Things to Do in Glacier National Park: Complete Guide
Last updated September 23, 2026 How we research
A first-visit shortlist of 12 activities, organized around the choices that shape a day: a scenic drive, a substantial hike, or a lower-effort outing. Pick the main commitment first; use the 25-experience regional guide for more alternatives, not extra stops to squeeze in.
Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road — West side to East side · Logan Pass
Best Overall ExperienceThe single most iconic experience at Glacier—a mountain highway crossing the Continental Divide at 6,646-foot Logan Pass, with pullouts at waterfalls, glacial lakes, and glacier overlooks.
- Climbs from Lake McDonald on the west to St. Mary Lake on the east, crossing the Continental Divide
- Vehicles over 21 feet long restricted east of Avalanche Creek per NPS guidelines
- No vehicle reservations required, but Logan Pass parking was limited to 3 hours from July 1 through Labor Day 2026
- New ticketed shuttle pilot ran through Labor Day 2026—tickets were online starting May 2, 2026, with $1 processing fee
Plan stops at Weeping Wall, Logan Pass Visitor Center, and Jackson Glacier Overlook. The published 2026 Logan Pass parking and shuttle program ran July 1–September 7; that window has ended. Follow current NPS notices and posted rules.
Vehicles and vehicle combinations longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. Audio files are available for the Going-to-the-Sun Road audio tour. The full length of Going-to-the-Sun Road was driven end-to-end several times in one August trip, in both directions—every road-visible stop, pullout, tunnel, and overlook between West Glacier and St. Mary was seen from the road. Repeat drives are normal here: the road rewards a second pass, because eastbound and westbound show completely different walls of scenery and different pullouts are accessible from each direction.
Hike the Highline Trail — Logan Pass
Best Day HikeGlacier's most celebrated trail runs along a cliff face with cable handline assist, through wildflower meadows above treeline where wildlife may be seen at a safe distance.
- Traverses the Garden Wall—a dramatic ridgeline above Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Descends to The Loop trailhead 11.8 miles west
- Cliffside cable section near trailhead is exposed but manageable
The Logan Pass–The Loop route needs a return-transport plan. Confirm the exact shuttle stops and operating dates before committing to a one-way hike; wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
Trek to Grinnell Glacier — Many Glacier
Best Strenuous HikeA strenuous hike to a viewpoint over a glacier-carved basin and turquoise water — not an accessible walk onto the ice.
- Trail starts at Many Glacier Hotel and passes Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake Josephine, and Grinnell Lake
- Take Glacier Park Boat Company shuttle across first two lakes to shorten the hike to 3.7 miles one way
- Grizzly sightings are common on upper slopes—carry bear spray
- Start by 8 a.m. to beat afternoon crowds and catch best light on glacier face
The destination is the Grinnell Glacier viewpoint, not a promise of walking onto glacier ice. NPS lists 5.0 miles outbound from the trailhead or 3.7 from the boat landing. The outbound route climbs and descends; the return adds uphill travel.
Hike Avalanche Lake & Trail of the Cedars — Going-to-the-Sun Road · West side
Best Easy HikeTrail of the Cedars (wheelchair accessible 0.9-mile loop) combined with Avalanche Lake gives families a complete west-side experience—ancient forest and a glacier-carved lake in about 5 miles round-trip.
- Trail of the Cedars winds through grove of western red cedars over 80 feet tall
- Avalanche Lake Trail continues 2.3 miles one way through old-growth forest to bowl-shaped lake
- Multiple waterfalls pour off the cliffs—peak flow late June through July
- Trailhead at mile marker 27 on Going-to-the-Sun Road; arrive early
Trail of the Cedars is wheelchair accessible over Avalanche Creek gorge. The Avalanche Lake portion completes the experience with a glacier-carved bowl ringed by cascading waterfalls.
Take a Historic Boat Tour — Lake McDonald · St. Mary · Two Medicine · Many Glacier
Best for FamiliesChoose the departure area first. Many Glacier uses Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine; its boat-assisted hiking option is different from a sightseeing cruise on Lake McDonald.
- Restored wooden boats with on-board naturalists covering park history, wildlife, and geology
- The NPS boat-assisted Grinnell route is 3.7 miles each way, versus 5.0 from the trailhead: 2.6 miles less walking out and back.
- Kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and motorboat rentals available at Lake McDonald and Many Glacier
- Tickets sell out weeks in advance—book at glacierparkboats.com once spring schedules open
Tours run 45 minutes to 1.5 hours on restored wooden boats. The boat tour combined with the Grinnell Glacier hike is one of Glacier's best full-day adventures.
Ride a Vintage Red Bus — Glacier-wide · Going-to-the-Sun Road
Best for Non-DriversGlacier's fleet of 1930s White Motor Company 'Jammers'—named for their gear-jamming on steep mountain passes—are living park history with rollback canvas tops for unobstructed mountain views.
- Depart from historic park lodges with multiple Going-to-the-Sun Road routes
- Half-day Sun Road excursions to full-day Crown of the Continent tours available
- Stops depend on the booked route and road access; do not assume every tour reaches Logan Pass.
- Popular routes sell out by May—book early to secure your seat
Red Bus Tours offer expert natural and cultural narration with rollback canvas tops that open fully. Guides provide ranger-style commentary at Logan Pass and glacier overlooks.
Watch Wildlife in Many Glacier — Many Glacier Valley
Best Wildlife ExperienceGlacier is one of the last ecosystems in the lower 48 states with a complete large mammal assemblage—grizzlies, wolves, wolverines, lynx, and mountain lions—making it the best wildlife viewing destination outside Yellowstone.
- Many Glacier Valley is the park's wildlife hotspot
- Grizzlies frequent slopes above Swiftcurrent Lake; mountain goats congregate at Logan Pass year-round
- Moose favor willow meadows near Two Medicine and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
- Ask a visitor center about current closures and safe viewing; do not expect a guaranteed wildlife-location service.
Many Glacier Valley offers the park's most reliable wildlife viewing. Maintain 100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 yards from goats and other wildlife per NPS guidelines. Moose work the willows along Swiftcurrent Creek early.
Go Horseback Riding — Many Glacier & Lake McDonald
Best Adventure ActivityHorseback riding unlocks routes away from foot-traffic bottlenecks—deeper into valleys, above treeline, on trails outfitters have worked since the early 1900s.
- Guided rides depart from corrals near Lake McDonald Lodge and Many Glacier Hotel
- Range from 1-hour scenic rides to half-day alpine treks
- Many Glacier corral offers rides past Swiftcurrent Lake with direct views of Grinnell Point
- Children must meet weight and age minimums set by each outfitter; advance reservations required
A guided ride can be an alternative to hiking. Confirm the route and rider requirements with the outfitter; private stock use has separate NPS rules.
Kayak or Paddleboard Glacier's Lakes — Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, Two Medicine
Best Water ActivityPaddle turquoise glacier-fed waters from multiple lake bases—rentals and shuttle options available to extend range on foot.
- Kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and motorboat rentals available at Lake McDonald and Many Glacier
- Lake McDonald shoreline is the most accessible paddle
- A Many Glacier passenger boat helps hikers reach a trail; it is not a paddling shuttle or permission to carry a rental onto another lake.
- Water stays glacier-cold year-round—wear appropriate thermal gear
Choose launch timing from the actual wind and weather, not a promise that sunset is calmer. Wear a life jacket and follow inspection and permit rules before putting a boat or board on the water.
Join a Ranger-Led Program — Glacier-wide
Best Free ActivityFree ranger programs—evening campfire talks, wildflower walks, glacier geology hikes, and Junior Ranger booklets—fill in the scientific and cultural context behind everything you see.
- 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
- Evening campfire programs at Apgar Campground amphitheater are among the best free experiences in any national park
Glacier's most underused resource—evening campfire talks, wildflower walks, and glacier geology hikes add the scientific and cultural context that transforms a visit.
Stargaze at Logan Pass — Logan Pass
Best Night ActivityOff-the-beaten-path stargazing at one of the park's highest, clearest points—a chance to see the Milky Way with minimal light pollution.
- One of the highest and clearest points in the park for dark-sky viewing
- The 3-hour parking limit applied 24 hours a day through Labor Day 2026, so timing your visit did not avoid it
- Bring warm layers—even in summer, Logan Pass nights are cold at 6,646 feet
- Plan around lunar phases and clear weather forecasts for best viewing
The night sky from the Lake McDonald dock or beach is spectacular—go out after dark and just look up.
