Glacier National Park in Montana is known as the crown jewel of the continent thanks to its awe-inspiring mountains and glaciers. It is an absolutely stunning national park, but planning a trip to Glacier comes with some logistical considerations. This itinerary breaks down how to spend 3 days in Glacier National Park to see the best of what the park has to offer.
This Glacier National Park itinerary is primarily centered around the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor, but it also takes you into some other areas of the park. The itinerary is family-friendly and builds in time to relax. While you will be hiking every day of the trip, the hikes I’ve included are all easy-moderate. If you’re looking for a more adventurous trip to Glacier National Park, feel free to substitute any of the hikes for more difficult trails (suggestions are included).
Table of Contents
- About Glacier National Park
- How to Get to Glacier National Park
- Where to Stay in Glacier National Park
- When to Visit Glacier National Park
- Glacier National Park Reservation System
- Recreating Responsibly in Glacier National Park
- Trip Itinerary: 3 Days in Glacier National Park
- What to Pack to Go Hiking in Glacier National Park
About Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is located in Montana right on the border of Alberta, Canada. The park is huge and encompasses roughly 1 million acres. There are 8 primary areas of the park: Lake McDonald; North Fork; Goat Haunt; Belly River; Many Glacier; St. Mary; Two Medicine; and Walton.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is the main thoroughfare in Glacier National Park and connects the Lake McDonald area to St. Mary. The road is 50 miles long and takes about 2 hours to drive the full distance. Be aware vehicles that are longer than 21 ft. long, 10 ft. high, or 8 ft. wide are not allowed on Going-to-the-Sun Road!
The east side of Glacier National Park is surrounded by the Blackfeet Reservation, which you’ll drive through when visiting the Many Glacier area of the park in this itinerary. Please be respectful of the Blackfeet Nation’s tribal laws and customs when passing through the reservation. Glacier National Park is the ancestral homeland of the Blackfeet, Salish, Pend d’Orielle, and Kootenai peoples.
Glacier National Park is part of the world’s first international peace park- Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park. While you can hike across the border from the Goat Haunt area of Glacier National Park into Waterton National Park, you need to go through customs and possess a valid passport to enter Canada.
Entrance Fee: Glacier National Park requires an entrance fee of $35/vehicle. You can also use an America the Beautiful ($80/year) or other federal recreation pass.
How to Get to Glacier National Park
Driving
Glacier National Park is an extremely popular road trip destination- for good reason! While it’s not super close to any major cities, people often tack it onto longer national park trips to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. It takes about 6-7 hours to drive from Yellowstone to Glacier.
The closest “big” city in Montana is Missoula, which is a 2 ½ hour drive to the west entrance of Glacier National Park. The closest large city is Calgary in Alberta, Canada, which is a 3 hour drive to the east entrance of Glacier National Park.
Flying
The closest airport to Glacier National Park is Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana. The airport is about 30-40 minutes from the west entrance to the park. While there are park shuttles that can take you along Going-to-the-Sun Road, plan to rent a car to get the most of your 3 days in Glacier National Park.
Where to Stay in Glacier National Park
Camping
For the purpose of this itinerary, plan to spend 2 nights camping at either the Apgar Campground or Avalanche Campground on the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, and 1 night at the St. Mary Campground or Rising Sun Campground near the east entrance. Campground reservations can fill quickly, so I recommend booking as early as possible (although you can also find last-minute cancellations if you peruse rec.gov often enough).
There are other campgrounds located in Glacier National Park that don’t work quite as well with this itinerary. There is also dispersed camping and additional campground options located outside of the park’s boundaries.
Glacier National Park Campgrounds
Apgar Campground
Location: On the shore of Lake McDonald near the West Glacier entrance to Glacier National Park.
Number of Sites: 194
RV-Friendly: Yes, up to 40 ft. No hookups.
Reservation Dates: Most sites become available to reserve 6 months in advance on rec.gov. A limited number of sites become available 4 days before the desired camping date. Reservations can be made from early May through the end of October. The campground is first-come, first-served the rest of the year.
Season: Open year-round with primitive camping during late fall, winter, and early spring.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms with flush toilets, electricity, and running water (no water during the winter).
Water: Potable water is available during the summer.
Fees: $23/night from May 5-October 2, 2023. $10/night from October 3-October 31, 2023. Free through December 31st.
Rising Sun Campground
Location: Near the east entrance to Glacier National Park along St. Mary Lake.
