Your Perfect Glacier National Park Itinerary

I worked in Glacier National Park for two summers, and I’ve played tour guide for countless visitors. I haven’t forgotten what it felt like to be a tourist myself, scrolling through hundreds of beautiful photos trying to choose which trails to hike. Glacier is a huge park, and it can be overwhelming to navigate. I made these sample itineraries to help you plan your perfect trip; I hope you like to hike!

Have two weeks to spare? Check out my ultimate guide to a Northern Rockies Road Trip: Glacier, Waterton, Banff, and Jasper National Parks.

You also might enjoy my guide to navigating the most popular trails in Glacier National Park.

Getting Around Glacier

In my experience, a car is essential to visiting Glacier. Uber doesn’t really exist around the park, including near the Kalispell airport. You can try booking a taxi ahead of time with Mountain Chief Cab Company and taking the NPS shuttle to trailheads on the Going-to-the-Sun Road but, honestly, it’s a logistical nightmare and limits your options.

Road Reservations

Glacier’s road reservation system is always changing. As I write this, there is speculation that NPS will dissolve the reservation system completely and instate parking time limits. Ultimately, you must research this portion yourself.

Camping/Lodging Reservations

Campsites in Glacier are released for reservation 6 months in advance on recreation.gov. Most lodges open their reservations 13 months in advance. Popular sites will sell out immediately, but you can try checking daily for cancellations. As for where to stay, I’ll get into that in the itineraries.

When to Visit Glacier

Your best bet to have full access to the park is between mid-July to early September. The snowmelt varies every summer, and sometimes the Going-to-the-Sun Road and high elevation trails (including my favorite, Grinnell Glacier) do not fully open until July. In September, hotels and restaurants start to shut down, and seasonal closures are not far behind.

If you’re visiting in May or June, read Visiting Glacier National Park in June. There are plenty of benefits to visiting during the shoulder season; June is actually my favorite month in Glacier for several reasons.

A downside to peak season is that it overlaps with wildfire season. The concern isn’t necessarily that there will be a fire in the park, but that wildfire smoke can travel from hundreds of miles away, obscuring mountain views and threatening your lungs.

My example itineraries assume that it’s peak season and everything is open. (But note that trails still regularly close due to wildlife activity.)

Three Days

It’s not ideal to spend only three days in a park as large as Glacier, but sometimes a long weekend is all you have.

Day 1: The Going-to-the-Sun Road and Avalanche Lake

The Kalispell airport and car rentals are on the west side of the park, so that’s where most visitors start their trip. Secure any necessary road reservation to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road from west to east as you head to your accommodation for the night. Today, you’ll drive the entire Sun Road from the west to east entrance. I suggest stopping at Freda’s in the Town of West Glacier for coffee and food to start your day, as there aren’t many options inside the park.

Apgar Visitor Center: Stop by the visitor center to shop for souvenirs, stamp your national park passport, and learn a little something about the park.

Apgar Village and Lake McDonald: If you can find a parking spot (this will be a theme throughout your trip), check out Apgar Village and its beach. It has the perfect view of Lake McDonald and Glacier’s iconic rainbow rocks. This is your last call for a meal until the evening, but don’t stay too long because there’s lots more to see today.

If there’s no parking at Apgar, there are plenty of pullouts along Lake McDonald as you drive toward Avalanche Lake.

View of Lake McDonald from Apgar Village

Hike Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake: Hike alongside the turquoise waters of Avalanche Creek to Avalanche Lake. This trail is busy, but the parking lot has a fairly quick turnover. If you’re not up for a 4.5-mile hike, the Trail of the Cedars boardwalk is still worth strolling.

Logan Pass: Logan Pass is our main item on tomorrow’s itinerary, but you’ll probably want to check it out if there’s parking available. If you’re up for another hike, it’s just under three miles roundtrip to Hidden Lake Overlook from Logan Pass Visitor Center.

