Awesome things to do In Glacier National Park
During the summer of 2021 we packed it all up for two weeks on the road. We rented a camper trailer fondly known as “tralie” and left for a few weeks filled with adventure. We chose first to visit Glacier National Park as part of a two part two week vacation with the second half to the Grand Teton National Park. To this day, it remains one of my favorite family trips. You can’t have a bad time in Glacier—it’s just that beautiful.
Tips for a Successful Trip
Glacier National Park is one of the most popular National Parks. Organizing a camping trip to Glacier National Park definitely requires some advance planning. Check Recreation.gov for the current summer reservation dates. Make sure to put the dates in your calendar.
It was stressful to get everything booked, but staying on top of it made it happen. Be sure to check the latest rules and regulations before you go!
Understanding the Layout of Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park has five main entrances, which are spread out across the park, so traveling between them can take some time. The most popular entrance is West Glacier, followed by Many Glacier. One of the park’s main highlights is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which spans the entire park, connecting West Glacier to St. Mary.
It’s important to note that trailers and RVs are not allowed on this road due to its narrow sections and winding curves.
Here is a breakdown of each entrance in the US:
West Glacier Entrance – The most popular and busiest entrance, located near the town of West Glacier. Provides access to Lake McDonald, Apgar Village, and the western end of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Polebridge Entrance – A quieter entrance leading to the North Fork area of the park. Accesses Bowman Lake, Kintla Lake, and rustic campgrounds.
St. Mary Entrance – Located on the east side of the park near the town of St. Mary. Provides access to St. Mary Lake, the eastern end of Going-to-the-Sun Road, and Logan Pass.
Two Medicine Entrance – A quieter entrance on the southeast side of the park. Accesses Two Medicine Lake, several trails, and campgrounds.
Many Glacier Entrance – Often referred to as the “hidden gem” this entrance is a little quieter. It was my favorite place we went. Accesses the Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake and SwiftCurrent Lake.
We split our time between the Lake MacDonald Fish Creek Campground on the West side and Many Glacier Campground on the East side. Both were incredibly beautiful campgrounds. If you can, book a spot near Fish Lake in the campground. We loved being able to easily walk to the lake from our site.
We tried to do a variety of activities while we were there including paddle boarding, hiking, swimming, canoeing and kayaking. Spending time hiking but also lots of time in the water. I have found when I mix it up my kids are the happiest.
The top 8 awesome things to do in Glacier National Park
1. Swim and watch the sunrise on Lake MacDonald (West Glacier)
Lake McDonald is one of Glacier National Park’s most stunning gems. Known for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant colored pebble beaches, it’s the largest lake in the park. And did I mention, it is surrounded by towering mountains?
Whether you’re paddle boarding at sunrise, swimming in the summer, or simply relaxing by the shore, Lake McDonald is the perfect spot to spend some time. And if you camp at Fish Lake Campground, many sites either sit within 50 ft of the water while some even have views.
The sunrises over Lake McDonald are unreal. Most mornings, I woke up early, grabbed the paddle board, and headed out to enjoy the sunrise on the water. During the day, the kids spent hours swimming and playing on the pebble beach or lying on the dock. Its a great place to spend the day…or three!
2.Hike the Highline Trail off the Going to the Sun Road
Goats, breathtaking views, and 15 miles of jaw-dropping scenery—The Highline Trail is the crown jewel of West Glacier. But don’t be fooled, it’s not an easy hike. It’s long, steep, and completely exposed to the elements. I was amazed my kids made it all the way through—felt like a Mother’s Day miracle!
That said, you don’t need to hike the entire trail to experience its beauty. Even just a half-mile in, you’ll be treated to incredible views, wildlife sightings, and the unforgettable magic of this place. Whether you’re up for a full trek or just a short stroll, the Highline Trail is definitely worth checking out.
14.9 miles | 2621 ft of elevation gain.
Link to Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/montana/highline-trail
Pro-tip: If you plan to hike the entire thing, take the shuttle! Since its a point to point hike, it can drop you off at the beginning and then you hop back on to head back when you are finished.
3. Drive the Going to the Sun Road
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of Glacier National Park’s most iconic drives, offering jaw-dropping views at every turn. Stretching 50 miles across the park, it connects West Glacier to St. Mary and takes you through alpine meadows, dense forests, and rugged mountain landscapes. The road’s dramatic twists and hairpin turns provide incredible vistas, but be prepared—it’s narrow and winding, especially in higher elevations. Whether you’re driving or stopping to hike, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a must-see for anyone visiting the park.