Number of Sites: 84
RV-Friendly: Yes, up to 21 ft. No hookups.
Reservations: First-come, first-served.
Season: Open from the beginning of June through the beginning of September.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms with flush toilets, electricity, and running water.
Water: Potable water is available.
Fees: $20/night.
Avalanche Campground
Location: Along Going-to-the-Sun Road near the west entrance to Glacier National Park.
Number of Sites: 87
RV-Friendly: Yes, up to 26 ft. No hookups.
Reservation Dates: Most sites become available to reserve 6 months in advance on rec.gov. A limited number of sites become available 4 days before the desired camping date.
Season: Typically open from July 17-September 17.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms with flush toilets, electricity, and running water.
Water: Potable water is available.
Fees: $20/night.
St. Mary Campground
Location: Near the east entrance to Glacier National Park.
Number of Sites: 148
RV-Friendly: Yes, up to 40 ft. No hookups.
Reservations: Most sites become available to reserve 6 months in advance on rec.gov. A limited number of sites become available 4 days before the desired camping date. Reservations can be made from late May through August 13, 2023 (the 2024 season runs from May 28-August 15). The campground is first-come, first-served after August 13, 2023.
Season: Open year-round with primitive camping during late fall, winter, and early spring.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms with flush toilets, electricity, and running water.
Water: Potable water is available.
Fees: $23/night from May 26-August 13, 2023. $20/night from August 14-October 31, 2023. Free November 1-May 27, 2024. $23/night from May 24-August 15, 2024.
There is also a KOA campground located nearby if St. Mary Campground is full.
Hotels & Lodges
If camping is not your thing you can opt to stay one one the park’s many hotels and lodges during your 3 days in Glacier National Park. You can also find a wide variety of lodging options, including glamping resorts, cabins, and familiar hotels chains, near Glacier National Park in places like West Glacier, Kalispell, and Whitefish, Montana. These cities are all located on the west side of the park.
Lodging in West Glacier:
Under Canvas Glacier: A luxury glamping resort.
Sky Eco- Glacier General Store and Cabins: Air-conditioned cabins with a kitchenette and general store on site.
Great Northern Resort: A rustic lodge with on-site breakfast.
Lodging in Kalispell:
Kalispell is going to be your best option if you like to remain loyal to specific hotel chains.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kalispell
Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn and Suites
Homewood Suites by Hilton Kalispell
Lodging in Whitefish:
Whitefish is a ski resort community, so lodging options here are fancier (and pricier) than what you’ll find in West Glacier or Kalispell.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Whitefish
The Pine Lodge on Whitefish River, Ascend Hotel Collection
Lodging in Glacier National Park:
*This section contains affiliate links, which means if you click a link & make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.*
If you’re planning on spending 3 days in Glacier National Park I recommend staying at the Village Inn at Apgar, Apgar Village Lodge, Motel Lake McDonald, or Lake McDonald Lodge for 2 nights, and the the Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins for 1 night.
A rustic motel located on the shore of Lake McDonald. Room prices range from $169-249/night.
2023 Season: Mary 19-September 17
2024 Season: May 17-September 15
A historic lodge located along Going-to-the-Sun Road on the shore of Lake McDonald. Prices start at $133/night for dormitory-style accommodations with a shared bathroom, to $532/night for a deluxe cabin.
2023 Season: May 12-September 20
A rustic inn on the shore of Lake McDonald with no air conditioning, TVs, or in-room telephones. Room prices range from $295-426/night.
2023 Season: May 17-September 25
Cozy cabins located in Apgar Village near the west entrance of Glacier National Park on the shore of Lake McDonald. Motel and cabin prices vary from $159-389/night.
2023 Season: May 12-October 1
2024 Season: May 10-September 29
Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins:
A rustic inn and cabins located near the east entrance to Glacier National Park along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Room prices range from $216-271/night.
2023 Season: June 9-September 6
When to Visit Glacier National Park
If you want to complete this itinerary while spending 3 days in Glacier National Park, plan to visit during the summer or early fall.
Summer:
The best time of year to visit Glacier National Park for pleasant weather is during the summer from July through September. Snow can linger on high-altitude trails into July, but by August trails are clear and wildflowers are blooming. Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed throughout most of the year due to avalanche risk, so summer is the best time to visit if you want to drive the iconic road.
Average Temps in West Glacier: 70-85°F during the day; 35-50°F at night (keep in mind higher elevations will be cooler).
