Michelle’s Guide to Glacier National Park

More Than Just Hiking

When people think of Glacier National Park, they usually picture epic hiking trails. While the park offers some of the best hikes in America, many of Glacier’s most unforgettable experiences don’t require hiking boots at all.

Drive one of the world’s most spectacular mountain roads, cruise across glacier-fed lakes, spot grizzly bears and mountain goats, paddle crystal-clear waters, raft through dramatic valleys, or simply take in breathtaking scenery around every bend. Glacier National Park is just as rewarding for scenic travelers as it is for avid hikers.

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, 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.

Going-to-the-Sun Road: The Ultimate Glacier Scenic Drive

If you only do one thing in Glacier National Park, make it 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’d rather let someone else worry about the driving and skip the narrow, cliff-hugging switchbacks, small-group or private tours are a great option. This also allows you to avoid the parking hassles, which can be a big issue in Glacier in peak season.

💡 Michelle Recommends: If your schedule allows, drive Going-to-the-Sun Road later in the afternoon. Wildlife becomes more active, the lighting is beautiful for photography, and you’ll often find the crowds beginning to thin. It’s one of my favorite times to experience the park.

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.

💡 Michelle Recommends: Every time I’ve driven Going-to-the-Sun Road at dusk, I’ve seen cars pulled over for wildlife. More often than not, it’s been a bear or mountain goats. Logan Pass is especially reliable for mountain goats—they’re known to wander right through the parking lot and even 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 feels different.

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.

💡 Michelle Recommends: If you only have time for one area beyond Going-to-the-Sun Road, make it Many Glacier. The scenery feels even more dramatic, and it’s the part of Glacier I recommend most often.

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 water is so clear you can often see the colorful stones several feet below your kayak. 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.

💡 Michelle Recommends: Go first thing in the morning if you can. The lake is usually calmer, the reflections are incredible, and you’ll often have much more of the lake to yourself.

Scenic Floats or White-Water Rafting

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 scenic floats or white-water rafting. Scenic floats are ideal if you simply want to sit back, relax, and let your guide do the work while Glacier’s mountain scenery slowly unfolds around you. The guide does most of the work, so it’s perfect if you are looking for scenery without the adrenaline. If you are looking for a little more adventure, there are options for Class II-III rapids. 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 for younger kids or first-time white water rafters.

💡 Michelle Recommends: Scenic floats are one of my favorite recommendations for families and multi-generational groups. Everyone gets to enjoy Glacier’s scenery without needing previous rafting experience.

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.

The Logistics of Glacier

The Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier is only fully open 3-4 months during the year (typically end of June or early July to sometime in Oct, but it changes from year to year depending on snow). Rules on reservations, parking, and where you are allowed to drive also change from year-to-year. Some of the most sought-after accommodation options are booked a year in advance. We can navigate all of this for you with access to local experts, private guides, and some hotel inventory that you can’t find online. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable adventures.

💡 Michelle Recommends: September is my favorite month to visit Glacier. Going-to-the-Sun Road is still typically open, the crowds have eased, wildlife is active, and the weather is often beautiful.

Glacier National Park isn’t just one of America’s most beautiful parks. It’s one of those rare places that stays with you long after you leave. Whether you’re watching mountain goats at Logan Pass, paddling across Lake McDonald, or watching sunset light up the peaks from Going-to-the-Sun Road, these are the moments that make Glacier unforgettable.

About the Author
Michelle Zlakowski is a Runway Travel advisor, specializing in outdoor adventure and family travel experiences for any activity or adventure level. Follow Michelle on Gravatar