Glacier National Park?
Plan to spend at least 3 days in Glacier National Park. This will give you enough time to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road and climb the popular trails. To see more than just the stimulus, it is recommended to spend 5-7 days.
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