If your wanderlust tends to blow you in the direction of the great outdoors and all its glory, then we imagine you’ve considered the mighty USA to scratch said itch. The United States is home to some of the biggest, most beautiful and wildest (read, not manicured) landscapes in the world. Its national parks are vast and one you don’t want to miss is Glacier National Park in Montana. Literally carved by nature, from the thawing post Ice Age to its current rocks, with waterfalls and glaciers, this is not your average grassy knoll.
From grizzlies to caption-worthy lakes, the UNESCO World Heritage Park ticks a lot of boxes. This is our list of 10 amazing things to do in Glacier National Park, which once completed may give rise to describing your trip as endlessly ‘epic’ and ‘awesome’ (in the true sense of the words) to anyone and everyone until they eventually leave you on read.
What to know before you go
You’re about to embark upon a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness excursion to a vast nature reserve, you’ll want to be well prepared to ensure you maximise your experience. The park offers water sports, wildlife watching, wild camping and proper hiking to name a few and it’s a good idea to anticipate a varied time while you’re there.
If you’re a keen photographer, you’ll want to pack all your kit and for those who are there for the vibes, plan ahead your routes and pack for changeable weather! A few handy hints:
- If staying in the park, book accommodation in advance.
- Dress accordingly. Hiking chic is the absolute aesthetic for this trip. Get those khakis and sensible all-weather mac on your mood board at once.
- Open your mind to nature in all its unfiltered glory.
- Pack bear spray. Bear spray is a wilderness essential and you should try to grab some before you go. It’s similar to pepper spray, so be warned, it’s not legal to carry in all countries. You’re best buying it once you’re in Montana just before your excursion starts.
- Have plenty of storage space in your phone so you can capture every jaw-dropping moment.
- Check that any roads and routes you wish to take are open when you plan to visit. Some trails and areas can be seasonal or closed due to changeable weather conditions. Nature, eh?
Image source:Contiki
1. Hiking
It goes without saying that if you’ve come to one of the wildest and most trail-laden parks in the world, that you should indulge in a few hikes. There is no shortage of trails within Glacier National Park for different skill levels, so whether you’re a regular hiker or more on the novice side (no judgement here), you will find perfect walks that take in jaw-dropping turquoise lakes, stunning wildlife like bears, moose and eagles, and mountains aplenty.
Given its vastness and over 700 miles of trails in the park, you’ll also meet other hike-enthusiasts that you can swap stories with about something incredible you’ve spotted. Likelihood of spotting a breathtaking feat of nature = very high. Pack some decent footwear, grab the sunscreen and take in the beauty of it all on foot, while you enjoy feeling like an ant in comparison to the size of it all!
2. Going-to-the-Sun Road
Iconic name, iconic location! This aptly named road is an 80km trail for biking and scenic driving through the park, that’s popular for good reason. Winding around mountainsides, taking in waterfalls, stunning landscapes and with plenty of pull-in points to take (let’s be honest, MANY) photos, it’s the perfect way to take in a multitude of sights without all the leg work. Plus, if hiring a jumbo RV isn’t your idea of fun, you can join the North American Glaciers & National Parks trip with Contiki and let us do the driving!
Image source:Hans Isaacson / unsplash
3. Spotting a bear in its natural habitat
Now, there aren’t many destinations where we can suggest this at all, let alone as an activity we’d recommend, but hear us out. Bears have been having their viral moment recently, and rightly so. Grizzly bears can only be found in Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Tetons national parks within the lower 48 states in the USA, so you obviously want to see one IRL if you can.
The park is their home so they’re roaming freely in the woodland and you may be able to spot one from a safe distance (100 yards plus!) while on a trail or from the road. One of the best ways to happen upon a grizzly is on a guided hike. These can be booked in the park itself and allow you to take in the sights on an expert-led walk, knowing that the group can experience this cool spectacle together, and the pro is there to protect in the unlikely event a bear gets curious enough to come closer (not their vibe FYI).
As they’re currently endangered, there are programs to increase the numbers of bears in the park (yay!), but they are more abundant in neighbouring Canada if making the trip over the border to Banff.
4. Finding Hidden Lake
This is the first lake feature in the list. To be honest, this entire list could have been just lakes but we tried to mix it up a bit. Of the 700+ lakes in Glacier National Park, it’s very hard to narrow down which are the ‘best’ (they are all crisp, beautiful and worthy of your socials), but Hidden Lake is a pretty special one.
