The Best of Glacier NP: An Action-Packed 4-Day Itinerary

Are you considering a trip to Glacier National Park? With its rugged mountains, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife, this national park offers an unforgettable experience for outdoor lovers.

We recently visited this Montana gem of a national park with our teen daughter (our son was on another trip)—spending four days seeing its main attractions, including the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, stunning hiking trails, and scenic boat rides. 

Our 4-day itinerary will make you want to slip on your hiking shoes, grab your camera, and explore the best of Glacier National Park. From high-altitude vistas to pretty waterfalls, I share awe-inspiring sights and helpful tips on planning your best trip.

17 essential tips to plan Your best Glacier National Park visit.

I have tried to get to this crown jewel of national parks three times over many years. Expensive airfare, high-priced car rentals, or the lack of lodging availability have always tripped me up. Fortunately, the third time was a charm. Planned six months before the trip, we finally made it to Glacier National Park for a summer visit.

Based on our experience, I share 17 essential things you will want to know before you visit this park. It is a comprehensive overview of all the before-you-go info I wish I had before our trip. From the best times to visit to how to get around the park to where to stay, plus much more, this resource will help give you a jump start on your trip planning, ensuring an incredible visit.

4 days in Glacier National Park: an at-a-glance overview.

Our on-the-ground time in Glacier was four nights and technically five days, giving us time to experience traditional park activities over three full and two half days. 

See an at-a-glance overview of how we spent our visit below. Click each day for more details.

• Day 1: Arrive, get oriented, and check-in.
  
  
• Day 2: Hike the combined Avalanche Lake trail and Trail of the Cedars trails. Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
  
  
• Day 3: Hike the St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail. Take a Two Medicine Lake boat ride to hike the Twin Falls trail.
  
  
• Day 4: Drive to Many Glacier for a scenic boat ride. Hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail via the Lake Josephine boat dock.
  
  
• Day 5: Check out. Stop in West Glacier to shop for souvenirs before driving to Missoula.

Would you like a printable version of this itinerary? Jump here. See where we went on the map below.

Day 1: Arrival and West Glacier.

Here are the highlights of the first day of our Glacier National Park trip. 

• Land at Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana.
• Pick up our airport rental car and drive 26 miles to West Glacier. 
• Lunch at Glacier Highland Restaurant—get the pie!
• Get our seven-day park pass and talk with a ranger at the Apgar Visitor Center.
• Check into our room at The Great Bear Inn.
• Back to West Glacier for groceries. Dinner at Lake McDonald Lodge.

After many years of trying to make it to Glacier National Park, I was thrilled to finally touch down at the Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) on our direct flight from Chicago.

The small airport, only a 35-minute drive from the West Glacier park entrance, is easy to navigate, making for a smooth first leg of the trip. Once we grabbed our luggage—we are a checked bag family—mainly to bring loads of our preferred brand of sunscreen, we headed to the rental car trailer to grab our pre-booked rental. 

Rental cars in Glacier are pricey due to low stock and high demand during a short season. Expect vehicles to cost between $100 and $200+ a day. If you plan to rent, I recommend requoting your reserved rental price before your trip. I did this and shaved hundreds of dollars off our initial quote. I share where to get the best rental quotes and other money-saving car rental tips in this article.

After driving the 35 minutes to West Glacier, we stopped at the Glacier Highland Restaurant for lunch. Given it was a gorgeous blue sky Montana summer day, we grabbed a table on their sunny outdoor patio ringed by flowers and cooled by misting machines. It was the perfect way to kick off our trip. 

At the Glacier Highland, expect elevated American-style pub fare of sandwiches and pizzas. We ate a solid black bean burger and a Greek salad for lunch. However, the star that shines brightest at the Glacier Highland is not the veggie burger—it is the lovingly homemade pie. 

We chose a slice of the huckleberry and lemon cream pie. It would be my first taste of huckleberry, a cross between blueberry and cranberry. The berry grows prolifically wild in the summers in Montana, and I was dying to try it.

