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Glacier National Park
Park Overview
Located along the Continental Divide in northwestern Montana, Glacier National Park protects more than one million acres of rugged Rocky Mountain wilderness filled with glacier-carved valleys, jagged peaks, alpine meadows, dense forests, waterfalls, and hundreds of pristine lakes. The park was officially established on May 11, 1910, when President William Howard Taft signed legislation creating the country’s 10th national park following years of efforts led by conservationists such as George Bird Grinnell, who sought stronger protection for the region from mining, homesteading, and development. Today, Glacier forms the heart of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem, one of the most ecologically intact areas remaining in the temperate world, and provides habitat for an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and wolves. The park’s centerpiece is the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road, a roughly 50-mile engineering marvel that crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and provides access to some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in North America. Other highlights include the turquoise lakes and towering peaks of Many Glacier, the remote wilderness of Two Medicine, the enormous Lake McDonald, and more than 700 miles of hiking trails leading to destinations such as Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook, Avalanche Lake, and the Highline Trail. Together with neighboring Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada, Glacier became part of the world’s first International Peace Park in 1932 and was later designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its dramatic mountains, remaining glaciers, abundant wildlife, historic lodges and chalets, spectacular hiking trails, and vast stretches of wilderness, Glacier National Park remains one of the most breathtaking and iconic landscapes in the entire National Park System.
Closest Airports
Kalispel/Glacier Park Int'l - 30 miles (45 mins) to West Entrance
Missoula Airport - 150 miles (3 hrs) to West Entrance
Great Falls Int'l - 150 miles (3.5 hrs) to East Entrance
Spokane Int'l - 275 miles (5 hrs) to West Entrance
Lodging
Visitors to Glacier National Park have several excellent lodging options within the park, allowing them to stay close to some of its most spectacular scenery and trailheads. On the west side, Lake McDonald Lodge is one of the park’s most iconic properties, a historic Swiss chalet-style lodge built in 1913 on the shore of Lake McDonald that offers traditional lodge rooms, cabins, suites, and other accommodations, along with restaurants, boat tours, and easy access to Going-to-the-Sun Road. Nearby Apgar Village offers additional accommodations at Village Inn at Apgar and Apgar Village Lodge, both conveniently located near the southern end of Lake McDonald and the West Entrance. On the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins provides motel-style rooms and rustic cabins near St. Mary Lake, making it a convenient base for exploring Logan Pass and the eastern half of the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor. In Many Glacier, the magnificent Many Glacier Hotel sits directly on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake beneath some of the park’s most dramatic mountains and provides immediate access to boat tours and several of Glacier’s premier hiking trails. Nearby Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins offers a more casual and generally less expensive alternative, with motel rooms and cabins close to trailheads for destinations such as Iceberg Lake, Ptarmigan Tunnel, and Swiftcurrent Pass. For an entirely different experience, hikers can spend the night at Sperry Chalet or Granite Park Chalet, Glacier’s two historic backcountry chalets, both of which can only be reached on foot and provide one of the most memorable overnight experiences in the park. Most lodging within Glacier operates seasonally from late spring through September, and rooms can fill extremely quickly during the summer season, so reservations should be made as far in advance as possible (a year ahead of time, if possible. Outside of the park, visitors will find vacation rentals, motels, and cabins, each with their own unique charm. Two of the better lodging options for visitors planning to spend most of their time in the Many Glacier area are Thronson’s Motel and Hook’s Hideaway, both conveniently located within approximately a 25-minute drive of the Many Glacier entrance. Those spending the majority of their time on the west side of the park can look to the town of Columbia Falls, where there are several hotels, motels, and rental properties.
