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Glacier National Park

6 Things to Do in Glacier National Park For the First Time Visitor

posted by Ladona Stork
Mar 14, 2020 22084 0 19
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First time visitors will fall in love with this ultimate wilderness playground! There are so many things to do in Glacier National Park that you will be challenged with adventure choices every moment of your vacation. With a multitude of visits under his belt, Brad was in charge of determining where we would focus our time during my first trip. In this top 6 list, the first 5 were his “must do” choices and I loved every minute! The last is the one thing I wish we had done and didn’t. Next time!

This post contains a couple of affiliate links to make it easier for you to find products I have mentioned. You don’t pay any extra and in some cases I could earn a small commission.

Things To Do In Glacier National Park for the First Time Visitor

#1 – Follow Going to the Sun Road

Going to the Sun Road Things to do in Glacier National Park

Best described a white knuckle drive, I’m glad Brad took the reins on this 50 mile cruise across Glacier National Park. I think I could have driven it, but I wouldn’t have seen a thing as I stared at the center line instead of the drop off edges. He didn’t seem concerned at all. (I’m so lucky he’s my guide!) There are plenty of pull offs where you can access hiking trails and enjoy breathtaking mountain views. There was even a little bit of snow along the road during our mid August trip.

If you aren’t up to driving it yourself or have an RV that is too big for Going To The Sun Road, use the free park shuttle. As of this writing, Glacier National Park shuttle was being re-bid so we might see some changes in the coming year. We’ll update this post as we learn more. (Info here about size limits.)

#2 – Stop for Wildflowers and Mountain Goats

Mountain Goat in Glacier National Park

Stop often as you drive through the park. Even better take a hike. You will find beautiful displays of wildflowers at almost every open field in Glacier National Park. And it’s near impossible to not find mountain goats wandering near the roads and trails.

Check out the trail to Hidden Lake tucked behind the visitor center at Logan Pass. Here you are the top of the world looking at never ending fields of wild flowers. It is one of the most dense exhibits of full bloom alpine flowers I have seen. Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep graze nearby, and small waterfalls cross your path. Grab a hat as this hike is fully exposed. The first 1.35 miles of the hike will be crowded. This section is not that difficult and ends at an overlook for Hidden Lake. If you want a little quiet continue on from there to the beach at Hidden Lake.

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#3 – Visit the Historic Lodges

Image Courtesy of Acroterion

The lodges in Glacier National Park were built over a century ago by the Great Northern Railroad to encourage rail travel by tourists. The historic buildings, designed to be 5 start resort destinations, are beautiful to visit even if you are not looking for a place to sleep. If time doesn’t allow for you to visit all of the lodges, pick one to add to your things to do in Glacier National Park list. You’ll really enjoy relaxing in one of these beautiful lobbies.

Brad’s favorite is McDonald Lodge right on the lake. Even though we were camping, we took time to enjoy this unique building. The lobby is beautifully handcrafted with an amazing giant fireplace. What a great place to take a break! Here we enjoyed a delicious breakfast as we waited for our campsite the first morning.

#4 – Hike to a Glacial Lake

Avalanche Lake Hike things to do in Glacier National Park

There are dozens of day hikes that lead you to gorgeous Glacial Lakes sprinkled throughout Glacier National Park. Most of these lakes are fed by picture perfect waterfalls that are worth the trip alone. We found the hike to Avalanche Lake to be a good starter hike with little elevation gain and wide trails.

And there are so many more choices! We asked some of our fellow bloggers to share their favorite hikes in this article that is sure to help you decide.

#5 – Float on a Lake

Wooden Historic Boat Things to do Glacier National Park

There is nothing more spectacular than sitting in the middle of one of Glacier National Park’s lakes and finding yourself surrounded by mountains. The view is unbeatable! And what’s great about Glacier is there are options to meet your personal style. We took one of the historic wooden boat cruises and loved the views and the crew’s story telling. If your style is a little more independent you can rent boats, kayaks or paddle boards at the lodges and head out to float among the mountains.

#6 – Take A Red Bus Tour

Red Bus - Things to do in Glacier National Park

And here’s the one we missed! Tour the park in what might be the oldest tour fleet in the world. These 33 beautiful buses are the original oak framed vehicles that carried tourists through the park in the 1930s. The drivers act as guides displaying a wide range of knowledge, entertaining their passengers as they provide escort through the park. You can book a full day or half day tour here. And the best part… you don’t have to drive those scary curves on Going to the Sun Highway!

Adding a Red Bus Tour to your things to do in Glacier National Park list is the one thing in this group that requires a little planning. Red Bus Tour Reservations are required in advance for most peak week trips.