Bighorn sheep are frequently spotted at Logan Pass. Read more: Where to Spot Wildlife in Glacier National Park

Sun Point Nature Trail: If there’s daylight left, this spot is worth a visit. At Sun Point, take the nature trail just a short walk through the trees. You’ll pop out on rock cliffs overlooking St. Mary Lake.

View of St. Mary Lake from Sun Point Nature Trail

Wild Goose Island Lookout: Be sure to pull over at the sign for Wild Goose Island Lookout on St. Mary Lake. As your day comes to an end, this is a great sunset spot.

Wildlife is most active at dusk and dawn, and bears are especially common here by Sun Point and Rising Sun along St. Mary Lake. Bring your bear spray on even the shortest walks, and keep your eyes peeled as you drive out of the park!

As you exit the park’s east entrance, you’ll arrive in the small town of Saint Mary. There are a few restaurants for dinner, as well as lodges and campgrounds where you should have booked tonight’s stay in advance. My pick is St. Mary Village for your lodge and dinner. If you’re camping, Johnston’s of St. Mary has nice showers.

Day 2: Logan Pass and the Highline Trail

Today’s itinerary centers around Logan Pass, which is approximately a 30-minute drive from your hotel in St. Mary. As I write this, NPS has proposed plans for a 3-hour parking limit at Logan Pass, requiring hikers to take the shuttle for longer trails. As Going-to-the-Sun Road regulations are always changing, please do your research before visiting.

Grab some food in St. Mary—I like the coffee at Glacier Perk Espresso in St. Mary Village. You’ll be on the trail for lunch, so pack accordingly.

The Highline: The Highline Trail begins at Logan Pass and heads north into Canada as part of the Continental Divide Trail. There are multiple ways to approach this trail. My recommendation is an 11.5-mile point-to-point hike from Logan Pass to the Loop, utilizing the NPS hiker shuttle. Take the spur trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook and visit the hike-in Granite Park Chalet where you can buy a cold Gatorade for $9.

Grinnell Glacier Overlook and Granite Park Chalet

A shorter option is an out-and-back on the Highline to Big Bend for 7.5 miles roundtrip. If you want to visit the glacier overlook and chalet as an out-and-back, it’s 15 miles. (Detailed hiking guide)

Sights on the first few miles of the Highline Trail

The Highline will occupy most of your day. If you missed any stops east of Logan Pass yesterday, you can add them on your drive back to Saint Mary. If you’re ambitious and want to add a short hike, try St. Mary Falls.

Tonight, stay in either Saint Mary or Many Glacier Valley. There are only three lodging options in Many Glacier: Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, and Many Glacier Campground.

The absolute best restaurant in the area is Two Sister’s Cafe, located between Saint Mary and Many Glacier. That’s my pick for dinner!

Day 3: Many Glacier

Welcome to Many Glacier!!! This is where I spent my two summers, and it’s the best part of the park. I’m about to get very nostalgic.

In the past, reservations have not been required to enter Many Glacier Valley, but that could change anytime. If you stayed the night at Saint Mary, it’s about a 45-minute drive into Many Glacier Valley.

Start your morning with a huckleberry latte at Heidi’s, the cafe in Many Glacier Hotel. It’s by the gift shop, so check that out, too. There are limited breakfast options at the cafe, so I recommend eating just down the road, at Nell’s at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. There’s also a camp store at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, so grab something for lunch on the trail.

Grinnell Glacier: My very favorite hike in Glacier is Grinnell Glacier. It’s a tough ten miles, but every step is beautiful. In July and August, the Glacier Park Boat Company runs tours across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, shaving a couple miles off the hike.

If Grinnell Glacier is too tough, you can opt for the relatively flat 7-mile hike to Grinnell Lake. It begins at the same trailhead as Grinnell Glacier, diverging around Lake Josephine before the elevation begins. You can also combine the two trails for a long day hike.

Many Glacier Hotel staff celebrating a birthday at Grinnell Lake. Learn more about working in a national park.

If you have spare time in the afternoon, you might like to rent a kayak or canoe on Swiftcurrent Lake in front of Many Glacier Hotel. Or, do a 4-mile roundtrip hike on Swiftcurrent Pass to Redrock Falls (and maybe spot a moose).

