Glacier felt enormous in every direction: sharp peaks, turquoise lakes, winding mountain roads, wildlife around every corner, and landscapes that kept changing from one part of the park to the next. We spent ten days exploring as much as we could, from Going-to-the-Sun Road and Logan Pass to Many Glacier, Two Medicine, St. Mary, and Lake McDonald. Iceberg Lake was the standout hike, but the whole park felt like one jaw-dropping view after another.
Pick a stop to see its story and photos.
St. Mary Lake anchors Glacier's east side, with mountain views from Sun Point and Wild Goose Island Overlook, boat tours across the lake, and short access to Baring Falls. We used St. Mary Campground as our first base in the park.
Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses Glacier between St. Mary and Lake McDonald, passing waterfalls, glacial valleys, alpine overlooks, and Logan Pass. We drove it several times and repeatedly saw mountain goats and bighorn sheep near the high point of the road.
Trail of the Cedars is an accessible old-growth forest loop that also serves as the approach to Avalanche Lake. The longer hike follows Avalanche Creek to a glacial lake beneath steep cliffs and multiple waterfalls.
Hidden Lake Overlook is a popular trail from Logan Pass through open alpine terrain beneath Bearhat Mountain. Snow covered much of the route during our visits, but the overlook was open and provided broad views across Hidden Lake and the surrounding peaks.
This east-side trail links two major waterfalls along a turquoise creek, with smaller cascades and views through a forest recovering from fire. We completed the full route to Virginia Falls and later returned to St. Mary Falls with my parents.
Many Glacier combines the historic hotel, Swiftcurrent and Josephine lakes, boat tours, and strong wildlife viewing in one mountain valley. We saw a moose from the boat, walked to Fishercap Lake, and used the area as the starting point for Iceberg Lake.
Iceberg Lake Trail is a demanding ten-mile round trip through forest, wildflower meadows, and exposed mountainside terrain. It ends at a turquoise lake below a steep cirque, where snow and floating ice can persist into summer.
Two Medicine is a quieter southeastern section of Glacier centered on a mountain lake. We walked the short Paradise Point route and visited Running Eagle Falls, where water emerges through the rock face.
Lake McDonald is Glacier's largest lake and the center of the west-side visitor area. We camped at Apgar, spent time along the shoreline and at Lake McDonald Lodge, and walked beside the clear water of McDonald Creek.
Glacier's historic Red Buses provide a guided trip along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Our rainy tour traded long mountain views for low clouds and runoff waterfalls, while the driver covered the road's construction and park history.
St. Mary Lake anchors Glacier's east side, with mountain views from Sun Point and Wild Goose Island Overlook, boat tours across the lake, and short access to Baring Falls. We used St. Mary Campground as our first base in the park.
Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses Glacier between St. Mary and Lake McDonald, passing waterfalls, glacial valleys, alpine overlooks, and Logan Pass. We drove it several times and repeatedly saw mountain goats and bighorn sheep near the high point of the road.
Trail of the Cedars is an accessible old-growth forest loop that also serves as the approach to Avalanche Lake. The longer hike follows Avalanche Creek to a glacial lake beneath steep cliffs and multiple waterfalls.
Hidden Lake Overlook is a popular trail from Logan Pass through open alpine terrain beneath Bearhat Mountain. Snow covered much of the route during our visits, but the overlook was open and provided broad views across Hidden Lake and the surrounding peaks.
This east-side trail links two major waterfalls along a turquoise creek, with smaller cascades and views through a forest recovering from fire. We completed the full route to Virginia Falls and later returned to St. Mary Falls with my parents.
Many Glacier combines the historic hotel, Swiftcurrent and Josephine lakes, boat tours, and strong wildlife viewing in one mountain valley. We saw a moose from the boat, walked to Fishercap Lake, and used the area as the starting point for Iceberg Lake.
Iceberg Lake Trail is a demanding ten-mile round trip through forest, wildflower meadows, and exposed mountainside terrain. It ends at a turquoise lake below a steep cirque, where snow and floating ice can persist into summer.
Two Medicine is a quieter southeastern section of Glacier centered on a mountain lake. We walked the short Paradise Point route and visited Running Eagle Falls, where water emerges through the rock face.
Lake McDonald is Glacier's largest lake and the center of the west-side visitor area. We camped at Apgar, spent time along the shoreline and at Lake McDonald Lodge, and walked beside the clear water of McDonald Creek.
Glacier's historic Red Buses provide a guided trip along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Our rainy tour traded long mountain views for low clouds and runoff waterfalls, while the driver covered the road's construction and park history.
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