Glacier National Park is an incredibly special place and deserves to be on your USA bucket list. In fact, after visiting all 50 states and 40+ US national parks, I think Glacier is the most beautiful place in the entire country.
Glacier National Park encompasses about one million acres and was established in 1910. The park is home to glaciers (although many have melted), mountains, alpine lakes and forest. It’s also full of wildlife and it’s not uncommon to see grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and more.
This incredible park is popular for good reason, and you’ll want to plan ahead for your visit. This Glacier National Park itinerary is flexible and offers lots of options for spending anywhere from one to six or more days in the park and nearby. It’s based on my experience visiting Glacier National Park 3 separate times.
Things to Know Before Visiting Glacier National Park
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Reservations are required for some areas of Glacier during certain times of year. The exact requirements change every year. For 2025, reservations will be required to enter the West side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork. They will be in effect from June 13th to September 28th between 7 AM and 3 PM.
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Both black bears and grizzly bears live in Glacier National Park. While you’re hiking, it’s really important to carry bear spray in case you encounter one. If you don’t want to buy it, there are places where you can rent since you cannot bring it on an airplane.
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Glacier is extremely popular! I recommend booking your hotels and rental cars early, especially if you’d like to stay inside the park.
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Glacier National Park charges a fee to enter. It costs $35 per private vehicle for a week. If you’re visiting multiple national parks over the course of a year, it probably makes sense to purchase the America the Beautiful national park pass, which costs $80.
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The Guide Along audio tour is a great way to learn about the park as you drive around! The tour costs $20 and is meant to play offline as you drive around. Or if you’re traveling to multiple national parks, you can save money with their bundles.
The Perfect Glacier National Park Itinerary (1 to 6 Days)
This itinerary is designed for any length visit from one day to six days! I focus on exploring a different area in or near the park each day. If you enjoy longer hikes, I recommend spending multiple days in some of these areas and spending one or more days of your trip doing those epic and difficult trails.
Glacier National Park Itinerary - Day 1
If you only have one day in Glacier National Park, you should spend it driving Going-to-the-Sun Road. It is the most iconic area of the park! You can enjoy the various viewpoints, partake in hikes along the way, or both.
Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road
As long as the road is open, this is the top thing I recommend that everyone does when they visit Glacier National Park! This 50-mile stretch of road is incredibly scenic and often said to be the most beautiful drive in the United States. During the drive, you’ll ascend up about 3,000 feet and enjoy views of lakes, mountains, waterfalls and more. If you’re lucky, you might see some wildlife as well.
Personally, I recommend driving Going-to-the-Sun at sunrise or sunset if you can! It’s beautiful to see the colors change in the sky.
Things To Know About Driving Going-to-the-Sun Road:
- Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet cannot drive between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. As I mentioned above, a reservation is required to drive Going-to-the-Sun road (if you enter from the West side) between 7 AM and 3 PM. Personally, - I recommend entering earlier anyway in order to watch the sunrise and/or get an early start on popular trails.
- On the higher portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road, there are a few areas where you’re close to huge drop offs. However, I personally don’t think it’s overly scary at any point.
- It’s not uncommon to see wildlife on the roads! Be sure to drive the speed limit and stay alert for the safety of both the animals and yourself.
- Make sure to park in designated areas. There are pull-outs in many areas for you to enjoy the views.
When it comes to where to stop while driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road, that depends on if you want to hike or just take in the views.
A few incredible (and popular), moderate day hikes to consider are Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake and St. Mary, Baring and Virginia Falls. Avalanche Lake is a 6-mile trek that leads to a large, blue-green lake in front of mountains. Along the way, you can see brilliant blue water flowing through a canyon.
The Hidden Lake Overlook leaves from Logan Pass. This area has a visitor center as well. It sits at a higher elevation (so snow lingers longer) and offers some of the most iconic views in the park. You can hike the overlook (2.7 miles) or continue from there to the lake itself if it’s open. It is often closed due to bear activity. It’s quite common to see bighorn sheep and mountain goats along this trail, so make sure to keep your distance.
