Everything you need to know before visiting Glacier National Park: a comprehensive guide including travel tips, where to stay and eat, and must-see experiences in this stunning national park.
Known as the ‘Switzerland of North America’, Glacier National Park is a remarkable destination filled with majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife.
Whether you’re looking to hike, relax, or simply take in the beauty, this park offers something for everyone.
My husband and I recently spent a week in Glacier National Park for my birthday in June 2024.
However this was actually a return visit for us as we visited for the first time with our three children back in 2007 :).
The life of empty nesters ;0 – while we loved the more relaxed pace of our return trip and not having to worry about the safety and nutrition (haha) of our three kids – it was certainly a bit nostalgic to be reminded of just a few of the camping adventures we had while raising them ;\.
Be sure to read the Best Things to See and Do in Glacier National Park guide here too!
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Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Glacier National Park
The Details
Where is Glacier and How to Get There
Glacier National Park is located in the northern Rocky Mountains of Montana, bordering Canada.
The gateway towns for this over one million acres park (the size of Rhode Island!) are Whitefish and Kalispell.
We drove from San Diego to Glacier back in 2007 with stops in St George, Grand Tetons, and Missoula to visit an old college friend before camping in Glacier. After spending 4 nights in GNP, we continued on to camp in Lake Louise, Canada before starting the return home. That road trip was a 3 week summer road trip back in the days when our kids enjoyed being in the car with us ;).
In 2021, Alaska Airlines started flying NONSTOP from San Diego to Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell ;).
A girlfriend of mine that lives in South Carolina visited Glacier in 2023 and told me she also has a nonstop flight straight into Kalispell from Charlotte, NC :).
It seems since Covid, Glacier International Airport has really been upping their game to help people get to their fantastic destination :).
Just an FYI though – as of June 2024, the food options at this airport are severely lacking still. With just one SMALL restaurant and a walk up counter, they weren’t too prepared to feed us before we got on our plane. Keep that in mind and maybe grab food before you get to the airport!!
Having done both driving my own car with an epic North American road trip and flown in with the insane views, I can easily say – both options should make step one for a week in Glacier National Park easy enough ;).
When to Visit Glacier National Park
The best time to visit Glacier National Park is from late June to mid-September when all roads and trails are open and the weather is most favorable.
But for much fewer crowds visiting in late May or early June before Going to the Sun Road opens (see below) will still make for an enjoyable vacation.
And for a chance to see fall colors with a lot less crowds as well, consider visiting in early September.
Our first visit in 2007, was in the summer month of July and a major wildfire was happening in Montana at the time which hindered our campfire experiences (ie- no campfires allowed if a big fire is close by).
Our friends that live in Montana have told us the state has two seasons – winter and fire. So I guess wildfires are a common experience for anyone living in Montana ;0.
The dates of our 2024 week without the kids in Glacier National Park were June 18-25.
While the Going to Sun Road was still closed when we first arrived at the park, it opened on June 22, 2024 (more on this below!).
Many of their most popular hikes were still covered in snow and thus closed to hikers still, but the minimal crowds and perfect hiking weather for the trails that were open made both my husband and I decide this was THE BEST time to visit Glacier National Park.
June 2024 vs July 2007…
Park Entrance Fees
As of summer 2024, the entrance fee for Glacier National Park was $35/car. You can purchase this pass ahead of time on their website here to get past the ranger station a tad quicker.
You will still have to get in the exact same line as everyone else if entering at the west entrance but once you get to the ranger station, you can get through a tiny bit quicker because you have already done the payment transaction ;).
Just an fyi – that line of cars in the photos above only appeared AFTER Going to the Sun Road opened halfway through our week in Glacier and were taken between 11a and 12noon.
If you can time your entrance outside of busy times of 9a-3p, you would likely not have it as bad :).
Vehicle Reservations
Because Glacier National Park can get excessively busy in the summer months, they have implemented an ADDITIONAL permit requirement for this popular Going to the Sun Road (headed east), North Fork, and Many Glacier for different times of their busy summer season on top of the park pass you also need to purchase.
You can learn more about those dates and requirements here.
It can seem EXTREMELY stressful to get that additional vehicle reservation but DO NOT FRET – there are multiple other options.
Here are some workarounds for the vehicle reservation to help you enjoy the park without missing out:
- Park Shuttle System: Starting in early July, you can use the free park shuttle that operates along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Shuttles run frequently, especially during peak hours, and provide access to many of the road’s scenic highlights.