4. Play in Piegan Pass Creek (Going to the Sun Road)
Piegan Pass is a stunning hike in Glacier National Park that offers some of the best panoramic views in the park. While on this particular day, we didn’t hike the trail, we played in the stream at the beginning of the hike instead. It was a much needed stop along the Going to the Sun Road for the kids. Sometimes the micro adventures are the most fun (and the most memorable).
If you are looking to hike the trail, it takes you through alpine meadows, past waterfalls, and up to the pass itself, where you’re treated to sweeping vistas of rugged peaks, glaciers, and valleys below. At an elevation of 6,800 feet, the pass offers an incredible perspective on Glacier’s dramatic landscape.
16 miles | 3,007 ft of elevation gain.
Link to Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/montana/piegan-pass-trail
5. Eat Ice Cream and Skipping Rocks at the Village
After a long day of hiking the Highline Trail we stopped the Village at Lake McDonald, where you can grab ice cream at Café at Lake McDonald. Located in the historic Lake McDonald Lodge, this charming spot offers a variety of treats, including ice cream cones, sundaes, and milkshakes. After a day of hiking or exploring, it’s the perfect place to cool off and enjoy a sweet treat with views of the lake.
After eating ice cream, head down to the shore of the lake and skip some rocks while the sun sets. Its a great way to spend an evening at Glacier National Park.
6. Hike to Iceberg Lake (Many Glacier Entrance)
There are so many amazing hikes in Glacier National Park, but for me, Iceberg Lake takes the cake. The scenery is stunning, with vibrant wildflowers, breathtaking views, and even the chance to spot grizzly bears along the way. And then there’s the lake itself—filled with actual icebergs! It’s as cool as it sounds, and yes, you can swim in it. It’s cold—really cold—but totally worth it.
While the Grinnell Glacier Hike often gets more attention, Iceberg Lake is my absolute favorite in the park. It’s a hidden gem that captures the wild beauty of Glacier, and like everything in this park, it definitely won’t disappoint.
9.6 miles | 1,459 ft of elevation gain.
Link to Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/montana/iceberg-lake-trail–3
7. Watch the Moose feed in Fisher Cap Lake + Visit Red Rock Falls (Many Glacier)
Hiking to Bullhead Lake is an adventure in itself, especially because along the way, you’ll pass by Fisher Cap Lake. At the right time of day, you will probably catch moose grazing by the water, and watching the water run through their antlers is an unforgettable sight. If you keep going, you’ll reach Red Rock Falls, a serious natural playground for kids. The falls are surrounded by stunning views, as is the case with much of Glacier National Park. It’s a beautiful (and kid approved) spot to take in the beauty of the park.
6.8 miles | 439 ft of elevation gain.
Link to Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/montana/bullhead-lake-via-swiftcurrent-pass-trail
8. Hike to Lake Josephine
We hiked to Lake Josephine just before sunset and spent some time relaxing on the beach, skipping stones, and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. It’s a smaller, quieter spot, and we practically had it all to ourselves.
While you can take a boat directly to Lake Josephine, we chose the scenic route, hiking along the edge of Swift current Lake and through the woods. It was a short but enjoyable walk.
Lake Josephine is also where you can catch a boat to cross the lake on your way to the Grinnell Glacier Trail. If you’re up for more exploration, you can hike all the way around the lake for even more stunning views.
9. Rent a boat on Swiftcurrent Lake (Many Glacier)
Did you know you can rent a boat on Swift current Lake? They have canoes, row boats, and kayaks for rent. We loved it so much we went back several times to try a different vessel. The views are outstanding and its a great way to enjoy the day.
You can certainly bring your own paddleboat (and we did) but we also loved renting a rowboat, canoe and kayak. While at the lake, be sure to check out the National Park Lodge. The Many Glacier Hotel is one of the most iconic and historic lodges in Glacier National Park. Built in 1915, it was designed in the Swiss chalet style, reflecting the park’s early European-inspired architecture. The hotel was constructed to cater to wealthy tourists arriving by train, offering them a luxurious base to explore the surrounding wilderness.
Pro-tip: This is also a beautiful place to see the sunrise.
Conclusion
This list were our favorites and we have a long list of to-do’s next time we visit. You could spend a lifetime exploring this place. Glacier National Park is massive and there are SO many incredible ways to explore this park. Would love to know what your favorite hikes/ places or activities are in Glacier National Park!
Pro Tip: On our way to Glacier National Park, we made a stop to Kootenai Falls Swinging Bridge and Falls in Montana. If you are coming from anywhere West of Glacier National Park and have the chance, I highly suggest you stop here. It is a great place away from crowds to take a break and lets face it, have an incredible photo op.