The hike to St. Mary, Baring and Virginia Falls offers views of 3 beautiful waterfalls along Saint Mary Lake.
A few of the best views and overlooks on Going-to-the-Sun road include Lake McDonald, the Weeping Wall, Oberlin Bend overlook, Jackson Glacier Overlook and the Wild Goose Island Lookout.
Pro Tip: Use the GuideAlong audio tour for history, geology and stop suggestions as you drive around the park.
And finally, if you’re up for a longer hike, the Highline Trail is one of the most iconic trails in the park. It leaves from Logan Pass, just like the Hidden Lake trail. The entire trail is about 15 miles, but even just hiking the first couple miles offers some amazing views.
The Highline Trail follows along the side of the mountain, above Going-to-the-Sun Road, and provides a stunning look into the canyon and the surrounding mountains. And if you’re up for an even bigger challenge, you can add on the Garden Wall Trail and see Grinnell Glacier from above.
If you only have one day in Glacier National Park, this is the area I recommend you explore! Whether you hike several miles or just enjoy the scenic drive, it’s a beautiful part of the park.
Glacier National Park Itinerary - Day 2
If you only have two days in Glacier and want to explore another area of the park, I recommend spending one day driving Going-to-the-Sun, and the next day in the Many Glacier area of the park. Below are a few ways to spend a day in Many Glacier.
Visit Many Glacier
The Swiftcurrent area of Many Glacier will be closed during the summer of 2025 due to construction. This means the amount of parking in the area will be essentially cut in half. If you’re visiting during 2025, I recommend getting there very early or planning alternatives.
Many Glacier refers to an area in the northern part of Glacier National Park. This area is especially known for epic, longer hiking trails, such as the hikes to Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, Cracker Lake and more.
If you’re not up for a long and hard hike, a few options in Many Glacier include taking the Many Glacier Boat Tour, enjoying the views and architecture at the Many Glacier Lodge or taking the short hike to Fishercap Lake (it’s common to see moose here!).
If you’re up for a longer hike, here are some of the best day hikes in Many Glacier:
- Grinnell Glacier: 10 miles, rated hard. This popular trail leads you to a view of Grinnell Glacier!
- Iceberg Lake: 9.6 miles, rated moderate. Hike to an alpine lake were several icebergs floating on the surface!
- Cracker Lake: 12.8 miles, rated hard. Hike to a stunning, bright blue lake surrounded by mountains.
- Ptarmigan Tunnel: 10.6 miles, rated hard. Hike up to a tunnel through the mountain, which leads to a fantastic view.
- Swiftcurrent Pass: 13.7 miles, rated hard. Hike up a mountain pass with many views of lakes and mountains along the way.
If you enjoy hiking, you may want to return to Many Glacier several days in a row in order to enjoy multiple of these epic hikes. If you’re not a hiker, you may want to skip this area altogether, or spend a half day.
Glacier National Park Itinerary - Day 3
If you have 3 days in Glacier, I recommend heading up to the North Fork area of the park to see Bowman Lake and Polebridge Mercantile! This might not take an entire day, so I recommend some things to do at Lake McDonald (that don’t require a reservation) as well.
Visit North Fork
North Fork refers to a quiet and somewhat remote area of Glacier National Park. It is best known for Bowman Lake, which often has still water with a perfect reflection. If you’re a hiker, you can hike along Bowman Lake on a 13.5 mile trek. Or you can just relax next to the water, as there is a beach area.
The road to reach Bowman Lake is long, narrow and unpaved and there isn’t a ton of parking when you arrive. This is likely a large reason that there is a reservation system in effect for this area.
Eat at Polebridge Mercantile
If you’re visiting North Fork, do not miss visiting Polebridge Mercantile nearby. This iconic restaurant, general store and bakery is well known for its incredible pastries. This inviting spot draws you in with its red bricks and huge, white lettering. In my opinion, you won’t be disappointed by the pastries.
The most famous item is probably the huckleberry bear claw, but they also have many other options too. I personally loved the mango jalapeno rollie! In addition to the sweet and savory pastries, they also have sandwiches, pizza and more. It’s a neat place!
