What to Do in Glacier National Park + One Week Itinerary

Glacier National Park is located in northern Montana, just south of the Canadian border. It is often referred to as the “crown of the continent,” and it’s not hard to see why. Glacier is some type of beautiful that is hard to even explain. It’s full of stunning views at every turn, unparalleled hiking, and wildlife galore. This post will outline the best things to do in Glacier, and includes a one week itinerary to make your travel planning a breeze!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Basics for Planning Your Trip
Where to Stay in Glacier
Itinerary Overview
- Day One
- Day Two
- Day Three
- Day Four
- Day Five
- Day Six
- Day Seven

GLACIER QUICK GUIDE:

Planning a last minute trip? Here’s the top-rated tours, accommodations, and transportation options to help make planning your trip quick and easy!

Glacier Vehicle Reservation Pass: Click here.

WHERE TO STAY IN Glacier:

West Glacier | Village Inn at Apgar, Lake McDonald Lodge, Under Canvas , Triple G Resort

St Mary’s | Many Glacier Hotel, Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins

The Basics for Planning Your Trip to Glacier

Vehicle Reservation System

The vehicle reservation system can be a little frustrating if you don’t plan ahead. Given the amount of visitors Glacier sees each year, and the short window of time to visit the park fully open, there is a reservation system to be able to drive your car into the park between the hours of 6AM and 3PM throughout the summer. There are three separate passes you can purchase for $2.00 per day: Going-to-the-Sun, North Fork, and Many Glacier.

There are two ways to get a reservation: book 120 days in advance, or buy a remaining reservation (very limited quantity) the day before you need it.

Buying 120 days in advance makes it much easier to snag a pass. They are released 120 days in advance on a daily rolling basis at 8AM Mountain Time. You will need a pass for each day of your trip, so make sure to login to recreation.gov as soon as the passes are released for the day you need them. It helps to have already made an account in advance so that doesn’t slow down your checkout process.

If you’re buying next day reservations, they go live at 7PM Mountain Time on the day before you need them. You’ll also buy these at recreation.gov.

If you weren’t able to get vehicle passes, don’t worry. You can still enter the park before 6AM and after 3PM each day. Just know that if you enter before 6AM, you won’t be able to leave the park and come back before 3PM, so I highly recommend you plan in advance and try to get the vehicle reservations. You can check the NPS website for regular updates on this program.

How to Get to Glacier National Park

The best way to get to Glacier really depends on where you’re traveling from. If you’re within driving distance, absolute take your own car to save on costs! I assume that most of you are traveling from much farther away, so I will list nearby airports below.

Glacier Park International Airport (30 miles west of the West Entrance)
Missoula International Airport (150 miles south of the West Entrance)
Great Falls International Airport (130-165 miles from St. Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier)
Bozeman International Airport (330 miles south of West Glacier)

Both times that I visited Glacier, I flew into Bozeman and rented a car at the airport. It’s a little over 5 hours of driving to get to the park from the airport, but I’ve found it much cheaper to find flights this way (especially if you’re looking to use points).

Tips for Flying with Points + Miles

As always, when booking flights within the US, I always look for airports close to the destination that Southwest flies into. This is because I typically travel with one other person, and using my Companion Pass, we only have to pay for one flight! I typically pay for my flight with Rapid Rewards points then book my travel partner’s flight using the companion pass. This way, we only have to pay for the fees which brings the total of flying two people from my hometown of Birmingham, AL to Bozeman, MT a whopping $11.60.

I’m sure this sounds ridiculous and too good to be true, and sometimes I question how Southwest continues to offer this perk, but I’ve been traveling this way for four years now! The Companion Pass doesn’t just show up with the snap of your fingers though; you have to earn it each year. You’re required to earn 135,000 Rapid Rewards OR fly 120 one way flights within a calendar year to qualify for the pass. It sounds a lot harder than it is, though. I typically earn the points by using the Southwest branded credit card through Chase! Between sign on bonuses, paying monthly expenses, and booking hotels through the Southwest website, I have been able to keep this perk! Stick around for more details coming on getting started with points and miles!

When to Visit

While you could visit Glacier National Park 365 days a year, there is a much shorter window of time where you can expect all accommodations, trails, and roads to be open. Most businesses and services remain closed from early October through late May.

Plowing winter snow can take two to four months. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, the main road that runs through the park, isn’t typically fully open until late June or early July. It usually stays open through the third Monday in October, weather permitting.

