Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Glacier National Park, we’ve got you covered. Located in northwestern Montana near Canada, few places on earth rival Glacier in beauty.

This corner of Big Sky Country is adorned with azure blue alpine lakes, rugged snow-capped mountains, winsome wildlife, and fantastic hiking trails. The park provides an endless playground with many sights and activities to keep families, couples, groups, and even solo travelers occupied for days (or weeks). 

In this post, we’ll cover the top 9 best Glacier National Park things to do. You’ll also find our insider tips on the best time to visit, what to pack, and where to stay in Glacier National Park. 

Key Takeaways

• The West and St. Mary entrances are the best Glacier Park National Park entrances. 
• These Glacier National Park cabins, lodges, inns, and motels are among the best places to stay inside the park: Lake McDonald Lodge, Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins, Motel Lake McDonald, and Many Glacier Hotel. 
• Three options for getting around Glacier National Park are driving, taking the free shuttle, and the Red Bus Tours. 

Things to Consider Before Visiting Glacier National Park

Glacier continues to top many lists of the top 10 best US national parks. This beloved park gets its name from the many active glaciers that make up its rugged topography and grandeur. 

Glacier National Park was established in 1910, making it the country’s 10th national park. It covers over one million acres and encompasses 25 glaciers, a whopping 762 lakes, 175 mountains, and about 350 species of plants and animals. The park is also home to over 700 miles of trails, which make it a haven for hikers and backpackers. 

A Word on Glacier National Park Entrances

Before digging into the many things to do at Glacier National Park, it’s crucial that you first understand how to get there.

Glacier National Park has seven entrances:

• West Entrance - the main entrance on the west side of the park near West Glacier, Hungry Horse, Columbia Falls, Coram, Kalispell, and Whitefish. It’s best for accessing Lake McDonald, Avalanche Lake, and Going-to-the-Sun Road. 
• Polebridge Entrance - found on the northwest side of the park. It’s the best Glacier Park entrance for reaching Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake. 
• Camas Entrance - best for wildlife viewing and accessing Going-to-the-Sun Road. 
• St. Mary Entrance - the gateway to the eastern side of the park. It’s an ideal entry point for Glacier National Park visitors staying in the little towns of St. Mary, Browning, and East Glacier. 
• Many Glacier Entrance - located on the park's east side, around 16 miles from St. Mary. It’s the best entrance to Cracker Lake Trail, Iceberg Lake Trail, Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail, and Many Glacier Hotel. 
• Two Medicine Entrance - it’s located on the east side of Glacier National Park, about 15 minutes north of East Glacier. Best for accessing Two Medicine Lake and Upper Two Medicine Lake. 
• Cut Bank Entrance - the least popular Glacier entrance on the park's east side. It offers easy access to Medicine Grizzly Lake and a quiet and serene remote area. 

How Many Days Do You Need to Spend in Glacier National Park?

We recommend spending at least three days to make your trip to Glacier worthwhile. Adding a day or two to your trip will allow you to see most of the park's must-see spots without rushing.  

Is one day enough in Glacier?

It’s possible to experience Glacier in one day, but you’ll be severely limited on what you can see or do. If you have only one day for your Glacier trip, you'll want to focus on the viewpoints along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

An important consideration when planning a one-day trip to Glacier is the drive time to and from the park. Glacier is big and remarkably popular, even more so during summer. If you want to experience it in a day, ensure you get there early. 

Where to Stay in Glacier National Park

There are many places to stay in Glacier National Park, including historic lodges and campgrounds. Considering the size of this park, you want to choose your home base wisely as it will significantly impact the driving distance to your desired Glacier National Park activities. 

Glacier National Park has nine lodges, including two chalets, in spectacular spots. These lodges are the same today as when they were built. Although some have been renovated, they still maintain the early 1900s luxury style, resulting in a memorable national park lodging experience.

West Glacier Accommodation Options 

Lake McDonald Lodge

Lake McDonald Lodge is one of the best places to stay inside Glacier National Park if you can afford it. This is one of the historic lodges on the busier western side of the park. 

Its greatest pull is staying right at the shores of the best Glacier Lake near the West Entrance. Its location also presents many activities, including exploring the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Red Bus tours, boat cruises, and horseback rides. 