Explore Around Lake McDonald
If you have more time to explore, one great option for the rest of your day is to return to the areas of Lake McDonald that do not require a reservation. You could spend the afternoon kayaking on the crystal-clear water. There are options to rent kayaks or paddle boards on a first-come, first-serve basis. I rented from Glacier Outfitters.
Or, if you’re looking for a short and peaceful hike, Rocky Point is a great option. This easy hike leads to a great view overlooking the water. Plus, you can see huckleberries growing along the trail during the right time of year (mid-July).
The Best Restaurants near Glacier National Park
This is a great night to venture out to a cool restaurant near the park or in one of the nearby towns. Here are a few places I’ve enjoyed:
Josephine’s Speakeasy: This romantic spot is perfect for date night! It’s a distillery specializing in small-batch whiskeys, but they also have a food menu using locally grown ingredients during the summer. I loved the crispy potatoes, mushroom risotto and sweet peppers, plus the cocktails were fantastic.
Sacred Waters Brewing Company: For something a bit more casual, Sacred Water Brewing Company is a great place to enjoy local brews, live music and pub food. I thought that the pineapple curry bowl was delicious.
Jersey Boys Pizzeria: This classic pizza spot in downtown Whitefish is a great casual spot to enjoy pizza and brews. The jersey buns are divine!
And here a few places to go for coffee, breakfast or dessert: Sweet Peaks Ice Cream, Canyon Critter Coffee, Knead Cafe and Copper Mountain Coffee (try the “moonshine!”)
Glacier National Park Itinerary - Day 4
If you’ve already explored some of the more popular areas of the park, it’s time to branch out into what might be the most underrated area of Glacier. Here is how I recommend spending 4 days in Glacier National Park.
Visit Two Medicine
Two Medicine is a peaceful area in the southeast part of the park. Much like the rest of the park, this area is home to large lakes, waterfalls and beautiful mountains. I’m not sure why it tends to be less popular - I assume because of its distance away from the main areas of the park. Two Medicine Lake is located 1.5 hours away from Apgar Village (the start of Going-to-the-Sun Road).
This area may be less visited, but it’s just as beautiful. Here are some of the best things to do in Two Medicine:
- Reserve a spot on the boat tour of Two Medicine Lake. You can choose to be dropped off by the boat and enjoy hiking trails from the opposite side of the lake. I highly recommend hiking to both Twin Falls and Upper Two Medicine Lake if you’re looking for a moderate trail.
- Hang out next to Two Medicine Lake and/or rent a kayak to explore.
- Enjoy many other hiking trails in this part of the park, such as Scenic Point, Aster Falls and Running Eagle Falls.
It’s well worth spending a day in Two Medicine if your Glacier itinerary allows.
Glacier National Park Itinerary - Day 5
If you’re able, a day trip across the border is an epic way to spend your 5th day in the area!
Explore Waterton Lakes in Canada
If you have another day to explore and don’t want to revisit any areas for more hiking, one option is to head up to Canada! Waterton Lakes National Park is located right across the border and essentially the sister park of Glacier.
Of course, you’ll need a passport and if you’re renting a car, check the rules on crossing international borders.
Tip: The international border is typically open between 7 AM and 10 PM.
Waterton Lakes National Park is much smaller than Glacier National Park, so it’s easier to see it in a day.
A few of the best things to do on a day trip to Waterton Lakes include:
- Hiking Bear’s Hump, a short yet steep trail that leads to an epic view.
- Take a boat tour to Goat Haunt. This means that you’ll technically cross the border back into the US. After being let off the boat, it’s worth hiking up to the Goat Haunt Overlook.
- Take a scenic drive. You can drive Akamina Parkway scenic drive over to Cameroon Lake and enjoy the various types of scenery along the way.
The border crossing is located about 2.5 hours from Apgar Village (the main entrance of Glacier National Park), so you’ll be doing a lot of driving if you choose to take a day trip to Waterton.