In order to get the most out of your visit and have the best chance of getting to see everything in this itinerary, I recommend visiting from mid-July to mid-September! Keep in mind, though, July and September weather can vary greatly in the higher elevations in the park, so it’s a little more “risky” to book your trip during those months. I have visited in mid-July and in early/mid-August. In July 2022, the Highline Trail was closed, and there was still lots of snow near Logan Pass. I had perfect weather in mid-August 2024!

How Long to Spend in Glacier National Park

I highly recommend spending at least a week here, but you won’t want to leave, trust me. Lots of people spend only a couple of days in Glacier as part of a larger Yellowstone/Grand Teton itinerary. Don’t get me wrong, any amount of time you spend in the park is worth it, and you can see a few highlights in a couple of days in the park. BUT some of the best views are out on the trails, so I recommend taking some time to hike a few and really take in all that Glacier offers. I could spend the entire summer here and not get bored!

Getting Around Glacier

I definitely recommend renting a car to explore Glacier National Park! This allows you the flexibility to get out early and avoid the crowds. There is a free shuttle that is available along the Going-to-the-Sun road, and it’s nice to use if you end up having to park further away from a trailhead, but I personally still enjoy the flexibility of having my own car to get around!

Where to Stay in Glacier National Park

There are lots of great places to stay in and around the park, but they book up very quickly! Make sure to plan early and lock in those reservations, especially if you’re looking to stay inside the park.

For this itinerary, you could stay in one place and make day trips to the other side of the park when needed, or you can split your time between the West Glacier and the Many Glacier/St. Mary sides of the park. I stayed on the West side of the park for the duration this trip because I planned it last minute, and lots of accommodations were already booked up on the east side. It worked out perfectly fine, but just know that you’ll spend a lot of time on the road (~1.5 hours one way to the other side of the park). You probably won’t care too much since the drives are so stunning, though. I’ll recommend some places to stay below!

West Glacier (Itinerary Days 1-3 if Splitting)

Inside the Park: Village Inn at Apgar, Lake McDonald Lodge
Park Campgrounds: Apgar, Avalanche, Fish Creek, Sprague Creek
Columbia Falls (15 mins from the West Entrance)
Whitefish (35 mins from West Entrance)
Glamping Nearby: Under Canvas , Triple G Resort

Many Glacier/St. Mary (Itinerary Days 4-7 if Splitting)

Inside the Park: Many Glacier Hotel, Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins
Park Campgrounds: Many Glacier, St. Mary’s
Babb (10 mins from St. Mary Entrance, 15 mins from Many Glacier Entrance)

Best Places to Visit in Glacier National Park

If you’re like me, it’s easiest to see where everything is on a map before planning a trip. I have created a Google Map with all of the locations in this Glacier National Park itinerary to help you with planning. Make sure to save it for offline use for when you’re in the park without cell service!

Day One: Travel and Stock Up

Use this day to travel from home to your accommodation near the West Entrance of Glacier National Park. Once you arrive, use the afternoon to stop by the grocery store and stock up on the necessities. I highly recommend having plenty of snacks on hand to pack for long hiking days. There are restaurant options in the park, but it’s always nice to save a little cash and make some of your own meals as well.

Get checked into your hotel, and if there’s time, you can drive into the park! Grab a photo by the park sign of course, then head to Glacier National Pizza for some dinner! There are some cute shops around this area with souvenirs as well. If you’re itching for a little glimpse of the park before sunset, head over to Lake McDonald to take in the views there! Make sure to get in bed early and rest up for a full day of adventure.

Day Two: Highline

Hike the Highline Trail

The Highline Trail is an extremely popular hike (for good reason) in Glacier National Park. It leaves from the Logan Pass Visitor Center and follows the Garden Wall ridge. The trail boasts incredible views throughout the entire hike, and you’ll have the option to hike the short (but steep) side trail to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook. There are three options for completing this hike.

The first (and most popular) option is to leave from Logan Pass, hike to the Granite Park Chalet, then down to the Loop. You will then need to take the shuttle back to your car at Logan Pass. The second option is to hike it as an out and back from Logan Pass. This option saves you from the steep descent down to the loop, but it also adds an additional 3 miles and a good bit of elevation gain to the total hike. The third option is to hike in to the chalet and stay the night there (reservations required in advance) then hike back out the next day.

We hiked it as an out and back, but just know that it’s likely much easier to hike one way and down to the Loop. By the time we got back to the car, we had clocked 17 miles for the day.