Camping
Camping is one of the best ways to experience Glacier National Park, with 13 frontcountry campgrounds spread across the park’s different regions, ranging from large developed campgrounds to small, primitive sites in remote areas. Some of the most popular options include Apgar, Fish Creek, and Avalanche on the west side; St. Mary and Rising Sun along the eastern side of Going-to-the-Sun Road; and Many Glacier Campground, an especially convenient choice for hikers exploring the extensive trail system around Many Glacier. More secluded campgrounds such as Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake, and Cut Bank provide a quieter and more primitive experience away from the park’s busiest corridors. Most of Glacier’s larger campgrounds require advance reservations, while several smaller campgrounds remain first-come, first-served and can fill early during the busy summer months. Outside the park, visitors will find numerous private campgrounds, RV parks, cabins, and other camping accommodations around West Glacier, Coram, Hungry Horse, Columbia Falls, St. Mary, and East Glacier Park, along with additional campgrounds on the neighboring Blackfeet Reservation. Campers seeking a more primitive experience can also explore camping opportunities in the surrounding Flathead and Lewis and Clark National Forests, where developed Forest Service campgrounds and legal dispersed camping provide alternatives when Glacier’s campgrounds are full. Visitors should well-acquaint themselves with Glacier's ever-changing policies, especially campground reservations, as securing a campsite is very challenging due to popularity. It is not uncommon for the Many Glacier Campground to sell out within 60 seconds from when the reservation window opens.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Glacier National Park is generally July through September, when most park roads, hiking trails, lodges, campgrounds, and visitor services are open and the high country is largely free of snow. Glacier has an exceptionally short summer season, and visitors planning a hiking-focused trip should understand that Going-to-the-Sun Road does not have a guaranteed opening date; the alpine section over Logan Pass typically opens sometime between late June and early July depending on snowfall, avalanches, and plowing progress, while high-elevation trails such as the Highline Trail can remain snow-covered or closed even after the road opens. July and August provide the greatest access and generally the warmest weather, along with blooming alpine wildflowers, long daylight hours, and excellent hiking conditions, but they are also the busiest months, with popular parking areas often filling very early in the morning. September is arguably one of the best months to visit, offering cooler hiking temperatures, fewer visitors as the month progresses, active wildlife, and the beginning of fall color, although overnight temperatures become colder and some lodges, restaurants, campgrounds, and other seasonal services begin closing. Spring can be beautiful and relatively quiet, but snow often lingers in the mountains into June and many roads, trails, and services remain closed, while winter transforms Glacier into a snowy wilderness with extremely limited vehicle access and services. When planning a trip, visitors should also consider the park’s enormous size—Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Lake McDonald, and other areas can be hours apart by road—making it worthwhile to split a trip between the east and west sides rather than staying in one location. Parking, trail conditions, wildfire smoke, rapidly changing mountain weather, limited cell service, and wildlife safety should also factor into planning, and accommodations, campgrounds, boat tours, and other popular activities should be reserved well in advance. Access rules can also change from year to year; for 2026, vehicle reservations were not required anywhere in Glacier, but Logan Pass parking is limited to three hours from July 1 through September 7, and visitors beginning longer hikes from Logan Pass need to use the park’s ticketed shuttle system. For most first-time visitors hoping to experience Glacier’s famous hiking trails and Going-to-the-Sun Road, mid-July through early September offers the best overall combination of accessibility, weather, and available services.
Best Hikes
Highline - 12.5 miles+, 1,500'+ elevation gain (non-stop views, abundant wildlife, do not pass on the Grinnell Glacier Overlook)
Grinnell Glacier - 11.5 miles, 2,200' elevation gain (turquoise lakes, abundant wildlife, non-stop views)
Swiftcurrent Mountain - 17.5 miles, 3,900' elevation gain (historic fire tower with stunning 360-degree views)
Iceberg Lake - 10 miles, 1,500' elevation gain (abundant wildlife, turquoise lake)
Hidden Lake - 2.8 miles, 600' elevation gain (stunning for sunset, abundant wildlife)
More to Do
There is no shortage of things to do in Glacier National Park beyond hiking, and some of the park’s most memorable experiences require very little time on the trail. Driving the spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road is at the top of the list, carrying visitors roughly 50 miles through glacier-carved valleys and across the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, with numerous overlooks and scenic stops along the way. Visitors can also explore the park aboard one of Glacier’s historic Red Bus Tours or take a Sun Tour, which provides an interpretive experience of the landscape from the perspective of the Blackfeet Nation. Scenic boat cruises are offered on Lake McDonald, St. Mary Lake, Two Medicine Lake, and in Many Glacier, while canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and other watercraft can be rented in several developed areas for those who want to explore the lakes independently. Other popular activities include horseback riding, fishing, bicycling, wildlife watching, photography, picnicking, and rafting on the Middle and North Forks of the Flathead River. Glacier’s historic lodges are attractions in their own right, particularly Many Glacier Hotel and Lake McDonald Lodge, and seasonal ranger programs include evening presentations, historic hotel tours, cultural programs, and Native America Speaks events. After sunset, Glacier’s exceptionally dark skies provide outstanding opportunities for stargazing and astrophotography, with ranger-led astronomy programs typically offered during July and August at Apgar and St. Mary and occasional star parties held at Logan Pass.