Explore Two Medicine Valley — Southeast Corner · Route 49
Best Quiet CornerGlacier's best-kept secret—equally dramatic as Many Glacier with significantly fewer visitors, boat tours, swimming, and trails ranging from easy to strenuous.
- Located in Glacier's southeast corner off Route 49—equally dramatic as Many Glacier with far fewer visitors
- Two Medicine Lake features historic ranger stations and trails from easy lakeside walks to strenuous backcountry loops
- Glacier Park Boat Company runs tours on Two Medicine Lake
- Two Medicine Campground is one of the park's most scenic settings with 100 sites (closed in 2026 due to construction)
Boat tours, swimming, and hikes to Upper Two Medicine Lake and Aster Falls reward those willing to drive the extra miles from the main corridors. Check Two Medicine access separately: 2026 utility work includes spring and fall developed-area closures. Treat Two Medicine as its own outing, not a quick detour from Many Glacier. Start with Running Eagle Falls, a short, flat walk to one of the park's strangest waterfalls: in spring the water comes over the top and out of a cave halfway down at the same time. The Blackfeet name is Pitamakan, and the whole valley sits inside the Blackfeet Nation's ancestral territory. Then go up-lake. The trail to Upper Two Medicine Lake runs along the valley floor with Rising Wolf Mountain over your shoulder without a promise of solitude; the boat from the Two Medicine dock cuts the hike roughly in half if legs are tired from Many Glacier. Scenic Point is the strong-hiker alternative, a climb to open views over the lake. Finish in East Glacier Park, the small town at the southeast entrance where arriving by train still requires onward transport to the Two Medicine area.
Common Questions
What are the most popular things to do in Glacier National Park?
The most popular activities are driving Going-to-the-Sun Road, hiking the Highline Trail from Logan Pass, and trekking to Grinnell Glacier in Many Glacier Valley. These three see the heaviest visitor traffic in July and August. For less crowded alternatives with equal scenery, try Two Medicine Valley or reach Avalanche Lake early.
Do I need reservations for Going-to-the-Sun Road in 2026?
No vehicle reservations are required in any area of Glacier National Park in 2026—a change from previous years. However, from July 1 through September 7, 2026, parking at Logan Pass was limited to 3 hours. A ticketed shuttle pilot to Logan Pass ran through September 7, 2026, with tickets available online starting May 2, 2026, with a $1 processing fee. This was the easiest way to access Logan Pass during peak season without parking stress.
What is the entrance fee for Glacier National Park in 2026?
A private-vehicle pass is $35 for seven days ($25 November–April). Non-US residents aged 16+ pay an additional $100 each unless covered by an eligible pass. Resident and nonresident America the Beautiful annual passes cost $80 and $250 respectively; check NPS eligibility and coverage before purchase. Camping and tours cost extra.
When is the best time to visit Glacier National Park?
Choose summer for the broadest seasonal options, not guaranteed access. Snow can linger on high trails, and storms or fire can change plans. After Labor Day, confirm transport and tour schedules separately; fewer visitors do not mean every summer service remains available.
How many days do you need in Glacier National Park?
One day covers the main Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor and a short walk; more days allow time for major hikes and a second park area; even more days give you room for Many Glacier, Two Medicine, boat tours, and weather flexibility.
What can you do in Glacier National Park without hiking?
Without hiking, you can drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, take a historic boat tour or Vintage Red Bus tour, join ranger-led programs, watch wildlife, kayak or paddleboard where permitted, and stargaze from accessible shore areas.
Sources & Further Reading
- Entrance Fees — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Vehicle Reservations 2026 — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Going-to-the-Sun Road — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Things to Do — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Wildlife — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Boat Trips & Rentals — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Two Medicine — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Places to Go — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Hiking the Trails — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Visiting Logan Pass 2026 FAQ — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Permits & Reservations — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Operating Hours & Seasons — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Physical/Mobility Accessibility — www.nps.gov — NPS
- Glacier Park Boat Company — Glacier Park Boat Company
- Red Bus Tours — Glacier National Park Lodges — Glacier National Park Lodges
- 25 experiences by region — YourNPGuide
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