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Best Places to Spot Wildlife in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. With its diverse ecosystems, the park is home to a variety of species, making it a prime destination for wildlife viewing. From grizzly bears to moose, you’re bound to see some spectacular wild animals in the park.
Glacier National Park is one of my favorite places in the United States, and a large part of that is due to its wildlife. One of the first things I do when I get to the park is go to Apgar Visitor Center to talk with park rangers about recent sightings and identify any trails that have been closed due to brown bear activity.
In this guide, I will share the best places to spot animals, how to increase your chances of sightings, tips for wildlife photography, and safety precautions for a responsible and memorable experience. If that sounds good to you, let’s get into it!
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Guide to the Best Places to See Wildlife in Glacier National Park
When I visited Glacier National Park in August 2024, I was informed that mountain lions were frequently our campground. If I am being honest, that is one of the only animals in Glacier National Park that I would NOT want to see.
Thankfully, we did not see any mountain lions, but we did see a large herd of rocky mountain bighorn sheep, black bears, moose, grizzly bears, plenty of white-tailed deer, mule deer, pika, and ground squirrels. Strangely, the mountain goats alluded us. But we’ve seen them plenty of times on the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, so we weren’t TOO sad to have missed them.
There are so many different animals that you can find in Glacier National Park; let’s review some of the main animal species in Glacier Country.
Quick Guide to Visiting Glacier National Park
Before you can start spotting the amazing animals of Glacier National Park, you’ll need to plan your trip. Use the travel guide information below to help plan your trip!
- Getting There: The two airports that are popular for flying into include Whitefish, MT and Missoula, MT. Find affordable flights here.
- Getting Around: You will need a rental vehicle to get around. Many car rentals offer a bear spray rental!
- How Long to Visit: A worthy trip to Glacier can be anywhere from three days to a week! However long you’re visiting, you’ll have a great time!
- Where to Stay: There are 13 front country campgrounds in Glacier National Park that you can reserve on recreation.gov. Otherwise, you can book a hotel here.
- Getting Into the Park: You will need an America the Beautiful Pass to enter Glacier National Park, which you can purchase here. In August, you will additionally need a vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road via the West Entrance, Many Glacier, and North Fork.
Types of Wildlife You Can See in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park’s wilderness is home to over 70 species of mammals and 270 bird species. It is a fantastic place for birders or anyone looking to see some animals in their natural habitat.
Some of the most iconic animals include:
- Grizzly Bears and Black Bears*
Both grizzly and black bears are common in the park, with grizzlies being more frequently spotted at higher elevations. Black bears prefer lower elevations and forested areas. Identify grizzly bears by their distinctive hump. Montana has the largest remaining grizzly bear population in the contiguous United States.
- Mountain Goats
The park’s official symbol, Mountain Goats, are sure-footed animals often seen on steep, rocky cliffs. They are especially abundant in alpine areas like Logan Pass and the Highline Trail.
- Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn sheep roam alpine meadows and rocky terrain. They are commonly seen in areas like Many Glacier and Logan Pass. However, we spotted a small herd of females and kids in the two Medicine Lake areas. Keep an eye out while driving. Going to the Sun Road, it is likely you could spot them along your drive.
- Wolves
Though elusive, wolves can be found in the park’s more remote areas. Early mornings and late evenings in areas like the North Fork are prime times to spot them. In fact, park rangers are requesting that if you see any wolves in the park, you let them know. The best place to spot this threatened species is in Yellowstone National Park.
- Elk and Deer
Elk and white-tailed deer are widespread, particularly in the lower valleys and meadows. The Many Glacier Valley and Two Medicine areas are good for spotting elk. Mule Deer can be found along the Iceberg Lake route near Swiftcurrent Inn.
- Moose
Moose are often found in wetland areas and around lakes such as Fishercap Lake and Swiftcurrent Lake. I’ve had good luck seeing them near Many Glacier Hotel.
