Written and Photographed by Carrie Hanranhan
Where mountaintops touch the clouds, glacial lakes glisten and wildlife roams free, Glacier National Park in Montana should be on everyone’s bucket list. The 10th U.S. National Park covers one million acres of pristine wilderness with stunning waterfalls, incredible hikes, historic lodges and, of course, glaciers. Be sure to fit these top 10 activities into your vacation. The park is top-rated, so you’ll need to purchase a parking pass and go online to reserve a vehicle pass unless you have a lodging reservation, giving you access to that area during your stay.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Glacier National Park by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly and Carrie talk about Glacier on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. The Wildlife—A highlight of any trip to Glacier National Park is catching a glimpse of the incredible wildlife that call the park home. You may see the iconic mountain goats along the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, a grizzly bear in the backcountry or a bighorn sheep lounging in the sun on a mountainside. Be sure to keep yourself and the wildlife safe by viewing at a safe distance and not engaging with the animals.
9. Izaak Walton Inn—Along the southern end of Glacier National Park on Highway 2, you’ll find the Izaak Walton Inn, a place to unplug and relax any time of the year. The Great Northern Railroad built the Tudor Revival Inn, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The railroad helped draw guests worldwide; you can still take the Amtrak train here. The inn offers many accommodations, including lodge rooms, railcars, classic cabooses and even schoolhouse rooms. After settling in, head down the road to the Goat Lick Overlook to view mountain goats that use the natural mineral area to supplement their diets.
8. St. Mary Falls—The St. Mary Falls trailhead is located along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, about 10.5 miles west of the St. Mary entrance. This 2.5-mile round trip hike passes through an area that burned in 2015, continues into the lush, green pine forest and then leads to the incredible 35-foot tall, three-tiered, turquoise blue waterfall cascading through the rocks. If you have time, continue for less than another mile to the equally impressive 50-foot Virginia Falls.
7. Polebridge, Montana—No trip to Glacier is complete without heading just outside the northwestern side of the park to the tiny community of Polebridge. The mostly dirt road from West Glacier may be bumpy and slow, but it’s worth the drive. Be sure to visit the historic mercantile to pick up a delicious bear claw for breakfast, drive to Bowman Lake to explore and then stop at the Northern Lights Saloon for a quick burger before ending the day.
6. Historic Chalets—Are you longing for that backcountry experience without having to sleep on the ground? A hike into the rustic Granite Park Chalet or the more refined Sperry Chalet will be an experience you’ll never forget. The Great Northern Railway built these stone structures for backcountry accommodations. Be prepared for a strenuous hike with incredible views to get there, but then enjoy the primitive private rooms (no electricity, heat or water) with bedding provided. You’re provided a kitchen at Granite Park Chalet but can opt for the three prepared meals at Sperry Chalet and enjoy the company of fellow hikers sharing their stories.
5. Glaciers—You came to Glacier National Park to see an actual glacier, right? Three of the remaining glaciers in the park lie in the Many Glacier Valley and are a beautiful half-day hike. You can shorten this strenuous 10-mile, five- to six-hour hike to about 3.5 miles by taking a boat ride across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, then catching the trail. You’ll hike through sacred evergreen forests, beautiful alpine meadows and small cascading waterfalls. A stunning view back through the valley overlooks the turquoise-blue Grinnell Lake and Lake Josephine in the distance. At the trail’s end, you’ll have access to the Grinnell Glacier area and a view of The Salamander Glacier and tiny Gem Glaciers.
4. The Lodges—Whether you stay at a National Park Lodge or not, be sure to stop and experience the grandeur of these incredible structures. You should not miss the Many Glacier Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge and the Glacier Park Lodge. Built by the Great Northern Railway, these Swiss chalets were constructed with enormous Douglas-fir trees, embodying a rustic and sophisticated experience. The massive fireplaces, comfy seating areas and mountain views from the beautiful balconies will take you in.
3. Going-to-the-Sun Road—This hugely popular 50-mile drive takes you through the park’s center and up and over the Continental Divide while offering stunning views of the mountains, valleys, waterfalls and wildlife surrounding it. You’ll even get wet in the spring when the runoff from the beautiful Weeping Wall spills onto the road. Do yourself a favor and hop aboard one of the historic Red Jammer tour buses or a National Park Shuttle and leave the driving to someone else so you can view it all.
2. Highline Trail—One of the most spectacular hikes in the United States begins at Glacier’s Logan Pass and the Continental Divide. It will take you along a narrow portion of the trail that hugs the Garden Wall with a cable to hang onto but offers unending views of the surrounding mountains and the Going-to-the-Sun Road below. This almost 12-mile, one-way hike leads past Granite Park Chalet and the steep Garden Wall side trail that leads up to the Continental Divide with incredible views of The Salamander and Grinnell Glaciers below. If you choose the one-way hike, take a shuttle back to Logan Pass. Otherwise, you can turn around at Granite Park Chalet and return the way you came.
1. Logan Pass and Hidden Lake—At the summit of the Going-to-the-Sun Road is the Visitor Center at Logan Pass and an accessible boardwalk trail that takes you to the gorgeous Hidden Lake. You can reach it by car, but the parking area fills up very early in the day, so taking a shuttle here is advised. With stunning alpine meadows sprinkled with wildflowers, rugged towering mountains, abundant wildlife and access to many hiking trails, this is the perfect spot for anyone to feel immersed in Glacier National Park’s grandeur.
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