
The Ultimate Family Adventure Guide to Glacier National Park
If it’s your first time visiting, this guide will help you plan an epic trip with must-do activities, kid-friendly hikes, adventure tips, and practical advice to make your experience smooth and unforgettable

In the summer of 2021, we packed up everything we needed for two weeks on the road. With a rented camper trailer—fondly known as Tralie—we set off for an adventure-filled trip, starting with Glacier National Park before heading to Grand Teton National Park. To this day, it remains one of my favorite family trips.
You simply 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, and planning a trip here—especially for camping—requires some advance preparation.
- Visit Recreation.gov to check the latest summer reservation dates.
- Set a calendar reminder for when reservations open—spots fill up fast!
- Be sure to check for updated park rules and road restrictions before you go. In the Summer Glacier National Park has timed entries, you can book them here.
I won’t lie—getting everything booked was stressful, but staying on top of it made all the difference. A little planning goes a long way in making your Glacier adventure smooth and unforgettable!

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.

Getting Into Glacier: Which Entrance Should You Use?
Glacier National Park has several entrances, and the one you choose depends on where you’re staying and what you want to do. Here’s a quick guide:
West Entrance (Apgar Village & Lake McDonald) – Best for First-Time Visitors
- Closest to Kalispell, Whitefish, and Glacier Park International Airport
- Access to Lake McDonald, Apgar Village, Avalanche Lake, and Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Good for families with younger kids since it has amenities, easy hikes, and a visitor center
St. Mary Entrance – Best for Iconic Views & Logan Pass
- East side of the park, along Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Easy access to Logan Pass, Hidden Lake Overlook, St. Mary Falls, and Many Glacier
- More remote but great for wildlife and alpine hikes
Many Glacier Entrance – Best for Hiking & Wildlife
- Located in northeast Glacier, a bit more off-the-beaten-path
- Close to Iceberg Lake, Grinnell Glacier, and Swiftcurrent Lake
- Best for adventurous families looking for longer hikes & moose sightings
Two Medicine Entrance – Best for Fewer Crowds
- Southeast corner of the park, away from the busiest areas
- Access to Two Medicine Lake, boat tours, and scenic short hikes
- Best for families wanting a quieter experience
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re staying in Whitefish or Kalispell, the West Entrance is easiest. If you want fewer crowds, consider staying near Two Medicine or Many Glacier.


Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park
The best time to visit with kids is July through early September when all the roads are open, trails are clear of snow, and the weather is warm enough for swimming and paddling. June can still have snow at higher elevations, and by late September, some park services start shutting down.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re visiting in peak summer, start hikes early (before 9 AM) to beat the crowds and find parking!

Where to Stay with Kids
There are campgrounds, lodges, and rentals both inside and outside the park. Here are the best options for families:
🏕️ Camping: Many Glacier Campground (near hikes & lakes) | Apgar Campground (close to amenities) | Fish Creek Campground (great lakefront access to Lake McDonald)
🏡 Lodges: Many Glacier Hotel (lakefront & rustic) | Lake McDonald Lodge (great location)
🏠 Nearby Rentals: Whitefish & Columbia Falls have family-friendly cabins & vacation rentals.
💡 Pro Tip: Book early! Lodging fills up months in advance, and campgrounds inside the park often require reservations.

Balancing Adventure & Relaxation
We made sure to mix up our activities, keeping a balance between hiking and water time, which kept the whole family happy. Our days were filled with paddle boarding, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and, of course, hiking.
I’ve found that when I switch up the pace, my kids enjoy the adventure even more!

Family-Friendly Hikes at a Glance (With Difficulty Ratings!)
Glacier has hikes for all ages, from easy strolls to bigger challenges for adventurous kids.
🥾 Easy (Best for Young Kids & Toddlers)
- Trail of the Cedars (1 mile loop) – Flat boardwalk, waterfalls, and a rainforest feel!
- Avalanche Lake (4.5 miles RT, 750 ft gain) – Gorgeous lake at the end, but moderate uphill sections.
- Hidden Lake Overlook (2.7 miles RT, 540 ft gain) – Stunning views, often with mountain goats.
- St. Mary Falls (1.7 miles RT, 250 ft gain) – Waterfall views & a great spot to cool off
🏔️ Moderate (Best for Ages 6+)
- Iceberg Lake (9.7 miles RT, 1,275 ft gain) – A bucket-list hike where you might see icebergs floating in the lake!
- Fisher Cap Lake + Visit Red Rock Falls (6.8 miles | 439 ft gain) – Watch the Moose graze in Fisher Cap Lake.
🔥 Challenging (For Kids Who Love a Hike!)
- Grinnel Glacier Trail – (10 miles, 2047 ft of gain) – breathtaking hike through alpine meadows, past turquoise lakes, and up to a stunning glacier, offering some of the most iconic views in Glacier National Park.
- Highline Trail (up to 12 miles, can be shortened) – One of the park’s most famous hikes with epic cliffside views.
💡 Pro Tip: Pack bear spray—Glacier is prime grizzly country!

Water Adventures & Swimming Spots
Even in summer, Glacier’s lakes stay cold but are amazing for paddle boarding, kayaking, and swimming.
🏄♂️ Best Lakes for Water Adventures:
- Lake McDonald – Calm water, perfect for paddle boarding (rentals available in Apgar).
- Two Medicine Lake – Kayak & canoe rentals with beautiful mountain views.
- Swiftcurrent Lake – Kayak + Canoe rentals and arguably the most beautiful views from this lake.
- Lake Josephine – stunning views and more remote. Requires a short hike or a boat ride.
- Bowman Lake – More remote but great for families who want fewer crowds.
💡 Safety Tip: Glacier’s lakes are glacier-fed and very cold—wear a life jacket if paddling, and be cautious with young kids swimming.