Named Hidden Lake because it’s hidden below Logan Pass, it opens up like a sparkly surprise of alpine nature including, you guessed it, bears (occasionally)! Majestic Bearhat Mountain overlooks the lake trail – as if the lake itself wasn’t gorgeous enough – and the wildlife and flora are screaming to be your new phone background whatever time of year you visit.
Image source:Jordan Steranka / unsplash
5. White water rafting
If you’re a bit of a thrill seeker as well as a nature lover, look no further than white water rafting. Of course, Glacier National Park (home to 700+ lakes in case we hadn’t mentioned) has some water sports available and they don’t come much more fun than this.
Rapids of class II and III which are not to be sniffed at will slosh you down the river bordering the park, allowing you to take in the views and a few gulps of river at the same time. Guides will engage you with cool facts about the surroundings and keep you safe, plus it’s a full body workout good enough to rival the gym.
A good level of fitness is recommended, along with a thirst for adventure! There are calmer spots and the chance for a dip in the crisp waters in good weather. There are several companies offering good value half day trips or 2-hour stints, depending on how much your stomach can handle.
6. Visit Lake McDonald
The second lake appearance in the list is the biggest in Glacier National Park. At 10 miles long (16km), it’s the big daddy of the lakes and well worth a visit. This lake is as clear as… a glacier and you can achieve ultimate calm watching the fish swim below the waters.
Conveniently situated alongside Apgar Village which has accommodation, souvenir shops and places to eat, it’s well placed for a well-earned rest. For real Bear Grylls types, there are multiple campgrounds to stay and play in. It’s also a top spot for catching an unbelievable sunset followed by a carpet of stars.
Image source:Hans Isaacson / unsplash
7. View Saint Mary Falls
Along with lakes, waterfalls could easily have been every recommended item on this list but luckily in this park, they come as a bonus on most trails, and you won’t miss them. Saint Mary Falls however, is worth a specific mention as its sparkling turquoise waters are said to be some of the bluest and most dazzling in the park.
This waterfall is conveniently located less than a mile off the Going-to-the-Sun Road that you will most likely be visiting, and involves an easy hike to get to the kind of views that are worth seeing, boasting and journalling about immediately to ensure you never forget the feeling. Saint Mary Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls for tourists to visit and with good reason: Mother Nature has constructed this like a piece of art and in any season it is worth witnessing.
8. Take a boat tour
While Glacier National Park is a hiker’s paradise, we understand hiking all day may not be everyone’s idea of a good time. From several points in the park, such as Saint Mary Lake, you can join a boat tour and take in the beauty of the surrounding glaciers and forests without breaking a sweat. Being directly on the lakes is also a great way to enjoy a new panoramic view of the park that you may not see on the adjoining paths and trails.
Image source:Contiki
9. Grab a canoe
The second boat-themed suggestion of our list will involve you doing the work. You can hire canoes or kayaks from multiple lakes in the park, but one of the best is Flathead Lake. Grab a set of oars and your safety gear and take your time paddling through the clear and crisp waters, taking in the snow-peaked mountains and enjoying a slower pace of life.
If you’ve been considering ‘finding yourself’ on this trip, this has got to be the perfect opportunity to take stock! Alternatively, you can of course spend the entire rowing sesh taking enviable selfies – if you have the time, we would recommend doing both.
10. Camping
Wanting to get the full wilderness vibe? Camping in the park is encouraged and there are 13 campgrounds to choose from. This is America and so of course camping can mean your humble 2-person tent or a fully equipped RV with coffee machine.
As with accommodation, it’s advised to reserve your spot ahead of the trip and ensure you get the kind of facilities you’re after. Expect minimal cell service while camping and enjoy resetting your circadian rhythm, a digital detox and the chance to doze off and wake to the sound of the wildlife!
For extra adventure points, you can try wilderness camping in certain spots around the park that are off the beaten path, but a special permit is required.
Image source:Contiki
If all this sounds enticing but you’d rather do this the easy way, you can sign yourself up to our wonderfully organised trip around the North American Glaciers and National Parks, and take in even more exceptional wilderness and history over the border in Canada at the same time.
