If you are picturing Glacier National Park as a hiking destination, yes, there are incredible hikes. But some of the best Glacier experiences aren’t on a trail.
There’s wildlife watching, historic Red Jammer tours, scenic boat rides, horseback riding, fishing, rafting, kayaking on crystal-clear lakes, and some of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country. The number one attraction is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and as the name implies, it’s a road, not a hike.
Glacier is actually one of the best national parks for non-hikers because so many of its iconic experiences happen from the road, on the water, or with a guide. Here are some of the best things to do in Glacier National Park beyond hiking.
Going-to-the-Sun Road: The Ultimate Glacier Scenic Drive
There is no other road in America quite like the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Fifty miles of engineering marvel carved into the face of a mountain. It starts from Lake McDonald on the west side, up through waterfalls and hanging valleys, over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass at 6,646 feet, and down to the dramatic scenery of the east side at St. Mary. It is stunning from beginning to end, and the entire thing is drivable in a regular car.
If you’re driving yourself, consider a self-guided driving audio tour that narrates the engineering feats of the Three Arches and the stone tunnels, points out the best pullouts before you miss them, and tells you the stories behind what you’re looking at. And no worries, it works offline, so you don’t have to worry about cell service inside the park (which is spotty at best).
Red Jammer Bus Tours
If you’d rather let someone else worry about the driving and skip the narrow, cliff-hugging switchbacks, try the Red Jammer Bus Tour. These vintage 1930s open-top buses have been a Glacier tradition since the park’s earliest days. They’re called Jammers because the original drivers would “jam” the gears over the mountain passes, and the name stuck. The canvas top rolls back in good weather, which means you get unobstructed vertical views up the canyon walls and amazing photo ops with no car obstructions.
The flagship Red Jammer tour is the Crown of the Continent Tour, a full day that takes you from the west side up Going-to-the-Sun Road, stops at Logan Pass, and crosses the Continental Divide before returning. Jammer guides play the role of tour guide, historian, and mountain driver. They do sell out, so book in advance.
Wildlife Watching in Glacier National Park
Glacier is home to grizzly and black bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, elk, mountain lions, wolverines, bald eagles, and more. Early morning and dusk are the best times to be out. The meadows along the east side of the park, the Many Glacier valley, and the area around Logan Pass are all outstanding spots.
Every time I’ve been on the Going-to-the-Sun Road at dusk, I’ve always seen cars pulled over on the side of the road, which usually means a bear sighting, or at least mountain goats. Logan Pass is reliably good for mountain goats as they frequently wander directly into the parking lot and have been known to lick salt off car bumpers.
Boat Tours: Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, and Two Medicine Lake
Glacier has four lakes with ranger-guided boat tours, and each one is completely different in character. All are run by Glacier Park Boats, and reservations on glacierparkboats.com are strongly recommended.
Lake McDonald, on the west side, is the largest lake in the park, at ten miles long and famous for multi-colored rocks that glow on a sunny day. Boat tours depart from the historic Lake McDonald Lodge dock and cruise out onto the lake with a ranger on board providing narration on the geology, history, and wildlife of the area.
Many Glacier is on the east side of the park, and an absolute must-see in Glacier, right after the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The boat tour here goes across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine with a very short walk in between to switch boats. The scenery is stunning with massive glaciers hanging off the peaks and waterfalls on the cliffs. It’s why the east side of the park is my favorite.
Two Medicine Lake is tucked away in the southeast corner and not as crowded as other areas, since it’s a bit harder to get to, but it’s equally gorgeous. The boat tour here is absolutely worth it, especially if you hit a clear morning with the mountain reflecting off the lake.
Boat tours and many of these activities are family-friendly and work well for multigenerational trips, where not everyone wants to spend the day hiking.
Kayaking on Lake McDonald and Other Glacier Lakes
For getting out on the water at your own pace, Lake McDonald is the place to be. The lake is crystal clear, and you can see the famous multicolored rocks on the bottom of this amazing blue-green water. Renting a kayak or canoe and paddling out on a calm morning is a quintessential Glacier experience that requires no hiking or special skills.
Rentals are available at Apgar Village near the west entrance of the park. For a more unique experience, rent a clear kayak so you can look straight down through the water as you paddle. Or go on an illuminated glass kayak sunset tour. The LED-lit clear kayaks are a very cool way to experience the sunset.
White-Water Rafting on the Flathead River
The scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead River forms the southern boundary of Glacier National Park. The water runs right alongside the park boundary with mountain views in every direction, and offers great white-water rafting.
There are half-day and full-day options. Beginners are welcome. The half-day option features Class II-III rapids. The full-day trip starts with a calm, gentle scenic float and then hits the rapids in the afternoon.