And happily, reality exceeded expectations by a lot. If this pie is still on the Glacier Highland Restaurant menu when you visit, I highly recommend getting it. It was one of the best light pies I have ever had. The fluffy huckleberry filling towered over a thin layer of lemon curd, sitting on a perfectly flaky crust and topped with creamy and whole whipped cream. Every bite was a tangy, sweet, and creamy triumph. I can still savor its taste as I write about it. 

Fully satisfied with our al fresco meal, we drove a short distance into the park, stopping at the ranger gate to purchase our 7-day pass. Although we had pre-booked an entrance reservation allowing us access to the West Glacier entrance, we did not need it as we arrived shortly after 3 PM, when this popular western entrance re-opens to all traffic.

From there, we headed to the nearby Apgar Visitor Center to talk to a ranger and get advice on the best hikes for our family. And recommendations for the best ways to get around the park and make the most of our visit. After, we made a pit stop in West Glacier for essentials, like bear spray, an affordable cooler made of recycled materials, and picnic and snack items at the West Glacier Mercantile. 

Supplied, fed, and informed, our next stop was our lodging—checking into The Great Bear Inn.

About a 15-minute drive from the West Glacier entrance, this attractive lodge-style deluxe bed and breakfast with four rooms and two cabins is owned and run by a kind Montana couple, Bunny and Larry, year-round. The inn is on a large rolling property with beautiful views. 

Why did we stay outside Glacier National Park? Because much of the high-demand in-park lodging books up 13 months in advance. And we did not plan our trip that far ahead. Learn more about all in-park options in this comprehensive guide.

At The Great Bear Inn, we stayed in the Trail of the Cedars room with a view of the mountains. Our ensuite double room had two log-hewn frame queen beds and ample space, with a mountain decor. 

See a quick tour of the inn below.

For dinner, we drove back into the park, following the road from West Glacier for 10 miles to reach Lake McDonald Lodge. This move was a bit of a whoops. 

The road was under construction and dusty, making it hard to see, and the ride was too long at the end of an already lengthy day. Because we did not feel like waiting for a table in the lodge’s fine dining room, we ordered an average pizza at super touristy Jammer Joes on the Lake McDonald Lodge property. 

In hindsight, we would have been better off grabbing a quick bite to eat closer to West Glacier or Apgar. However, the nice thing was it stayed light until nearly 10 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to find our way back to our inn.

Dining options are not plenty inside or around Glacier National Park. Check out this complete where-to-eat guide to learn more.

Day 2: Avalanche Lake and the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Here are the highlights of our first full day enjoying Glacier National Park. 

• Breakfast: Early wake-up and complimentary breakfast at The Great Bear Inn.
• Arrive at Avalanche Lake trailhead parking area by 7:30 AM.
• Hike the 5.9-mile Avalanche Lake trail combined with the Trail of the Cedars.
• Lunch: Picnic at tables next to the Avalanche Lake parking area.
• Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
• Turn around at the Rising Sun area. Get snacks and use the restroom.
• Errands: Stop in West Glacier for groceries, snacks, and souvenirs. 
• Dinner: On the patio at the Belton Chalet.
  
  

After a comfortable night of sleep in our peaceful room at The Great Bear Inn, we woke early to enjoy a hot breakfast included in our stay. Finding it difficult not to overeat on many good options, we enjoyed huckleberry pancakes, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and muffins. Clearly—we were fueling up before a morning of hiking.

Driving through the West Glacier Park entrance around 6:45 AM, using our pre-booked reservation to enter, we made it to the Avalanche Lake trailhead parking area by 7:30 AM. It was already filling fast, and we felt lucky to get a space.

To explore Glacier, we drove our car. However, we found parking a pain. From 8 AM to 4 PM, spaces were difficult, if not impossible, to get when we needed them. If you are visiting in-season, to avoid this parking hassle, consider taking advantage of the free Glacier shuttle to get around. Or join for a guided tour. I share more information about shuttle dates of operation, route maps, and more in this planning tips article.

