I love Glacier. It’s one of the most spectacular places on the planet. As such, there’s no shortage of incredible things to do in Glacier National Park. And since I’m not one for small talk, let’s get to it. Here’s a list of my favorite Glacier National Park activities based on first-hand experience.
Glacier National Park Timed Entry Permit
TIMED ENTRY PERMIT: To access Going-To-The-Sun Road (a must), the Polebridge Ranger Station, West Entrance, St. Mary Entrance, and the Camas Entrance entrance, you MUST first obtain a timed-entry ticket.
These permits can be obtained up to 60 days in advance and typically go up on the site starting in March. The cost is $2 per vehicle, and the ticket is good for 7 days. Entry Tickets are only required for the Going to the sun Road between the hours of 6am-5pm.
5 Quick Things to Know Before Visiting Glacier National Park
- The entrance fees to Glacier are $25 per vehicle from November 1 through April 30. Otherwise, it’s $35 per vehicle. If you have the interagency pass, America the Beautiful, you won’t have to pay a fee. The once-a-year $80 fee gives you access to more than 2,000 public lands.
- Mobile service is spotty at best. Bring a Glacier National Park Guidebook and or a map of the Glacier to help during your trip.
- The Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park is during the summer months when the park is fully open. The best months are July – September, when the trails are mostly clear of snow, and the park is teeming with wildflowers and wildlife.
- Drive times in the park can be deceptively long as navigating roads in the mountains takes more time. Distances that are relatively short via crow flight can take hours to complete based on existing roads.
- Consider taking the Glacier National Park shuttle service, which operates seasonally on Going to the Sun Road, instead of taking a car to lighten your footprint on the park and eliminate the stress of driving.
Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park
Table of Contents: Things to Do in Glacier National Park
Things to Do in Glacier National Park
Table of Contents: Things to Do in Glacier National Park
- Glacier National Park Timed Entry Permit
- 5 Quick Things to Know Before Visiting Glacier National Park
- Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park
- Top 10 Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park
- Top 15 Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park
- More Helpful Tips for Visiting Glacier National Park
- Summary of the 10 Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park
- Map of Things to Do in Glacier National Park
- FAQ Things to Do in Glacier National Park
Visiting Glacier National Park? Here’s my favorite hotel for the park.
1. Drive Going to the Sun Road
Widely considered one of the most beautiful drives in the world, Going to the Sun Road is approximately 50 miles long and will take you about 2 hours to drive (depending on traffic conditions). The road itself spans the width of Glacier National Park. The traditional route starts at the Apgar Visitor Center near the West Entrance and goes up to Logan Pass (6,646 feet) at its height before heading back down on the other side of the continental divide to the Saint Mary Visitor Center.
I typically like to minimize my time inside the car in national parks but given what an incredible feat of engineering and how iconic this drive is (and the fact you basically have to drive it to get to most of the best things to do in Glacier National Park), driving Going to the Sun Road is non-negotiable.
Need to brag to your friends about your trip or convince some folks in your party to add this drive to your list of things to do in Glacier National Park? Here’s some stats to throw at them.
Fun Facts About Going to the Sun Road
- Going to the Sun Road is one of the most difficult roads to plow in North America, taking up to ten weeks to complete.
- The park has equipment that can move 2 tons of snow per hour.
- Up to 80 feet of snow can be present on Logan Pass during winter.
- Construction took about 11 years to complete (1921 – 1932).
- The total cost for the construction of Going to the Sun Road was $2.5 million.
- The road is named for Going to the Sun Mountain.
- Going to the Sun Road was one of the first National Park Service Projects designed specifically to accommodate cars.
2. Visit Many Glacier & See Swiftcurrent Lake
No list of things to do in Glacier National Park would be complete without Swiftcurrent Lake. Chances are high that you’ve seen countless photos of this area. It’s one of the most visually striking parts of the park with some of the most dramatic mountains peaks reflecting in crystal clear lakes. Personally, it’s my favorite part of Glacier National Park. It feels the most like what I expected prior to visiting Glacier.
If you’re into hiking, you’re in luck. Many of the most popular hiking trails originate in the Many Glacier area including:
- Grinnell Glacier Trail
- Continental Divide Trail
- Grinnell Lake
- Cracker Lake Trail
- Swiftcurrent Pass Trail
Many Glacier Hotel is located here (one of the most beautiful of its kind in America), with a dining room and lobby open to the general public (more on this below).