Fall:
Fall is another great time of year to visit Glacier National Park. It’s going to be less crowded than visiting during the summer, and temperatures will be cooler, but still mild. Going-to-the-Sun Road typically remains open through mid-late October, unless a major snowfall happens earlier. If you want to visit Glacier National Park during peak fall foliage to see the larches changing, plan your trip for late-September or early-October.
Average Temps in West Glacier: 55-70°F during the day; 30-40°F at night (keep in mind higher elevations will be cooler).
Winter:
Montana winters are notoriously rough, but portions of Glacier National Park remain accessible for snowy adventures. Going-to-the-Sun Road is generally open between the west entrance and Lake McDonald Lodge year-round. While the rest of the road is closed, you can snowshoe or cross-country ski further up the road to get a new perspective of the park.
Average Temps in West Glacier: 30-40°F during the day; 15-25°F at night (keep in mind higher elevations will be cooler).
Spring:
Spring can be a tricky time to visit Glacier National Park. While the crowds are light during the spring, the high-altitude hikes in the park are still buried under heavy snow rendering them inaccessible. Going-to-the-Sun Road is open to bike riding from Friday-Sunday during the spring (crews work on avalanche mitigation along the road during the rest of the week). You can also access lower elevation trails.
Average Temps in West Glacier: 40-65°F during the day; 25-40°F at night (keep in mind high elevations will be cooler).
Glacier National Park Reservation System
Glacier National Park has a complex vehicle reservation system in place for 2024. Vehicle entry reservations are required in the following areas of Glacier National Park: Going-to-the-Sun Road (from the west), North Fork valley, and Many Glacier valley. Reservations are NOT required for Two Medicine valley this year.
Because there are so many different areas of Glacier National Park that require a vehicle reservation, it’s extra important to plan your trip well in advance. If you want to visit 2 different areas of the park on the same day you need to secure vehicle reservations for each area. While the reservation system adds additional logistics to your trip, limiting the number of visitors in the popular areas of the park provides a more enjoyable experience.
The Glacier National Park vehicle reservation system is a daily entry system, which means you can enter your reservation area anytime between 6am-3pm MT. Going-to-the-Sun Road reservations provide you with 3 full days of access.
If you have campground or lodging reservations inside an area of the park that requires a vehicle reservation then your accommodations will provide access without the need for an additional reservation!
Quick Info Glacier Vehicle Reservation System
Cost: $2
Dates: Going-to-the-Sun Road (from the west) & North Fork: May 24-September 8, 2024; Many Glacier: July 1-September 8, 2023
Hours: 6am-3pm MT
When Tickets are Released: The first block of tickets gets released 120 days in advance on rec.gov. A second block of tickets will be released at 7pm MST the night before the entry date.
Recreating Responsibly in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is extremely popular and sees high levels of visitation each year. It’s important that everyone who visits Glacier does what they can to help minimize their impacts on the environment by practicing Leave No Trace.
This means:
- Plan ahead & prepare. Be sure to research any hike that you plan to do ahead of time and pack the proper gear to stay safe on the trail.
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces. Stay on trails or other durable surfaces like snow, rock, or gravel. Backcountry camping in Glacier National Park requires a permit.
- Dispose of waste properly. Make sure you pack out all of your trash on the trail and dispose of it properly.
- Leave what you find. It’s illegal to take natural or cultural objects from a national park. This includes picking wildflowers!
- Minimize campfire impacts. Check for fire bans and practice campfire safety. This means creating your campfire in an existing fire ring; making sure the fire is attended and doesn’t get out of control; and making sure the fire is out completely (stir the ashes until they are cool to the touch).
- Respect wildlife. Keep a safe distance and never approach or feed wildlife. Stay at least 100 yards from predators, like bears, and 25 yards from other wildlife.
- Be considerate of others. Don’t play music over speakers and remember that uphill hikers have the right of way.
© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Stay Bear Aware
Glacier National Park is home to both black bears and grizzly bears, so practicing bear safety is extremely important. If you’re camping, make sure that you don’t leave any food, scented items, or cooking equipment unattended. Be sure to store anything scented in your vehicle or the bear box provided at your campsite at night.
Carrying bear spray while hiking in Glacier National Park is highly recommended. Make sure that you practice using it before you hit the trail. Hiking in a group and making noise on the trail to alert bears to your presence is also recommended (you can use your voice for this, no need to play music over a speaker!).