- Enter Before 6 AM or After 3 PM: Permits are not required before 6 AM or after 3 PM. Take advantage of these times to drive the roads with fewer crowds and still experience the beauty. This is what we did on our second day in the park and LOVED how peaceful and tranquil the park was at 6am!! I promise it will be worth getting up early for ;). We actually got breakfast at Lake McDonald Lodge before heading out for a hike.
- Book a Lake McDonald Boat Ride: This one hour scenic boat ride will get you access to Going to the Sun Road for the entire day you have the boat ride booked for!!!! We met a couple that said they booked the 11am boat ride and entered the park around 8am that morning and did a hike before the boat ride… or (don’t tell anyone I said this) skip the boat ride if it doesn’t fit into your plans for the day but still get access to the road all day – you only need one person in your car to have that boat ride ticket for this access ;0. Find more info about tickets and times here.
- Book a Many Glacier Boat Ride: Along the same lines as the above workaround, booking a Many Glacier Boat Ride will also get you onto that separate road without a reservation (required after July 1st). If you plan on hiking to Grinnell Glacier, you will need this boat ride anyway! These book up FAST so be sure to make your reservation as far in advance as you can!
- Red Bus Tours: Reserve a seat on one of the historic Red Bus Tours, which provide a narrated journey along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This option allows you to enjoy the scenery without needing a permit. Keep in mind that the dates these buses start running depends on when the full Going to the Sun Road to Logan Pass opens and these 16 person buses DO SELL OUT so book in advance.
- Drive Going to the Sun Road from the east entrance at St Mary’s: If you are staying on the west side of the park, this drive can feel somewhat lengthy and windy, which is why I HIGHLY recommend staying on both sides of the park during your week in Glacier National Park (see more below on where to stay) ;).
- Explore Other Areas of the Park: Glacier has many incredible locations outside the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor. Consider areas like Two Medicine which offer stunning landscapes without the need for a vehicle permit.
- Bicycle the Going-to-the-Sun Road: If you’re up for an active challenge, biking along the road is allowed, and no vehicle permit is required. Be mindful of the steep terrain and narrow sections. We were lucky with the timing of our visit being before the road was opened to vehicles and got the entire park road to ourselves with our rented e-bikes. Not sure how enjoyable this would have been if it was packed with cars and buses but it is still an option ;). We rented our bikes from Glacier Guides Montana Raft – you can learn more here.
- Stay in Park Lodging or Campgrounds: Guests with reservations at in-park lodges or campgrounds within the Going-to-the-Sun Road area WEST of Logan Pass do not need a separate permit to drive the road. Learn more here.
By using these workarounds, you’ll still have the chance to experience the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road and the rest of Glacier National Park even during the busy summer season.
Going to the Sun Road Opening Dates
Logan Pass (ie the top of Going to the Sun Road) is a popular destination in Glacier National Park, and its opening date varies each year depending on snow conditions and how quickly the road crew can work to get it cleared.
Here is a list of the opening and closing dates for Logan Pass to be fully open from both sides of the park over the past ten years:
- 2024: Opened June 22 | Closed TBD
- 2023: Opened July 13 | Closed October 16
- 2022: Opened June 25 | Closed October 13
- 2021: Opened June 25 | Closed October 13
- 2020: Opened July 13 (delayed due to COVID-19) | Closed October 9
- 2019: Opened June 22 | Closed September 25
- 2018: Opened June 22 | Closed September 29
- 2017: Opened June 28 | Closed September 3 (early closure due to fire)
- 2016: Opened June 16 | Closed October 10
- 2015: Opened June 19 | Closed October 5
- 2014: Opened July 2 | Closed September 22
As you can see from the photo above, even if Going to the Sun Road is closed for your visit, there are many ways to still enjoy the park before the crowds arrive.
As I mentioned above under the vehicle reservations section, another way to experience Going to the Sun Road is renting e-bikes and going to Logan Pass without a single car on the road with you!! More details on this activity in this things to do in Glacier post.
You can still access the Apgar Village and Lake McDonald areas if Going to the Sun Road is closed due to snowpack, as well as Avalanche Lake Trail, Trail of the Cedars, and many other trails at this lower elevation.
How Long You Need at Glacier National Park
I highly highly suggest spending at least 3 days on the west side of the park and then moving to the east side for at least another 3 days.
The most ideal amount of time for visiting Glacier National Park would be 7-10 days to get a good feel for all of the park.
Having now been to the park twice, I can tell you, there is still plenty I would love to see with multiple return visits :).
Where to Stay
Under Canvas Glacier
With multiple locations throughout the US, staying at a glamping property such as Under Canvas is an experience in and of itself!!