- Boat Tours & Rentals: Visitors can take scenic boat tours in Swiftcurrent Lake ($35/adult & $17/children) and/or rent kayaks, canoes, & rowboats for around $20/hour.
- Camping: Many Glacier Campground is one of the most popular and sought-after in the park. There are 110 sites, 22 of which are able to be reserved, the rest being first come first served. Given the massive demand you can imagine what it’s like getting one of these coveted spots.
Interested in hiking at Glacier? Check out my article: 15 Incredible Hikes at Glacier National Park
3. Visit Lake McDonald & Apgar Village
My first exposure to Glacier National Park was seeing a stunning photo of a lake with unbelievably clear water & multi-colored rocks that looked fake. That lake was Lake McDonald and the rocks are real and every bit as beautiful in person as they are in the photos. Naturally, walking down to the shore and touching these rocks for myself was one of the most memorable things I did on my first visit to Glacier National Park .
Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park, located on the west side of the park, just four minutes driving from the West Entrance Station. How big? Try 10 miles long, more than a mile wide, and 472 feet deep at its deepest.
On the southern end of Lake McDonald is one of the parks main hubs – Apgar Village. At Apgar, you’ll find a host of amenities and conveniences including a backcountry permit office, campground, a few hotels, visitor center, cafe, gift shop, and more.
- Boat Tours & Rentals: Visitors can take scenic boat tours of Lake McDonald ($23/adult & $11/children) and rent paddleboards ($15/hour), kayaks ($23/hour), rowboats ($23/hour), and motorboats ($30/hour).
- Camping: There are 3 campgrounds located on Lake McDonald including Apgar Campground, Fish Creek Campground, & Sprague Creek Campground. They fill up extremely fast and frankly are not nearly large enough to meet demand.
If you plan on camping in Glacier make sure to reserve a campsite as early as possible or have a solid plan B. Around Lake McDonald there are a growing number of conveniences including a coffee shop, dining room, and lodges.
4. Hike to Grinnell Glacier (Before it’s Completely Gone)
For many folks (myself included) hiking to Grinnell Glacier was right near the top of my list of things to do in Glacier National Park. The photos are amazing but the trail is a butt-kicker to say the least. If you’re up for a hardy hike with a lot of elevation gain then the world’s your oyster here. Unlike some hikes, the reward for reaching the top feels worthwhile. All seems right with the world up there (except for the glacier itself which, of course, is dying).
- Distance: 11.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2200 feet
- Time Required: 6 – 7 hours
- Difficulty: Strenuous
You can start the hike one of two ways. Option 1 – start at the official trailhead next to the Many Glacier Ranger Station. Option 2 (my recommendation) – take the boat on Swiftcurrent Lake to Lake Josephine, followed by a second boat that drops you off on the far side of that lake which cuts off 3.5 miles round trip.
At the very least you could book a one-way ticket on the way back when your legs will be more than ready for a break. Once on the far side of the lake the elevation begins and doesn’t stop until you reach Grinnell Lake where the best scenery begins to come into view.
Waterfalls, wildflower meadows, turquoise waters, and if you’re unlucky some unbelievably aggresive mosquitoes. Finally you’ll reach the Grinnell Glacier viewpoint with incredible views of what’s left of this once mighty, and now greatly reduced, ice flow.
5. The Trail of the Cedars
The Trail of the Cedars is a short and easy hike located just north of Lake McDonald on the Going to the Sun Road that’s good for all age groups, The trail is a short, mile-long loop featuring a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk and massive red cedars over 80 feet tall.
- Distance: 1 mile
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Time Required: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
The Trail of Cedars is a family activity one one of the best things to do in Glacier National Park for folks with mobility challenges. Bears are occasionally seen from the trail, so keep your eyes peeled! Parking at the trailhead is limited, and the trail is popular, so depending on availability, you might have to loop, wait, or keep in the arsenal for the way back!
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park
6. Hike to Hidden Lake
If you’re looking for some amazing views without having to do a really crazy hike, might I suggest adding Hidden Lake to your list of things to do in Glacier National Park. Some of the best Glacier National Park photos come from the beautiful Hidden Lake Trail. Reaching the panoramic vistas of Hidden Lake makes this moderately challenging hike totally worthwhile.