- Birds of Prey
Bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks, and ospreys are some of the more common birds that call Glacier home.
- Smaller Mammals
Marmots, pika, snowshoe hares, and squirrels are some of the smaller mammals often spotted near hiking trails.
Best Wildlife Areas in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park wildlife can be found throughout the park. The following areas are popular places for wildlife spotting. Each spot listed below includes the types of wildlife that can be found in that area as well as the best hikes!
Logan pass
The Logan Pass area is a hotspot for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, marmots, and sometimes grizzly bears. With its sweeping alpine views, Logan Pass is a wildlife photographer’s paradise.
🥾Popular hikes out of Logan Pass include Hidden Lake Trail and the Highline Trail.
This is a popular destination and requires a vehicle entrance pass during peak season when entering the park from West Glacier. A vehicle entrance pass is not required when entering from the St. Mary area.
FUN FACT: Logan Pass is along the continental divide!
Many Glacier
Considered the wildlife capital of the park, Many Glacier offers a high chance of seeing grizzlies, moose, black bears, elk, and deer. The area’s numerous lakes and trails make it ideal for wildlife viewing.
🥾Popular hikes in Many Glacier include Grinnell Glacier Trail, Iceberg Lake Trail, and Cracker Lake.
My last time at Cracker Lake, two brown bears would roam the campground.
Two Medicine
This less-crowded area is excellent for spotting moose and elk. The surrounding meadows and lakeshores are prime feeding grounds for these animals.
🥾Popular hikes in Two Medicine on the east side of the park include Aster Falls and No Name Lake.
North Fork and Bowman lake
The remote and rugged North Fork area provides opportunities to see wolves, black bears, and grizzlies. Bowman Lake is also a quieter location where you might spot eagles and osprey.
🥾Popular hikes near Bowman Lake include Kootenai Lake and Goat Haunt Overlook.
St. Mary Valley
Known for its lush meadows, this area is often home to bighorn sheep, black bears, and elk—the Rising Sun Motor Inn area, in particular, offers great wildlife opportunities.
🥾Popular Hikes near the St. Mary Valley area include Baring Falls and Beaver Pond Loop.
Tips for Spotting Wildlife in Glacier National Park
When looking for wildlife in Glacier National Park there are a couple times of year and times of day that stand out for optimal viewing.
While the summer months are the busiest time of the year for visitors, wildlife has specific times of day when they are most active and visible.
Understanding wildlife habits by the time of year and time of day provides the best chances of seeing wildlife during your visit.
Time of year
Spring (April – June): As the snow melts, wildlife begins emerging. Spring is an ideal time to spot bears foraging for food, particularly in lower elevations. This is also when many animals are having their offspring. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot moose calves, bear cubs, and mountain goat kids.
Summer (July – August): Wildlife sightings are abundant in summer, especially early in the morning or late in the evening when animals are most active. You’ll see mountain goats shed their layers of wool to stay cool in the summer heat and moose hanging out on lake shores to keep cool.
Fall (September – October): The fall rut makes elk and deer more visible, and bears are actively feeding to prepare for winter. During the rut, you’ll see bucks mingling with cows(female elk), when typically they remain separate.
Winter (November – March): Most animals hibernate or migrate, but hardy species like mountain goats and bighorn sheep can still be seen. Parts of Glacier are open year-round, but it is not considered optimal time for wildlife viewing.
Time of Day
Dawn and Dusk: These are the best times to see animals, as many species are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at these times. You’ll need to take a closer look during this time of day because heavy shadows can often camouflage animals.
Midday: Animals tend to be less active during the hottest part of the day, especially in summer. For better chances of spotting wildlife, stick to early mornings or evenings. Or seek out popular watering holes for wildlife; park rangers can help with this.
Where to Look
- Meadows and Valleys: These open areas often attract elk, deer, and sometimes bears.
