I visited Glacier National Park for the first time in 2008, when I was in eighth grade, on a family road trip through some of the most iconic National Parks in the United States and Canada. As midwesterns, road trips were part of who we are, and now, as an adult, I finally understand the hype.

My trip out west was transformative for me, and I often credit my love of the Western United States to my first visit to Glacier with my family.

Now, I take one(if not two or three) trips out to Glacier NP each year, and I’m ready to share EVERYTHING I know about this incredible National Park. Let’s get into it!

Just a heads up, this post contains affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

How to Plan the Perfect Glacier National Park Trip

Chances are you’re planning a trip to Glacier National Park for an opportunity to drive the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, spot captivating wildlife, and hike incredible trails. However, you won’t be the only one.

Glacier National Park is consistently among the top 10 most visited National Parks in the US, with over 3 million visitors annually. You need a plan if you’re going to be visiting.

This guide will help you create a plan of action so you can check off every item on your bucket list and avoid crowds as much as possible.

Here are some additional resources that might help you with planning:

• Dog-Friendly Trip to Glacier
• Where to Stay in Glacier National Park
• Best Places to Swim in Glacier National Park
• Best Place to Spot Wildlife in Glacier

How Long to Stay in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is a popular destination in its own right, but it is also common for people to plan a road trip from Glacier to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. So the length of your trip really depends on what you all want to see.

An ideal trip length to Glacier National Park is five days, four nights.

If you only want to hit some of the iconic parts of the park, like Going to the Sun Road, Glacier Highline Trail, and Avalanche Lake, two full days at the park would suffice if you stay in the West Glacier area.

If you’re looking to see places like Many Glacier on the east side of the park as well, you might want three to four full days.

If you want to see some of the park’s lesser-visited areas, like Bowman Lake or Two Medicine, a week-long visit would be ideal.

With proper planning, you can see some of the most well-known parts of the park.

How to Get to Glacier National Park

If you plan to fly to get to Glacier National Park, fly into Glacier International Airport in Kalispell, MT, and drive 23 miles to West Glacier. 

There are plenty of other airport options, including Calgary International Airport and Missoula International Airport. Typically, I choose to fly into Missoula so I can spend a couple of days there.

Regardless of whether you fly or drive to Glacier National Park, a vehicle is necessary for getting around.

When to Visit Glacier National Park

The timing of your trip to Glacier National Park will be key to experiencing everything on your bucket list. The park opens the main road to Logan Pass when the snow is cleared for the season, and that changes every year depending on winter snow depth.

Going-to-the-Sun Road opens around Mid-to-Late June each year. If you visit before the road opens, Going-to-the-Sun Road will be closed to vehicle traffic from Avalanche Lake onward. This is a popular time for bikers to visit the park so they can bike on the road without cars.

• Late-June to Mid-July: This is wildflower season, so you can see alpine lupine, glacier lilies, and beargrass. Depending on snowmelt, stream crossings can be treacherous, and some areas of the park might be inaccessible.
• Mid-July to Mid-August: The park experiences its highest traffic of the year during this part of the year. Most parking lots fill up by 7 AM, if not earlier, and shuttle reservations are essential. Wildlife is most active this time of the year.
• Late August to September: Crowds thin after Labor Day as students return to school. Fall colors might start in Lake McDonald and Many Glacier, and ripe huckleberries might bring grizzly bears into the valley. Some areas of the park close in mid-September.
• October: Major roads begin to close for the season, and snow starts. You’ll have plenty of solitude with gorgeous views.

My personal favorite time of year to visit is late June and early September. Regardless of whether you are visiting in the middle of summer or during the shoulder season, you will need an insulated jacket. The weather can quickly turn from warm and sunny to a mid-afternoon flurry.

Average Temperature & Precipitation in Glacier

Glacier National Park is fantastic to visit year-round, but you will want to be prepared for some amount of rain and snowfall each month.

Here is a look at the average annual temperature and the number of precipitation days.

Permits, Shuttle Tickets, Timed Parking

A few changes went into effect in Glacier National Park as of 2026. First, there are no longer timed vehicle reservation permits. Second, timed parking will now be in effect at Logan Pass. Both of these changes are to help mitigate road congestion by encouraging the use of the Park Shuttle.

