Glacier National Park, with its 10 million acres of mountains, rivers and lakes, is the crown jewel of the continent. Hugging the Continental Divide with 1,583 square mile of remote wilderness glacial lakesGlacier is epic, in the best sense. With its rose-tinted mountain ranges and trout filled rivers. The ecosystems of the park remain relatively undisturbed, home to the same plants and animals that have been here for centuries—grizzly bears, mountain goats, wolverines, and wolves among them—and tribes like the Blackfeet, Séliš, Ql̓ispé, and Ksanka maintain deep ties to their ancestral lands. Hikers can trek into the park. backcountryYou can choose to make your visit as wild or refined as you wish. Glacier will treat you as a king or queen, no matter what you do.
Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan
Elisabeth Kwak Hefferan is a freelance writer, editor, and award-winning journalist who writes about climate solutions, environmental issues, outdoor activities, parenting, and travel. She was born and raised in Chicagoland, but now lives in Missoula. Elisabeth has a Master’s in magazine journalism, from Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism. She was awarded the Harrington Memorial Award and McCormick Scholar status. Her most adventurous trip was taking her two young children on a 2-week journey around England and Ireland.
Glacier National Park is my favorite of the many national parks that I have visited. We were engaged in a tent beside Gunsight Lake. And we’ve seen our children grow from being in a stroller to hiking Avalanche Lake with confidence. Every year, we go up to Avalanche Lake at least once, where we sleep under stars, canoe in the lakes and count the mountain goats. Over the years we have found some of our favorite places. Here, in my guide to Glacier National Park I will share with you all.
What’s New in 2025
Swiftcurrent at Many Glacier area will be renovated under construction Repairs to the road and water systems will continue until spring 2026. The area is still accessible to visitors, but only with the proper documentation. Many Glacier Hotel From July to September, only those with activity reservations are allowed to park in this area. The shuttle will take everyone else into the heart Many Glacier. recreation.gov).
How to get There
You can fly into Glacier Park International Airport at Kalispell. It’s a short 40-minute drive via U.S. Highway 2 from West Glacier. You can also fly into Great Falls or Missoula, which are both around 2.5 hours away. Amtrak’s Empire Builder Line between Chicago You can also find out more about the following: Seattle/Portland Also stops near both major entryways, but you’ll need a ride with the east side The following are some examples of how to use west side Concessionaire shuttles are available to take you into the park.
Best time to visit
The alpine topography of Glacier’s stretches from valleys up to 3,000 feet and to summits above 10,000 feet. This means that the weather can change dramatically, even hour by hour. The hottest and driest weather is usually experienced from July to September. This is the best time to enjoy snow-free trails and roads in high elevations. wildflowersHotels and restaurants are in full swing, as is the wildlife. This is also the busiest season to visit and, depending on the fire seasons, it can be very smoky. June sees fewer people and the longest days—light lingers past 10 p.m.—though the weather can be iffy. October is the month when visitors are at their lowest. Golden larches, cooler temperatures and golden leaves make this a magical time. Glacier is essentially in winter mode between late October and May. It’s the perfect time for cross-country ski trips and snowshoeing but you can expect bitterly cold conditions.