Best Scenic Drive
🚗 Going-to-the-Sun Road – The most famous drive in the park! Expect winding roads, mountain views, and pullouts for photos. It takes 2+ hours one way without stopping, so plan accordingly.
🐻 Wildlife Spotting: Early morning and evening drives give you the best chance of seeing bears, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep!
💡 Pro Tip: From July–September, this road requires a timed-entry permit. Reserve ahead!

Where to Eat & Pack Food Tips
Glacier has limited dining options, so packing food is key!
🍔 Best Food Spots:
- Eddie’s Café (Apgar Village) – Burgers, huckleberry shakes, and great for kids.
- Many Glacier Hotel Dining Room – A lodge experience with mountain views.
🥾 Packing Tips:
- Bring snacks for hikes (trail mix, fruit, granola bars).
- Coolers help! Keep lunches cold for picnic spots.
- Food storage is a must in bear country—use bear-proof containers.

Wildlife Watching: What to Expect
Glacier is home to grizzly bears, black bears, moose, mountain goats, and elk.
🦌 Best Spots to See Wildlife:
- Logan Pass (Goats & Sheep) – They hang out near the visitor center!
- Many Glacier (Bears & Moose) – Sunrise or sunset is best for spotting them.
- Two Medicine Area – Fewer crowds but lots of wildlife.
💡 Safety Tip: Stay at least 100 yards from bears & use bear spray on hikes.

Essential Packing Tips for Families
Here’s what you don’t want to forget on family adventure to Glacier National Park:
- ✅ Layers – It can be hot in the day but chilly at night!
- ✅ Bug Spray & Sunscreen – Lots of mosquitoes in some areas.
- ✅ Hats & Sunglasses – The sun is strong at high elevations.
- ✅ Headlamps & Flashlights – Useful for evening walks.
- ✅ Refillable Water Bottles – Bring a filter for backcountry water sources.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures
If you’re looking for something less crowded, try:
🌲 Bowman Lake & Kintla Lake – Remote, quiet, and perfect for a peaceful paddle.
🐟 Fishing in the North Fork – Less visited, but great for kids learning to fish.
🦅 Scenic Boat Tours at Two Medicine – A fun way to see the park from the water!

Our family’s top things to do in Glacier National Park
In addition to all the important details and suggestions above here is a list of the activities we enjoyed the most on our family adventure in Glacier National Park.


Swim and watch the sunrise on Lake MacDonald (West Glacier)
Lake McDonald is absolutely stunning—crystal-clear water, colorful pebble beaches, and mountain views in every direction. We loved paddleboarding at sunrise, swimming in the summer heat, and simply relaxing by the shore. If you’re camping at Fish Creek Campground, try to book a spot near the lake for easy access.

Hike the Highline Trail off the Going to the Sun Road
With jaw-dropping views, wildlife sightings, and 15 miles of adventure, the Highline Trail is a must-do. It’s long, steep, and exposed, but totally worth it. Even if you don’t hike the whole trail, a short walk still offers breathtaking scenery and a chance to spot mountain goats.
📍 14.9 miles | 2,621 ft elevation gain| AllTrails Link
Pro tip: Take the shuttle since this is a point-to-point hike!

Driving the Going to the Sun Road
This 50-mile scenic drive is Glacier’s most famous road, winding through alpine meadows, dense forests, and mountain landscapes. The hairpin turns and dramatic cliffs make for an unforgettable experience. Whether you drive the whole route or stop for hikes along the way, it’s a must-see!


Play in Piegan Pass Creek (Going to the Sun Road)
We didn’t hike Piegan Pass Trail this time, but we did stop to play in the creek at the trailhead—a perfect break for the kids. Sometimes, the simple moments end up being the most memorable! If you do hike the full trail, expect waterfalls, alpine meadows, and jaw-dropping mountain views.

Ice Cream & Rock Skipping at Apgar Village on Lake McDonald
After a long hike, we headed to Café at Lake McDonald for ice cream. Sitting on the lake shore, skipping rocks as the sun set, was the perfect way to end the day. Simple, but unforgettable.

Hiking to Iceberg Lake (Many Glacier)
This stunning trail winds through wildflower meadows with epic views—and actual icebergs floating in the lake! You can even swim in it (if you’re brave enough). While Grinnell Glacier gets more hype, Iceberg Lake is our favorite hike in the park.
📍 9.6 miles | 1,459 ft elevation gain | AllTrails Link

Watch Moose at Fisher Cap Lake & Hike to Red Rock Falls (Many Glacier)
We stopped by Fisher Cap Lake at the right time and saw moose feeding in the water—an unforgettable sight! Keep hiking to Red Rock Falls, a fun and kid-friendly stop with stunning scenery.
📍 6.8 miles | 439 ft elevation gain | AllTrails Link


Hike to Lake Josephine
We hiked to Lake Josephine just before sunset, spending time skipping stones and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. You can take a boat to the lake, but we loved walking along Swiftcurrent Lake instead. If you’re up for a longer trek, you can hike around Lake Josephine or continue to Grinnell Glacier.



Rent a boat on Swiftcurrent Lake (Many Glacier)
We rented canoes, kayaks, and rowboats on Swiftcurrent Lake and loved it so much we went back again! The views are unreal, and paddling here is one of the best ways to experience Many Glacier. The historic Many Glacier Hotel, built in 1915, sits on the shore and is worth a visit, too!
Pro-tip: This is also a beautiful place to see the sunrise.
Final Thoughts
Glacier National Park is a dream for adventurous families, whether you love hiking, paddling, or wildlife watching. With a little planning, this trip will be one your family talks about for years to come. Where are you going first on your family adventure in Glacier National Park?
🔥 Have questions or need more adventure tips? Drop them in the comments!
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.