Entrance Fees/Permits

As a National Park, you will need to pay an entrance fee, which varies by residency.

A standard day entrance pass is between $20 and $35 for US residents. Non-US residents need to pay a $100 per person fee in addition to the standard entrance pass.

If you plan to visit National Parks multiple times over a 12-month period, an Annual Park Pass is recommended. The Annual Park Pass, aka the America the Beautiful Pass, is $80 for residents and $250 for non-US residents. The America the Beautiful Pass typically pays itself off in just a few visits to National Parks within the year.

Glacier National Park is cash-free. Consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Pass in advance to avoid long lines at the entrance gate. You can purchase the pass here.

Shuttle Tickets

You will have two options for shuttle tickets in Glacier National Park:

1. Going-to-the-Sun Road Park Shuttle
2. Glacier National Park Shuttle

Both shuttle options are available for a 60-day advanced purchase on recreation.gov, starting on May 2 at 8 AM MDT, on a first-come, first-served basis. A second wave of tickets will be made available for next-day access at 7 PM MDT beginning June 30th.

The Going-to-the-Sun Shuttle is meant to expedite getting visitors to and from Logan Pass, so the only stops it makes are to and from the Logan Pass Visitor Center and the pickup locations on the West and East sides of the park: Apgar Visitor Center and St. Mary Visitor Center, respectively.

The Glacier National Park Shuttle will stop at the various shuttle stops throughout the park and is a free park shuttle.

The only cost for the Going-to-the-Sun Road Park Shuttle tickets is the $1 processing fee on recreation.gov.

Timed Parking

In an effort to create more opportunities for visitors to enjoy the Logan Pass Area, the starting point for popular attractions like Hidden Lake Lookout and the Highline Trail, Glacier National Park will now enforce a 3-hour parking limit at the pass.

Overnight parking at Logan Pass will not be allowed.

Visitors who want to hike a longer trail and believe they will need more than 3 hours will need to reserve the Going-to-the-Sun Shuttle.

Packing List for Glacier

When it comes to packing for Glacier National Park, you should be prepared to experience any and all sorts of weather. Even in August, the temperature swing between morning and afternoon is around 40 degrees. At higher elevations, the weather can pivot drastically from sunny to hail.

Here is a short list of items I recommend you bring on your trip. For a full breakdown of clothes and gear, check out this blog post.

Clothing Layers

Packing clothes for Glacier is like an onion; you’ve got layers.

• Base Layer: A moisture-wicking shirt is necessary. While you don’t need to avoid cotton on a shorter hike, a polyester or merino wool shirt would be best.
• Sun Shirt: My favorite sun shirt is the Backcountry Tahoe Sun Hoodie. I use this year round for hiking and backpacking.
• Mid Layer: A fleece or lightweight down jacket is recommended for early mornings, evenings, and at high elevations.
• Outer Layer: Rain is common in the summer. A rain jacket is essential in Glacier during the summer.
• Swim Suit: The brilliant blue lakes around Glacier will beckon you for a swim.
• Hiking Pants: I would recommend hiking pants or leggings to protect your legs from the trail brush and mosquitoes.
• Hat and Sunglasses: The UV exposure is high at altitude.
• Hiking Boots: You will want sturdy hiking boots with ankle support on this trip. My go-to boots are the Oboz Bridgers.
• Wool Socks: Wool hiking socks help minimize the risk of blisters on a hike. I use Darn Tough Socks.

Gear Essentials

When you’re on the trail in Glacier, you are going to need the following items:

• Bear Spray: Rent or purchase it; you will need it, as the park has both black bears and grizzly bears.
• Hiking Daypack: A 20-30-liter pack is recommended and will fit all your trail essentials.
• Water: In the summer, I would recommend a minimum of 3 liters per person. Carry a filtering water bottle with you so you can filter more if needed.
• Trekking Poles: There are many rocky, steep trails in the park. Hiking poles are highly encouraged.
• Headlamp: Even if you do not plan on being on the trail in the early morning or after dark, you want to be prepared. I use the Black Diamond Spot since the battery life is extremely long-lasting.
• Navigation: Either purchase a paper map in the park or download the trail maps with AllTrails Premium.
• First Aid Kit: Your first aid kit should include personal medication, blister care, and basic first aid.
• Sunscreen and Lip Balm: Apply regularly at high elevation.
• Insect Repellent: In June and early July, the mosquitoes are relentless near water. I use the Picardian lotion.