Located just outside the west entrance of Glacier National Park, even with temps going into the mid 30’s at night, my husband and I loved this fancier version of traditional tent camping (how we visited national parks with our kids for ten years!).
You can book your stay directly on their website here.
We spent the first 3 nights of our 7 night park visit in the suite tent that has more space and its own private bathroom ;).
St Mary Village
We made St Mary Village our base for the second half of our one week Glacier National Park vacation and it was the perfect place for us to rest up for 4 nights.
Truthfully, I was a little anxious when planning our trip as to where I wanted to stay for the second half.
I had planned on staying at Many Glacier Lodge (below) when staying in this half of the park but it was already booked up for THREE OF THE FOUR NIGHTS we needed when I went to make our reservations a year in advance ;0.
However, now that we are home and our trip is a memory, I strongly believe St Mary’s Village is a much better option for the east side of the park.
Unless you are willing to change accomodations 3 times instead of the 2 times we wanted to.
In that case, I would recommend 3 nights on the west side at Under Canvas, 2 nights at St Mary’s Village or Glacier Park Lodge (below), and 2 nights at Many Glacier ;).
We stayed in the Great Bear Lodge at St Mary Village with the upgraded fireplace and river views.
Glacier Park Lodge
This lodge is breathtaking!!!! And absolutely where we will be staying on our next Glacier NP visit :).
We stopped here for lunch on our drive from Under Canvas to St Mary Village when we were changing accomodations and sides of the park and fell in love with the history and relaxing vibe we found.
While not close to the east or west entrances, this lodge allows for some scenic east side drives or Two Medicine exploring.
Many Glacier Hotel
The largest hotel inside the park, Many Glacier Hotel is a historic Swiss-style lodge offering breathtaking views of the rugged peaks and pristine lakes.
If you are looking to escape the crowds on the west side of the park, this property is located off on its own in the more remote northeastern corner of the park.
You even have to drive on a unpaved road for a bit to get to this area of GNP ;0.
Is this even real???!!!
My favorite hike in the entire park, Iceberg Lake Trail, is located behind the more modest motel in the Many Glacier area, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.
Other Lodges and Campgrounds Inside the Park
Located on the west end of the park, if you decide to not do the glamping thing at Under Canvas, this would be a great option for the first half of your week in Glacier.
It is also an excellent way to not worry about getting the vehicle reservation ;0.
We tent camped at Fish Creek Campground for 4 nights in July 2007 and thoroughly enjoyed the west side location and peaceful nature of this campground.
Rising Sun and Avalanche Creek would also be great choices for a camping experience in Glacier NP.
Where to Eat
The Sunflower Cafe and BBQ
Located in Glacier Campground off of US Route 2, this was my husband’s favorite meal of our trip ;0.
He loved the casualness of the atmosphere and the deliciousness of the bbq!
Russell’s Fireside Dining Room at Lake McDonald Lodge
As mentioned above, we had an EARLY breakfast here after driving into the park before the 6am reservation requirement (which we obviously did not have).
While we only had breakfast here, the food was delicious and I am sure lunch and dinner are equally as tasty…
Glacier National Pizza
Located right at the west entrance to the park in West Glacier Village, Glacier National Pizza was surprisingly good!
I will say my mom once told me everything tastes better when you are eating it in a national park and I honestly could not agree with her more :).
But if you are looking for a quick meal after a long day of hiking on the west side of the park – this is a great option.
Empire Lounge at Glacier Park Lodge
Hopefully you are following my recommendation to stay half your nights in the west and then move over to the east.
And as you are driving over to the east side of the park, be sure to stop here for lunch!! You will not be disappointed ;).
Johnson’s of St Mary
If I were to list the top places to eat near Glacier National Park – this would be in the top 3!!
Everything is homemade at this world famous family owned restaurant (found in the Johnson’s RV Park – use the map above to locate it) – and you can tell!
We showed up right after the restaurant closed (pre-season problems!) but the kind staff let us place a to-go order and wait inside the restaurant for our food to be made and packed up.
Also – I guess I forgot to take any pics of our to-go meal that we ate on our hotel room balcony while watching the sunset over the river and mountains… so you will just have to go try it out for yourself ;).
Two Sisters Cafe
You would never guess that this cafe in a trailer would be one of the best places to eat on the east side of the park – but it is!!!
Two Sisters came highly recommended by a few park staff members who did not steer us wrong ;).
Just be aware, their pre-season hours are somewhat limited and even during peak summer season they are closed on Saturdays (this is a 100% family run business that needs one day off a week they said!).