Lake McDonald Lodge has 82 rooms, including 18 rentable cottages. It opens from late May to late September. 

Motel Lake McDonald 

Motel Lake McDonald is a budget-friendly option perched quaintly on the northeastern shores of Lake McDonald. The motel is within walking distance of Lake McDonald Lodge. That’s to say, you can enjoy all the lodge's amenities without the rather hefty accommodation fees. The 1950s-style, two-story property is 10 miles inside the west entrance on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It opens from early June to mid-September. 

Apgar Village Inn

The Apgar Village Inn is a motel-style lodging facility on the serene west shore of Lake McDonald. The main advantage of staying at this inn is its proximity to the lake. With some rooms a footstep or two from the lake, this is the closest you can stay to the lake. 

Apgar is a little walkable town with a visitor center, shops, cafes, and e-bike and kayak rentals. The inn has one-bedroom units with full kitchens on the first floor and two-bedroom units big enough for up to six people. The Village Inn at Apgar opens from mid-May through late September. 

Apgar Village Lodge and Cabins

Apgar Village Lodge is located on the southern shores of Lake McDonald. This is another excellent alternative for travelers planning a trip to Glacier on a budget. Accommodation is offered in 28 cabins and 20 motel rooms. The cabins vary in size; some have fully equipped kitchens that make them ideal for families. The rooms don’t have air conditioning, but they make up for that with their tranquil setting in the forest, only steps from beautiful Lake McDonald. 

East Glacier Accommodation Options

Rising Sun Motor Inn 

Rising Sun Motor Inn gets its name from the spectacular sunrise views that visitors enjoy in this area. The inn is about six miles west of Saint Mary’s Visitor Center and four miles from the East Entrance. It sits adjacent to Saint Mary Lake along Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

Rising Sun has 72 cabins and motor inn rooms. They are basic and simple but comfortable. Staying at Rising Sun Motor Inn also means that you’re surrounded by many Glacier things to do. You can enjoy boat cruises in breathtaking Saint Mary Lake, take Red Bus tours, and browse the gift shop. 

Many Glacier Hotel

Many Glacier Hotel is another excellent place to stay during your trip to Glacier National Park. This secluded hotel located on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake is one of the historic landmarks scattered throughout the park. 

Many Glacier Hotel opened in 1915. Over 100 years later, it still exudes the striking Swiss atmosphere that made it America's vacation paradise. The hotel boasts 214 rustic yet comfortable guestrooms, some offering unbeatable lake and mountain views. 

The hotel has a fine-dining restaurant, Swiss lounge, snack shop, and gift shop. Many activities, including horseback riding, boat cruises, and Red Bus tours, make your trip worthwhile. 

Glacier Park Lodge

Glacier Park Lodge is located in the tiny town of East Glacier at the foot of Dancing Lady Mountain. This is the only lodge located outside the park boundary. It was completed in 1913 as a destination hotel and accommodation option for visitors who arrived by train. You can still arrive by train if you don’t want to deal with the stress of driving. Plus, there’s a shuttle bus service to other park areas. 

This rustic, western-themed lodge has 161 rooms with garden or mountain views. It also has a spacious lobby, bar lounge, fancy restaurant, and gift shop. Outside, you’ll find a nine-hole golf course, a nine-hole pitch-n-putt course, and a heated swimming pool. 

There are many rooms at different price points. All of them are nice and comfortable, although they lack balconies. Glacier Park Lodge opens seasonally from mid-May through late September.

Camping in Glacier National Park

As the Crown Jewel of the Continent, it’s unsurprising that camping is among the best things to do in Glacier National Park. 

Staying in one of the many campgrounds in Glacier National Park, Montana, means early access to eye-catching scenery before the day-trippers roll in. Sleeping outside, under the crystal clear skies of Glacier with a lone wolf howling at a distance, is an excellent way of experiencing the park's abounding beauty. 

If you’re considering staying inside the park, we have an entire post on the best Glacier National Park Camping spots. The post also includes a backpacking checklist with essential items when planning a trip to Glacier National Park. 

