Glacier is one of the few American parks where four days really is the right amount of time. Less and you miss something. More and you start running out of accessible high country. Here's the four-day plan.
Day 1 — Going-to-the-Sun Road
Enter from West Glacier (Apgar). Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road east toward Logan Pass. Stop at Lake McDonald, the Trail of the Cedars (0.7-mile boardwalk through old-growth), and Avalanche Lake (4.6 miles round-trip — granite cirque, glacial lake, mountain goats).
Continue over Logan Pass. Stop at the Hidden Lake overlook (3 miles round-trip, easy). Continue down to St. Mary on the east side. Sleep at Many Glacier or St. Mary campgrounds (book 6 months out).
Day 2 — Many Glacier (the heart of the park)
Many Glacier is the most cinematic basin in the park. Three classic hikes accessible from the same trailhead:
- Iceberg Lake (9.6 miles round-trip): the most-photographed lake in the park, full of icebergs even in August.
- Grinnell Glacier (10.6 miles round-trip): the namesake glacier, retreating fast. Cinematic.
- Cracker Lake (12.6 miles round-trip): less-traveled, equally beautiful, often empty.
Pick one. Spend the rest of the day at the lake.
Day 3 — Backcountry overnight (permit required)
Get a backcountry permit ahead and overnight at one of the high lakes — Cracker Lake, Bullhead Lake, or one of the Highline Trail campsites. The Highline Trail itself (12 miles, Logan Pass to The Loop) is the iconic Glacier dayhike with a 4,000-foot drop at the end — but it's also the route to several backcountry sites.
If you'd rather not do backcountry: do the Highline as a dayhike (catch the early shuttle, hike one-way, take the shuttle back).
Day 4 — Two Medicine + return
The southeast corner of the park, less-visited. Hike to No Name Lake (10 miles) or take the boat to the head of Two Medicine Lake and hike to Twin Falls. Quiet, beautiful, photographer's last day.
Logistics
- Vehicle reservations are required May-September on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Book ahead.
- Cell signal is essentially zero in the park — even Many Glacier village has spotty service.
- Bears (both grizzly and black) are present in numbers. Bear spray is mandatory in our opinion. Read protocols.
- Many Glacier and St Mary lodging fills 9-12 months out for July/August. Camping fills 6 months out.
What to pack
- Bear spray (carry it; have it accessible)
- 3-liter hydration + filter
- Layers including hard-shell rain jacket (afternoon storms)
- Hiking boots — Glacier trails are rocky
- Trekking poles
- Camera with telephoto if you want wildlife
Glacier National Park is named after its glaciers. There were 80 of them in 1850. There are 25 left. Visit while you can.
Best window
Late July through mid-September. The Going-to-the-Sun Road usually opens late June; some trails don't melt out until late July. After mid-September, weather turns fast.
Glacier-ready kit: backpacks and hydration, sleeping systems. Plan the trip: Glacier destination page.