Things to Do in Glacier National Park: Complete Guide

Going-to-the-Sun Road climbs from Lake McDonald on the west side to St. Mary Lake on the east, crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Plan 3–4 hours minimum to stop at Weeping Wall, Logan Pass Visitor Center, and Jackson Glacier Overlook. Vehicles over 21 feet long are restricted west of Avalanche Creek, per NPS.gov.

Starting at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, the Highline Trail traverses the Garden Wall — a dramatic ridgeline above Going-to-the-Sun Road — before descending to The Loop trailhead 11.6 miles west. Hike it one-way using the park shuttle back to your car. The cliffside cable section near the trailhead is exposed but manageable, per NPS.gov.

The trail starts at Many Glacier Hotel and passes Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake Josephine, and Grinnell Lake before reaching the glacier at 6,100 feet elevation. Take the Glacier Park Boat Company shuttle across the first two lakes to shorten the round trip to approximately 6 miles. Grizzly sightings are common on the upper slopes, per NPS.gov.

Trail of the Cedars winds through a grove of western red cedars over 80 feet tall above Avalanche Creek gorge. From the junction, the Avalanche Lake Trail continues 2 miles through old-growth forest to a bowl-shaped lake fed by multiple waterfalls pouring off 3,000-foot cliffs. Peak waterfall flow is late June through July, per NPS.gov.

Tours run 1–2 hours on restored wooden boats covering park history, wildlife, and geology. The Many Glacier boat shuttle doubles as a trailhead connector — it shaves approximately 4 miles off the Grinnell Glacier hike round-trip. Kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and motorboat rentals are available at Lake McDonald and Many Glacier, per NPS.gov.

Red Bus Tours depart from historic park lodges and run multiple Going-to-the-Sun Road routes — from half-day Sun Road excursions to full-day Crown of the Continent tours. All tours include stops at Logan Pass, major viewpoints, and glacier overlooks with ranger-style commentary, per Glacier National Park Lodges.

Many Glacier Valley is the park’s wildlife hotspot. Grizzlies frequent the slopes above Swiftcurrent Lake; mountain goats congregate at Logan Pass year-round; moose favor willow meadows near Two Medicine and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Maintain 100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 yards from all other wildlife, per NPS.gov.

Guided rides depart from corrals near Lake McDonald Lodge and Many Glacier Hotel, ranging from 1-hour scenic rides to half-day alpine treks. Children must meet weight and age minimums set by each outfitter. Advance reservations are required. See our complete Glacier horseback riding guide for booking details and trail descriptions.

Glacier Park Boat Company rents kayaks, canoes, rowboats, paddleboards, and motorboats at Lake McDonald and Swiftcurrent Lake in Many Glacier. Lake temperatures are cold even in August — keep swims brief or wear a wetsuit. All watercraft must pass an aquatic invasive species inspection before launch, per NPS.gov.

Programs run daily July through Labor Day at Apgar, St. Mary, Many Glacier, and Two Medicine. Offerings include glacier geology hikes, wildflower identification tours, evening star programs, and Junior Ranger activities (free booklets at all visitor centers). The full season schedule posts each spring at NPS.gov. See our complete ranger programs guide.

Logan Pass at 6,646 feet elevation offers minimal atmospheric interference for stargazing. Lake McDonald’s western shore provides reflective foreground for astrophotography. August–September is prime aurora viewing season during solar maximum periods. Rangers periodically lead evening astronomy programs at the Apgar Campground amphitheater — check the NPS calendar.

Located in Glacier’s southeast corner off Route 49, Two Medicine features the namesake lake, historic ranger stations, and trails ranging from easy lakeside walks to the strenuous 18.8-mile Dawson-Pitamakan Loop. Glacier Park Boat Company runs tours on Two Medicine Lake, and the 99-site Two Medicine Campground is one of the park’s most scenic settings, per NPS.gov.