Water levels in the Flathead drop as summer progresses, so May through July tends to offer the most thrilling conditions. By September, the river is calmer but still beautiful. Perfect if you are looking for scenery without the adrenaline.
Horseback Riding in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park was actually designed to be explored on horseback. The Great Northern Railway brought the first tourists here in the early 1900s, and the whole system of lodges and trails was laid out with horses in mind.
Swan Mountain Outfitters is the only authorized horseback riding concessioner inside the park, and they operate corrals at Apgar, Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, and West Glacier. Rides range from 1-hour introductory rides to half-day and full-day adventures. The Lake McDonald rides take you through old-growth cedar and hemlock forest along shaded trails. The Many Glacier rides get you into more dramatic mountain terrain with glaciers and peaks overhead. Apgar is the most beginner-friendly and is great for families.
Fly Fishing on the Flathead River
Montana is one of the great fly fishing destinations on earth, and the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River, which border Glacier on two sides, are what fly fishers dream about. You’re wading through water that comes directly from a mountain wilderness ecosystem, which is home to native westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and bull trout. Guided fly fishing adventures are available for beginners or expert anglers.
Glacier National Park for Non-Hikers
Glacier is a great national park for non-hikers because the scenery itself is so spectacular that simply being in it is amazing. And there are so many ways to be in. You can drive, float, ride a horse, or sit at a lakeshore. You don’t have to summit anything to feel the scale of the mountains here.
If you’re looking for more easy-access national park experiences, check out my guides to the best things to do in Yellowstone beyond hiking and the best things to do in Yosemite beyond hiking.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Do I need a vehicle reservation to visit Glacier National Park?
No. You used to need reservations, and they may bring the reservation system back, but you won’t need them in 2026. There are now paid shuttle options and parking restrictions at Logan Pass. Requirements change year to year, so always check nps.gov/glac well before your trip. If you don’t want to deal with parking or shuttle hassles, a guided tour may be the way to go.
When is Going-to-the-Sun Road open?
It changes from year-to-year depending on the snowpack and plowing operations. It typically opens sometime in late June or early July. It’s scheduled to close the third Monday in October, but that can change based on weather conditions. If you’re visiting in late May or June, the west side (Lake McDonald valley) is usually accessible, but the road over Logan Pass may not be.
Can you see Glacier without hiking?
Absolutely. Between the Going-to-the-Sun Road drive, the boat tours, horse rides, rafting, kayaking, and the easy lakeside areas at Many Glacier and Apgar, you can have a multi-day, completely satisfying Glacier experience without a single serious trail.
Do I need to book boat tours in advance?
Yes. Glacier Park Boat Tours are popular and fill up quickly in summer. Book as far ahead as possible at glacierparkboats.com. Same-day tickets are occasionally available on a walk-up basis at the docks, but don’t count on it in July and August. Kayaks and canoes are available on a first-come, first-served basis at Many Glacier Hotel.
Is white-water rafting safe for beginners?
Absolutely, on the half-day trips. The Middle Fork Flathead rafting companies are experienced, safety-focused, and explicitly designed for first-timers. You’ll get a thorough safety briefing and practice paddle before you hit any significant water. Kids are generally welcome on the Class II-III half-day trips, but check the minimum age requirements when booking, as they vary slightly by company.
What is the best area to stay in for Glacier?
Personally, I love St. Mary as it’s the most accessible to the most stunning parts of Glacier on the east side. Unfortunately, there are also very limited places to stay, so you need to book way in advance (think 9-12 months). If possible, you can split your stay between West Glacier and St. Mary/Many Glacier. Columbia Falls and Whitefish on the West Side have more accommodation options, and Whitefish has more upscale resorts, but adds more driving time.
What is the best month to visit Glacier?
July and August offer the best weather, full road access, and all activities are operational. That said, it’s peak season, so expect crowds. Very late August or early September will still have great weather and fewer crowds as kids are back in school. June is risky in terms of having access to the full Going-to-the-Sun Road, but it will be less crowded.
Is Glacier National Park good for families?
Yes. Glacier is a great national park for families because many of its biggest attractions require little or no hiking. Boat tours, wildlife watching, scenic drives, rafting, horseback riding, and lakeside activities give families plenty to do beyond the trails.
What are the best things to do in Glacier besides hiking?
Some of the best non-hiking activities in Glacier National Park include driving Going-to-the-Sun Road, taking a Red Jammer tour, wildlife watching, boat tours on Swiftcurrent and Two Medicine Lakes, kayaking on Lake McDonald, white-water rafting, horseback riding, and fly fishing.
Let’s Plan Your Trip
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