Glacier National Park

State: Montana. Type: U.S. National Park spanning Flathead and Glacier counties in the state's northwest, along the Canada-U.S. border. Established May 11, 1910. Covers more than 1 million acres. Originally held roughly 150 glaciers in the mid-1800s; only 25 active glaciers remained as of 2010. The 53-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and is a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Glacier National Park occupies the northwestern corner of Montana on the Canadian border, part of a landscape often called the "Crown of the Continent" after conservationist George Bird Grinnell, who championed its protection following visits in the 1880s. Congress established the park in 1910, and it remains defined by the retreating ice sheets that gave it its name, together with jagged peaks, alpine lakes and nearly 700 miles of trails. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, completed in 1932, is the park's signature drive, climbing to Logan Pass on the Continental Divide and offering some of the most photographed mountain scenery in the country. The ecosystem is largely intact, home to grizzly bears, mountain goats, Canadian lynx and more than 1,000 plant species. Visitors typically enter through gateway communities such as West Glacier, East Glacier and nearby Kalispell, and most park infrastructure and full services run only during the short summer season.

Glacier National Park sits in Flathead and Glacier counties in far northwestern Montana, bordering Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park (together forming the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park). The main western entrance is at West Glacier, with additional access near East Glacier and Many Glacier; Kalispell is the nearest larger town.

The park's climate varies sharply with elevation and season, ranging from relatively mild valley conditions in summer to severe alpine winter weather at higher elevations. Summers (roughly late May through September) bring the mildest, most accessible conditions, while winters are long and snowy, closing most roads except the lower stretch of Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Summer, from late June (once Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully plowed to Logan Pass) through September, is the main visiting season, offering full road access and open visitor services. Late May and early June allow hiking and biking on a still-closed-to-cars Sun Road, and fall (September-October) offers fewer crowds before the road closes for the season, typically around the third Monday in October.

Indigenous peoples, including the Blackfeet and Salish-Kootenai, have long histories in the region now protected as the park. Conservationist George Bird Grinnell visited in the 1880s and became a leading advocate for federal protection, and Congress designated Glacier National Park on May 11, 1910. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, an engineering feat crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, was completed in 1932 and is now a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Since the mid-1800s, the park's glaciers have retreated dramatically, from an estimated 150 to just 25 active glaciers by 2010, and scientists have projected further loss without major climate shifts.

Hiking is the park's core activity across nearly 700 miles of trails, ranging from short interpretive walks to multi-day backcountry routes. Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a must for most visitors, with stops at Logan Pass and Lake McDonald. Other popular activities include fly fishing, kayaking and canoeing on the park's lakes, wildlife watching for grizzly bears and mountain goats, and ranger-led programs at visitor centers. Snowmobiling is prohibited throughout the park, but winter visitors can ski or snowshoe as conditions allow.

Key sites include Logan Pass at the top of Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald (the park's largest lake), the Many Glacier area known for dense wildlife and dramatic scenery, and Two Medicine on the park's eastern side. St. Mary and Apgar serve as the main visitor-center hubs on the east and west sides respectively.

Glacier Park International Airport, near Kalispell, is the closest commercial airport to the west side of the park. Amtrak's Empire Builder train stops at West Glacier and East Glacier during the summer season. By road, U.S. Route 2 skirts the park's southern boundary connecting West Glacier and East Glacier, while the Going-to-the-Sun Road (U.S. Route 89-adjacent) provides the cross-park route, subject to seasonal closure and a peak-season vehicle reservation system.

The park is open year-round, but services and road access vary greatly by season. Most visitor centers, lodging and full services operate only from late May/early June through September; Going-to-the-Sun Road is typically fully open (Logan Pass to Logan Pass) from late June until the third Monday in October, per the National Park Service. Confirm current road and facility status on nps.gov/glac before visiting.

Per the National Park Service, summer entrance fees are $35 for a private vehicle (7-day pass), $30 for a motorcycle, and $20 per person on foot or bicycle; winter (Nov 1-Apr 30) rates are lower at $25/$20/$15 respectively. An annual Glacier park pass costs $70. Non-U.S. residents aged 16+ pay an additional $100 unless holding an annual or America the Beautiful pass; the park does not accept cash. During peak season, a separate vehicle reservation is required for the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor, North Fork, and Many Glacier.

Most visitors plan at least two to three days to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, visit Many Glacier or Two Medicine, and fit in a hike or two; a single long day allows a drive-through visit with limited stops.

Gateway towns including West Glacier, East Glacier and the larger community of Kalispell offer a range of lodging from campgrounds and cabins to hotels; the park itself also operates historic lodges (per NPS lodging information) during the summer season. Because the park's peak season is short and popular, advance booking is strongly recommended.

Dining options cluster in the gateway towns of West Glacier, East Glacier and Kalispell, ranging from casual diners and cafes to sit-down restaurants; some historic park lodges also operate dining rooms in summer. Options inside the park itself are limited outside the main lodges and camp stores.

Whitefish and Flathead Lake sit a short drive to the south and west of the park's Kalispell-area entrances, both popular add-ons for a Glacier trip. Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada adjoins Glacier to the north, together forming the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.

Glacier Park International Airport near Kalispell is the primary regional air gateway; Amtrak's Empire Builder serves West Glacier and East Glacier seasonally. A rental car is the most practical way to explore the park and surrounding towns, since public transit within the park is limited to seasonal shuttle service on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

This is grizzly bear country; the National Park Service advises carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it, and making noise on trails to avoid surprising wildlife. Weather can change rapidly at high elevation, so carry layers even in summer. Going-to-the-Sun Road has narrow, winding sections with steep drop-offs; drive cautiously and check current road/weather conditions before setting out. For any emergency, dial 911.

Bear spray, layered clothing (including a rain shell and warm layer even in summer), sturdy hiking boots, sun protection, and plenty of water are essential given the park's variable alpine weather and long trail distances between services.

Book any peak-season vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road, North Fork or Many Glacier well in advance, and check nps.gov/glac for current road/hours status before traveling, since seasonal closures shift year to year. Arriving early in the day helps avoid the busiest crowds at Logan Pass and popular trailheads in summer.

For any emergency, dial 911. The park's general visitor information line, per the National Park Service, is 406-888-7800.

Glacier National Park (National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.