Glacier National Park

The Glacier National Park is one of the most spectacular national parks in North America and is the highlight of a trip through Montana for many travelers. Powerful mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, over 700 kilometres of hiking trails and an exceptionally diverse wildlife make it a paradise for nature lovers.

Together with Canadian Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier National Park is the world's first international peace park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite its fame, it still conveys the feeling of untouched wilderness in many places.

If you are travelling by camper or Fifth Wheel, plan your visit well. Some roads are subject to length and height restrictions, and in particular during the high season reservations for campsites and partly also for individual access routes are required.

Take enough time – Glacier National Park is not a place to experience in a single day.

Category | Information

Establishment | 1910

Area | Check the official park facts for the complete figure.

UNESCO World Heritage Site | Yes

Best time to visit | July to September

Ideal stay | 3–5 days

Fifth-wheel access | Check your vehicle, specific campsite and approach road.

Landscape | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Animal monitoring | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hiking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the world. It crosses the Rocky Mountains at about 80 kilometres and connects the West with the east entrance of the National Park.

On the way you'll be waiting:

steep rock walls

Falls

Glaciers

Alpine meadows

spectacular vantage points

Each curve opens up new views.

Going-to-the-Sun Road is not fully accessible with large mobile homes or Fifth Wheels. Before your trip, inform yourself about the current length and width restrictions and explore the route with the pickup truck.

At 2,026 meters the Logan Pass is the highest point of the scenic road.

Here start some of the most beautiful hiking tours of the park.

With a little luck you can already observe from the visitor center:

Mountain goats

Bighorn sheep

Marmots

Those who arrive here early in the morning not only experience the most beautiful light, but also have the best chances of observing animals.

The park's largest lake is filled with crystal clear water and the famous colourful pebbles on the shore.

The historic Lake McDonald Lodge gives this area additional charm.

Especially in the early morning, the surrounding mountains are almost perfectly reflected in the water.

Many national park fans consider Many Glacier as the most scenic part of the entire park.

Here are among others:

Swiftcurrent Lake

Grinnell Lake

Grinnell Glacier

numerous waterfalls

The opportunities for animal observation are also particularly high here.

Clearly quieter than the known main areas.

If you want to escape the crowd, find here:

Beautiful Lakes

impressive mountain scenery

magnificent hiking trails

relaxed atmosphere

Many locals prefer Two Medicine over the more well-known parking areas.

One of the most popular hiking tours in Glacier National Park.

Distance: approx. 4,5 km

Duration: 2–3 hours

Difficulty: easy to medium

The view of Hidden Lake is one of the most beautiful in the park.

A varied hiking trail through an ancient cedar forest to a mountain lake surrounded by waterfalls.

Distance: approx. 7 km

Duration: approx. 3 hours

Difficulty: easy to medium

One of North America's most impressive day walks.

Distance: approx. 18 km

Duration: 6–8 hours

Difficulty: challenging

The tour leads to one of the most famous glaciers in the park.

The park can also be wonderfully discovered from the water.

Especially popular are:

Round trips

Kayaking

Canoeing

Glacier National Park is one of the most animal-rich national parks in North America.

With a little luck you meet:

Grizzly bears

Black bears

Moose

Wapitis

Mountain goats

Bighorn sheep

Marmots

White-headed eagles

Within the National Park there are only a few shops.

Therefore, it is recommended that already in:

Kalispell

Whitefish

Columbia Falls

Buy food and supplies.

In the park itself you will only find smaller General Stores with limited assortment.

Historic restaurant with beautiful terrace right by the lake.

Known for regional specialities and magnificent views.

Not only a culinary highlight – the view of Swiftcurrent Lake alone is worth a visit.

Popular stop near the east entrance.

Ideal for burgers and sandwiches.

Cozy restaurant in West Glacier.

Perfect after a long day of hiking.

The largest campsite in the National Park.

Ideal for exploring Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Quietly located and surrounded by forest.

Especially popular with campers.

Perfect starting point for the east side of the park.

Spacious pitches and fantastic views.

One of the most comfortable campsites in the region.

Benefits:

Full Hook-up

Large pull-through pitches

Pool

Restaurant

ideal location

Perfect for big Fifth Wheels.

Leave your camper or Fifth Wheel on the campground and explore the National Park with the pickup truck. Check the pickup’s own length, height and width including mirrors: restrictions still apply without a trailer.

Plan at least one sunrise or sunset in the park. At these times of day, the mountains look particularly impressive and many animals are active.

The famous colorful stones on Lake McDonald are particularly intense when the water is calm and the sun is still deep.

Reserve campsites several months in advance.

Inform yourself in time about reservation obligations and roadblocks.

Don't underestimate the distances in the park.

Take enough water and food – many hiking tours take much longer than expected.

Always carry bear spray in bear areas and inform yourself about the right behavior in wildlife encounters.

The Glacier National Park is undoubtedly one of the most impressive natural areas in North America. The combination of majestic mountains, turquoise lakes, spectacular panoramic roads and fascinating wildlife makes it a place that you never forget.