Visiting Glacier National Park? Don’t miss these things to do!
Glacier National Park is tucked away in Montana’s Rocky Mountains and filled with glacier-carved peaks and valleys. We can see why they used to call it the Switzerland of America, especially the Many Glacier area.
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Last Updated: June 6, 2025
Where is Glacier National Park?
Glacier National Park is in the northwest corner of Montana and borders Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. The two parks combined are a UNESCO World Heritage site called Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
How to Get to Glacier National Park
Many people make a road trip out of it. These are the closest major cities to the park.
- Kalispell, MT (34 mi, map) – Glacier Park International Airport is the closest.
- Missoula, MT (138 mi, map)
- Spokane, WA (273 mi, map)
- Seattle, WA (550 mi, map)
- Portland, OR (623 mi, map)
9 Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park
After two visits, we realized that you could spend a lifetime exploring this park, but since most of us don’t have a lifetime, here’s a list of the top things to do in Glacier National Park on your first visit.
1. Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road
Going to the Sun Road, map
This is the most iconic thing to do, and why so many people visit this park. It’s only fully open during the summer, typically July and August, but the season changes yearly based on snowfall.
To help control the traffic, you now need a ticket/permit to access the Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR). The tickets are free of charge, but to obtain a ticket on Recreation.gov, there is a $2 nonrefundable service fee. In addition to the ticket, you will also need an entrance pass to the park.
If you have reservations with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity in the park within the GTSR corridor, the reservations are good in lieu of the ticket. For more details, visit the official site.
Allow yourself 2 hours to drive the full 50 miles, and depending on the time of year, it can take even longer due to traffic jams. Also, remember that the road gets very narrow at certain sections, so they have regulations on the types of vehicles you can take. We had to pull our mirrors in to make it through while driving a Ford F-150.
See More: 21 Classic American Road Trips to Put on Your Bucket List
2. Take the Red Bus Tour
A ride on the famous Red Buses is a great way to get an intro to the park. We’re usually not a huge fan of tours and prefer to explore independently, but these Red Buses are a long-time tradition. They are the longest continuously running tour in the world and were driven initially by Blackfoot Indians, and being in them makes you feel like you’re part of history.
Their knowledgeable drivers give you more insight into the park and share stories of American Indian folklore. There are a handful of tours to pick from, and on clear days, the top will be rolled back so you get plenty of vantage points. We did the Westside Crown of the Continent tour.
See More: Yellowstone National Park has a Yellow Bus Tour
3. Hiking in Glacier National Park →
Glacier National Park offers hikes at all levels. We have a separate post on the best hikes, but here are a few of our top suggestions.
- Stroll: Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail
- Short But Moderate Hike: Avalanche Lake (4.5 miles round trip, 730 ft elevation gain)
- Strenuous Hike: Cracker Lake Hike (12.6 miles round trip, 1400 ft elevation gain) is so blue! We also heard Iceberg Lake was a great 10-mile hike from fellow RVers, and the elevation gain was nice and gradual.
- There are also endless trails in the backcountry.
Local Tip: Many hikes close due to snow or bear activity, so check with the Visitor Center for the most up-to-date info. If you’re driving, pick up some bear spray before you head there to save money. You can also rent bear spray for $15/day, but if you’re in the park multiple days, you should buy it. You should also make a lot of noise and clap, but if that gets tedious, you can carry these bear bells.
See More: 15 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park
4. Camp in the Backcountry
There’s no better way to appreciate the park’s beauty than to camp in it! Numerous campsites are throughout the park, and the rangers will be the best resource to determine which ones are available. When we arrived at Cracker Lake, we met several people who had camped there the night before, and we were so envious. They got to camp right next to a beautiful lake under a million stars. Next time, we will extend our hike and spend some time out there!
Local Tip: Again, don’t forget the bear spray when camping in the backcountry.
5. Kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard at One of the Lakes
Lake McDonald is the largest lake and probably the best for water activities. It’s stunning during sunset! We spent an afternoon kayaking and SUP around the lake and even spotted a couple of bald eagles. We got our kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from the folks over at Glacier Outfitters, who were super friendly and helpful with recommendations on where in the lake to go. We had a great experience with them that we ended up going back for bike rentals.