- Water Sources: Lakes, rivers, and streams are prime spots for moose and other animals seeking water.
- Cliffs and Rocky Slopes: Mountain goats and bighorn sheep thrive in these environments, so keep an eye on high terrain.
Stay Quiet and Move slowly
Wildlife is sensitive to noise and movement. The quieter and slower you are, the better your chances of spotting animals. This could mean sitting in the same spot for an extended amount of time.
Wildlife Photography Tips
What better way of documenting your trip than taking spectacular wildlife photos.
This is your opportunity to document rare species of birds, capture a bull moose swimming, or big horn sheep butting heads.
Here are some tips for taking spectacular wildlife photos.
- Use a Telephoto Lens
For close-up shots of animals, a telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 200mm is ideal. It allows you to capture wildlife without getting too close. Most of the wildlife photos in this post were captured using the Canon 70-200mm lens.
Some lenses can costly, but there are rental options at your local camera store! This is a great way to test out a lens before purchasing.
- Be Patient
Wildlife photography requires patience. Find a good spot and wait quietly; animals will often come into view when you least expect it. It is best to use a tripod for this!
- Focus on the Eyes
Sharp eyes in a photograph make for the best wildlife photos. Use single-point autofocus and place the focus on the animal’s eyes.
- Shoot in Burst Mode
Wildlife moves quickly, so shoot in burst mode to capture multiple frames in succession. This way, you’re more likely to get a sharp and dynamic image.
- Early Morning Light
The golden hour just after sunrise offers beautiful soft light, ideal for photographing animals. The warm glow adds depth and character to your images.
- Respect the Animal’s Space
Avoid stressing animals for the sake of a photo. Maintain a safe distance and use your zoom lens to capture images from afar.
Safety Tips for Viewing Wildlife
One of my many passions is wildlife safety. When you put yourself in harm’s way with an animal, it is often to the animal’s demise if something were to happen.
Here are my favorite and most effective measures for personal and wildlife safety when viewing animals in their natural habitat.
- Keep Your Distance
The National Park Service recommends staying at least 100 yards from bears and 25 yards from other animals(including moose). This ensures both your safety and the animal’s well-being. This is where an excellent telephoto lens comes into play.
- Carry Bear Spray
Always carry bear spray when hiking or exploring. Make sure it’s easily accessible and you know how to use it. Counter Assult is my go-to bear spray, but you can also rent bear spray in many areas of the park.
- Stay on Trails
Sticking to designated trails reduces your chances of startling wildlife and helps protect their natural habitat.
- Don’t Feed the Animals
Feeding wildlife is illegal in Glacier National Park and can make animals dangerously accustomed to human presence. Remember the phrase, “A fed bear is a dead bear”. This is because if a bear eats human food, they will continue to seek out those opportunities. It ultimately results in the park needing to euthanize the bear.
- Travel in Groups
When hiking in bear country, it’s safer to travel in groups, as larger numbers can deter bears from approaching. In some Canadian Parks like Waterton Lakes National Park and Glacier National Park(Canada), there is a minimum group size for hiking in areas with grizzly bears.
- Make Noise
If you’re in dense brush or near water, where bears might not hear you coming, make plenty of noise to avoid surprising them. Speaking to people in your group is the easiest way to inform bears of your presence. Bears connect the sound of your voice to being “human” and will avoid you.
Pack It Up
Glacier National Park offers amazing opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
By following these tips and guidelines, you can ensure a safe, respectful, and rewarding wildlife experience while enjoying the stunning landscapes of one of America’s most iconic parks. Whether you’re hiking at Logan Pass or exploring Many Glacier, Glacier’s wildlife will captivate and inspire you.
The easiest way to keep your group safe is by talking about best practices when hiking in areas with wildlife. This means talking to the children in the group about bear safety, telling people who are unfamiliar with wildlife safety, and being vigilant!
I hope you see some amazing animals in Glacier National Park during your visit.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments!
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