While it’s unlikely that you’re going to encounter an aggressive bear while hiking (especially on the trails included in this itinerary), if you do, back away slowly and pick up small children. NEVER RUN! Your first line of defense during a bear attack will be deploying your bear spray. If the bear doesn’t retreat and you’re attacked by a grizzly bear, play dead. If you’re attacked by a black bear, fight back.
Trip Itinerary: Three Days in Glacier National Park
Day 1 in Glacier National Park
Start your first of 3 days in Glacier National Park with a sunrise drive from the west entrance to Logan Pass along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Arriving at Logan Pass early in the morning will ensure that you find a parking spot. While the parking lot is large, this is a popular destination for visitors to the park and rangers will turn away vehicles once parking is full.
Hiking to Hidden Lake
The best time of day to hike in Glacier National Park is in the morning, so hike the Hidden Lake Trail from Logan Pass. The trail is 5 miles out-and-back with 1,350 ft. of elevation gain if you hike down to Hidden Lake. The hike down to the lake is moderately difficult. You can also stop at the Hidden Lake Overlook if you’re looking for a shorter/easier hike. This is 2.5 miles with roughly 500 ft. of elevation gain.
The trail to the overlook follows a boardwalk with sections of stairs throughout. Hiking down to the lake takes you along a well-defined singletrack trail with switchbacks to make the elevation gain/loss easier. Keep an eye out for mountain goats and bighorn sheep, and be sure to give them space if you see any! While the trail to Hidden Lake isn’t a particularly difficult hike, the high altitude may make it seem more difficult than you’re used to.
After your hike, stop in the Logan Pass Visitor Center to view the interpretative exhibits and pick up some souvenirs. Then get back in your car and enjoy a scenic drive back down Going-to-the-Sun Road to Lake McDonald. Spend the next few hours hanging out on the beach or go boating or paddleboarding on the lake. Rentals are available at the Apgar day-use area. If you brought your own watercraft you’ll need to have it inspected, which you can do at the Apgar boat dock.
Bowman Lake
In the late afternoon, begin driving up to Bowman Lake in the North Fork area of the park. If you do not have a reservation for the North Fork area, plan to arrive after 3pm. The drive to Bowman Lake passes through the off-grid town of Polebridge, Montana, which has a saloon and mercantile. Make a plan to either pack dinner to cook at the lake, or stop in at the saloon for a bite.
The dirt road from Polebridge to Bowman Lake is narrow and has some rough sections, but can be driven in a passenger car. The North Fork area of Glacier National Park is much less visited than the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor, so Bowman Lake is a great place to go for some peace and tranquility.
Day 2 in Glacier National Park
Start Day 2 of your trip to Glacier National Park with a hike up to Avalanche Lake. Parking for the trail is right along Going-to-the-Sun Road about 6 miles past the Lake McDonald Lodge. There’s ample parking at the trailhead, but it often fills up quickly because it’s such a popular trail. I recommend hiking at sunrise and going back to your campsite to break things down afterwards.
Hike to Avalanche Lake
The beginning of the hike up to Avalanche Lake follows the Trail of the Cedars. This is a short, 1-mile loop that is wheelchair-accessible. About half way through the Trail of the Cedars you’ll come to a junction with the Avalanche Lake Trail. From there the trail slowly climbs up to the lake.
The hike to Avalanche Lake is approximately 4.2 miles out-and-back (including completing the loop on the Trail of the Cedars), with 750 ft. of elevation gain. You can continue hiking along the west shore of the lake to make the hike a little longer and get away from crowds. The hike is easy-moderate depending on your hiking experience and fitness levels, making it a great option for beginner hikers. Avalanche Lake also makes for a great solo hike.
Many Glacier
After your hike you’re going to drive over Going-to-the-Sun Road to the Many Glacier area of the park. Feel free to take your time during the drive and stop at scenic pullouts along the way. I recommend stopping at the Loop, Big Bend (this is a great spot to view wildflowers, see below!), Jackson Glacier Overlook, and Wild Goose Island.
If you need to get gas or stock up on groceries, you can stop in East Glacier Park Village once you complete Going-to-the-Sun Road. Set up camp or settle into your accommodations on the east side of Glacier National Park, and get ready for an evening in the Many Glacier area. If you don’t have an entry reservation for the Many Glacier area you will need to wait until after 3pm to head over.