Stats from Logan Pass to the Loop: Length: 12 miles | Elevation gain: 1,532 feet | Difficulty: Hard

If your legs are feeling up for a steep push, hike the Grinnell Glacier Overlook trail just before you get to the chalet! It’s beautiful at the top, but just be prepared for a HARD 0.6 mile climb up and back down to the Highline Trail.

St. Mary Falls

After an epic hike to start the trip, you’ll likely be hot and tired. I have the perfect fix for you. Head to St. Mary Falls for a coldddd dip! You can jump in and swim here, and it’ll make you feel brand new! It’s a short walk out to the falls and relatively flat. The falls are definitely worth a stop during your trip to Glacier! Once you leave St. Mary Falls, head back to your accommodation, eat some dinner, and get some rest!

Day Three: Going-to-the-Sun Road + Hidden Lake

After a long day of hiking, you’ll likely want a day to rest your legs. This is the perfect time to explore the famous Going-to-the-Sun road! Get an early start to get ahead of the crowds, and pack lots of snacks for the journey. I’ll list a few of my favorite roadside stops below!

West Glacier National Park sign
Apgar Visitor Center
Lake McDonald
McDonald Falls
Trail of the Cedars (can skip this if you’re hiking Avalanche Lake later)
Weeping Wall
Big Bend
Logan Pass Visitor Center
St. Mary Falls
Wild Goose Island
St. Mary Visitor Center

Take your time and enjoy all of the stops! Really slow down. Don’t just stop in the pullouts and look. Walk down and soak your feet in the river, stop for a snack with a view that you love, go on every little hike from the pullouts. Soak it all in! This road is incredible, and it might just be one of your favorite days of the trip!

Hike Hidden Lake Overlook at Sunset

Hidden Lake Overlook Trail in Glacier National Park

This is the most bang-for-your-buck hike that I’ve ever been on. Truly, it’s so beautiful the entire way (and the way back), and it doesn’t require a ton of effort or time! It’s perfect for a sunset hike because you can catch the golden colors and still make it back to the car before it’s too dark to see. Don’t miss this hike on your trip, trust me!

The trailhead is behind the Logan Pass Visitor center. You shouldn’t have to worry too much about parking there this time, though. There’s usually a lot more available spots at sunset compared to sunrise because most of the hikers on the Highline trail have started to clear out.

Hidden Lake Overlook Stats: Distance: 2.7 miles | Elevation: 550 feet | Difficulty: easy

After your hike, make your way to your new accommodation on the east side of the park if you decided to move hotels mid-trip. If not, head back to West Glacier and rest up for another hiking day!

Day Four: Grinnell Glacier

Grinnell Glacier Trail in Glacier National Park

Hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail

If you only do one hike in the park, make it this one. It’s truly hard to choose a favorite hike in a place with so many great ones, but if I have to, it’s Grinnell. The views are breathtaking throughout the entire hike. You’ll walk by Swiftcurrent Lake (insane at sunrise), Lake Josephine, Grinnell Lake, and finally up to Grinnell Glacier. There is a really good chance you’ll see some wildlife as well. Think a storybook type of hike with a side of wild huckleberries, and that’s Grinnell Glacier.

Grinnell Glacier Stats: Distance: 10 miles | Elevation gain: 2,050 feet | Difficulty: Hard

Make sure to get to the parking lot early. We arrived around 6:45 AM and got one of the last two spots. There is some additional parking down the road, but that’s limited as well. Leave early to account for driving extremely slowly down a rough gravel road to get to the trailhead.

If you’re looking to cut a few miles off of the hike, you can take the boat tour across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine on the way out and the way back. The only issue with doing this is that the first boat doesn’t leave until 8:00 AM, so it prevents you from getting an earlier start. My recommendation would be to hike the full distance on the way in then take the return trip on the boat! You must have reservations in advance and can book those here.

If you decide to take the boat both ways, you will need to park at the Many Glacier Hotel where the boat leaves from. If you’re just taking the return trip, I recommend getting off the boat after you cross Lake Josephine then walking the rest of the trail to your car at the trailhead. The other option would be to park at Many Glacier Hotel and walk to the trailhead to start the hike in the morning so that your car is where the boat would drop you off if you cross both lakes on your return.

For people who aren’t up for a longer hike, a round trip boat ride and stroll around Lake Josephine would be a great way to still see some of this area!

Enjoy a Relaxing Evening

If you’re staying on the east side of the park, plan for dinner at one of the restaurants in the St. Mary’s area! If you’re like me and love some food with a view, grab take out in St. Mary’s and drive back into the park from the east side on the Going-to-the-Sun Road to a pullout and enjoy your dinner with a view.

