Top Things To Do in Glacier National Park

These are the things that I would not miss when taking a trip to Glacier. Of course, there are many other things you can do as well, but these are the things that make Glacier Glacier. In approximate order by priority:

1. Hike

This is hiking paradise! There is no better place to hike, and there are no bad hikes in Glacier. I highly recommend backpacking, although day hikes are abundant and amazing as well. Actually, do both.

The Hidden Lake trail (half-day hike) and the Garden Wall trail (full-day hike) are two very popular trails that both begin at Logan Pass and give easy access to Glacier's gorgeous highcountry. However, there are zillions more trails, so get off the well-beaten path! For more information about half-day hikes, full-day hikes and backpacking hikes in Glacier, I highly recommend the Falcon Guide Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks.


2. Going-to-the-Sun Road
This is perhaps what Glacier is most famous for. The Going-to-the-Sun Road cuts through the middle of the park, crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, and it is simply incredible. It's not an easy road to drive; it's 53 miles from one end to the other, constantly inclining or declining. The road is very twisty and narrow with two lanes, a rock wall on one side and a steep cliff on the other. It's common for the speed of traffic to be 25 miles per hour or less, especially during the day in the summertime. There are places to pull out and park to enjoy a particularly stunning view, and there are places to park at Logan Pass.


My favorite time to drive the road is early in the morning as the sun is rising, and on a clear evening, it's well worth it to park somewhere and hike to a nice place to watch the sunset. If you're a cyclist and you happen to be in Glacier on the night of a full moon, there is a tradition of biking to Logan Pass by moonlight.


A word of caution: Logan Pass is not open year-round. Depending on snowfall and avalanches, the Pass may not open until as late as July. You can find more information and updates on the condition of the road on the NPS Glacier website.


3. Waterton Lakes
Waterton Lakes is the Canadian counterpart to Glacier. Although Glacier and Waterton Lakes are part of the same International Peace Park, each has it's own feel. Go for a hike, take a little cruise on Upper Waterton Lake, have high tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel and marvel at the way Canadians really do say 'eh?' all the time. Bring your passport.


4. Sit by the fireplace at one of the lodges
It's just too picturesque. Each lodge inside the park has a HUGE fireplace in it's lobby, and it is actually someone's job to make sure that there's a fire going 24-hours a day. Whether or not you're actually staying at the lodge, sit in a rocking chair, write postcards, talk with other park visitors or just sit and watch the flames. After a full day of hiking and heart-bursting beauty, there is no better way to wind down.


5. Eat something huckleberry
This is Montana's thing, and there is no shortage of purple huckleberry yummies. My personal favorite is huckleberry ice cream, which is available at all restaurants inside the park.


6. Polebridge Mercantile
This general store/bakery/vacation getaway is actually just outside the park on the west side, and I only stumbled upon it by accident. Man am I glad I did! Food always tastes incredible after a long hike, but the baked goods here always taste incredible. Double delicious!


7. Park Cafe pie
This cute and popular restaurant is just outside the park on the east side, in St. Mary, Montana. At Park Cafe you can eat big old breakfasts, locally-raised bison burgers, and, of course, PIE!


8. Red Bus tour
Now this is wee bit expensive, but the Red Buses of Glacier National Park are historical icons of the park. A ride in these convertible-top buses lets you enjoy all the views without having to keep your eyes on the road, and the bus drivers know all the facts and lore about the park. More info here.