What to Wear When Visiting Glacier National Park

Layers are key regardless of the length of your Glacier camping trip. Remember that you’ll be at a higher elevation where temperatures can fluctuate without warning. The trick is to ensure each layer works as it should without impeding your ability to move. 

At the very least, your Glacier camping checklist should have a base layer for proper heat retention and an outer layer for protection from the elements. The base layer should be smooth on your skin, odor-free, and breathable. Consider base layers made from synthetic materials like polyester, silk, wool, and bamboo fibers. 

Your mid layers are responsible for keeping you warm by adding on the insulation. These should be made of light, breathable, and dry-fit material like fleece. 

The outer layer is as important as the other layers as it protects you directly from rain, snow, and wind. Ideally, it should be breathable, waterproof, and windproof for maximum protection.

Explore Glacier National Park unhinged. Discover our selection of women’s hiking clothing and men’s outdoor wear made with the great outdoors in mind. 

What to Do and See in Glacier National Park

Start Your Trip at a Visitor Center

There are three visitor centers in Glacier National Park:

• Apgar Visitor Center (west side)
• Saint Mary Visitor Center (east side)
• Logan Visitor Center (Going-to-the-Sun Road between east and west entrance)

For a park covering over a million acres, you'll be glad to have a visitor center as your first stop. These three visitor centers are great places to get real-time information about Glacier National Park attractions, road conditions, wildlife sightings, and seasonal road closures. Remember to grab a map to get the most out of your trip. 

Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road

Driving the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road is considered one of the must-do activities in Glacier National Park and the US. This 50-mile engineering marvel starts at Apgar Village near Lake McDonald and climbs about 30 miles to cross the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (nearly 6500 ft above sea level) before descending 18 miles to the Saint Mary Visitor Center.  

What makes this trans-mountain highway unique are the breathtaking views as it meanders around alpine forests, glacial lakes, steep drop-offs, and a dangerous mountain pass.  

It takes around two hours to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road without stopping. But with more than 25 unreal viewpoints along the way, you may need at least five hours to soak it all. 

The secret to enjoying your trip on the Going-to-the-Sun Road is starting early, as it gets very busy. Also, remember to fuel and stock up on supplies before starting the trip.

From west to east, these 11 stops on Going-to-the-Sun Road should not be missed:

• Lake McDonald
• Trail of the Cedars
• Avalanche Lake
• The Loop
• Big Bend
• Logan Pass Visitor Center
• The Garden Wall
• Granite Park Chalet
• St. Mary Falls
• Sunrift Gorge
• Saint Mary Visitor Center

Ride the Famous Red Bus (Jammers)

Glacier National Park is the type of place where you want someone else to drive as you take in the beauty. Luckily, the famed Red Busses offer tours and scheduled transportation around the park. 

These long cars with a Rolls Royce-y look have been taking visitors up and down the Going-to-the-Sun Road since the 1930s. Part of their appeal is that the canvas tops roll back to allow for unobstructed views of tall peaks and big blue skies. You’re also provided wool blankets to stay warm and toasty throughout the trip. 

The 33 red buses in Glacier offer nine tours ranging in length from 2.5 hours to 9.5 hours. The longer tours are best if you want to tick off as many Glacier National Park must-see places as possible. Choose a shorter trip if you've already seen some things or are short on time. Tours begin from both sides of the park and cost $55 to $110. 

Go Deep into the Park on Boat Tours

Another way to experience the majesty of Glacier National Park is on a boat tour of its many glacial, alpine, and valley lakes. There are four scenic boat cruises in Glacier National Park: 

• Lake McDonald
• Saint Mary’s 
• Many Glacier 
• Two Medicine 

If you can only do one boat tour, we suggest the Many Glacier because you can see two lakes on one trip (Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine). Plus, the Many Glacier boat tour offers a great opportunity to see wildlife and Grinnell Glacier from the lake. 

Glacier National Park boat tours cost $16 to $60 per adult, depending on the area and the trip duration. Most tours last about an hour. Boat tour reservations in Glacier National Park are optional, but they are highly recommended as most of the tours often sell out. So, if this is on your list of must-do in Glacier National Park, it’s best to reserve your spot online beforehand. 

