Planning a trip to Glacier National Park can be tricky. It is not like other parks where you can just drive in and figure it out. The season at Glacier is short, and the park is absolutely huge. It’s over one million acres, which means everything will take longer to get to than you think.
I truly love this place, but you need a plan. Hotels that say they are close to Glacier really aren’t that close. It’s far too easy to spend too much of your vacation in the car, wasting hours driving back and forth because you did not understand the map.
Don’t let that be you. You want to see the huge mountains, the waterfalls, and bears from a safe distance without feeling overwhelmed by long drives.
I have visited Glacier many times. Yes, there are going to be crowds in peak season, but there are tricks for avoiding some of the crowds.
Here are three different potential plans.
- 3 Days: The main highlights.
- 5 Days: The explorer route.
- 7 Days: The complete experience.
Executive Summary: What You Must Know First
If you are in a rush, read this part.
- The Park is Split in Two: There is a West side and an East side. The West side by Lake McDonald is green and full of trees. The East side by St. Mary’s is rocky and has big, dramatic peaks.
- Driving Takes a Long Time: It takes at least 2 hours to drive from one side to the other without traffic, but there’s almost always going to be some traffic in the summer.
- You May Need a Reservation: The reservation system is always changing. In 2025, you could not just drive into the park in the summer. 2026 will be different with new parking restrictions and shuttles. As of this blog publication, details are still TBD.
- Off-Season isn’t That Easy: Off-season is great for avoiding crowds in many parks, but the main attractions of Glacier, including the Going-to-the-Sun Road, are closed most of the off-season.
- Bear Spray is Smart: This is grizzly bear country. You should carry bear spray on every hike.
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The Geography of Glacier
To plan a good trip, it’s really helpful to understand the map of the park. The park is split down the middle by a huge wall of mountains, which is the Continental Divide.
West Glacier (Lake McDonald): This is the main entrance, which is lower in elevation and closer to the airport in Kalispell.
East Glacier (St. Mary & Many Glacier): This is where the epic views are. The mountains shoot straight up from the ground, and you might even think you are in Switzerland. It’s the best scenery in the park.
The Road Between Them: There is only one road that connects the West and East. It is the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, which winds up and over the mountains.
The 3 Day Highlights Itinerary
This plan is for families who don’t mind waking up early to see the most famous spots quickly.
Day 1: The Going-to-the-Sun Road
Today you will drive the most famous road in America.
Morning: Start at the West Entrance. Stop at the crystal-clear Lake McDonald Lodge for a quick photo, including the colorful rocks at the bottom.
Mid Day: Drive up the mountain to Logan Pass, which is the highest point of the road. The parking lot fills up really fast, but new parking restrictions in 2026 may help. Generally, the lot is full by 9 AM. Mountain goats often hang out near the parking lot.
Afternoon: Drive down the east side to St. Mary Lake. Take a boat tour or hike to the bright blue waterfall at St. Mary Falls.
Evening: Have dinner in the town of St. Mary.
Day 2: Many Glacier
This is my favorite part of the park. It’s just stunning and why I prefer to stay on the East Side of the park.
Morning: Drive to the Many Glacier entrance and keep your eyes open for bears and moose.
The Hike: If you can hike 7.8 miles, go to Grinnell Lake. If that’s too long, no worries. You take a boat from the Many Glacier Hotel across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine to shorten the hike to 1.8 miles round trip. The lake is so milky turquoise that it doesn’t even look real.
Afternoon: Relax on the deck of the historic Many Glacier Hotel and enjoy the amazing view from the deck.
Day 3: Two Medicine
This area is quieter, south of St. Mary. For serious hikers, consider the Highline Trail from the 7-day itinerary instead.
Morning: Rent a boat at Two Medicine Lake and enjoy the perfect reflection of the mountains in the water.
The Hike: Take the short and easy walk to Running Eagle Falls. It is also called “Trick Falls,” as water comes out of a hole in the rock.
Evening: Drive back to your hotel and rest.
The 5 Day Explorer Itinerary
If you have five days, you can slow down and visit the quiet corners of the park.
Day 4: The North Fork and Polebridge
This is a wilder area in the northwest corner of the park.
The Drive: You have to drive on a dirt road to get here. Make sure your rental car can handle bumps.
The Bakery: The Polebridge Mercantile is an old bakery famous for huckleberry bear claws. Get there early before they sell out. What exactly is huckleberry? They are most often compared to blueberries, but they have a distinctive taste. You’ll find huckleberry everything (pie, jelly, ice cream) in Montana, and you should try it all!
The Lake: Drive to Bowman Lake and enjoy this peaceful lake away from the crowds.
Day 5: Relax and Float
After four days of exploring, your legs will probably be tired.
Morning: Rent a paddleboard, kayak, or rowboat at Lake McDonald and enjoy the calm morning water.
Afternoon: Go whitewater rafting. Guided half-day trips in West Glacier are the perfect way to experience white water. It’s Class II and III rapids, which are perfect for families. The later in the summer, the tamer the water will be. You’ll get amazing views of the park and some thrills on the water.
