Glacier National Park Trail & Visitor Guide
Glacier National Park · United States · About 1,583 square miles (over 1 million acres) in northwest Montana, bordering the Canadian province of Alberta.
Why Visit Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park preserves over a million acres of the Northern Rocky Mountains, with 762 lakes, 563 streams, and 25 named glaciers — down from 150 in 1850 due to climate change. Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile engineering feat completed in 1932, crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (6,646 feet). The park is home to grizzly bears, mountain goats, and wolverines.
Free Glacier National Park Audio Guide with Roamee Pro
Roamee Pro offers a free, self-guided Glacier National Park audio guide. It narrates trails, viewpoints, geology, and wildlife as you explore — Going-to-the-Sun Road, Highline Trail, Hidden Lake Overlook, plus quieter spots like Grinnell Glacier Trail and Two Medicine Valley. No guide, no schedule, works offline.
explore by interest
Signature Trails
- Highline Trail11.8 miles one-way (Logan Pass to The Loop), shuttle back · Strenuous
Follows the Garden Wall along the Continental Divide with ledge sections; passes Haystack Butte and the Granite Park Chalet.
- Grinnell Glacier TrailAbout 10.6 miles round-trip from Many Glacier (shorter with boat shuttle across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine) · Strenuous
Reaches an overlook of Grinnell Glacier and Upper Grinnell Lake with icebergs.
- Hidden Lake Overlook2.7 miles round-trip from Logan Pass · Moderate
Boardwalk and trail to an overlook of Hidden Lake; common mountain goat and bighorn sheep sightings.
- Avalanche LakeAbout 5.9 miles round-trip from the Trail of the Cedars · Moderate
Lake ringed by waterfalls fed by Sperry Glacier; cedar-hemlock forest at the trailhead.
- Iceberg LakeAbout 9.7 miles round-trip from Many Glacier · Strenuous
Cirque lake that holds icebergs into summer; grizzly habitat, carry bear spray.
Must-See in Glacier National Park
- •Going-to-the-Sun Road — a 50-mile scenic road crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass
- •Highline Trail — a 11.8-mile trail along the Continental Divide with mountain goat sightings and wildflower meadows
- •Hidden Lake Overlook — a 2.7-mile boardwalk trail from Logan Pass to views of a turquoise alpine lake
- •Lake McDonald — the park's largest lake with colorful cobblestones and mountain reflections
Best Viewpoints
- •Logan Pass at the Continental Divide (6,646 ft), the high point of Going-to-the-Sun Road
- •Wild Goose Island Overlook on St. Mary Lake
- •Many Glacier valley around Swiftcurrent Lake
- •Two Medicine Lake area in the southeast
- •Jackson Glacier Overlook on Going-to-the-Sun Road
Quieter Corners of Glacier National Park
- •Grinnell Glacier Trail — a 10.6-mile round trip past turquoise lakes to one of the park's remaining glaciers
- •Two Medicine Valley — a quieter eastern valley with boat tours and backcountry trails favored by locals
Wildlife You May See
Entrance Fee
$35 per private vehicle for a 7-day pass (rate applies year-round); $30 motorcycle; $20 per person on foot or bicycle. America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) is accepted. A separate timed-entry vehicle reservation is required for the Going-to-the-Sun Road and other corridors during peak summer months, booked via Recreation.gov for a $2 processing fee.
Getting There
Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell is about 30 minutes from the West Glacier entrance. Amtrak's Empire Builder stops at West Glacier (Belton) and East Glacier Park stations. The west entrance is on US Highway 2 near West Glacier; the St. Mary east entrance is on US Highway 89. Going-to-the-Sun Road (about 50 miles) connects the two sides but is only fully open in summer. A free park shuttle runs along the Sun Road in summer.
Where to Stay
Inside the park: lodges run by the concessioner include Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel, and Rising Sun Motor Inn (reserve months ahead). There are 13 campgrounds, including Apgar, Fish Creek, St. Mary, and Many Glacier; many take reservations on Recreation.gov and fill fast. Backcountry camping requires a permit. Gateway towns West Glacier, East Glacier Park, St. Mary, and Whitefish (about 25 miles west) offer additional lodging.
Best Time
Going-to-the-Sun Road typically fully opens late June to early July (snow clearing dependent) and closes in mid-October. July and August have the most reliable weather and trail access but the heaviest crowds. Logan Pass facilities are seasonal. Many high trails hold snow into July.
Safety
Grizzly and black bears are the top hazard; carry EPA-approved bear spray, keep it accessible, make noise on the trail, hike in groups, and never store food in tents. Mountain weather changes fast and snow can fall any month at elevation. Going-to-the-Sun Road has steep drop-offs, narrow lanes, and a vehicle size limit (21 feet long, 10 feet high) between Avalanche and Rising Sun. Cold, fast water and unstable snowfields near lakes and falls cause drownings and falls.
Scenic Drives
- •Going-to-the-Sun Road (about 50 miles, West Glacier to St. Mary over Logan Pass)
- •Many Glacier Road into the Many Glacier valley
- •Two Medicine Road in the southeast corner
- •US Highway 2 along the park's southern boundary (open year-round)
Start Your Glacier National Park Park Tour
Get a trail route with narrated stories —
personalized to your interests, ready in seconds
Your personal guide in 5 seconds