Exploring Glacier National Park: Your Three-Day Itinerary
An early product of the budding American conservationist movement in the 1910s, Montana’s Glacier Park is a poster child for the US National Park movement and ranks alongside the likes of Yellowstone and Yosemite as one of the United States’ most awe-inspiring natural wonders.
A lone road bisects a brilliant landscape of towering crown-of-the-continent mountains laced with plunging waterfalls and glassy turquoise lakes and surrounded by dense forests. In this virtually intact pre-Columbian ecosystem, grizzly bears and wolves sit at the top of the food chain, while smart park management has maintained the area’s accessibility while preserving its wildness.
Exploring Glacier National Park on a Three-Day Road Trip
The majority of Glacier’s visitors don’t stray far from the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile-long engineering marvel and national historic landmark built in the 1930s to make the park’s wilderness accessible to all. This itinerary incorporates the road’s “greatest hits” while also exploring the hubs of Many Glacier and the Two Medicine Valley.
Day 1: Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road
Enter the park via the West Gate and proceed two miles to Apgar Village. Familiarize yourself at the LEED-certified Visitor Center and admire the glassy expanse of Lake MacDonald framed by the rugged peaks of the Rockies. Eddie’s Café is a great spot to fuel up before heading east.
As you embark on the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will first track the forested shores of Lake McDonald to a charming lodge, an obligatory pit-stop for those keen to appreciate rustic “parkitecture.” Beyond the lodge, the road begins a long ascent to Logan Pass, where aspiring hikers can loosen their legs on the 3.2-mile round-trip Hidden Lake Overlook Trail while enjoying views of alpine wildlife.
The road’s dryer eastern side affords subtle changes in vegetation. Worthwhile stops for short hikes include St Mary Falls and Sun Point, with the latter providing fine views over the striking turquoise St Mary Lake. Both trails offer a 1.7-mile round-trip hike with options to explore deeper into the wilderness.
Conclude your day by descending to the eastern service village of St Mary, featuring a visitor center and a variety of dining and lodging choices.
Day 2: Boating and Hiking in the Many Glacier Valley
Start your day with breakfast at the Snowgoose Grille in St Mary Village before heading north to Many Glacier Valley, a natural haven filled with lush meadows and sparkling lakes anchored by the historic Many Glacier Hotel, expertly designed by the Great Northern Railway in 1915. Take some time to admire the hotel’s stunning lounge with its grand stone fireplace before participating in a three to four-hour afternoon boat and hike tour on Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lake.
Returning to St Mary, stop at Two Sisters Café for a hearty American dinner. As evening falls, attend an astronomy program led by park rangers at the Dusty Star Observatory near the St Mary Visitor Center.
Day 3: Experiencing East Glacier and Rafting the Flathead River
Travel south to the tranquil Two Medicine Valley, one of Glacier National Park’s less-visited yet captivating areas, rich with Native American legends and teeming with wildlife. As you walk along the shores of Two Medicine Lake, keep bear spray handy for safety.
Next, drive to East Glacier, a small railway village highlighted by the charming Glacier Park Lodge, where visitors can relax on rocking chairs while admiring Native American artwork. Enjoy a coffee and a sweet treat at the Empire Café before heading 60 miles along Highway 2 to West Glacier, where you can invigorate your afternoon with a half-day whitewater rafting trip on the Flathead River, which includes a riverside barbecue dinner.
Exploring Glacier National Park by Foot
This adventurous itinerary utilizes the excellent, free national park shuttle system making it easy to enjoy backcountry hiking. To lighten your load, make arrangements for overnight stays in the park’s historic backcountry chalets. Reservations should be made in advance, as the chalets are popular. Alternatively, wilderness campgrounds are available near both chalets.
Day 1: Hiking Over the Continental Divide
Begin your journey by taking the bus to Many Glacier. After breakfast, explore the historic lodge and enjoy a quick meal at ‘Nell’s, then embark on the Swiftcurrent Pass trail. The 6.8-mile trail winds through the Swiftcurrent Valley before ascending steeply through bear country to the Continental Divide pass. After taking in the breathtaking views, return to the pass for an overnight stay at Granite Park Chalet.
Day 2: The Highline Trail
From the chalet, enjoy a spectacular 7.6-mile trail that traverses above the tree line to Logan Pass on the Highline Trail. For an additional adventure, scramble to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook or continue along the popular Hidden Lake trail. Free park shuttles head back to Apgar Village every 15 minutes.
Day 3: Relaxation in Apgar Village
On the final day, enjoy some well-deserved relaxation in Apgar Village by Lake MacDonald. Kayaks and canoes can be rented for those eager to explore the water. The nearby Visitor Center is perfect for checking trail conditions and attending ranger-led events.
Day 4: The Gunsight Pass Trail
On the fourth day, take the free park shuttle from Apgar to the start of the Gunsight Pass trail. This two-day trek covers over 20 miles above the tree line, featuring beautiful lakes, alpine meadows, and stunning mountain passes. The Sperry Chalet provides meals and accommodations for hikers.
Day 5: Descending to Lake McDonald
After a night at the Sperry Chalet, you can choose to descend directly to Lake McDonald or take a side trip to the retreating Sperry Glacier. After your hike, enjoy a beer and burger at Lucke’s Lounge. Free park shuttles will bring you back to Apgar Village from here.
Need to Know
Camping
There are 13 front-country campgrounds within the park, with prices ranging from $10 to $23 per night. Additionally, there are 65 designated walk-in backcountry campsites, which require a $7 permit obtained in advance.
Entrance Fees
To enter the park, visitors must obtain a seven-day pass priced at $35 per car or $20 per individual. Vehicles using the Going-to-the-Sun and North Fork roads must pre-register under a new park pilot scheme designed to reduce congestion, with reservations available 120 days in advance.
Best Time to Visit
The optimal time to visit for favorable weather and diverse activities is between Memorial Day (late May) and Labor Day (early September). Visiting during the shoulder seasons (April-May & September-October) can help avoid crowds.
Getting There
The park is located in northwest Montana, with Whitefish as the nearest hub town and Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, located 26 miles to the southwest. Amtrak’s Empire Builder train stops near both the east and west park entrances, providing connections to Chicago and Seattle.
