Hiking Glacier National Park

The mountains are calling and I must go. ~John Muir

To try and capture the essence of Glacier National Park into words is a challenge that may be hard to accomplish. Its majestic mountains, turquoise lakes, variety of waterfalls and streams, colorful landscapes, diverse wildlife, and abundance of forests make Glacier one of the most spectacular scenes in the world and a true hiker’s paradise. Referred to as the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada make up a pair of parks with some of the most impressive mountain views in North America.

Made up of over one million acres, Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana. Established in May 1910, President Taft signed the bill which made Glacier the country’s 10th National Park. Its name comes from the notable glaciers that shaped its rugged beauty over two million years ago. Dozens of glaciers still exist in the park and the massive valleys are the result of the carved remnants of years gone by.

Entrances into Glacier National Park

There are seven entrances into GNP but only three of them connect to the Going-to-the-Sun Road…an impressive 50-mile winding road of steep drop offs and hairpin turns that travels both east and west through the park and over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. The thrilling and immersive drive provides truly incredible and unforgettable views which makes it the most popular area in the park during the summer months. It is not uncommon to find visitors hiking or cycling on the road.

The three entrances that connect to the Going-to-the Sun Road are: West Glacier Entrance, The Saint Mary Entrance, and the Camas Creek Entrance. The West Glacier and Saint Mary Entrances, as well as Logan Pass, have Travel Centers which can provide hiking information and cultural exhibits. The other four entrances are: The Polebridge Entrance, the Two Medicine Entrance, the Many Glacier Entrance, and the Cut Bank Entrance. As these four entrances are less traveled, they each offer unique and impressive access to the park. The Two Medicine and Many Glacier Entrances both offer beautiful glacial lakes and towering mountains. The Many Glacier Hotel is a historic hotel built by the railroad in the early 1900s and is a notable landmark within the park. Both the Polebridge and Cut Back Entrances are more remote, often have dirt roads, and mostly used by locals and hardy visitors. That being said, these entrances will take you to the most pristine areas of Glacier Park.

Entrance Fees and Yearly Access

An entrance pass and a vehicle reservation are both required to visit the park. You can secure an online pass and vehicle reservation in advance at Recreation.gov. Vehicle reservations are valid for three days and are date sensitive so keep that in mind when making your purchase. The Glacier Annual pass is $70 and the vehicle reservation is $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per individual. Please refer to nps.gov for further details.

Full access to the park can be limited by the time of the year you visit. By late May, most roads are open for vehicle travel except Going-to-the-Sun Road over Logan Pass. Lower portions of the Going-to-the-Sun Road are open year round, but the entire road does not usually open until late June or early July and the Logan Pass area is not accessible by vehicle until then. To keep abreast of the latest conditions, you can text GNPROADS to 333111 for live updates.

Hiking Glacier National Park

Personally, I feel the best way to enjoy Glacier is on foot. Getting close to the sites and sounds is therapy. My husband and I always comment on how fulfilled we are after hiking through nature. We have never had a bad hike…rain or shine.

USA Today compared the top national parks for hikers in 2023 and Glacier ranked #6 with Yosemite and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks being #1 and #2. Glacier has 700 miles of trails and 154 great trails to choose from for both day hikes and extended backpacking trips with different challenge levels. There is something for everyone.

Family Hiking Adventures

In July 2021, we took a trip with our daughter and her family to Glacier National Park. None of us had ever been there before, but we all looked forward to some adventurous hiking. We were not disappointed.

Swiftcurrent Pass to Redrock Falls – 3.7 mile out-and-back trail, popular area for camping, fishing, and hiking, Many Glacier Entrance

Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail – 2.6 mile loop trail, views of historic Many Glacier Hotel, Many Glacier Entrance

The Trail of the Cedars – 0.9 mile loop trail on Going-to-the-Sun Road, some trees are over 500 years old, West Glacier Entrance

The Sun Point Nature Trail to Baring Falls – 1.9 mile out-and-back trail on Going-to-the-Sun Road, overlooks St Mary Lake, East Glacier Entrance

Hidden Lake Overlook Trail (behind Logan Pass) – 2.7 mile out-and-back trail on Going-to-the Sun Road, overlook sits between Clements Mountain and the jagged ridgeline of Reynolds Mountain, East or West Glacier Entrance