Go on a Hunt for Picture-Perfect Glacier Lakes 

For a park named after glacier ice, it's not surprising that chasing lakes is one of the best activities in Glacier National Park. The park is home to over 700 beautiful lakes, some easily accessible by car or hiking.

The lakes vary in size and elevation, but all of them are breathtaking. These beautiful water bodies allow for various recreational activities for the entire family, from boating to kayaking, swimming, and canoeing. The area around the lakes also serves as a starting point for some of the best hiking trails in the park. 

These are the ten must-see lakes in Glacier National Park:

• Lake McDonald
• Avalanche Lake
• Saint Mary Lake
• Hidden Lake
• Two Medicine Lake
• Bowman Lake
• Swiftcurrent Lake
• Lake Josephine
• Red Rock Lake
• Grinnell Lake

Explore the 6646 ft Logan Pass 

The majestic Logan Pass is a heavenly place sitting 6646 feet above sea level. Perched way above the tree line, this is the highest point reachable by car in the park, plus it’s where you cross the continental divide. 

Logan Pass is located deep in Glacier National Park, about 32 miles from the west entrance and 18 miles from the east entrance. This is a favorite stop among visitors owing to its stunning mountainscape scenery and the abundant wildlife that roams freely. Also, Logan Pass is where two of the most spectacular hiking trails in Glacier National Park start—the Highline and Hidden Lake Trails.  

The Logan Pass Parking Lot fills as early as 8 AM on summer mornings thanks to its views, which are worth dying for, and family-friendly trails. Plan to arrive by 7 AM to secure a parking spot for your car. 

Hike to Hidden Lake Overlook 

Consider this hike if you only have time for a short hike on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The Hidden Lake Overlook is easily one of the best hiking trails in Glacier National Park. 

This easy 2.8-mile boardwalk hike is perfect for the whole family. The trail starts behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center and meanders through marshy meadows and wildflowers, backdropped by majestic peaks.

Halfway through the hike, you reach a beautiful meadow where you'll likely spot some mountain goats grazing. So, keep your lens ready to go. The pinnacle of the hike is a small, wooden overlook area that allows panoramic views of Hidden Lake and the surrounding mountains.  

Hike the Highline Trail

If you’re seeking the best heart-pumping backcountry treks in Glacier National Park, try the famed Highline Trail. This nearly 12-mile point-to-point hike starts at Logan Pass and ends at the Loop on Going-to-the-Sun Road.  

A popular way to hike this trail is to park at the Loop, catch the free shuttle back to Logan Pass, and trek towards your car.  

If you aren't ready for a 12-mile hike, you can also hike the Highline Trail as an out-and-back trail. From Logan Pass, hike to Haystack Pass (3.6 miles away), take in the views from the continental divide, and then head back. 

Go Cliff Jumping at Saint Mary and Virginia Falls! 

Consider the Saint Mary Waterfalls Area hike for another one of what to see in Glacier National Park. This is one of the best family-friendly hikes in the park because it's generally moderate and has big rewards at the end.

The trail to St. Mary and Virginia Falls is on the park's east side along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It's about a 20-minute drive west from Saint Mary Visitor Center and roughly 1 hour 20 minutes from West Glacier.

There are two trailheads for this trail. Saint Mary's Falls Parking Lot will be the best starting point if you're driving. If you plan to ride the free shuttle, you'll want to start at the Saint Mary Falls Trailhead.

The hike is 3.7 miles long (out-and-back) and has an elevation gain of about 450 feet. From the parking lot, the hike starts going downhill, almost immediately taking you through a burnt forest before gradually descending to a footbridge fronting Saint Mary Falls. Virginia Falls is another mile uphill from here, but it's worth it for the views and the opportunity to see wildlife. Both waterfalls are excellent relaxing spots where you can enjoy the views, have some snacks, and even do cliff jumping if you feel adventurous.

Final Thoughts 

Glacier National Park is the place to go if you’re looking for an outdoor adventure! This incredible locale is one of the most irresistible national parks in the world, thanks to its pristine lakes, beautiful trails, rugged mountain peaks, and colorful wildflowers. Now that you know what to do in Glacier National Park, get your reservations in order and prepare for a breathtaking adventure!

Featured image by: Ron.