- Distance: 5.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1350 feet
- Time Required: 2.5 – 3.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging
Starting at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, hikers will ascend the Hidden Lake Trail through beautiful wildflower meadows. There will be lots of other hikers on this trail (unless you get there really early in the morning). Some folks just hike the 1.5 miles or so to Hidden Lake Overlook, where the best views (and photos) are observed. Take a minute to realize where you are once you reach this epic point before deciding whether you’d like to double your hike or head to the next one!
7. See the Epic Panoramas at Logan Pass
The wildflower displays at Logan Pass alone are worth adding this hike to your list of things to do at Glacier National Park. Outside of the Pacific Northwest (thinking Rainier & Mount St Helens), these are some of the most impressive displays of wildflowers I’ve ever seen. Endless carpets of yellow, pink, magenta, & purple blanket this area in a dazzling display of mountain magnificence.
At 6,646 feet, Logan Pass is the highest point on Going to the Sun Road. I recommend visiting Logan Pass early in the morning as the sun begins to grace the mountains for epic photography opportunities with far fewer visitors and great chances to see wildlife on the move.
I recommend getting to the Logan Pass Visitor Center parking lot close to sunrise and popping onto the Hidden Lake Trail (top pick) or the Highline Trail for however long you want to go.
8. Hike to Avalanche Lake
I can smell the alpine scents wafting from here! If you’re familiar with Maroon Bells in Colorado, I’d say Avalanche Lake is similar in grandeur. Crystal blueish-green hues come through this shallow lake making for a tremendous scene. Combine that beautiful water with the epic surrounding mountains then make it relatively easy access and what do you get? Crowds.
- Distance: 6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 750 feet
- Time Required: 2 – 3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate – Challenging
Avalanche Lake is one of the most popular (and often overcrowded) things to do in Glacier National Park but not to fret. Wake up early enough, and you’ll have it practically all to yourself. The trailhead for Avalanche Lake is located near Lake McDonald at the Trail of the Cedars parking lot, sharing the same start as that hike. After you’ve passed the Trail of Cedars section, the trail begins to climb along Avalanche Creek with increasingly beautiful scenery all the way up to the lake, where the trail levels out.
9. Visit Saint Mary Lake
At 10 miles long covering a surface area of nearly 4,000 acres, Saint Mary Lake is the park’s second largest lake. Visiting makes for one of the most popular things to do in Glacier National Park. Approaching the lake from the Saint Mary Visitor Center can be familiar to fans of The Shining as it was this road along the lake that was used as in film’s eery opening scene.
- Boating: Visitors can take Boat Tours around the lake with rates at $35 for adults & $17 for children.
- Camping: The Rising Sun Campground is the only one located on Saint Mary Lake. The campground’s 84 sites go for $20/night and are strictly first come, first served.
Did you know there are actually 10 National Park Units in Montana?
10. Camping at Glacier National Park
For me, I typically don’t really feel like I’m out in it until the tent’s pitched and the campfire’s lit (when allowed). This makes camping one of the most essential things to do at Glacier National Park. Good news and bad news here. Glacier National Park has 13 front country campgrounds featuring 1,012 campsites. Sounds like a lot! But trust me when I say sites fill up FAST.
The good news is there are six campgrounds at Glacier that operate strictly on a first come first served basis meaning everyone has a chance of getting one if they show up early enough. I recommend scoping out which one you’d like to stay in beforehand and arriving
The rest are reservation only which I think is ridiculous. I’m a firm believer that every campground should have at least some percentage of sites available to folks who show up that day. But until I make the rules, this is what we’ve got.
- Campground Fees: Campsite fees range from $15 – $23, with $20 being the average
- Pets are allowed in front country campgrounds but must be leashed at all times. They are not allowed on trails.
- Ranger Programs are available nightly during Summer in the Apgar, Fish Creek, Rising Sun, St. Mary, Two Medicine, & Many Glacier campgrounds.
