Glacier National Park
- WD - Home
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 5
National Park Travel Guide
A glacier is an alpine theater. Knife-edge ridgelines, turquoise lakes, and wildflowers that don't understand the word subtle. Mountain goats pose like influencers. When the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens, you glide across the spine of Glacier National Park with waterfalls, snowfields, and cliffs unfolding around every bend.
Known as the Crown of the Continent, Glacier is where waters flow to three different oceans.
How to Get There
FCA, the Glacier National Park International Airport in Kalispell, is the gateway for the west side, about 30 miles from West Glacier. Whitefish and Columbia Falls make easy base towns with gear shops and coffee that remembers you by day two. Amtrak's Empire Builder also stops at West Glacier and East Glacier for a throwback arrival. Peak season utilizes a timed vehicle reservation system for specific areas, so be sure to secure this before booking lodges and guides.
Nearest airport: FCA in Kalispell for West Glacier; MSO and GTF work in a pinch.
By car: US-2 flanks the south edge between West and East Glacier.
Reservations: Timed entry required for the West Entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork during daytime hours in 2025.
Know Before You Go
Glacier's timed-entry details shift year to year. For 2025, you need vehicle reservations for the West Entrance to the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. East-side access at St. Mary does not require a vehicle reservation, and a lodging or service reservation inside certain areas can double as your entry. Check the NPS page before you finalize dates.
Vehicle reservations: West Entrance GTTSR and North Fork, 7 a.m.–3 p.m., June–Sept windows.
Weather: Snow lingers at high passes into July; wildfire smoke can affect views late summer.
Wildlife: Bears are active. Carry a spray and know how to use it.
Best Time to Visit
The crowd-pleaser window is mid-July through early September when most trails and Going-to-the-Sun Road are fully open. June is lush and waterfall-rich, with lingering snow still up high. September brings crisp mornings and better odds of parking.
July–early Sept: Full access, busiest.
June: Lower trails are prime, while alpine trails are still snowy.
Late Sept: Quieter, golden larches on the west side.
Best Things to Do
Plan for a blend of iconic road time and trail time. Glacier's greatest hits can be packed into a long weekend if you give the park early starts.
Going-to-the-Sun Road: Scenic drive with stops at Logan Pass and Wild Goose Island.
Many Glacier Valley: Wildlife, lakes, classic hotels.
Lake McDonald: Evening reflections and boat tours.
Red Bus Tour: Vintage, open-air sightseeing.
Two Medicine: Underrated and less busy.
Best Hikes
Hidden Lake Overlook from Logan Pass (2.8 miles, easy-moderate): Boardwalks, goats, big payoff.
Highline Trail to Haystack Butte and back (7–8 miles, moderate): Wild exposure and nonstop views.
Avalanche Lake via Trail of the Cedars (4.6 miles, easy-moderate): Waterfall-fed lake in a glacial cirque.
Iceberg Lake from Many Glacier (9.6 miles, moderate): Turquoise water with floating ice into summer.
Places to Stay
Glacier is old-school hospitality meets wilderness. Decide whether to stay on the west side, the east side, or split your nights to reduce driving.
Historic lodges: Many Glacier Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge.
In-park options: Rising Sun, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, and campgrounds by reservation.
Gateways: Whitefish and Columbia Falls on the west; St. Mary and Babb on the east.
Places to Eat
Keep snacks handy, as distances are long and options are limited.
In park: Jammer Joe's at Lake McDonald, Grab-and-go at Rising Sun, Many Glacier Hotel dining room.
Gateways: Whitefish restaurants and breweries, St. Mary cafés for early starts.