If you’re driving back to the west side, look into stopping to see Two Medicine Lake on your drive back! I wish I would have had time to spend more time in this area. I’ll definitely be back!

Day Five: Day Trip to Waterton Lakes National Park

Visit Waterton Lakes National Park

Do you sense a theme here? Long hiking day followed by some scenic driving to rest up! Hop in the car and make your way to the Canadian border! The border crossing was super easy. You just needed to present your passport and answer a few questions then were good to go. Make sure not to bring any fruit like oranges with you, though.

Did you know that Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park make up the world’s first International Peace Park? Pretty cool, right? Here’s a list of things to do while resting your legs. There are some good hikes here, but a rest day was much needed.

Visit the Prince of Wales Hotel (can enjoy afternoon tea)
Relax at Cameron Lake
Check out Cameron Falls
Walk around Waterton (very cute little town with good food)
Drive Red Rock Canyon
Drive Akamina Parkway
Hike Bear’s Hump (if your legs are up for it)

Big Bend for Sunset

After exploring Waterton, drive back into Glacier National Park through the St. Mary’s entrance and enjoy another trip on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. We were driving back to our accommodation on the west side of the park, so this was on the way for us. If you’re staying on the east side of the park a this point in your itinerary, you can absolutely still go this! Big Bend is right in the middle of the park near Logan Pass, so it’s a doable sunset spot regardless of where you’re staying.

Big Bend is one of my favorite views in the park, and it’s accessible to everyone! It’s just on the side of the road. There’s a good bit of parking and space to pop up a chair or throw down a blanket for a picnic dinner. Enjoy a sunset with the view above!

Bonus: A Glacier Gift

Wow. I still can’t believe this happened. While we were watching the sunset at Big Bend, we were chatting with some people who told us that the KP index was supposed to be really high this night. Not going to lie, I really did not believe I would see the aurora in the summer in Montana especially after not seeing her during our trip to Norway in February. But boy, was I in for a treat!

We waited until around 10:30 PM then drove to Lake McDonald since it’s looking north. We walked out to the lake from the car, looked up, and there was a ribbon of green in the sky! That small ribbon of green soon turned into such a show. There was a meteor shower happening at the same time, and I’m seriously just still in awe.

You can keep an eye out for a chance to see the Northern Lights by downloading the Aurora app!

Day Six: You Choose

For your last day in the park, I’ll give you some recommendations and let you choose how to spend it!

Option One: Our original plan was to hike Iceberg Lake or Cracker Lake which is perfect if you decided to stay on the east side of the park for the last half of the trip. Iceberg was closed due to bear activity, and Cracker Lake was posted for bear frequenting. This in addition to the tired and sore legs led us to skip these hikes until next time. I have heard they are both incredible, so if you’re feeling up for it and the trails are open, this is the perfect place in the itinerary to send it!

Option Two: Spend the day at Two Medicine Lake. It’s a great place to relax, hike, and even get out on the water in a canoe! I can’t wait to spend more time in this area on my next trip to Glacier.

Option Three: The activities detailed below was our Plan B, but it ended up being the perfect day. That’s the thing about Glacier. It’s really, really hard to have a bad time, haha. This option is perfect if you stayed on the west side the whole trip.

Spend a Morning in Whitefish

Whitefish is about 35 minutes from the West Glacier entrance. It famous for skiing in the winter, but it’s worth a visit in the summer months as well! It’s a cute little mountain town with lots of shops and food! I recommend spending the morning walking around the town then grabbing brunch at Amazing Crepes!

Hike to Avalanche Lake

I’ve done this hike twice, and it was a completely different experience the second time around! The trailhead is actually the same as the famous Trail of Cedars, so you’ll get to see both! It’s a very popular trail and fairly easy, so you can expect to see a good amount of other people. Most other people stop and turn around at the beginning of the lake. Keep going! The trail clears out a lot, and once we got to the other side of the lake, we were all alone for long stretches of time.

We hung out by the lake for hours eating snacks, wading in the icy water, and watching for animals. We saw a beaver swim across the lake, get out and find a limb, then swim back across the lake with it! A deer walked past us as well.

It was such a serene and calm afternoon. We even got a short little rain shower which somehow made the experience even better. This place was such an unexpected surprise and a great way to end our time in Glacier!

Day Seven: Travel Home

It’s always such a bummer to leave, but wow what an incredible week! Use this last day to travel back to Bozeman (or wherever your chosen airport is) and fly back home. You can use your time on the plane to plan your next trip back!