Once parked and with our daypacks ready, we hit the 5.9-mile out-and-back Avalanche Lake trail, enjoying its steady climb (a total 757-foot elevation gain) along this moderately strenuous route.

We loved this walk through the woods that paralleled streams and small waterfalls, eventually opening to beautiful views of Avalanche Lake. From its rocky shores, we marveled at the wild alpine surroundings reflected in the calm and sparkling lake waters.

After following the path around the southwest shore, we enjoyed a snack on one of several rocky beaches before heading back via a short detour on the .9-mile interpretive Trail of the Cedars loop. 

A special note for hikers seeking peace and tranquility in nature—Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars are busy trails, especially after 9 AM. If you are looking for more outdoor serenity, arrive to hike this trail early. Or later, after 5 PM. Since the sun rises in Glacier around 5 AM and sets around 10 PM in early July, you may have lots of daylight to work with.

With our hike wrapped up and back at our car, we grabbed our cooler to enjoy a picnic lunch at a nearby table. When done, and after giving our parking to a grateful family patiently waiting for a space, we set out to drive the most iconic highlight of the park—the Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

The hype on this 50-mile engineering marvel of a road is well deserved. It is gorgeous. As you ascend, following the switchbacks towards its highest point at Logan Pass, the views become increasingly awe-inspiring, with every turn divulging a new vista of towering mountains or a cascading waterfall.

Is it nerve-wracking to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road? I share my thoughts in this article.

When driving it, we stopped just past the Weeping Wall, finding an open space adjacent to the Paradise Meadow pullout, a great place to stop. Not only is the view overlooking the meadow stunning but there is a convenient bathroom and high parking turnover. Plus, you can take a short walk to gain more height.

After this stop, we hoped to find a parking space at Logan Pass and hike the 5.1-mile out-and-back Hidden Lake trail. Unfortunately—no such luck. Instead, we drove on, pulling into the Jackson Glacier overlook to stretch our legs and take photos. From here, we continued east to the Rising Sun General Store and Motor Inn, where we stopped for ice cream treats and the bathroom before turning around to catch the jaw-dropping road views from a new direction.

After a quick pit stop in West Glacier for groceries and gas—we returned to our inn. Once there, we enjoyed a well-earned rest, soaking in a great first day before cleaning up and heading back to West Glacier and the Belton Chalet for dinner. 

Although we loved our dinner at the Belton Chalet—gourmet and inventive American West lodge fare served in a rustic and historic environment—I got sticker shock from the prices, which I found closer to downtown Chicago trendy dining versus backcountry upscale pub fare. This surprise was on me for not doing adequate research or even closely looking at the menu before eating.

So, once we decided to stay and avoid that restaurant slink-out-of-your-seat shame—keeping in mind the options for dining out in West Glacier are few—we leaned in and thoroughly enjoyed our alfresco and gourmet meal in the still bright evening sun on the restaurant’s wraparound deck.

My favorite dish was the blistered shishito peppers appetizer—perfectly charred peppers paired with a paprika dipping sauce. For mains, our daughter got a ribeye, I ordered the bison meatloaf, and my husband chose the trout, making for an entirely satisfying, albeit expensive, end to an excellent first day.

Day 3: St. Mary and Virginia Falls and Two Medicine.

Here are the highlights of our second full day enjoying Glacier National Park. 

• Breakfast: Early wake-up and included breakfast at the Great Bear Inn.
• Arrive at St. Mary and Virginia Falls trailhead parking area by 8:15 AM.
• Hike the 3.1-mile out-and-back St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail.
• Drive to the Two Medicine entrance for our pre-booked boat ride and hike.
• Lunch: Picnic at Two Medicine Lake on a bench.
• Join our 1 PM scenic boat ride across Two Medicine Lake.
• Hike the 2.3-mile out-and-back Twin Falls trail from the west end boat dock.
• Return to the inn for rest and shower.
• Dinner: Glacier Highland Restaurant. 
• Errands: More gas and groceries in West Glacier. 
  