Campgrounds in Glacier National Park
- Apgar Campground – 194 sites / reservations
- Avalanche Campground – 87 / first come only
- Bowman Lake Campground – 46 sites / first come only
- Cut Bank Campground – 14 / first come only
- Fish Creek Campground – 178 sites / reservations
- Kintla Lake Campground – 13 sites / first come only
- Logging Creek Campground – 7 sites / first come only
- Many Glacier Campground – 109 sites / reservations
- Quartz Creek Campground – 7 sites / first come only
- Rising Sun Campground – 84 sites / first come only
- St. Mary Campground – 148 / reservations
- Sprague Creek Campground – 25 sites / reservations
- Two Medicine Campground – 100 sites / first come only
Top 15 Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park
11. Wildlife Viewing
If you’re into wildlife viewing, there are few parks in the world with better opportunities to spot incredible creatures than Glacier National Park. While the park is known the world over for its mountain goat population and grizzly bears, there are many other amazing animals you can see here. Getting the opportunity to observe these animals in their natural habitat is easily one of the most amazing things to do at Glacier National Park.
Popular Wildlife in Glacier National Park
- Badger
- Beaver
- Bighorn Sheep
- Bison
- Black Bear
- Bobcat
- Coyote
- Elk
- Grizzly Bear
- Lynx
- Marmot
- Mountain Goat
- Mountain Lion
- Moose
- Mule Deer
- Pika
- Pronghorn
- River Otter
- so many more…
12. Check Out Many Glacier Hotel
- Room Rates: Regular rooms go for $155–$260, while suites go for $320–$350
Once known as the “Gem of the West,” the historic Many Glacier Hotel is an incredible site to behold on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake in Glacier National Park. From the outside, the hotel is quite large and remarkably beautiful. Many Glacier Hotel is modeled in the Swiss Chalet style, allowing visitors to imagine for a moment that they have somehow been transported to the Alps.
That was the idea anyway as the hotel was part of a greater strategy implemented by the Great Northern Railway to encourage folks to use their services to get to this area they referred to as the “American Alps.” If the outside of this hotel is remarkable, the inside is just as amazing, with a giant lobby and dining room. Since it’s open to the general public, I highly recommend popping into the dining room for a bite.
13. Spend a Day at Two Medicine
Two Medicine is the least visited of the main regions in Glacier National Park primarily because how distant it is from the more popular parts of the park. In my opinion, this is what makes visiting Two Medicine one of the best things to do in Glacier National Park – escaping the crowds. That’s not to say it will be empty, but certainly, you’ll find fewer visitors in this southeastern corner of the park than in Many Glacier, Lake McDonald, & Going to the Sun Road.
I highly recommend hiking to Scenic Point, Pitamakan Pass, & Running Eagle Falls for some epic views while you’re in the area.
- Getting to Two Medicine requires a 90-minute drive from Apgar, a one-hour-long drive from St Mary, and a 90-minute drive from Many Glacier.
- Boating: Visitors can take a boat tour of Two Medicine Lake with rates at $23/adult & $8/child. Kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and motorboats are available for rent at Two Medicine Lake with prices ranging from $19 – $30 per hour.
14. See Bowman Lake
At 7 miles long and a half mile across, Bowman Lake is the third largest in Glacier National Park and yet far less visited than the other large of the lakes in the park. Similar in grandeur and beauty to Lake McDonald with similarly colored rocks blanketing the bottom, Bowman Lake is one of Glacier’s hidden gems. Boating is allowed on the lake, although there are no tours or rentals available. Fishing is allowed in the lake as well.
- Getting here: The drive to Bowman Lake is about 90 minutes or so from the West Glacier Entrance down a dirt road which requires some slower, more methodical driving.
- Camping: Bowman Lake Campground has 46 sites, all of which are first come, first served only.
15. Go Backpacking in the Backcountry
Backpacking into the backcountry of Glacier National Park is one of the most authentic experiences to be had in the park and one of the few surefire ways to escape the crowds. There are over 700 miles of trails to explore in Glacier, with a large percentage of these falling into the backcountry category.
There is a backcountry permit office located at Lake McDonald for interested parties with rangers eager to share their extensive knowledge of these lesser-traveled areas. Hole-in-the-Wall, Ptarmigan Tunnel, and Stoney Indian Pass. For more helpful information be sure to visit the Glacier National Park backcountry page.
More Helpful Tips for Visiting Glacier National Park
Getting to Glacier National Park
Closest Airport to Glacier National Park: Kalispell, MT (MSO) – 2 hours 40 minutes (140 miles)
I recommend flying into Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), renting a car, and making the roughly 30-minute drive up to the West Glacier Entrance. If there aren’t any affordable flights into Missoula, you can try Spokane, Helena, & Bozeman.
