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Glacier National Park covers rugged mountains along the Continental Divide in northwestern Montana, on the Canadian border. Ice-age glaciers carved its U-shaped valleys, knife-edge ridges and long lakes, and a few small glaciers still survive, though they are shrinking. Together with Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park, it forms an international peace park, and the Blackfeet Reservation borders it to the east.
On the west side, Lake McDonald, known for its colorful stones, lies beside Apgar village. The Trail of the Cedars is an easy boardwalk loop through old forest that continues to Avalanche Lake beneath falling streams. The Going-to-the-Sun Road climbs to Logan Pass, where the Hidden Lake Overlook trail crosses alpine meadows often visited by mountain goats, and the Highline Trail traces a cliff edge. Descending east, the road passes St. Mary Lake and tiny Wild Goose Island. In the Many Glacier area, Swiftcurrent Lake is the starting point for hikes to Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake. Two Medicine is a quieter valley in the southeast, and Bowman Lake, reached by rough roads in the North Fork, rewards a longer drive.
Glacier suits hikers, photographers and wildlife watchers. The Going-to-the-Sun Road usually opens fully only in summer, and vehicle reservations have been required in peak season. Carry bear spray and start early.
WiserMap travel guideGlacier National Park Montana Going-to-the-Sun Road HikesPlan a Glacier National Park trip: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass, Many Glacier, Lake McDonald, Two Medicine, top hikes, where to stay, seasons and access ru...Read the guide
Lake McDonald is the park's largest lake, famous for its multicolored rock pebbles seen through clear water. Apgar Village at the south end has a visitor center, boat and kayak rentals and a campground. Lake McDonald Lodge offers boat tours. Visit Apgar in the early morning for calm reflections.
St. Mary Lake lies on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, and the Wild Goose Island turnout gives the famous view of a tiny island against the mountains. Boat tours leave from Rising Sun, and short trails lead to St. Mary and Virginia Falls. Mornings usually bring the calmest water.
Swiftcurrent Lake sits in front of the historic Many Glacier Hotel, with boat tours and an easy loop trail. The Iceberg Lake Trail is a roughly ten mile round trip hike to a cirque lake where icebergs float into July. Many Glacier is prime bear country, so carry bear spray and make noise on trails.
Bowman Lake is a quiet lake in the remote North Fork area, reached by a rough gravel road from Polebridge. It has a small campground, a boat launch for non-motorized boats and a lakeshore trail. Expect slow driving and no cell service, and bring everything you need since there are no stores nearby.
The Trail of the Cedars is a flat accessible boardwalk loop through old western red cedars beside Avalanche Gorge. From it, a trail climbs about two miles to Avalanche Lake, ringed by cliffs and waterfalls. It is one of the busiest hikes in the park, so start early or late to find parking.
A popular hike from the Logan Pass Visitor Center that climbs on boardwalk and trail across alpine meadows to a view over Hidden Lake and Bearhat Mountain. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep are often seen. It is about 2.7 miles round trip. Snow can cover the trail into July, so check conditions first.
A famous trail that starts at Logan Pass and follows the Garden Wall along a narrow ledge high above Going-to-the-Sun Road. Most hikers walk about 11.8 miles one way to the Loop and take the shuttle back. Granite Park Chalet is a good rest stop. Avoid it if you are uncomfortable with exposed drops.
A strenuous hike from Many Glacier to one of the park's best known glaciers and its turquoise meltwater lake. The trail is about ten miles round trip, or shorter if you take the boats across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. Ranger-led hikes run in summer. The final section usually opens in mid-July.
This 50 mile road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and is a National Historic Landmark. Highlights include the Weeping Wall, Bird Woman Falls overlook and Jackson Glacier overlook. It is usually fully open from late June or July to October, and a vehicle reservation may be needed in peak season.
A quieter valley in the southeast of the park, once the main entrance for rail travelers. Two Medicine Lake has a boat tour, canoe rentals and a historic camp store, with trails to Twin Falls and Scenic Point. It sees far fewer visitors than Many Glacier. Expect strong winds, and pack layers even in summer.
Also called Trick Falls, this waterfall in the Two Medicine area appears to pour from two levels, with one stream flowing out of a cave below the top fall. An easy, nearly flat trail of about 0.6 miles round trip leads to it. In late summer the upper stream dries up and the lower fall becomes the main one.
A historic red general store and bakery in the off-grid village of Polebridge, on the way to Bowman Lake. It is known for huckleberry bear claws, cinnamon rolls and sandwiches, and the Northern Lights Saloon is next door. It runs on limited power, so bring cash as a backup and come early before baked goods sell out.
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