  

After a successful first full day in Glacier, we were ready to make the most of another day in this gorgeous park. Up early again, indulging in a full hot meal of breakfast burritos, waffles, eggs, muffins, and fruit, we headed into the park directly to Logan Pass. We hoped to get a parking space to hike the upper section of the Hidden Lake trail, given the lower section had been closed to bear activity.

Will you see bears at Glacier? The likelihood is high. We never did, but we came close (missed by five minutes on a trail). And we were fully prepared with bear spray and safety knowledge in case we did. Learn more about bear safety in my Glacier planning tips article here.

Arriving just before 7:45 AM, we learned this was way too late. Getting there closer to 6 or 6:30 AM would have given us a better shot. The main and overflow Logan Pass lots were packed and busy with cars like ours circling in vain for an empty space. And spoiler, during our full three days in the park, we sadly, and much to my deep regret, never could find available parking here to do this hike. A definite reason to come back.

So, employing plan B, we decided to drive 7 miles further east to the St. Mary and Virginia Falls trailhead. The tiny lot here was also full. However, hoping for the best, we hung in our car, waiting for early morning hikers to return. Luck was on our side. After a 10-minute wait, hikers returned, and we took their space, setting off to experience this 3.1-mile out-and-back moderately challenging waterfall trail. 

There is no denying driving and trying to find a parking space in Glacier National Park during the height of the summer season is rough. I talk more about it in this planning tips article and share alternative ways to get around the park.

Although the initial landscape of this hike, clustering around the St. Mary River, shows the signs of the 2015 fire, this is a beautiful hike. Shortly after the viewing bridge fronting thundering St. Mary Falls, the trail climbs into a healthy forest unaffected by the burn. 

Along the way, we stopped at one of many rocky spots adjacent to Virginia Creek to explore the rushing water tumbling down from the higher-up falls—perfect places for a rest or picnic.

Reaching the trail summit is a reward. Crossing a wooden bridge, we came to the foot of Virginia Falls, soaking up the towering cascade and literally the spray that comes off it. After enjoying the welcome cool down on an already warm summer morning and catching sight of the falls from various vantage points from the rocks below, we eventually returned down the route.

Incredibly pleased with the success of our Plan B, we headed to our car, and a very thankful and patient family waiting for a parking spot to drive just over south to reenter the park at Two Medicine Lake. 

I had pre-purchased 1 PM tickets for a Two Medicine Lake Scenic Boat Tour with an Optional Hike. We wanted to arrive in time to check in for the tour and eat our picnic lunch. And success, we made it in time to do it all and board our boat to ride across the lake and take in the stunning mountain scenery.

Because of the type of ticket I purchased, we had the option to join for a group hike to Twin Falls, a 2.3-mile out-and-back hike from the Two Medicine West End boat dock, where we disembarked after crossing the lake.

However, given the ease of our experience on all the other well-marked trails in Glacier, plus a downloaded contour map of the route from Alltrails, we chose to take off while the group was still gathering and hike this relatively flat—expect a total 121-foot elevation gain—and moderate path ourselves.

It was a good choice as we got to quietly enjoy the pretty path lined with wildflowers, blue skies, and jagged peaks, eventually making it to the falls, where we took photos and explored the rocks and pools.

Returning via the boat, we stopped in the Two Medicine store for coffee and snacks to fuel up before our nearly 1.5-hour ride back to our inn. 

For dinner, and after spending time at our inn to clean up and rest, we returned to the Glacier Highland Restaurant for a low-key meal of burgers, fries, onion rings, and more pie to celebrate a rewarding day. 

Day 4: Many Glacier and the Grinnell Glacier trail.

Here are the highlights of our third full day enjoying Glacier National Park. 