Know Before You Go
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Vehicle reservations are not required. This is a major change from recent years. Visitors do not need a vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, or the North Fork, although normal park entrance fees still apply and areas can temporarily restrict access when parking reaches capacity.
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Going-to-the-Sun Road is highly seasonal. The entire 50-mile road typically doesn't open until sometime between mid-June and early July because enormous amounts of snow must be cleared from Logan Pass. Opening dates vary considerably from year to year, so early-summer visitors should never assume they'll be able to drive across the park.
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Logan Pass works differently from previous years. Parking at Logan Pass is limited to three hours beginning July 1, which is enough for shorter activities such as Hidden Lake Overlook but not longer hikes such as the Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet or The Loop. Longer-duration visitors should use the shuttle.
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The shuttle requires reservations. Glacier replaced its previous first-come, first-served Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle with a ticketed Logan Pass Shuttle. Tickets cost a $1 processing fee and are released partly 60 days in advance and partly the evening before. Service operates from the west side at Apgar Visitor Center and Lake McDonald Lodge and from the east side at St. Mary Visitor Center and Rising Sun.
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The shuttle doesn't take you everywhere. One particularly important 2026 change is that the park shuttle does not provide access to Avalanche Lake or Trail of the Cedars. Visitors heading there need to arrange their own transportation and parking.
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Parking fills extremely early. Logan Pass, Avalanche, Many Glacier, and other popular areas can become congested early in the morning during July and August. Even without vehicle reservations in 2026, arriving early remains one of the best strategies for accessing popular trailheads.
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Carry bear spray—and know how to use it. Glacier is home to both grizzly and black bears. Bear spray should be readily accessible on your hip or chest rather than buried inside your backpack. It is a last-resort defensive tool and should never be sprayed on yourself, your gear, or your campsite as a repellent.
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You can rent bear spray instead of buying it. This is especially useful for travelers flying into Montana because bear spray cannot be taken aboard commercial aircraft. Glacier Outfitters rents bear spray inside Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, conveniently located between the arrival gates and baggage claim. No reservation is required during normal hours, and advance reservations can provide after-hours pickup.
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Bear spray can also be rented inside Glacier. Glacier Outfitters operates another location in Apgar Village inside Glacier National Park, where visitors can rent bear spray and other outdoor equipment. Rentals can be returned at several locations, including Apgar Village, Glacier Park International Airport, Huckleberry Hut in West Glacier, and St. Mary Village Lodge on the east side.
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Make noise while hiking in bear country. Don't rely on bear bells. Talking, calling out periodically, and hiking in groups are more effective ways of avoiding surprise encounters, particularly around blind corners, dense vegetation, streams, and areas with limited visibility.
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Never approach wildlife. Glacier has grizzly bears, black bears, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, and other large wildlife. Animals that appear calm can become aggressive quickly, particularly if people approach too closely.
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Many Glacier is not close to West Glacier. Glacier is enormous, and driving between areas takes much longer than a map might suggest. West Glacier to Many Glacier can take roughly 2½–3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Plan individual days around specific areas rather than repeatedly crossing the park.
