Glacier
Jagged peaks, turquoise lakes and the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, all year
- Entry
- $35 per car
- Reservations
- Not required
- Size
- 1 million acres
Glacier Weather Now
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Glacier National Park is often called the Crown of the Continent, and the name fits. Its peaks were sculpted by ice into sharp horns and knife-edge ridges, with turquoise lakes in the valleys below. Together with Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park, it formed the world's first International Peace Park in 1932.
The glaciers that carved the park are retreating fast. About 150 existed in 1850; fewer than 30 remain today. Seeing them is one reason to go soon, but the park's real draw is its 700 miles of trails, some of the best in the country. Going-to-the-Sun Road, an engineering landmark finished in 1932, crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and is open end to end for only a few months each summer.
The park and surrounding area
- Park boundary
- Other parks
- Major highway
- Road
- Rivers and lakes
- Town
Plan your trip
- Best time to go
- July to mid-September, when Going-to-the-Sun Road and high trails are snow-free.
- How long to stay
- 3 to 4 days.
- Getting there
- Glacier Park International (FCA) in Kalispell is about 30 minutes from West Glacier. Amtrak's Empire Builder stops at West Glacier and East Glacier.
- Wildlife
- Grizzly and black bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose and hoary marmots.
Plan and book
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Where to stay
Tours and activities
- Guided tours on Viator (opens in a new tab)Day trips, wildlife, photography
- Tours on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)Compare options and reviews
- Campsites on Recreation.gov (opens in a new tab)Official federal booking site
What to pack for Glacier
- Bear sprayEssential in one of the densest grizzly areas in the lower 48.
- MicrospikesSnowfields linger on high trails into July.
- Rain shellWeather changes quickly at Logan Pass.
- BinocularsFor mountain goats and bighorn sheep.
- Warm layersExpect cold mornings even in August.
A first day, start to finish
- Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west at dawn
- Hidden Lake Overlook from Logan Pass
- Wild Goose Island on St. Mary Lake
- Afternoon in Many Glacier, looking for bears
- Sunset over Lake McDonald
Don't miss
- Going-to-the-Sun Road50-mile drive over Logan Pass at 6,646 feet.
- Highline TrailCliffside trail from Logan Pass with views the whole way.
- Many GlacierGrinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake hikes, plus frequent grizzly sightings.
- Lake McDonaldLargest lake in the park, known for its colored stones.
- Two MedicineQuieter valley with boat tours and lakeside trails.
Know before you go
Do
- Carry bear spray; this is grizzly country.
- Make noise on trails, especially near streams and blind corners.
- Check the road status page for Going-to-the-Sun Road openings.
Don't
- Drive vehicles over 21 feet long on the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
- Hike alone at dawn or dusk in bear country.
- Step onto snowfields above steep drops.
Open 24 hours, all year. The full Going-to-the-Sun Road usually opens in late June or July and closes in mid-October, depending on snow.
Winter entrance rates drop to $25 per vehicle from November 1 to April 30.Trekker's tip