• Breakfast: Take to-go breakfast provided by The Great Bear Inn (out the door by 5:15 AM).
• Drive 120 miles or 2 hours and 15 minutes to Many Glacier.
• Join our pre-booked 8:30 AM hiker shuttle boat across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.
• Hike the 7.6-mile out-and-back Grinnell Glacier trail from the Lake Josephine boat dock.
• Lunch: Picnic at Grinnell Glacier.
• Drive back to our inn to rest and shower.
• Dinner: Glacier Highland Restaurant. 
  
  

In a perfect world where I planned our Glacier National Park trip a full 13 months in advance when reservations open for the following year, I would have booked lodging on both the west and east sides of the park to eliminate the massive drive time to get to one of the essential crown jewels of this park and one I wanted to visit—the Many Glacier area.

Want to know where to stay in Glacier National Park? Learn more here.

However, given our constantly shifting family schedules, I rarely plan that far in advance. So, I made do with the lodging we could find—which turned out to be excellent—but far from Many Glacier. 

And then we did what any self-respecting parents with an early morning destination goal and a 13-year-old who likes to sleep in until 1 PM would do. We had her get up at 4:30 AM so we could hit the road with our to-go breakfast courtesy of our inn by 5:15 AM to drive the 120 miles to get there. 

Why so early? I had pre-booked the highly popular 8:30 AM hiker shuttle scenic boat ride from the dock outside the Many Glacier Hotel that would take us across the truly stunning waters of Swiftcurrent Lake. Then, with a boat change and a brief hike, across the equally or more gorgeous waters of Lake Josephine. 

If you are an outdoor lover, taking these boats improbably further into the wilderness (we could see a moose from our boat!) on a gorgeous July Montana morning, which also happens to shave off miles of hiking time to reach one of the best trails in Glacier—the Grinnell Glacier trail, is the kind of experience that makes you feel lucky to be alive. 

Initially, our plan for the day did not include hiking the Grinnell Glacier trail. Which, incidentally, turned out to be one of my top 10 favorite all-time trails. 

Considered a challenging route, with a nearly 2,000-foot elevation, I was not up to the combined pushback from my husband and daughter protesting my overzealous hiking plans. Instead, and respecting that not everybody loves a punishing uphill hike, I told them we planned to take the flat just over a 1-mile walk to the turquoise shores of Grinnell Lake from the Lake Josephine boat dock.

However, the morning was so gorgeous, and the landscapes so utterly beguiling everyone decided to postpone the lake walk and instead gain some height for the views. So, we started walking up the Grinnell Glacier trail, where the vistas became increasingly gorgeous. Feeling good, we continued ascending, eventually crossing paths with hikers coming down and breathlessly telling others they saw grizzlies above the trail further up.

With our grizzly-alert adrenaline kicking in high gear, we double-checked our bear spray was within reach (it was), and we quickened our pace to try to catch sight of these bears in the wild. 

While I could have been perfectly fine not seeing a bear, my 13-year-old was thrilled at the prospect. So, in what was likely one of our less sage parenting moves, we indulged her and all decided to keep moving higher. 

Although we never caught sight of a bear (whew!), we covered a lot more ground than we planned. Realizing this and feeling good, we then collectively decided to hike the entire route, all the way to Grinnell Glacier. Tacking onto another friendly hiking couple for safety in numbers, we stuck together as a group of five as we followed the path up. Making our way through cascades of meltwater, across snow patches, and alpine flower fields, we were wowed by the majestic mountain views at every turn along the trail. 

Eventually reaching our goal of Grinnell Glacier, tucked into the bowl of a mountain, we headed down to the water’s edge for a closer look. And to enjoy the spectacle of this ancient glacier with its cascading waterfalls tumbling into still turquoise blue waters dotted with ice and snow. It felt like stepping into a scene from the Arctic or Antarctic. We took our time at the shoreline, soaking in the warm July Montana sun, to rest and enjoy our lunch at such a beautiful spot. 