If you plan on road-tripping out and are still looking for some inspiration/ideas, be sure to check out our Best National Park Road Trips article!
About My Travels Glacier National Park
Visiting Glacier National Park was a long bucket list item for me. I researched extensively before visiting Glacier National Park for the first time. Did I drive the entire Going to the Sun Road on Google maps before going? No comment. I can tell you that Glacier National Park is way more beautiful in person than in photos, even some of the spectacular ones that are out there these days.
Glacier National Park is one of the grandfathers of the national parks system and continues to stand the test of time as one of the best national parks in the US. This exceedingly beautiful mountainous park and its jaw-dropping vistas make other park overlooks seem tame by comparison.
Check out the Flathead National Forest too!
Interested in seeing Glacier without the crowds? Located right next to Glacier National Park is the equally stunning Flathead National Forest which sees a tiny fraction of the visitation. Situated in the northwestern corner of Montana, the Flathead National Forest comprises 2.4 million acres of dramatic mountain beauty. In the wild heart of the Flathead lies over 1 million acres of pristine wilderness.
Lynx, grizzly bears, timber wolves, and a vast and diverse array of other wildlife call the Flathead home. With over 1 million acres of wilderness, 2,600 miles of hiking trails, 250 species of wildlife and 22 species of fish, the Flathead National Forest truly has something for everyone.
Summary of the 10 Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park
- Going to the Sun Road
- Swiftcurrent Lake
- Lake McDonald (pretty rocks)
- Grinnell Glacier
- Grinnell Lake
- Trail of the Cedars
- Logan Pass
- Avalanche Lake
- St Mary Lake
- Camping
- Wildlife Viewing
- Many Glacier Hotel
- Two Medicine
- Bowman Lake
- Backpacking
Map of Things to Do in Glacier National Park
FAQ Things to Do in Glacier National Park
The top things not to miss at Glacier National Park are Going to the Sun Road, Many Glacier & Swiftcurrent Lake, and Lake McDonald.
You could spend a week at Glacier and not see it all. If you can manage, then stay at least 3 days. In one day, you can see the top 3 attractions at Glacier on a surface level.
The best month to visit Glacier is July but expect big crowds. If you want to skip the crowds then try late August or early September.
Tips for Visiting Glacier National Park (or any national park)
Permit Systems and Reservations
Check to see if the national park you’re visiting has a permit or reservation system in place before visiting. As parks become increasingly crowded, more has to be done to safeguard them, which means controlling the hundreds of millions of people who visit these places each year. New reservations at Glacier National Park in 2024 warrant reviewing and planning ahead for summer months at Many Glacier, Going-to-the-Sun Road (West), and North Fork.
Want Less Crowds? Try a National Forest!
Try visiting a national forest while you’re on your trip to avoid the crowds. There are 155 national forests in America, many of which are equally as beautiful as the national parks they neighbor and only see a fraction of the visitors.
For example, try the Flathead National Forest next to Glacier National Park, the Bridger-Teton next to Grand Teton, and the Dixie, which borders nearly all of the Utah National Parks.
Practice Safety, Seriously
National parks are amazing but wild places, so it is essential to practice basic safety while visiting them. Every year people die while vacationing in national parks. This is easily avoided by:
- Sticking to trails
- Checking the weather before going out on a hike
- Maintaining a safe distance between wildlife, which means at least 25 yards from most wildlife and 100 yards from predators
- Avoid ledges with steep drop-offs
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I visited glacier national park 22 years ago highway 2 when I got there I never wanted to leave it’s the most beautiful place I’ve seen in America and I’ve visited more than half the states all in car trips. So peaceful clean and clear truly a piece of Heaven on earth. Though I was moving to the west coast I never wanted to leave this breathtaking mountainous area and I have wanted to return a million times since. I recommend it to all who truly love the beauty of this great land. Please visit and please pack out everything you pack in with respect to this beautiful land. My most sincere heartfelt feelings of overwhelming joy came from visiting this awesome land and I’m certain you’ll feel it too. Vickie little dear of the Mohican and Ottawa tribes and among others Canadian tribes I’ve not yet finished trying to locate in my families histories. Thank You for allowing me to share. Granddaughter of Mariah
Thanks so much for sharing! What an amazing story. Glacier is truly a special place and we are all lucky to have it preserved 🙂
Best,
Will