Top Things to do in Glacier National Park
Top Hotels in Glacier National Park Campgrounds
What to do and see in Glacier National Park, Glacier National Park: The Best Things to do
Known as the Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park encompasses more than one million acres of terrain. Explore glacial-carved mountain peaks and valleys, cascading waterfalls and the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, which runs through the heart of the park and crests the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. The park is open year-round and offers sightseeing, wildlife watching, fall foliage, boating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, bicycling, fine dining and luxury accommodations.
Restaurants in Glacier National Park Campgrounds
1. Highline Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 509 reviews
A popular hiking trail with phenomenal views.
Reviewed By BigtimeAllthetime
With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). Highly recommend this route as Highline going back out is not only longer but harder and the loop is mostly downhill. The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier.
2. Grinnell Glacier
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 651 reviews
A large glacier offering 300 acres of beauty.
Reviewed By BigtimeAllthetime
With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). Highly recommend this route as Highline going back out is not only longer but harder and the loop is mostly downhill. The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier.
3. Going-to-the-Sun Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,120 reviews
A spectacular and scenic 52-mile highway through Glacier National Park, which crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass in Montana.
Reviewed By rdburrows
Every part of this drive is beautiful and breathtaking!!! Take your time and enjoy it!! Way to many people get in a hurry!! Enjoy the pull offs and take in the views!! Get out of the vehicle and take it all in!! We chose to drive on our own that way we could go at our own pace!!! We went the end of June and it was the first week that the full road had been open!! So glad we got to experience it!! We decided to drive east to west to avoid all the traffic coming into from the West!!
4. Iceberg Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 470 reviews
Hikers often wear bells and strike up loud conversations, so as not to startle the bears on this back country trail.
Reviewed By DRT135 - St. Marys, United States
We joined one of the park rangers for this hike who was very good guide. We learned about the plants along the trail as well as about the animals living in the area. The hike up was pleasant and Iceberg Lake reflects the changes in our climate. On our hike down we had rain, wind, hail and wintery mix so definitely plan to have layers of clothes as well as a good rain jacket and hat.
5. Lake McDonald
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 882 reviews
Large recreational lake in Glacier National Park.
Reviewed By trishadasgupta - Fair Lawn, United States
When you are at Glacier Nation park you must checkout the stunning beauty and the breathtaking view of lake McDonald. It is the largest lake in GNP approximately 10 miles long, more than a mile wide and 472 feet deep. One of the most striking features of Lake McDonald is the presence of a variety of colored rocks and pebbles just below the water surface and on the shores. The rocks range in color from dark red to maroon, and from green to blue. The waters of the lakes are remarkably clear due to the yearlong low temperatures that prohibit the growth of planktons. You can almost see details on the bottom of the lakes. We went to the beach at Apgar Village near the visitor center and it was serene! It was my birthday and best birthday ever!!! It was so peaceful and amazing to just sit by this pristine lake and enjoy the view with the stunning view of clear water and the colored pebbles. Colored rocks are also can be seen in abundance tjroughout the shores of Lake McDonald. I always wanted to experience that! We took a drive further up the road and came across with McDonald waterfall as well.
6. Logan Pass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,237 reviews
Area in Glacier National Park that was used as a "pass" for travelers to get through the mountains.
Reviewed By natalia504b - Houston, United States
We took this beautiful hike early in the morning (we got to the park at 5:30am to watch a sunrise over Lake McDonald) so there was plenty of parking. It is a gorgeous hike with mountain flowers, a beautiful lake and plenty of wildlife - we saw mountain goats, rams and marmots. But beware - a large part of the trail is covered in snow so bring hiking boots and/or snow sticks as otherwise it can be quite slippery.
7. Avalanche Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 800 reviews
A popular hiking area within Glacier National Park.
Reviewed By MichaelK1887 - Smyrna, United States
The hike there is moderately strenuous, but pretty doable for anyone in decent shape. The view at the lake is amazing with a lake surrounded by mountains and multiple waterfalls emptying into the lake. Well worth an afternoon.
8. St. Mary Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 371 reviews
Reviewed By bettysZ1727MC - Ormond Beach, United States
If you go to Glacier National Park be sure and drive the Going to the Sun road and stop at St. Mary lak and just absorb the quietness , serenity and beauty. It is breathtaking.
9. Trail of the Cedars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 510 reviews
Reviewed By jerb2014 - Bristol, United States
The Trail of the Cedars is a pretty easy walk and leads to Avalanche Lake which is very beautiful and a great place for picnicking. You pass through a hemlock and cedar forest which is very beautiful. Great place for photographs.
10. Two Medicine Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By WanderingWithUsTwo - Phoenix, United States
Going into our trip to Glacier we had seen pictures of Two Medicine and knew that we wanted to stop by here. When we arrived we had great experiences with the rangers and enjoyed how the spaces seemed private despite there being several campsites. The campgrounds here at Two Medicine provide easy access to several trails that can even take you into Upper Two Medicine Lake. The trails are easy to follow but can sometimes lead through thick brush if you venture to Upper Two Medicine. This side of the park is not visited near as much as the western parts but still provides plenty to do. If you choose to hike around the lake but are too tired to turn back the lake also provides a ferry to get you back to your campsites for just $7 per person. Overall this quiet campsite gave us a great first impression of Glacier National Park. - @wanderingwithustwo