Following a splendid break, we took the trail back to the Lake Josephine boat dock to catch our return boat. As we approached the dock, the day’s sunshine, which had begun to give way to clouds, turned cooler with light rain. Slipping our jackets on, we waited patiently in line to catch the 3:45 PM return boat, backtracking to the Many Glacier Hotel and our car. 

That night, after a welcome rest following our 2+ hour drive back to our inn, we returned for a late evening dinner at the Glacier Highland Restaurant to reflect on and appreciate our truly epic Glacier National Park day.

Day 5: Goodbye and West Glacier.

After getting up so many early mornings in a row, it felt decadent to sleep late on our final morning in Glacier until 7 AM. Once up, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast courtesy of our innkeepers before repacking our bags and heading into West Glacier for souvenirs and gas. Then, continuing onto the second leg of our trip—three days in Missoula. 

Learn more about our time in Missoula, here. Then get an idea of the many excellent things you can see and do in and around the town in the article below.

Get a one-page print version of this itinerary.

For every trip I take, I create a one or two-page itinerary that includes the information I reference most while traveling. Although several other itinerary tools and apps are available, I have not found any to work how I want. So, I created my own template. 

See below for my itinerary for our Glacier trip.

Note, I updated this itinerary to reflect what we actually did vs. what I had originally and loosely planned. 

Because I generally keep our pre-trip itineraries flexible with wide open chunks of time, my pre-trip version of this itinerary looked less structured. Keeping things loose allows me to adjust our plans on the fly based on how our group feels, the weather, and specifically for Glacier—if there was parking.

To complement the open time, I usually pre-book one fixed activity to serve as an anchor, like our Two Medicine boat ride. For the rest of the day, I keep a ready reserve of ideas of things to do so we can pick what fits our situation and mood best.

So, use what we did as a guide. Then, know that if you cannot stick precisely to your plan, this happens to us all the time, too. 

If you use this itinerary, please comment below to let me know what you think.

Love this itinerary template? Create and customize your own.

If you like this itinerary template style, I share tools in this article so you can replicate your own version for free. In the article, find four downloadable itinerary template formats. Plus—get links to more itinerary creation apps and resources that will help you find the style that works for you best.

Dining options in and around Glacier National Park.

Inside Glacier National Park and the small communities surrounding it, you will find restaurant options to be limited. Some places are open on select days with set time windows and only during the summer season. And other, in-the-know options are tucked away in campgrounds or resort parks and are easy to miss.  

To get a better idea of possible places to eat in and out of the park, check out this complete guide organized by region, detailing its distance to the closest park entrance if it is outside the park. 

Where to stay in or near Glacier National Park.

If you want to stay inside Glacier National Park—check out this comprehensive where-to-stay guide. Learn about 24+ in-park locations, including lodges, hotels, rentals, backcountry chalets, and campgrounds.

However, if you discover all inside-Glacier accommodation already booked—no worries—you will still have options. Choose to stay in hotels, motels, cabins, campgrounds, and private rentals in one of eight nearby communities. Get a list of the best outside-the-park options in this complete lodging guide organized by region and park entrance. 

Related reading.

If you are planning a Glacier trip, check out these related articles. Get more information, ideas, and resources to plan better travel and get out the door with less hassle.

• How to Plan a Glacier National Park Trip: 17 Essential Tips
• Glacier Reservation & Pass: How to Enter This National Park
• Glacier NP: Ultimate Guide Where to Stay Inside the Park
• The Best Places To Stay Near Glacier National Park
• The Best Places To Eat Around Glacier National Park
• 39 Amazing Ideas For Things To See & Do In Missoula
• How To Make The Most Of Missoula In 3 Days
• 49 Things You Need to Do to Plan Your Best Trip (Free Travel Research & Planning Checklist)
• Pack Faster & Better With This Universal Printable Packing List
• Pre-Trip: A Practical Checklist to Close the House & Pack
  
  

Feedback & questions.

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