Tag: Montana

Discover the Wonders of Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park, located in the northwestern region of Montana and sharing a border with Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park, is one of the United States’ premier national parks. Encompassing over 1,583 square miles of protected land, the park draws nearly three million visitors annually, as per this travel guide from Travel + Leisure. This vast wilderness is a haven for those seeking outdoor adventure, stunning natural beauty, and moments of serene solitude.

With more than 700 miles of hiking trails, Glacier National Park offers something for every level of hiker. Before setting out, it’s essential to come prepared with layered clothing, plenty of water, and suitable footwear. Each trail offers its own unique experience, from easy strolls to challenging treks.

One of the park’s most breathtaking hikes is the Highline Trail. Spanning approximately 12 miles, this trail is known for its spectacular views and is not for the faint-hearted. Hikers can tackle this trail in several ways: as a one-way trip from the Logan Pass Visitor Center to The Loop Trailhead, with a shuttle ride back to the start, or as an out-and-back route. For those looking for an extra challenge, a detour to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook adds an additional 1.6 miles to the hike.

For a more accessible option, Avalanche Lake offers a scenic 6-mile hike suitable for various fitness levels. This trail is one of the most popular in the park, so starting early in the morning is recommended to secure parking. Another must-see is the Hidden Lake Overlook, a 2.7-mile round-trip hike that can be completed in about an hour and 20 minutes. This trail is known for its stunning views and the chance to spot mountain goats during the summer months.

Beyond hiking, Glacier National Park is rich with activities that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the park’s natural wonders. One of the most awe-inspiring experiences is witnessing the northern lights. As a certifiedInternational Dark Sky Park, Glacier is one of the best places in the United States to observe the aurora borealis. The solar activity in 2024 and 2025 is expected to create particularly vivid displays, with prime viewing locations including Apgar Village, Logan Pass, and the shores of St. Mary Lake or Lake McDonald.

A drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road is another must-do activity. This 50-mile stretch between West Glacier and St. Mary offers an unforgettable journey through the heart of the park. The road, which crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, provides access to glacial lakes, waterfalls, and numerous observation points. Driving this road at sunrise or sunset enhances the experience, as the changing light creates a dynamic and ever-shifting landscape.

Glacier National Park is open year-round, with each season offering a unique experience. Summer is the most popular time to visit, as the warmer weather opens up all the park’s facilities and provides ideal conditions for exploring the trails and driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road. July is particularly beautiful, with the wildflowers in full bloom and most of the snow melted from the higher elevations.

Dining options within Glacier National Park are limited but noteworthy. The Glacier Park Lodge and the Prince of Wales Hotel offer memorable dining experiences, while more casual options like Eddie’s Café and Russell’s Fireside Dining Room at Lake McDonald Lodge are available. Packing a picnic to enjoy at a scenic spot is another great way to dine in the park.

Just outside the park, visitors will find a wider variety of restaurants. For a casual meal, Last Best Pizza near the west entrance is a solid choice. For something more upscale, The Kitchen at Josephine’s Speakeasy in Coram provides a unique dining experience. Sunflower Cafe at Glacier Campground is another recommended spot near the west entrance.

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Suggestions for Visiting Montana’s Glacier National Park

If the summer heat quite literally has you beat, then it might be time to take a load off in the great glacier wilderness with this detailed itinerary from Practical Wanderlust for making the most out of Montana’s Glacier National Park.

Within the Rocky Mountains of the state of Montana and covering the over 1,500- square mile wilderness expanse up until the Canadian border is Glacier National Park with its sweeping valleys, ice-capped mountain peaks, and waterfalls emerging from aquamarine lakes. It’s a truly magical place within the Northern United States that every person should seek out at one point of another.

Though with local regulations, travel restrictions, and COVID-19 surges, it is always suggested that you properly research all local guidelines and CDC recommendations in order to keep you and those you care about as safe and responsible as possible.

Practical Wanderlust is a nationally-renowned travel blog from Lia and Jeremy that has been featured in CNN, Forbes,Travel + Leisure, Buzzfeed, VICE, and The Washington Post. The couple has prepared a longer, 10-day Montana road trip in which this two-day Glacier National Park trip was originally featured in. Ideally, this little outing would make for a breathtaking two-day weekend getaway as long as you have your heart set on prepared adventure.

Beginning their itinerary is the ethical note that like most United States National Parks, Glacier National Park was originally inhabited and maintained by Indigenous peoples, and Glacier was originally given to the Blackfeet tribe as part of their original reservation. With this history and efforts to educate, traverse, and make right in mind, the itinerary continues to offer many suggestions for the optimal national park experience.

One such tip is to not “geotag” or share your exact location within the park on social media so as to keep the delicate beauty of the park alive. Additionally, if you ever come into contact with the various animals within the park, be sure to give them ample space. The general rule of thumb applied in these situations is to keep approximately 25 yards (1 school bus length) away from non-aggressive animals and 100 yards from large or potentially aggressive animals.

Whenever traversing Glacier National Park, be sure to follow the ethos of “Leave No Trace,” which is a conscious effort to not leave anything behind when visiting a park; this includes unnatural items such as waste and garbage as well as items that are natural or compostable. Also, they suggest that instead of booking a rental car, consider taking advantage of Glacier National Park’s fleet of shuttles operating along “Going-to-the-Sun Road” that is free to ride.

Since the Glacier National Park scene is more for each individual visitor to experience, this itinerary is mostly aimed at making sure your park experience is as genuine as possible. One of the ways that this can happen is by ensuring that you’re staying somewhere nearby (if you’re not camping within the park). The town of Whitefish, Montana is ideal for this since it’s only a 45 minute drive from the park’s Western Gate.  If staying in Whitefish, it’s suggested that you check out the Pine Lodge which is located off of the Whitefish River and only a 3-minute drive from the downtown area with its collection of boutique and specialty shops. This area is perfect for winding down after a long day within the park grounds. Though, you could always book an extravagant stay at one of Glacier National Park’s historic hotels such as the Many Glacier Hotel.

Completely surround yourself with the beauty and majesty of nature and its many surprises when visiting Glacier National Park thanks to Practical Wanderlust’s well-meaning itinerary.

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