Once you enter the Many Glacier area drive to Swiftcurrent Lake, keeping your eyes out for moose as you drive into this more remote area of the park. You can take a boat tour operated by Glacier Park Boat Company across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. The tour also includes a free, optional guided hike to Grinnell Lake. The latest tour time is 4:30pm.
There are dining options inside of Many Glacier Hotel, or you can pack dinner to cook at the lake. Enjoy the sunset at Swiftcurrent Lake before driving back to your campsite or lodging accommodations for the night. You can also stay in Many Glacier and hike in the area on day 3. Popular hikes in Many Glacier include Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake, which are both considered difficult hikes.
Day 3 in Glacier National Park
Begin your final day in Glacier National Park with a hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls. Be aware parking at the trailhead is very limited, so I recommend getting an early start. Stop at St. Mary Lake along the way to watch the sunrise before your hike.
Hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls
The hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls is approximately 3 miles out-and-back with 450 ft. of elevation gain. The difficulty is easy-moderate depending on your hiking experience and fitness levels.
The trail starts with a hike through burn scar. While trees are sparse, the forest understory is coming back to life with lush green plants and wildflowers, like fireweed. After 0.8 miles of hiking you’ll arrive at St. Mary Falls. Then hike another 0.7 miles to reach Lower Virginia Falls and Upper Virginia Falls. The steepest section of the trail is the final push up to the Virginia Falls.
Looking for a longer and more difficult hike on your last day in Glacier National Park? Check out Siyeh Pass, which is easily accessible from the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road. The trail is 9.8 miles point-to-point, so you’ll either need to plan a shuttle or hike it as an out-and-back.
After your morning hike, drive back over Going-to-the-Sun Road to West Glacier. If you don’t need to go back to West Glacier and are heading east after your trip, then you can leave the park via the east entrance. If you have time in your schedule and you’re able to get an entry reservation, you can visit the Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park.
What to Pack to Go Hiking in Glacier National Park
*This section contains affiliate links, which means if you click a link & make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.*
Pack:
Hiking pack recommendations are incredibly subjective. I personally use and love the Osprey Sirrus 24L pack. A trail running vest is also a great option for the shorter hikes in this itinerary.
Appropriate Layers:
What clothing you specifically need to wear or carry depends on a number of factors including the forecast, time of year, and your personal preferences, but keep in mind that mountain weather can change in an instant. Helpful layers to consider wearing/bringing include a baselayer, mid-layer, outer layer, and rain jacket.
Water:
Make sure to pack enough water for the trail that you plan to hike. Also consider carrying a water filter to help refill water on the trail (be sure to research whether water sources will be available first).
Snacks:
A protein bar, trail mix, pb&j, dried fruit, and jerky are all great hiking snack options. Remember to pack out your trash, including food scraps!
Bear Spray:
Consider bear spray an essential item when hiking in grizzly country. All of the hikes in this itinerary are very popular and if you go in the middle of the day it’s very unlikely that you’ll run into a bear because of the number of other people around, but if you’re hiking at sunrise or plan on heading deeper into Glacier’s backcountry then make sure you pick up a can and read up on how to use it before heading into the park.
Headlamp:
Keep a headlamp handy in your pack in case you find yourself still out on the trail after dark.
Sun Protection:
Sun protection is always a good idea, especially in the mountains. Be sure to wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
First-Aid Kit:
A well stocked first-aid kit should always be in your pack as one of the 10 essentials.
Map & Compass:
While all of the trails I’ve included in this itinerary are easy to navigate, you should always carry a map & compass in the event you get lost. At the very least be sure to download the trail map to your phone before heading out!
Knife:
A knife can come in handy for a variety of purposes from cutting an apple to fixing your gear. Plus it’s ond of the 10 essentials, so it should be something that just lives in your pack!
Emergency Shelter:
Injuries that may require a hiker to spend an emergency night on the trail are not uncommon, so it’s important to carry an emergency bivvy or space blanket to help you stay comfortable during an emergency situation.
Trekking Poles:
Trekking poles are optional but may be helpful to have if you’re planning on doing more difficult hikes.
Emergency GPS:
I always carry a Garmin in-reach mini GPS on hikes to easily get in contact with authorities in the event of an emergency.
Other National Park Itineraries You May Enjoy:
- 24 Hours in Yosemite National Park
- 3 Days in North Cascades National Park
- 3 Days in Zion National Park
- 3 Days in Death Valley National Park
- 2 Days in Grand Teton National Park
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