6. See Goose Island
Wild Goose Island Lookout, map
Made famous by The Shining, Wild Goose Island is one of the most photographed spots in Glacier National Park. There are multiple overlooks along Going-to-the-Sun Road where you can pull out. Also, right down the road from there, you can also see the mountains in the Glacier scene in Forrest Gump!
7. Sunrise at Two Medicine Lake
Two Medicine Lake Campground, map
We stayed at West Glacier but made the 3 AM trek out to Two Medicine Lake for sunrise, and it was well worth it! This was our favorite photo spot in the park, and it was just so peaceful with no one else around. Just look at the colors on the mountain and the stillness of the clear water. I was, however, constantly looking over my shoulder since this is a bear-frequented area.
8. View and Photograph Wildlife
At Glacier, we spotted deer, marmots, mountain goats, big-horned sheep, and grizzly bears. Although it’s very rare and hasn’t happened in over a decade, a US forestry officer got mauled right near our campsite during our stay.
Afterwards, I proceeded to look up every bear mauling in history (worst idea ever). Did you know that bears can rip off your car and home doors? Needless to say, I did not get a wink of sleep while camping out in our Airstream.
I also learned that those innocent-looking bighorn sheep can shatter your bones if they charge at you. Always remember that these are WILD animals and you should keep your distance and respect their space.
See More: What You Need to Know Before Visiting Glacier National Park
9. Fly Fishing
This is something we didn’t get a chance to do because we didn’t know about it beforehand, but it’s something Jacob would have loved to try! The rivers are popular spots for fly fishing. You can go with a guide or get a permit. If you’re on the East side of the park in the Indian Reservation area, you need special permits.
Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park
- Best Weather and Sightseeing: July and August are the best times to visit to have the whole park open, including the GTSR’s famous scenic drive and hiking trails. The main road won’t be fully open until late June, but that varies year-to-year based on snowfall and the status of road repairs. This is also the most crowded, and when you need to book rooms far in advance.
- Shoulder Season: A great alternative is to visit during shoulder season in late May through June or fall, but your options will be more limited.
- Best Time for Fall Foliage: In late September through mid-October, the larches turn golden yellow.
- Best Time for Winter Activities: November through April is a popular time for ice climbers and cross-country skiers to visit. Camping is free, and nearby lodging rates are low. Temperatures can go below freezing, and you must be aware of avalanches.
Essential Tips fro Visiting Glacier
- Pack a raincoat, and if you plan on checking out any of the trails, always bring bear spray.
- Photography: If you want to photograph wildlife, you’ll need a long telephoto lens.
- Need more tips? Here’s everything you need to know before visiting Glacier National Park.
Best Places to Stay
If you want to book accommodations inside the park, book them far in advance. Many of them will sell out more than 6 months ahead of time.
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Find a great deal on Glacier hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a National Parks travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
More Resources
Any other favorite things to do in Glacier National Park? Other than The Shining and Forrest Gump, can you think of another movie that was shot here?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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Beautiful pictures and helpful info!
Thank you, Peter!
What trail did you take to get to the sunrise spot at Two Medicine lake?
You can actually get this shot pretty much from the parking lot! We just walked right up to the lake.
We are planning a trip to Glacier National park we will be driving from Southern California what are some must see places you recommend
You mean on the way?
Whew!
So we are trying to figure out if we want to visit Glacier National Park or the Grand Tetons in the beginning of summer. I’m not sure which route to go, any tips?
The tetons are amazing and with Yellowstone right there you get 2 national parks. The tetons have less visitors than glacier, so if you are looking for more of a serene experience, I’d recommend. Flathead lake, (30 miles south of glacier) is way more amazing than you can even begin to imagine. Yes the lakes are clear in Wyoming but nothing like the water in montana. Personally I think the mission mountains, which are south of flathead are bigger and better than the tetons. I would personally pick glacier just for the crystal clear lakes, the going to the sun road, and the trail of the cedars. Also they say all the glaciers will be gone soon so why not go there now. Hopefully this helps
I would agree with Emily. The order that I like the parks is Glacier > Tetons > Yellowstone, but it really does depend on whether you want to connect with nature or see a lot of the famous sights.