Glacier National Park Itinerary - Day 6
If you feel like you’ve already seen a lot of the park, your 6th day is a great time to explore the towns outside of the national park, nearby state parks or do an activity such as white water rafting. Or, if you’re really into hiking, you might spend it doing another long hike in an area like Many Glacier. It’s up to you and your travel style!
Explore near Glacier National Park
Here are a few things I recommend doing near Glacier National Park:
- Go on a white water rafting excursion. Activities range from a half day scenic float to a multi-day adventure, so this is a fun activity for the experienced and new rafters alike. It’s a great way to enjoy the scenery from a different perspective! Some operators to look at include Glacier Raft Company and Wild River Adventures.
- Visit Flathead Lake, the largest lake in Montana! The lake is surrounded by multiple state parks that offer hiking, swimming, camping and more. I enjoyed both Wayfarers State Park and West Shore State Park, which are located on opposite sides of the lake.
- Visit Whitefish Lake. City Beach is right on the edge of town and a great location to launch a kayak or swim. A bit further up the shoreline, Les Mason State Park is a beautiful place to swim (they also have a dog beach!)
- Enjoy huckleberry pie. If you haven’t already, make sure to enjoy some huckleberry pie today! It’s touristy, but I love the Huckleberry Patch in Hungry Horse. It’s also neat to see the Hungry Horse Dam.
When to Visit Glacier National Park
The timing of your visit to Glacier National Park is very important! If you want to drive the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road and enjoy the popular hiking trails without a lot of snow, there’s a pretty short season when this is possible. Typically, the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens in late June or early July, so I recommend planning your trip after that. At the end of the season, the Going-to-the-Sun Road usually closes sometime in October.
If you want to avoid snow, I recommend visiting in August or early September. Mid to late July is great too, but some snow many lingering at the higher elevations. However, that’s not to say you can’t have an amazing experience during other times of year.
In May and June, you may be able to bike the Going-to-the-Sun road before it is open to cars. This is a great opportunity to experience the park before it gets crowded. In October, you can enjoy striking fall foliage throughout the park. If you’re willing to deal with some not-ideal weather and want to avoid the crowds, visiting in fall or spring may be a great choice.
The winter months bring cold temperatures, but this means that it’s a good time to participate in activities like skiing and snowshoeing around the area.
Where to Stay in Glacier National Park
There are many options when it comes to where to stay when you visit Glacier. If you can plan far ahead, it would be a great choice to stay inside of the park. There are several park lodges, including the Lake McDonald Lodge, the Many Glacier Hotel and more. It can be hard to snag these reservations, be sure to check the website to see when they go on sale.
There are many more options of convenient lodging outside the park.
For somewhere unique, stay in a cabin at ROAM Beyond. This is a beautiful place to glamp and enjoy nature.
For somewhere affordable in a great location, I liked the Mini Golden Inns Motel in Hungry Horse. The amenities are nothing fancy, but the distance from the park is very convenient.
For something more luxurious, check out the Good Medicine Lodge in Whitefish.
Other great, mid-range hotels near the park include the Hampton Inn & Suites in Whitefish, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Kalispell or the Best Western Plus in Kalispell.
In the end, I feel like you can’t go wrong with looking for hotels, campgrounds or Airbnbs in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Hungry Horse or inside of the park. There are many different hotels and accommodations to meet your needs.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Glacier itinerary helps you plan an epic national park vacation! From hiking to alpine lakes, to driving by countless scenic vistas, to kayaking to enjoying bear claws, this part of the US has so much to offer. This is such an incredibly special national park, and I hope you have an amazing time exploring here.
For More US National Park Guides, check out these blogs:
- How to Spend 2 Days in Rocky Mountain National Park
- How to Spend 2 Days in Zion National Park
- The Ultimate Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip
- The Best Things To Do in North Cascades National Park
- How to Spend 3 Days in Yellowstone National Park
- How to Spend 2 Days in Grand Teton National Park
- How to Spend 3 Days in Acadia National Park
- The Perfect Badlands and Black Hills Itinerary for South Dakota
- A Guide to Backpacking at Isle Royale National Park
- The Perfect Itinerary for Death Valley
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