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It was a photograph of Lake McDonald that inspired our family trip to Glacier National Park. The way the sun lit the colored rocks under the glassy water captured my heart. As we traveled the Going to the Sun Road, a highway in the Rocky Mountains, each turn revealed something spectacular.
From spotting Bighorn Sheep perched on jagged cliffsides to glacier-fed waterfalls, our trip enveloped the magic and natural beauty of the landscape. Here are the best things to do in Glacier National Park, Montana, so that families can experience all this park has to offer.
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What is the Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park
Montana is a northern state with cooler temps than Los Angeles residents might appreciate. However, for families who want to take advantage of fewer crowds, early June and late September are considered shoulder seasons. Although the area will have cooler temps, visitors will still have access to most areas of the park.
Late June/early July to early September are peak season, with temps averaging a high of 60-70 degrees. Be sure to wear layers and bring light jackets. And, even though temps are cooler, some of the hikes are very sunny. Remember sunscreen!
Are Bear Attacks in Glacier National Park Common?
Do NOT hike Glacier National Park without bear spray. Montana is home to the largest population of grizzly bears and black bears in the continental United States.
Bears usually won’t bother you, but be aware, pay attention to park signs, and carry bear spray!
Photo by Paxson Woelber on Unsplash
They are most active at dusk and dawn during the summer months and likely to be agitated during early spring. Be sure to respect signs and closures, as certain park areas might not be accessible when bears are most active.
We did spot a couple of grizzlies off in the distance while hiking, but none came close. But rest assured, there are only an average of 1-2 non-fatal attacks annually. A bear is more likely to move away from human contact than toward it. But still, better safe than, you know.
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Get a Reservation for Glacier National Park
From June 13 to September 28, visitors need a vehicle pass to visit the park between 7 am and 3 pm. Passes are available up to four months in advance because of demand, so don’t wait until the last minute to get a pass or book a reservation.
Hikes in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in Montana has over 700 miles of trails, some of them are intense and best for full-day hikes or backpacking trips. Of course, there are plenty of easier (safer) hiking trails for families, too.
With hundreds of lakes through the park, it’s almost impossible to choose which hiking trails are best!
Photo by David Morris on Unsplash
Best Hikes for Families at Glacier National Park
We stuck to some of the milder hikes. Even with my 8- and 10-year-olds being experienced hikers, I’m always afraid they’ll fall off some mountain. Here are our favorites.
Fischer Cap Lake and Red Rock Falls
This is one of the best places to spot moose in the park – we saw one playing in the lake! Head to the Many Glacier entrance and find the trailhead behind the parking lots of Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Fischer Cap Lake is a little over a half-mile in.
Fischer Cap Lake is great for moose spotting!
Photo by Wenxiao Guo on Unsplash
Either come back out after or continue hiking the trail to Red Rocks Falls. This beautiful waterfall is about two miles into the hike but has relatively mild terrain, and the kids had no problems with it. We weren’t a fan of the bugs, though, so don’t forget the bug spray!
Hidden Lake
Our family didn’t visit Hidden Lake, but we did hike to the viewing portion of the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, where we could see vibrant flowers swaying in the breeze and the turquoise, glassy hidden lake that perfectly reflected the snow-dusted mountains behind it. It’s about an hour into Going to the Sun Road near the Logan’s Pass Visitor’s Center.
More adventurous hikers can also continue down a steeper incline and take the 1.5 miles to visit Hidden Lake. Keep your eye out for mountain goats known to travel the area.
Running Eagle Falls Hike
This hike can be accessed from the park’s Two Medicine area, just over a half mile in and out. The best part was the unique waterfall at the end of this hike – the water comes through arches in the rock!
Lake McDonald
To date, Lake McDonald is one of my favorite places. There are several hikes around Lake McDonald, the largest lake in Glacier National Park. Even with it being listed as a moderate 13-mile trail, we made a day of this hike, which was manageable for my young sons. Their favorite part, aside from the colorful rocks in the lake, was climbing over the fallen trees on the path!
The rocks in Lake McDonald are colorful enough to fill out a crayon box!
Photo by Pete Alexopoulos on Unsplash
For families that aren’t up for the 13+ mile hike, see Lake McDonald from the Upper McDonald Creek Trail. This trail is about five miles long and offers views of the lake from above. There also aren’t as many elevation changes.
Avalanche Lake
Hikers will find the trailhead for this hike at the Avalanche Picnic Area near Trail of the Cedars. It is 2.3 miles one way and has decent elevation gains, but it was easy enough for my kids to do. They also brought water shoes and loved dipping their toes in Avalanche Lake at the end of the hike!
St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
This trail is moderate intensity but short enough that kids won’t complain about their feet – especially when they see two waterfalls at the end! Enjoy beautiful lake views and spots to take a dip in Virginia Creek. My boys are always happy when they can get in the water!
Breathtaking scenes like this view of St. Mary’s Lake are all around the park.
Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash
Swiftcurrent Nature Trail
Swiftcurrent Nature Trail is fairly level, taking less than an hour to hike with views of mountain ranges and all sides of Swiftcurrent Lake. This trail is also one of the first to be cleared of snow, so it’s a great choice for families visiting during the early season!
