Kalispell to Glacier National Park: Best Day Trips (2026)

Drive east from the West Glacier entrance, stopping at Lake McDonald for the famous colorful pebble shoreline, then Avalanche Gorge for an easy forest walk, and climbing to Logan Pass (6,646 ft) for jaw-dropping alpine views. On the east side, stop at Jackson Glacier Overlook for a rare roadside view of an actual glacier, then Wild Goose Island at St. Mary Lake. Allow a full day to enjoy it without rushing, per NPS.gov.

Lake McDonald is Glacier’s largest lake — 10 miles long and 472 feet deep — and famous for its colorful quartzite pebbles. Apgar Village at the south end has a visitor center, camp store, boat rentals, and kayak launches. The Apgar Bike Path (2.2 miles) and McDonald Creek Trail are ideal for kids. Boat tours depart from the Lake McDonald dock in summer. Per our Apgar Village guide, the beach is best for swimming in July and August.

The Trail of the Cedars (0.9-mile loop) winds through old-growth western red cedar and hemlock above Avalanche Gorge — accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. From there, the Avalanche Lake Trail climbs 2.3 miles to a glacially-carved lake framed by towering cliffs and four cascading waterfalls. The lake sits at 3,905 ft elevation. Allow 3–4 hours for the full round trip, per the Glacier Institute.

The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail begins at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, climbing 2.8 miles round-trip through subalpine meadows on a boardwalk that protects fragile alpine vegetation. At the overlook (7,060 ft), Hidden Lake sits below and the glacier-carved Reynolds Mountain rises behind. Mountain goats are a near-daily sighting. The Logan Pass Visitor Center has ranger talks and exhibits worth pausing for before or after the hike.

The Highline Trail runs north from Logan Pass along the Continental Divide, offering sweeping views of the Glacier basin. Most day-trippers hike as an out-and-back (4–6 miles) or take the one-way traverse down to The Loop (11.8 miles) and shuttle back. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and pikas are frequently spotted. The first 0.25 miles features a narrow ledge with a cable handhold — exposed but not technical, per NPS.gov.

From Kalispell, drive US-2 east to Browning (~100 miles), then north on US-89 to the Babb turnoff (~15 miles). Many Glacier’s standout hike is the Grinnell Glacier Trail (10.6 miles RT, 1,600 ft gain) — one of the last accessible glaciers in the park. Easier options include the Swiftcurrent Lake Loop (2.6 miles, flat) and the Fishercap Lake Trail (2.4 miles), where moose sightings are frequent. Boat tours run from the Many Glacier Hotel dock.

Drive US-2 east to East Glacier Park, then 12 miles north on MT-49 to the Two Medicine entrance. Running Eagle Falls (Trick Falls) is a 0.6-mile walk to a waterfall that pours through a hole in the rock at high water — a unique geological feature, per NPS.gov. The Aster Park Overlook Trail (8.4 miles RT) delivers panoramic views. This area sits on the traditional lands of the Blackfeet Nation, with interpretive signs throughout.