Left: Redrock Falls. Right: Canoeing on Swiftcurrent Lake.

For dinner in Many Glacier Valley, eat at one of the two restaurants in Many Glacier Hotel: Ptarmigan Dining Room or Swiss Lounge. Ptarmigan Dining Room is fine dining with large windows overlooking the lake. It’s expensive, but you might spot a moose out the window. Swiss Lounge is the hotel bar, which doesn’t have a view, but you can take your huckleberry cocktails out onto the hotel balcony after.

Five Days

Five days is just enough time to experience all the major regions of Glacier. If you can keep up, I’ll take you on a bunch of my favorite hikes.

Day 1: Lake McDonald and Avalanche Lake

Let’s assume you begin your day in Kalispell on the west side of the park, as that is where the airport and car rentals are. Your first day can be spent exploring the west side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Make any necessary reservations to drive the Sun Road.

West Glacier: There aren’t many places to eat in the park, so grab food and a coffee at Freda’s in the Town of West Glacier (just outside the park’s entry station).

Apgar Visitor Center: Start at the visitor center to familiarize yourself with the park! Check current conditions and learn a little something about spotting wildlife or wildflowers.

Avalanche Lake: As you drive along all ten miles of Lake McDonald, you’ll be tempted to stop, but save it for after your hike. Avalanche Lake is 4.5 miles roundtrip, and you might like to take the unmaintained trail to the far end of the lake for about 6 miles roundtrip. The first view is the best, but the far beach is lovely and secluded from the crowds.

Left: A unique perspective of Avalanche Lake. Right: A “hidden” beach on Lake McDonald.

Lake McDonald: Backtrack down the Sun Road and spend the rest of your day in the Lake McDonald area. Explore the pullouts along Lake McDonald and discover a secluded beach. Maybe stop by historic Lake McDonald Lodge.

Apgar Village: At the west end of Lake McDonald, check out the local-owned shops and restaurants in Apgar Village. Apgar Village also has the most iconic view of Lake McDonald, complete with rainbow rocks on the beach. Hang out at the beach or rent kayaks, but beware—the water is cold!

In the evening, return to Whitefish/Kalispell where there are many restaurants to choose from. I’ve stayed at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, and they hosted a bonfire with s’mores.

Day 2: Two Medicine

There won’t be many options for food where you’re going, so grab breakfast and pack a lunch before you depart Whitefish/Kalispell. Take Hwy 2 around the south border of Glacier to Two Medicine. While it’s not the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, this drive is still very scenic!

Aster Park: There are a variety of lovely trails in Two Medicine, and my recommendation is Aster Park. The trail passes Aster Falls before ascending steeply to Aster Park viewpoint. It’s 4 miles roundtrip and mostly easy until the final push to the viewpoint. There’s a marshy area at the beginning of the trail where, if you’re lucky, you might spot a moose.

Two Medicine: After your hike, browse the Two Medicine gift shop and relax on the beautiful shore of Two Medicine Lake.

Left: Colored rocks on Two Medicine Lake. Right: View of Two Medicine Valley from Hwy 49.

As you exit Two Medicine, do not drive through Browning. Turn left out of Two Medicine onto Hwy 49, then left again onto Hwy 89. This is a very scenic drive, though the roads are winding and a bit rough. Any passenger vehicle can handle it with a bit of care.

You’ll arrive in Saint Mary, a small town at Glacier’s east entrance to the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This is where you’ll stay for the next two nights, so check into your hotel or set up camp, and, by this time of day, probably eat some strange meal between lunch and dinner. I’ve stayed multiple times at St. Mary Village, a large hotel with a decent cafe, gift shop and restaurant, so that’s my recommendation. I’ve also camped at Johnston’s of St. Mary, and their showers are quite nice.