Hikes for Adventurous Climbers or Parents Traveling Without Kids
For families traveling without kids or with teens up for a more adventurous hike, these more challenging hikes in Glacier National Park are worth trekking. The longest trek is the 3,100-mile Continental Divide trail, established by Congress in 1978.
The Highline Trail
The Highline Trail has steep drop-offs and some unrailed areas and is definitely not safe for young families. It starts off with a sharp drop down the side of the mountain, and even with the railing, I wouldn’t feel safe walking it with my boys. It’s also 11.4 miles long.
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Iceberg Lake Trail
The challenging Iceberg Lake Trail is 9.3 miles with opportunities for wildlife settings, views of colorful wildflowers, and towering cliffs. At the end, hikers will find Iceberg Lake. Even during summer months, floating icebergs offer stunning photo opportunities.
Colorful wildflowers on the trail to Iceberg Lake in the springtime.
Photo by David Banning on Unsplash
Grinnell Glacier Lake
Pieces of glaciers are especially striking in the blue waters of Grinnell Glacier Lake. Families looking to shorten the trip can take a boat ride to the trailheads. Even with the boat ride, it’s a 4-mile hike with 1,800-foot elevation gains that is best for moderate hikers.
Beautiful views of Grinnell Glacier Lake make the hike well worth it!
Photo by Daniel Crowley on Unsplash
Other Things to Do in Glacier National Park, Montana
Take a Scenic Drive on Going to the Sun Road
Going to the Sun Road takes visitors to all the hikable areas of Glacier National Park, with incredible views of towering mountains, rushing waterfalls, and tunnels along the way. To access most of the hikes, visitors will need to travel a portion of this road.
Scenic views like these are awaiting on Going to the Sun Road!
Photo by Daniel Crowley on Unsplash
Biking
Glacier National Park has several paved bike trails and multi-use trails that can be used for biking. Good family-friendly trails include the Fish Creek Bike Path, Apgar Village and Campground, Flathead Ranger Station trail, and Inside North Fork Road between Camas Creek and Logging Creek.
More adventurous families can bike paved paths through the park!
Photo by Adrian Flores on Unsplash
For families planning to bike, avoid the busy season when there could be traffic along Going to the Sun Road which makes it difficult for a safe ride, and be sure to follow these safety guidelines from the National Park Service.
[ctt template=”8″ link=”CktFU” via=”no” ]Discover the best things to do in Glacier National Park, Montana! From breathtaking hikes and wildlife spotting to scenic drives along Going-to-the-Sun Road, explore must-see attractions and family-friendly adventures in this stunning national park.[/ctt]
Boat Tours
For families traveling with younger kids that might not enjoy a 4-10 mile hike, taking a boat ride across one of Glacier National Park’s many lakes is a great way to shave time off hiking excursions. Boat tours or rentals are both options!
Other Watersports
Glacier National Park has more than 700 lakes – so many that only approximately 130 are named. Of course, this means there are plenty of opportunities for water sports.
My kids are always ready to take a dip in the water – no matter how cold!
Photo by Rafa Prada on Unsplash
Swimming is also an option, but keep in mind the lakes are glacier-fed. Even during summer months, they usually don’t get above 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. But some kids are never cold.
Visit Whitefish Mountain Resort
Whitefish Mountain Resort is about 30 miles from the western side of the park. Depending on the time of year, families can enjoy skiing, mountain biking (with bike rentals), scenic chair lifts, ziplining, and an aerial adventure park.
Ranger-Led Activities
Glacier National Park offers ranger-led hikes, boating tours, equestrian tours, biking, and even a nighttime astronomy program. Some evenings, Native Americans talk about the history and culture of the area through the Native America Speaks programs.
Glacier National Park Montana offers incredible views of the night sky!
Photo by Ryan Hutton on Unsplash
This is also an excellent hack for families that couldn’t score a park pass for the days they are visiting the area. Visitors can gain access to certain parts of the park – pass free – depending on which ranger-led activities they book.
When You Go
Traveling to Glacier National Park from Los Angeles
The closest airport is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA). It is an approximately 40-minute drive from West Glacier and a 2-hour drive to East Glacier. Most flights have at least one layover and take anywhere from 5-12 hours, depending on where and how long the layover is. Delta, United, Alaska, and Allegiant all fly this route.
An excellent discount site for rental cars and flights is Booking! We’ve literally saved hundreds using it.
Where to Stay in Glacier National Park
Our family spent a couple of days at Cedar Creek Lodge in Colombia Falls. We loved that it was near the west entrance of the park, but also near Whitefish Mountain Resort and other fun activities in the area. Plus, Cedar Creek Lodge offers a free breakfast buffet, an indoor poo, and hot tub. Kids under 11 stay free with a parent!
On the eastern side of the park, stay at LOGE in Glacier. Guests can stay in cozy cabins, suite-style lodgings, or converted historic train cars! There are bike rentals and a game room that kids will love.
Tent or RV camping is also an option. There are campgrounds all along Glacier National Park, but some are smaller, so be sure to book in advance. We stayed at the Sprague Creek Campground for two days and loved how close it was to the views of Lake McDonald!
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