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Don't underestimate the elevation or weather. Logan Pass sits at 6,646 feet, and conditions can be dramatically different from those around Lake McDonald or St. Mary. Cold temperatures, high winds, rain, snow, and thunderstorms are possible even during summer.
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Snow can remain on trails well into summer. Going-to-the-Sun Road being open doesn't mean every trail is open. High-elevation routes such as the Highline Trail may remain closed because of hazardous snow even after Logan Pass becomes accessible.
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Afternoon thunderstorms are worth taking seriously. Exposed ridges, mountain passes, and alpine trails offer little protection from lightning. Starting longer hikes early in the morning gives you more time to get below exposed terrain if storms develop.
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Cell service is extremely unreliable. Download trail maps, driving directions, shuttle tickets, reservations, and other important information before entering the park. Save or print shuttle tickets because connectivity can't be relied upon.
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Going-to-the-Sun Road has vehicle-size restrictions. Vehicles or vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. Vehicles taller than 10 feet may also have difficulty with rock overhangs west of Logan Pass.
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Pets have very limited access. Dogs aren't permitted on hiking trails or in the backcountry. They're generally limited to developed areas, campgrounds, parking areas, and roads where vehicles are permitted.
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Bring food and water with you. Services vary significantly throughout the park and many trailheads have none. Even at Logan Pass, food and bottled water aren't sold; there is a water-bottle filling station when visitor facilities are operating.
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Wildfire smoke can affect summer visits. July through September can bring wildfires to Montana and the surrounding region. Even distant fires can produce haze or unhealthy air quality and dramatically reduce mountain visibility.
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Check trail status every morning. Trails can close with little notice because of bear activity, snow, wildfire, flooding, maintenance, or other hazards. This is particularly important for visitors planning their day around one specific hike.
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Have a backup hike. Wildlife closures, full parking lots, weather, snow, and road restrictions can derail even a carefully planned itinerary. Having two or three alternatives in the same area can save the day.
Visitor Center
Glacier National Park has three primary visitor centers, strategically located along the Going-to-the-Sun Road: Apgar, Logan Pass, and St. Mary. The Apgar Visitor Center, approximately two miles inside the West Entrance, is the main visitor center for the west side of Glacier and a convenient first stop for visitors staying around West Glacier and Lake McDonald. Rangers provide maps, trip-planning assistance, trail and road information, and updates on current conditions, while the facility also offers exhibits, a bookstore operated by the Glacier National Park Conservancy, Wi-Fi, drinking water, restrooms, and ranger-led programs. Apgar is generally open daily from mid-May through mid-October, with limited weekend openings possible during the remainder of the year; its restrooms remain open year-round. The Logan Pass Visitor Center sits at 6,646 feet along the Continental Divide at the highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It features indoor and outdoor exhibits about Glacier's subalpine environment, wildlife, geology, and changing climate, along with ranger assistance, a bookstore, drinking water, restrooms, and immediate access to the Hidden Lake and Highline trails. Because Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed across the mountains during winter, Logan Pass Visitor Center operates only during the summer and early fall, and parking here is extremely competitive. The St. Mary Visitor Center, just inside the park's East Entrance near St. Mary, serves as the primary visitor center for Glacier's east side. In addition to ranger assistance, maps, a bookstore, Wi-Fi, drinking water, restrooms, and shuttle service, St. Mary contains particularly worthwhile exhibits exploring the connections between Glacier's landscape and the region's American Indian tribes. The 15-minute park film Land of Many Journeys is shown throughout the day, and the auditorium hosts programs including the park's Native America Speaks series. St. Mary is generally open from late May through early October and closes for winter. Glacier's other major areas—including Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and the North Fork/Polebridge area—do not have full-scale visitor centers, although ranger stations, wilderness permit offices, and other seasonal facilities provide limited visitor services in some of these locations. Because Glacier is enormous and its different regions can be separated by lengthy drives, visitors should not assume they will pass a visitor center during every day of their trip; Apgar and St. Mary are particularly useful places to stop early in a visit for current information on roads, trails, wildlife activity, weather, and closures.