Related Read: Renting Bear Spray in Glacier

Overview of the Different Park Areas

Glacier National Park is over 1,500 square miles (4,000 square kilometers); in other words, it is huge. Every area of the park is unique, known for its landmarks and activities. Here is a brief overview of each of the most popular areas in Glacier:

Apgar

If you’re entering the park from the west side, Apgar will be the first thing you’ll see after passing through West Glacier Village.

• Lodging: Apgar Village Lodge & Village Inn Motel
• Camping: Apgar Campground
• Activities: Horseback Rides, Boat Rentals & Launch, Visitor Center, and Shopping Area
• Trails: Apgar Lookout, Avalanche Lake, McDonald Creek, and Trail of Cedars

Many Glacier

Many Glacier, while secluded near the Northeast side of the park, is still one of the more popular areas of the park.

• Lodging: Many Glacier Hotel & Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
• Camping: Many Glacier Campground
• Activities: Scenic Boat Cruises, Bus Tours, and Horseback Rides
• Trails: Grinnel Glacier, Cracker Lake, Apikuni Falls, Ptarmigan Tunnel, and Iceberg Lake

St. Mary and Rising Sun

The entrance on the east side of the park is in a quieter area that is still worth visiting.

• Lodging: Rising Sun Motor Inn
• Camping: Rising Sun Campground
• Activities: Boat Rentals, Bus Tours, and Camp Restaurant
• Trails: Baring Falls, Otokomi Lake, and Sun Point Nature Trail

Two Medicine

Closest to the southern end of the park, Two Medicine is a quiet part of the park located on a gorgeous, albite sometimes windy lake.

• Lodging: None
• Camping: Two Medicine Campground
• Activities: Bus and Boat Ride
• Trails: Dawson Pass, Running Eagle Falls, Appistoki Falls, and Aster Park Overlook

The North Fork (Bowman Lake)

This area of the park is relatively secluded on the west side of the park, past the small community of Polebridge. Vehicles longer than 21 feet are not permitted on the road, and four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended.

• Lodging: None
• Camping: FCFS Bowman Lake, Logging Creek, Kintla Lake, and Quartz Creek
• Activities: Get a huckleberry cinnamon roll in Polebridge
• Trails: Bowman Lake, Numa Lookout, and Akokala Lake

Where to Stay in Glacier National Park

If you want to stay inside Glacier National Park, you will want to plan your trip almost a year in advanced do to how quickly the park lodges book out. Camping reservations become available on a six-month rolling basis, so once you have your trip dates, you’ll need to check your reservation window.

Some of the most popular places to stay are:

1. Many Glacier Hotel – East Side of the Park
2. St. Mary Village – East Side of the Park
3. Lake McDonald Lodge – West Side of the Park
4. Apgar Village Lodge & Cabins – West Side of the Park

For a full breakdown on where to stay in and around Glacier National Park, check out my lodging guide!

Camping in Glacier National Park

There are 13 front-country campgrounds throughout the park, and 7 of them require prior reservations. The following campgrounds need reservations: Apgar Campground, Avalanche Campground, Fish Creek Campground, Many Glacier Campground, St. Mary Campground, Sprague Creek Campground, and Two Medicine Campground.

Camping reservations are made on recreation.gov on a six-month rolling basis. For example, on March 24th, all campsites are available through September 24th. So if you want to camp earlier in the year, you’ll need to look into reserving your campsites as early as January.

If you plan to bring an RV, not every campground in the park has hookups.

Check out Recreation.gov here!

Dining and Food Options

Let it be known that Glacier National Park is not the place to go for five-star meals and endless food options. While there is plenty to eat around the park, the food is largely underwhelming. I say this with love.

