The best spots in Glacier National Park!

Glacier National Park is one of the best parks in the United States, located in Montana. And without lying to you is a paradise, all the views will leave you speechless, you can enjoy the park only from the car, but as we like adventure I will tell you what are the hikes that you should not miss.

Summer 2024 is just around the corner I recommend this blog so you don't miss any detail when visiting the park.

The first thing we need to know is:

How to get to Glacier National Park?

There is no better way to visit the park than doing a roadtrip from anywhere in the United States or Canada, but if you want to arrive by plane you can do it by:

• Glacier Park International Airport is located near Kalispell and is approximately 30 miles west of the West Entrance.

• Missoula International Airport is located approximately 150 miles south of the West Entrance.

• Great Falls International Airport is located between 130 miles and 165 miles east of the St Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier Entrances.

Where to Stay?

To understand the park a little better I bring you this map that is very useful:

The most popular entrances to the park are:

• West Glacier

• St. Mary

• Many Glacier

And the road connecting West Glacier and St. Mary is the famous Going to the sun road

So we will look for a place to stay inside the park or near those areas, to check the lodges inside the park or the different camps you can visit this page for more information:https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm , anyway I recommend the following ones:

Now let's start with the most important thing, the vehicle reservation:

A permit is required to enter the park between 6am and 3pm, unless you have a reservation at one of the hotels or activities inside the park. I stayed two nights in the Many Glacier area and did not worry about this as there are many things to do in the Many Glacier area without having to move your car.

Best hikes in Glacier National Park

Hikes located along the going to the sun road:

Lake McDonald

Lake McDonald Valley is the hub of activity on the west side of Glacier National Park. Once occupied by massive glaciers that carved this area thousands of years ago, the valley is now filled with spectacular sights, hiking trails, diverse species of plants and animals, historic chalets, and the grand Lake McDonald Lodge.

Ten miles long and nearly 500 feet deep (152.4 m), Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park.

Avalanche Lake

This is one of the most popular hikes in the park, as it does not have much elevation gain, totaling 4.6 miles round trip and 600 ft of elevation.

Hidden Lake Overlook

The hike starts from Logan Pass, it is short but a little steep, from the overlook the view is breathtaking, along this hike you can find many mountain goats and big horn sheeps. In total it is 2.7 miles roundtrip and 550 ft of elevation.

Grinnell Glacier Overlook

This is one of the most impressive hikes I have done, it is a bit difficult, it is long with a lot of elevation and totally exposed to the sun, plus there are no places to filter water on the road and you have to carry all the water you will use along the hike. If you do not want to do the whole hike I recommend doing the beginning of the hike which is part of The Highline Trail, the views are breathtaking. In total it is about 12 miles round trip and almost 4000 ft of elevation gain.

Hikes in the Many Glacier area:

The hikes in this area are a little less crowded, as they are a little more difficult, you have to keep checking the park website for trail status, as there is a lot of bear activity in this area.

Iceberg Lake

The iceberg lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the glacier national park, I would say it is a moderate 10 miles round trip with an elevation of approximately 1500 feet, there is nothing better than swimming in this lake on a sunny summer day.

Cracker Lake

This hike is famous for the color of the water of the lake is an impressive turquoise blue very similar to the lakes of Banff in Canada. The only thing I didn't like about this hike is that you share the trail with the horses and it is a bit difficult. In about 5 hours you can do the whole hike with about 13 miles round trip and 1700 feet of elevation gain.

Josephine Lake

This lake is perfect for the whole family, you can do it on foot, it is about 6 miles in total and it is practically flat, with only about 200 feet. This hike has the advantage that you can do practically all the way in a boat that leaves from the Many Glacier Hotel, where you would save 5 miles of walking.

Grinnell Glacier

For me this is one of the most impressive hikes because you get to the glacier, although it is sad as it melts and according to the park rangers before 2030 could be completely melted, it is a difficult hike is about 10 miles round trip with an elevation of 2000 feet.

Glacier National Park is one of those places that will draw you back year after year. As one of the most incredible spots in the USA, it offers endless surprises.

I hope this guide helps you plan your trip. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.