Glacier National Park for Beginners
The first word that comes to mind when we think about Glacier is: PRISTINE
Glacier feels ancient and rugged and untouched.
There were times on our hikes where it felt like we were the only people on earth.
Glacier represents the epitome of a national park for us: grander, bigger, farther, and wilder than any other place we’ve visited.
Luckily, even a couple of newbies like us could navigate it. If we could, you can too!
Let’s tell you about Glacier National Park for Beginners!
Notes from the Newbies
Katie
Glacier portrays the best of the national parks. Steep and unusually sharp peaks. Ancient glaciers stretching toward the sky. Alpine wilderness in all its rugged and raw glory. Every inch of Glacier is beautiful.
Gus
Glacier might be the grandest national park we’ve ever visited. After driving 18 hours through rural North Dakota and Montana, we finally arrived on the eastern side of the park at Saint Mary Lake. It’s surely one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Glacier National Park Basics
| Date Established | 1910 |
| Annual Visitors | 2,908,458 |
| Rank in Popularity (by visitors) | 10th |
| Our favorite Hike | Avalanche Trail |
| #1 Reason to Visit | Ancient (and sadly eroding) Glaciers |
| Highest Visited Month | July (700,000+ visitors) |
| Lowest Visited Month | Dec. (14,000+ visitors) |
| Best time to Visit | Summer |
| Ideal # of Days to Spend | Three (3) |
| Closest Major City | Kalispell, MT (34 miles) |
Map of Glacier National Park
The west entrance of Glacier National Park is home to the Apgar Visitor Center and the stunning Lake McDonald.
The east entrance to Glacier is home to the Saint Mary Visitor Center and the spectacular Saint Mary Lake.
The two least visited areas of the park are the Many Glacier and Two Medicine areas.
These are less popular because they simply require more driving.
If you are headed toward Yellowstone National Park as part of a longer road trip, drive through the Two Medicine area of the park – worth it!
Tips Before You Visit Glacier
Glacier is one of the few parks we can’t wait to get back to!
We certainly did not experience everything you could possibly do at Glacier. But we learned a lot of lessons along the way.
This was one of our first “real” national park road trips and we had no idea what we were doing.
Here are a few tips we wish we knew prior to visiting Glacier!
Tip #1: It’s Hard to Get There
Glacier is as far north as you can get in the lower 48 states.
From almost every nearby major city, you can expect multiple hours of driving just to get there.
If you’re coming from farther (like we did from Minnesota), you can expect multiple days of driving.
Unless you live in northern Montana, you probably aren’t visiting Glacier for a few hours on a weekend.
You have to really plan a trip to Glacier because it’s hard to get there.
Tip #2: Visit in late Spring or Summer to see Logan Pass
If you visit too early in the spring or too late in the fall seasons, you run the risk of Going-to-the-Sun Road being closed.
We visited too early in the spring (sadly!) and the road was not fully open.
Going-to-the-Sun road is one of the most beautiful roads in the US and one of the main reasons to visit Glacier. Pictures of Logan Pass are something out of a dream.
The timing is impossible to predict. The year we visited, the park was having an unusually long spring, which meant the road opened later than expected.
Generally speaking, Logan Pass (the highest alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun road) opens in late June and closes in late October.
But always check the NPS website for the most up to date information on the status of the road!
Tip #3: You Might Need a Vehicle Registration
In recent years, many of the most popular parks in the US have implemented a vehicle registration system.
Glacier keeps their vehicle registration information up-to-date here, but below are the most important things to know:
- Vehicle Registration + Entry Pass are required for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, North Fork, and Two Medicine areas of the park.
- West side and North Fork: registration required from 6am-3pm between May 24 and Sep. 8
- Two Medicine: registration required from 6am-3pm between July 1 and Sep. 8
- All registrations are valid for 1 day.
And although it is admittedly a bit annoying, it is very, very helpful to reducing congestion in the national park.
Tip #4: See Sunrise Over Lake McDonald
One of the most serene experiences I’ve ever had was seeing the sunrise at Lake McDonald near Apgar Village.
We got lucky.
Crowds were very thin.
The lake was almost like glass.
And the sun slowly illuminated the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
It’s a scene I won’t soon forget and something you definitely need to do.
The best part? It’s so easy to get there. Apgar Village has plenty of parking and you can pull right up to the lakeshore!
Tip #5: Stay at the KOA in St. Mary, MT
There are no shortage of places to stay near or around Glacier.