Interlaken Lounge at Many Glacier Hotel
After getting back to Many Glacier Hotel from our Grinnell Lake hike before the Ptarmigan Dining Room opened for dinner at 5pm but being absolutely starving, we decided to eat in the lounge next to the restaurant.
The lounge serves food from the same kitchen as the dining room from 11am-10pm so it is a great option for anyone not wanting to be constricted to the dining room hours…
FYI – this may very well be the best arugula salad I have ever had in my entire life… not sure if it is the dressing or the salad ingredients but my mouth is watering just thinking about this food ;0 (no picture taken as I was quite hungry and forgot…).
The Ptarmigan Dining Room at Many Glacier Hotel
This first come, first served dining room in Many Glacier Hotel has been known to have some long waits however the views and the food will make you forget how long you waited (if you even did) once you are seated.
We arrived at 4:45pm on my birthday (June 23rd) after hiking the Iceberg Lake trail, and were first in line to be seated once the doors opened at 5pm.
Don’t worry about showing up in your hiking clothes as we did – you might not be the best dressed in the room but you certainly won’t be the only one in hiking clothes ;).
Be sure to have at least one meal on this trip in this incredible room!
Best Dining Options in Whitefish, Montana
After arriving into the Kalispell airport, we drove straight to the fun mountain town of Whitefish for lunch.
Locals at the airport gave us these top suggestions:
AMAZING CREPES
Looking for something savory or sweet? Having a bit of a sweet tooth plus crepes addiction, when this cafe was suggested to us – I knew we would be hitting it up immediately.
THE GREAT NORTHERN BAR & GRILL
If you have been to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, you probably know about the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
This is the Montana version of that famous bar :).
CRAGGY RANGE BAR & GRILL
After walking around Whitefish for a few hours to walk off the amazing crepes, we decided to share a burger at this bar and grill before driving to our Under Canvas accomodations for the next 3 nights.
Best Things to See and Do in Glacier National Park
Head to my best things to see and do in Glacier National Park post here for more details on my favorite things to do in the park.
Here is a quick list of suggestions though:
- Drive Going to the Sun Road
- Bike (e-bike) Going to the Sun Road
- Go hiking
- Visit Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada
- Enjoy the views everywhere!
Our Glacier National Park Itinerary Day to Day Overview
DAY 1: Fly San Diego to Kalispell on Alaska Airlines | Arrive 1pm | Lunch in Whitefish
DAY 2: Rent E-bikes and bike Going to the Sun Road | Dinner at The Sunflower Cafe
DAY 3: Enter park at 5:30am | Breakfast at Lake McDonald Lodge | Hike Avalanche Falls and Trail of the Cedars | Dinner at Glacier National Pizza
DAY 4: Drive to St Mary Village with lunch stop at Glacier Park Lodge | Dinner at Johnson’s in St Mary
DAY 5: 11am boat ride at Many Glacier for hike to Grinnell Lake | Dinner at Interlaken Lounge in Many Glacier Hotel
DAY 6: My Birthday! Hike Iceberg Lake Trail | Dinner at Ptarmigan Dining Room in Many Glacier Hotel
DAY 7: Day trip to Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada | Dinner at Two Sisters Cafe
DAY 8: Fly Kalispell to San Diego 2pm with stop at Two Medicine on drive back to airport
What to Wear During a Glacier National Park Visit
The one thing you need to be aware of for a Glacier National Park visit is you need to be prepared for any type of weather!
And have excellent shoes :). These are my favorite hiking shoes and raincoat.
Useful Maps of Glacier National Park
Here are screenshots of some of the best maps I found while actually in the park.
Yes they are screenshots – but many of these are maps I actually paid for because of the information I found useful on them!
And here they are for free for you to hold down and save for your trip ;)!
HOW TO USE THIS MAP:
Click the tab in the top left hand corner of the map to view the layers of the map and names of places included. You can click the check marks to hide or show the layers. If you click the icons on the map, you can get more information from each point of interest.
If you click the little star next to the title of the map, this map will be added to your Google Maps account. To view the map on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the ‘menu’ button, go to ‘Saved’ on a computer and ‘You’ then ‘Saved’ on phone, click ‘Maps,’ and you will see this map on your list.
I hope you found this post with everything you need to know before visiting Glacier National Park helpful in planning your own incredible time in this awe inspiring corner of the US.
Especially as an empty nester, visiting Glacier National Park is the perfect place to connect with nature and enjoy serene, scenic drives and hikes with it’s stunning natural beauty and majestic mountains.
I am already ready to go back ;).
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I want to make some memories.
~Mamma Mia
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