Left: Wild Goose Island Lookout. Right: A black bear on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

With the rest of your evening, drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road along St. Mary Lake, stopping at whichever pullouts catch your eye. Watch for bears; they’re most active at dusk and dawn and frequently spotted alongside St. Mary Lake.

Day 3: Logan Pass

Logan Pass is a 30-minute drive from your hotel in Saint Mary, provided you don’t hit any bear jams (people stopping to look at roadside bears). In previous years, reservations have not been required to enter the Sun Road from the east side, but that could change. Be sure to research the current road regulations!

There’s limited snacks sold at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, so pack a lunch and have breakfast in Saint Mary.

A rainbow over distant Logan Pass, photo taken from Granite Park Chalet

The Highline: The Highline trail is the crown jewel of Logan Pass and where you will spend the meat of your day. You can hike as far out-and-back on the Highline trail as you feel comfortable, but these three routes are the best options:

11.5 miles point-to-point from Logan Pass to the Loop, utilizing the NPS hiker shuttle (my favorite)
7.5 miles out-and-back to Big Bend
15 miles out-and-back to Granite Park Chalet

The longer two options pass a one-mile spur trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook that I promise is worth the struggle. It’s close to the hike-in Granite Park Chalet, so you can take a break with a $9 cold Gatorade afterward.

Left: View from the Highline. Right: Hidden Lake Overlook.

Hidden Lake Overlook: If you have time (and energy) after the Highline, hike 3 miles roundtrip to Hidden Lake Overlook.

Return to your Saint Mary accommodation in the evening. Two Sisters Cafe, just down the road, is the best place for a hearty meal after a big hike.

Day 4: Many Glacier

Get excited! Today I’m taking you to my home: Many Glacier Valley. This is where I lived during my two summers working in Glacier National Park. Think of me while you do all my favorite things today.

Have breakfast in Saint Mary before you hit the road. It’s about a 45 minute drive, but a large stretch of Many Glacier Road is unpaved and very bumpy.

Grinnell Glacier: This is my favorite Glacier hike. It’s ten miles of burning quads and bliss. In July and August, the Glacier Park Boat Company runs tours across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, shaving a couple miles off the hike.

If Grinnell Glacier is too tough, you can opt for the relatively flat 7-mile hike to Grinnell Lake. It begins at the same trailhead as Grinnell Glacier, diverging around Lake Josephine before the elevation begins. You can also combine the two trails for a long day hike.

Overlook of Grinnell Lake on Grinnell Glacier Trail

If you have spare time in the afternoon, you might like to rent a kayak or canoe on Swiftcurrent Lake in front of Many Glacier Hotel. Or, do a 4-mile roundtrip hike on Swiftcurrent Pass to Redrock Falls (and maybe spot a moose).

For dinner in Many Glacier Valley, eat at one of the two restaurants in Many Glacier Hotel: Ptarmigan Dining Room or Swiss Lounge. Ptarmigan Dining Room is fine dining with large windows overlooking the lake. It’s expensive, but you might spot a moose out the window. Swiss Lounge is the hotel bar, which doesn’t have a view, but you can take your huckleberry cocktails out onto the hotel balcony after.

There are only three lodging options in Many Glacier: Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, and Many Glacier Campground.

Day 5: Many Glacier

Start your day at Nell’s of Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, where I worked the morning shift all of summer ’23. It’s the only decent breakfast place in Many Glacier Valley, in my opinion.

Today, choose between the following hikes:

Iceberg Lake, 10 miles: This trail has beautiful views of Swiftcurrent Valley, lots of wildflowers in-season, and the fantastic Iceberg Lake at the end.
Iceberg Lake & Ptarmigan Tunnel, 15 miles: Ptarmigan Tunnel is literally a hiker-sized tunnel dug through a mountain pass, and it branches off the Iceberg Lake Trail. It’s a steep hike up to the tunnel, but there’s a great view on either end.
Cracker Lake, 12.5 miles: This is a hike about the destination, not the journey. The trail is heavily forested and shared by horses, so expect few views and lots of horse poop. But Cracker Lake is the most brilliant glacier-blue lake in the park.