Boat Tours for Families in Glacier National Park

Two Medicine Lake Tour — best value

The 45-minute narrated cruise aboard the historic Sinopah (built 1926, the oldest boat in the fleet) crosses Two Medicine Lake with views of Sinopah Mountain and Rising Wolf Mountain. Guides share Blackfeet tribal stories connected to the valley, giving the tour a cultural depth the other locations lack. Adult tickets are $20.85, ages 4–12 are $10.40, and the season runs June 1 – September 7 — the lowest price in the park.

Starting July 1, the 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm departures include a free guided walk to Twin Falls — 1.8 miles round trip with only 25 feet of elevation gain, flat enough for preschoolers. The whole experience takes about 2.5 hours from parking lot to parking lot. This is the easiest hike-and-boat combo in Glacier.

One-way tickets ($10.40 adults, $5.20 kids) are available walk-up only for families who want to boat across and hike back. Departures run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. GPS: 746 Two Medicine Road, East Glacier Park. Not wheelchair accessible.

Lake McDonald Tour — most accessible

Two historic vessels operate here — the DeSmet (built 1930, listed on the National Register of Historic Vessels) and the Glacier Lily (1985). Both have outside-deck wheelchair seating for standard-size chairs, making this the most accessible tour option in the park. Adults pay $27.80, ages 4–12 pay $13.90, and the season is the longest of the four: May 20 – September 26.

The 1-hour narrated cruise covers the glacially-carved geology of the lake and its signature emerald water — a duration that's ideal for younger kids with short attention spans. It departs from Lake McDonald Lodge on Going-to-the-Sun Road, just 11 miles from the West Entrance — the easiest dock to reach from West Glacier lodging.

Departures run 9:30 am to 7:00 pm (the 7:00 pm slot ends September 1). The evening departure is effectively a golden-hour cruise — July sunset in Montana falls around 9:00 pm, so the light on the water is exceptional. No hike add-on and no one-way tickets available.

St. Mary Lake Tour (Rising Sun) — best scenery

The 1.5-hour cruise ($41.70 adults, $20.85 ages 4–12; June 5 – September 12) departs from Rising Sun Boat Dock, 5 miles from the East Entrance. Historic boats — the Little Chief (built 1926, on the National Register of Historic Places since 2016) and Joy II — run the route, passing Wild Goose Island (the most-photographed scene in Glacier) with Sexton Glacier framed directly ahead. Every tour includes a 15–20 minute stop at Baring Falls with an easy 5-minute walk, and no portage walk is required, unlike Many Glacier.

For more adventure, the 9:00 am guided hike option (available June 25 – Sep 12, guides start July 1) extends the trip to 3.5 hours total. Hikers walk from Baring Falls to St. Mary Falls — 3.2 miles round trip, 250 feet of elevation gain, moderate difficulty. The 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 5:00 pm departures also offer self-guided hike options.

Wheelchair seating is available on outside decks for the 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 4:00 pm departures only. GPS: Rising Sun Boat Ramp (Apple Maps) or 28 Dock Road, Browning (Google Maps).

Many Glacier Tour (Swiftcurrent + Lake Josephine) — best wildlife

This 1.5-hour tour ($41.70 adults, $20.85 ages 4–12; June 10 – September 19) is the only Glacier tour that visits two lakes. It starts on Swiftcurrent Lake aboard the Chief Two Guns, then requires a 0.2-mile portage walk over a steep hill to board the Morning Eagle (built 1945) on Lake Josephine. All passengers must complete this walk — strollers and wheelchairs cannot make the crossing. Wear sturdy shoes.

The two-lake route passes beneath Grinnell Point and views Salamander Glacier and Gem Glacier on the cliffs above. Wildlife sightings are common — the Many Glacier valley is one of the densest grizzly bear corridors in the lower 48 states. Moose often wade in the shallows near Lake Josephine's shore.

For hikers, the boat drops you at the head of Lake Josephine for the 1.8-mile walk to Grinnell Lake or the strenuous 7.6-mile round trip to Grinnell Glacier. One-way tickets are available ($20.85 adults, $10.40 kids). Departures run 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The Many Glacier road has large potholes — drive carefully.

2026 Prices & Schedule Comparison

All prices are from Glacier Park Boat Company's official 2026 rate sheet. Under-4s ride free everywhere.

How to Book & Reservation Tips

Book online at reserve.glacierparkboats.com or call (406) 257-2426. Peak-season tours (July–August) sell out months in advance. Walk-up tickets are sometimes available, but don't count on it for popular times.

Arrive at least 60 minutes before your departure. Check in at the dock office 30 minutes before boarding. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior. Dock parking lots fill by mid-morning in summer — the earlier your tour, the easier parking will be.

Boat Rentals for Families

Glacier Park Boat Company also rents kayaks, canoes, rowboats, paddleboards, and motorboats at Apgar Village, Lake McDonald Lodge, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier. Rentals are first-come, first-served with no advance booking. Expect to pay $20–$30/hour for non-motorized craft.

For families with kids under 6, motorized rentals are a better bet than kayaks — the lakes are large and wind picks up fast. Life jackets are provided for all sizes. Apgar Village has the most rental inventory and the calmest launch area.

How We Ranked These Tours

We ranked Glacier's four boat tours based on value per dollar, accessibility for families with young children, and the quality of included extras (guided hikes, scenery, wildlife). All prices and schedules were verified against Glacier Park Boat Company's official 2026 rate sheet. Accessibility details were cross-referenced with NPS.gov. We prioritized tours that offer the most family-friendly experience without requiring advanced fitness or gear.