But we absolutely loved staying at the St. Mary / East Glacier KOA (Kampgrounds of America).
It is located minutes from the St. Mary Visitor Center on the western side of Glacier and gives you quick access to the park.
We had a mishap with reservations during our trip and needed a last-minute place to stay (like literally as the sun was setting). KOA came to the rescue and ended up being the perfect landing spot.
Now everytime we take a road trip, my instinct is to see if there is a KOA in the area!
Tip #6: Visit Glacier as Part of a Longer Road Trip
Like I said up front, Glacier is hard to get to and requires multiple days.
Our recommendation would be to take the extra time (if you can swing it) to visit Glacier as part of a longer road trip.
We were lucky to make our trip to Glacier part of a 6-park road trip!
- Minnesota → Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Theodore Roosevelt → Glacier National Park
- Glacier → Yellowstone National Park
- Yellowstone → Grand Teton National Park
- Grand Teton → Wind Cave National Park (ND)
- Wind Cave → Badlands National Park
- Badlands → Minnesota
It was about 2.5 weeks and it made the trek out to Glacier feel “worth it.”
Most Popular Experience at Glacier: Going-to-the-Sun Road
Going-to-the-Sun road is one of the most iconic drives in all the national parks.
It’s special because it is only open for a very specific window throughout the year (late June to late October).
And it takes you to some of the most pristine wilderness areas left in the lower 48.
As we said up front, we didn’t get a chance to drive Logan Pass because it was still closed when we visited (first week of June).
But Glacier remains on our list for the simple fact that we’d finally get to drive the Going-to-the-Sun road.
Going-to-the-Sun Road Basics
- Location: Center of Glacier National Park
- Best Time to Visit: late June to late October (weather permitting)
- Length: 50 miles
- Average Time to Complete: 2 hours (without stopping)
- Highest Point: Logan Pass (6,664 feet)
- Why it’s Popular: One of the most scenic drives in all the national parks
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Glacier National Park
There are endless things to do in Glacier. Unless you are spending multiple weeks there, it is unlikely that you will do every attraction or trail in Glacier.
But let’s make sure that once you are inside the park, you’re exploring these must-see spots:
Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. With the mountains in the northeast background, the views across Lake McDonald are spectacular at sunset and sunrise. Easily accessible via Apgar Village, this crystal-clear lake will provide a serene and captivating experience. You can take a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore, rent a kayak and get out on the water, or enjoy the nearby shops and food options for a wonderful picnic.
Avalanche Lake Trail
Avalanche Lake takes you into the heart of Glacier National Park. The 4.6-mile round-trip hike to the lake takes you through old-growth cedar and hemlock forests, along rushing waterfalls, and finally rewards you with the sight of a stunning mountain-framed lake. This peaceful hike was one of our favorites!
Saint Mary Lake from Wild Goose Overlook
Another one of the iconic lakes in the park, the Wild Goose Overlook of Saint Mary Lake is a must. Easy accessible from the road, we sat here and watched the sunset over the lake multiple evenings in a row (it helped that our campsite was less than 20 minutes away). The towering cliffs and glaciers in the background of the tranquil lake make it a perfect spot for photography.
Two Medicine Lake
One of the least visited areas of the park was one of our favorites – Two Medicine Lake. Not far from the East Glacier end of the park, this region feels quiet and off-the-beaten-path. From here you can hop in a canoe and explore the lake, visit the Two Medicine Ranger Station and general store, or explore the short 0.6 mile round-trip hike to Running Eagle Falls.
Many Glacier
The Many Glacier area is breathtaking and known for its stunning alpine landscapes and abundant wildlife. Nestled amidst towering peaks and glacially-carved valleys, it offers a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Visitors can explore pristine lakes, hike through picturesque trails, and marvel at the grandeur of the Many Glacier Hotel, a historic Swiss-style lodge that adds charm to this awe-inspiring destination.
Final Thoughts: Glacier National Park for Beginners
Glacier National Park is one of the crown jewels among the National Parks. Its grand peaks, ancient glaciers, and rugged wilderness make for an unforgettable experience. No matter which section of the park you are visiting, the awe-inspiring beauty and endless activities make it all worth it.
Glacier National Park offers something for everyone. From driving the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road to hiking to stunning spots like Avalanche Lake, the park will leave you longing to explore more. Glacier gave us memories that we will treasure forever and we can’t wait for you to explore it for yourself. We hope this guide to visiting Glacier National Park has been helpful – let us know!