Where to Stay When Visiting Glacier National Park

Camping in Glacier

With 13 Campgrounds and over 1000 campsites you are sure to find the perfect spot in Glacier. Hop over to our article Things you Should Know about Camping in Glacier for all the details.

Hotels in and Near Glacier National Park

You’ll find 6 hotels and motels right in Glacier National Park. Each is very unique and offers a wide variety of lodging styles. The only problem is they fill up fast, like 6 months in advance. Here’s the information about lodging inside Glacier.

Outside Glacier you can find hotels at the East Gate in St. Mary’s Village. A beautiful resort that sits on the edge of Glacier National Park. On the West Side, West Glacier has quite a few more choices for lodging. You can search here for the best hotels in West Glacier.

This is only the beginning! When it comes to things to do in Glacier National Park the list is bountiful. The thing about first time visitors to the park is that they are never last time visitors. Once you visit Glacier, you will be back!

Don’t forget to check out our Glacier National Park Travel Guide where we have gathered a ton of information to help you plan the Trip of Your Dreams!

If you have a suggestion to add to a first time visitors Things to Do in Glacier National Park list, please share them in the comments below. If you are headed to Glacier soon, don’t forget to pin this to your travel board for quick access when you need it!

Here are a few more resources you will find helpful as you plan your trip:

Here are 6 things to do in Glacier National Park that you won't want to miss!

Originally published June 2018. Updated March 2020.

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Comments

19 Comments
  1. posted by
    Carla
    Mar 30, 2020

    Great article! Planning on going sometime next year. When do you think the best time to visit is?

    • posted by
      Ladona Stork
      Apr 1, 2020

      Carla, July and August are the peak season because the snow melt allows the trails to be open. Early September is still pretty nice, although nights are cool. Any other time, it’s highly likely roads will be closed due to snow. However if you are a snow bunny, you can still hike trails in the winter with limited access.

  2. posted by
    Amanda
    Sep 11, 2018

    Those pictures are so beautiful. I traveled to Montana this summer but did not make it to Glacier National Park. Hope to some day go there. Thanks for the travel tips.

    • posted by
      Ladona Stork
      Sep 12, 2018

      Amanda, I hope you find time to go to Glacier! It is one of my favorites.

  3. posted by
    Shannon
    Sep 11, 2018

    Looks fun! We lived in Banff but never made it to down to the US Glacier Park. I’ll pass your post along to several friends who still live up there and would enjoy your tips.

    • posted by
      Ladona Stork
      Sep 12, 2018

      So funny! We lived a couple hours from Niagara Falls and never went. Then when we are 12 hours a way we made a road trip. Go figure! I hope you get back because it is so beautiful.

  4. posted by
    Breanne
    Sep 11, 2018

    Ok so I am already panicky b/c of the drive! haha. The lake looks so beautiful.

    • posted by
      Ladona Stork
      Sep 12, 2018

      LOL! Me too! Luckily there are other options like the red bus or the shuttle. Its amazing.

  5. posted by
    Christina
    Sep 11, 2018

    How fun! My family loves camping and enjoy both National and State Parks. We got to take my oldest to Yellowstone right before getting pregnant with number two. Some of our bigger trips have now been put on hold until the little gets to be at least three but Glacier is my husbands top pick on our Bucket Lists of trips!

    • posted by
      Ladona Stork
      Sep 12, 2018

      You will love it! And there’s several really great family friendly hikes in Glacier National Park.

  6. posted by
    Gina Smith
    Sep 11, 2018

    I have got to add this to our bucket list after have read this. Will definitely be going some day.

    • posted by
      Ladona Stork
      Sep 12, 2018

      Keep it on that list! It is awesome.

  7. posted by
    julie
    Sep 11, 2018

    This is definitely a place I want to visit! Thank you for all the suggestions of things to do. I’m going to pin this post, to refer back to when we plan a trip there!

    • posted by
      Ladona Stork
      Sep 12, 2018

      Julie, hope you get there soon!

  8. posted by
    April
    Sep 11, 2018

    Wow looks so beautiful! I need to plan a visit!

  9. posted by
    Nikki
    Sep 11, 2018

    Great article! I’ve never been to Glacier National Park, but it’s been on my bucket list! I’m so glad I ran across your site today, and to follow your journey to the other parks, too!

    • posted by
      Ladona Stork
      Sep 12, 2018

      You will love Glacier National Park! Thanks for following us.

  10. posted by
    Mary ~ Reflections Around the Campfire
    Jun 9, 2018

    Great post, Ladona! I think if you’re not staying in one of the Lodges in the National Parks, you don’t always think of them as “an attraction” – but they really are. Like the Parks themselves, they all have their own unique features and personalities and they’re always worth a stop and (better yet) a meal, too.

    • posted by
      Ladona Stork
      Jun 10, 2018

      Yes! I love the unique craftsmanship in the lodges.

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