Here are the main places to eat:

• West Glacier Village: Glacier Highland Restaurant, Belton Chaltet, and West Glacier Restaurant
• Apgar Village: Eddie’s Cafe
• Lake McDonald: Russell’s Fireside Dining Room, Jammer Joe’s Grill & Pizzeria, Lucke’s Lounge
• Many Glacier: Ptarmigan Dining Room, Swiss Lounge, Nell’s at Swiftcurrent, and Heidi’s
• Rising Sun: Two Dog Flat’s Grill

Columbia Falls and Whitefish have significantly more options if you’re looking for a sit-down meal. Otherwise, I would recommend getting groceries and cooking at camp.

When I stay on the west side of Glacier NP, I enjoy grabbing a beer and a basket of fries at Freda’s.

Things to Do in Glacier National Park

While hiking is certainly one of the most popular activities to do in Glacier National Park, there are still plenty of other activities to do in the park.

1. Take a Scenic Drive: Driving Going-to-the-Sun Road offers plenty of stops along the way worth visiting, but you can also drive up to Many Glacier or Two Medicine Lake, or venture into the Polebridge/Bowman Lake area. Going to the Sun Road is considered one of the most scenic drives in the United States and should be on your itinerary.
2. Ranger-led Programs: Glacier does an incredible job with its event calendar. Some of the programs they offer include: guided walks, ranger talks, Native American History, Historic Hotel Tours, and more. Learn more here.
3. Horseback Riding: There are a number of outfitters within the park that can take you on a day trip or backcountry trip. Swan Mountain Outfitters is the popular option for the park.
4. Whitewater Rafting: For something a little more exciting, whitewater rafting along the Flathead River is incredible!
5. Fishing: In close proximity to Whitefish, this area is well known for fly fishing.
6. Biking: I have rented e-bikes from Glacier Guides three times to bike Going-to-the-Sun Road. It was incredible.
7. Kayaking, Canoeing, SUP: There are a number of rental options in Glacier National Park so you can experience gliding across the gorgeous waters of Lake McDonald, Bowman Lake, and Two Medicine Lake.
8. Wildlife Watching: While you most certainly can find outfitters for a wildlife tour, there are so many incredible places to spot moose and bears in Glacier National Park.
9. Stargaze: Glacier National Park offers a number of different Ranger-led activities, including a stargazing tour.
10. Iconic Red Bus Tour: You can take a Red Bus Tour from the west side or the east side of the park.

Read Next: Best Places to Spot Wildlife in Glacier National Park

Best Hikes in Glacier

Glacier National Park is the crown jewel of hiking. With over 700 miles of trails in Glacier, there are so many different opportunities to explore the various corners of the park. While I cannot list EVERY trail in the park, I will give you a short list of some of my favorite hikes, ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous.

Rating something as easy or strenuous is relative to every hiker, so be sure to evaluate these trails for yourself to determine if they are a good fit for you.

Easy Hiking Trails in Glacier

• Trail of the Cedars: 0.9 miles – 50 ft gain – 1 hour – Lake McDonald Area
• Running Eagle Falls: 0.6 miles – 30 ft gain – 1 hour – Two Medicine Area
• Baring Falls: 0.7 miles – 115 ft gain – 1 hour – Rising Sun Area
• Apikuni Falls: 1.8 miles – 600 ft gain – 1.5 hours – Many Glacier Area
• Sun Point Nature Trail: 1.9 miles – 200 ft gain – 1 hour – Rising Sun Area

Moderate Hiking Trails in Glacier

• Avalanche Lake: 6 miles – 800 ft gain – 3 hours – Lake McDonald Area
• St. Mary & Virginia Falls: 3.1 miles – 500 ft gain – 2 hours – Rising Sun Area
• Hidden Lake Overlook: 2.7 miles – 600 ft gain – 1.5 hours – Logan Pass Area
• Grinnell Lake: 7.8 miles – 500 ft gain – 3 hours – Many Glacier Area
• Upper Two Medicine Lake: 9.5 miles – 800 ft gain – 4 hours – Two Medicine Area
• Redrock Falls: 7.3 miles – 675 ft gain – 3.5 hours – Many Glacier Area