The 7 Day Complete Itinerary
With a full week, you can see everything without rushing and even venture over to the Canadian side of the Rockies.
Day 6: The Highline Trail
This is for the hikers. If your family likes to walk, this is the best trail in the park. For serious hikers who don’t have a complete 7-day trip, I’d recommend this over Two Medicine.
The Details: It starts at Logan Pass, which is high above the valley floor. You are walking along a cliff edge with endless views. The full trail is 15.1 miles, but you can go as far as you want and turn around. There is no epic endpoint. The whole trail is epic, so don’t feel like you need to do it all.
Day 7: Waterton Lakes (Canada)
Did you know Glacier connects to Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada?
The Trip: Bring your passports and drive north across the border. Enjoy a restful day after your Highline Trail adventure.
The Hotel: Visit the Prince of Wales Hotel, which sits on a hill overlooking a huge lake. It’s a beautiful place for a fancy afternoon tea.
Where to Stay
Choosing a hotel can be the hardest part of planning this trip, but your options also depend on how far in advance you plan.
My number one recommendation is staying on the East Side of the park, in St. Mary. There aren’t a lot of options here, and they book up quickly, but it’s a fantastic location near the best scenery in the park. Believe it or not, St. Mary’s Village is actually a more central location than some of the in-park options.
Inside the Park
Staying inside keeps you close to the action, but also books up far 9-12 months in advance.
- Many Glacier Hotel: This is the best spot if you can get in.
- Lake McDonald Lodge: A classic cabin-style hotel on the west side.
- Swiftcurrent Motor Inn: This is less expensive and great for hikers, but just as hard to get a reservation if you aren’t planning far in advance.
Outside the Park
If the park hotels and St. Mary’s are full, look at the West Side. West Glacier is the closest town to the park entrance. Great Northern Resort and West Glacier Cabin Village provide more upscale cabin options, and the Belton Chalet is a more traditional chalet hotel experience.
There are a few smaller, more affordable motels and cabins in Coram and Hungry Horse that are still well located close to the West Glacier entrance, including the Evergreen Motel, Timber Wolf Resort, and Mini Golden Inns Motel.
Columbia Falls and Whitefish will add additional driving time every day, but you’ll find a lot more last-minute options here. And a broader selection of restaurants and grocery stores. Hotels.com is a great place to find options for your particular dates.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Sleeping In. If you want a parking spot at a trailhead, you can’t sleep in. You need to be there by 7 AM. If you arrive at 10 AM, you could be driving in circles for hours.
2. Forgetting Warm Clothes. Even in July, it can be cold. It might snow at Logan Pass in the summer. I’ve seen completely snow-packed trails in July. Bring a jacket and a hat.
3. Ignoring Bear Safety. Bears are real here. I’ve been uncomfortably close to a bear while walking on a well-traveled trail. Generally, they will ignore you if you ignore them, but remember this is not a zoo. Unprovoked attacks are very, very rare, but they do happen. I actually have a former classmate who was attacked. It was on a backcountry trail on a multi-day hike, and he survived because he did exactly what he was supposed to.
- Make noise when you walk. Clap your hands and shout, “Hey Bear!”
- Never hike alone.
- Carry bear spray on your belt, not inside your backpack.
- If the bear doesn’t retreat and you can’t get to the bear spray in time, get into a fetal position and play dead. Don’t try to outrun or fight them. You won’t win.
4. Not Bringing Food. There are very few places to buy food inside the park. Bring sandwiches, water, and snacks for the whole day. Pro-tip: Buy a disposable cooler or ship a cheap Amazon one to your first hotel room.
5. Trusting GPS. Your phone will not work in most of the park. Download the maps before you leave your hotel.
Best Time to Visit
The season at Glacier is very short.
July and August. This is the best time, but also the most crowded. It’s the warmest Glacier gets, and everything should be open.
September. The crowds leave after Labor Day. The weather is cool and crisp, but even in September, snow can close the roads early.
June. This avoids crowds but can be risky. The Going-to-the-Sun Road might still be covered in snow, and you could miss the best part of the park.
FAQ: Questions I Get Asked a Lot
Is Glacier good for kids?
Yes! There are easy trails and amazing scenery right from your car. Most kids love playing in or on the water, or even just throwing rocks in the lakes.
Do I really need bear spray?
Yes. Think of it like a seatbelt. You hope you never use it, but you need to wear it. You can rent it at the airport or in the park if you do not want to buy it.
How many days do I need?
I recommend at least 3 days. If you try to do it in 1 day, you will just be driving the whole time.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on the trails. They can only go where cars can go, so I’d recommend leaving them at home for this trip.
Stop Researching and Start Dreaming
Planning a trip to Glacier can feel like a big homework assignment. Trying to figure out where to stay and how to map out activities based on hotel locations and availability is stressful.
I can build a custom plan for your family that tells you exactly where to go each day and what to do each day based on your interests and activity level. I’ll figure out the parking rules and shuttle systems, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Want to sleep in? We can figure out a way to make it happen. Do you love water activities more than hiking? We can plan for that.
Let’s plan your trip
Set up a free consultation or tell us about your trip to get a quote.
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