Hard Hiking Trails in Glacier

• Highline Trail: 15.5 miles – 2,600 ft gain – 8 hours – Logan Pass Area
• Siyeh Pass Trail: 10 miles – 2,300 ft gain – 6 hours – Rising Sun Area
• Apgar Lookout: 7.2 miles – 1,900 ft gain – 4 hours – Lake McDonald Area
• Ptarmigan Tunnel: 10.7 miles – 2,400 ft gain – 6.5 hours – Many Glacier Area
• Otokomi Lake: 11 miles – 2,315 ft gain – 6.5 hours – Rising Sun Area
• Cracker Lake: 12.6 miles – 1,604 ft gain – ~6 hours – Many Glacier Area
• Grinnell Glacier Trail: 11.1 miles – 2,075 ft gain – 6 hours – Many Glacier Area

I added all these hikes to an AllTrails list so you can find them easily!

Wildlife Safety Tips for Glacier National Park

One of the best parts and sometimes scariest parts of visiting Glacier National Park is the wildlife that lives there. If you’ve never experienced hiking or camping in bear country, especially grizzly bear country, you’ll want to review this section.

1. You need bear spray: Carrying bear spray on every hike on your hip belt or in your hand. Having bear spray is not helpful if you have to dig for it inside your backpack.
2. Make noise: This is helpful for both bear and moose encounters. You do not want to sneak up on either of them.
3. Hike in groups: Groups are inherently louder and more intimidating to wild animals. If you do have to hike alone, be vigilant, make extra noise, and skip the headphones.
4. Do not approach wildlife: Even cute mountain goats can be dangerous. If you spot an animal, avoid getting closer.
5. Stay aware of children: If you are hiking with children, keep them in the middle of your group. If you see a bear, it is best to pick them up.
6. Properly store food and trash: Glacier National Park will actually issue fines to people who leave food, coolers, and trash unattended. If you are not actively using the item, it should be in a bear-safe food storage locker.

The key to handling a wild animal encounter (or attack) is to consider what to do and how you would react. The first time you think about how to respond to a bear encounter should not be in front of a bear. If you’re hiking with children, this is a conversation you should have with them.

I go into further detail on bear safety in my Olympic National Park bear guide. While it is a different park, it is still useful information.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Glacier

Glacier National Park is an incredible area where you want to avoid making mistakes, like wasting time, money, and opportunities. With the vast size of the park, unpredictable weather, and changing park logistics, everything can culminate in frustration. Here is how you can make the best of your trip.

Don’t underestimate distances and drive times. Keeping in mind that Glacier is almost 1 million acres, driving throughout the park can take hours. The roads get congested, and finding parking can be a mess. Build in buffer time to your itinerary for wait times and drive times.

Book the reservations. Between campgrounds, restaurants, and shuttles, you will need to make several reservations in advance. Book everything the moment reservations become available.

Get to Logan Pass before 6 AM. If you are planning to park at Logan Pass, you really need to get there EARLY. This might change with the new time limit at the pass, but to be safe, either get there early for a parking spot or reserve the shuttle to Logan Pass.

Break in your boots. The last thing you want is blisters on your feet on your first day in the park. Practice walking in your boots or in hiking shoes you’re already comfortable in. I wear Oboz Bridger boots and have never had a blister(from them).

Buy the bear spray. Some car rental companies, if you’re flying in to visit, will actually include a bear spray rental with your vehicle. You can not fly with bear spray, so either purchase it when you get to town or rent it in the park.

Keep the itinerary adjustable. There is SO much to see in Glacier National Park that it is easy to overpack your itinerary. My favorite way to plan is to create a rough itinerary with LOTS of options, then pick and choose what I want to do in the moment once I’ve gotten a feel for an area.

Aim for at least one sunrise and sunset. Getting to the park in time for sunrise is magical, and staying until sunset is a dream. Bring a headlamp for safety and enjoy the gorgeous alpenglow on the mountains.

Have questions about visiting Glacier National Park? Let me know in the comments! I would love to help.

You might also like…

• 9-Day Road Trip from Glacier to Yellowstone National Park
• Where to See Moose in Glacier National Park?
• Backpacking Cracker Lake in Glacier National Park
• Best Place to Spot Wildlife in Glacier National Park
• Renting Bear Spray in Glacier National Park