Glacier National Park
With glacier-capped mountains, dazzling aquamarine lakes, and some of the most exciting hiking trails in the country, it’s no wonder that Glacier National Park is called the “Crown of the Continent.”
Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the best scenic drives in the United States. Along the way, you get jaw-dropping views from the overlooks as the road twists and turns through the mountains.
But this is also the type of national park that just begs you to get out of the car and go exploring. Take a boat ride across Lake McDonald, paddle a kayak on Swiftcurrent Lake, or take your pick from epic hiking trails scattered throughout the park.
We’ve visited Glacier National Park twice, hiking its most iconic trails, including the Highline Trail and Grinnell Glacier, and exploring multiple regions from Many Glacier to Waterton Lakes.
This is one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States and we can’t wait to share it with you in this guide.
Start Here: Planning Your Glacier Trip
New to Glacier? Start with these essential guides:
- Want an overview on what to do? → Here are the Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park
- Want a complete day-by-day plan? → Read our Glacier National Park Itinerary
- Interested in hitting the trails? → Here are the Best Hikes in Glacier National Park
- Learn more about vehicle reservations → US National Parks That Require Reservations
Glacier National Park Stats
Founded: May 11, 1910
Annual Visitors: 3.2 million. In 2024, Glacier was the 10th most visited national park in the USA.
Size: 1 million acres
Location: Montana
Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle in the summer, valid for 7 days; $25 in winter (November through April); non-US residents 16 years or older pay an additional $100 fee
Notable Fact: Just across the border with Canada is Waterton Lakes National Park. Together, these two parks form the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the world’s first international peace park.
Top Ten Experiences in Glacier
Looking for highlights? These are the must-see experiences:
- Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Enjoy the views from Logan Pass
- Hike the Highline Trail
- Visit Many Glacier
- Hike to Grinnell Glacier
- Explore Two Medicine
- See Wild Goose Island
- Visit Lake McDonald Valley
For full details, read our complete guide to the Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park.
Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park (2026 Guide)
A detailed guide to the 10 best things to do in Glacier National Park.
Hikes in Glacier National Park
There are many spectacular hikes to do in Glacier National Park, from the short but sweet hike to Hidden Lake to thrilling Highline Trail.
10 Great Hikes in Glacier NP | Easy Strolls to Jaw-Dropping Day Hikes
Glacier National Park is home to some of the most exciting hiking trails in the United States. The scenery in this national park is jaw-dropping and there is no better way to experience it than on your own two feet. Take your pick from easy strolls to spectacular alpine trails. Here are 10 of the […]
How to Hike to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park
The hike to Grinnell Glacier is one of Glacier National Park’s most beautiful hikes. This hike has it all…stunning alpine scenery, waterfalls, emerald green lakes, wildflowers, the chance to see wildlife, and of course, a glacier. On this hike, we spotted moose, mountain goats, and bear. The wildlife sightings and the gorgeous scenery made this […]
Highline Trail: Logan Pass to The Loop | Complete Hiking Guide
The Highline Trail is one of the most spectacular hikes in Glacier National Park, and one of the most popular. Stretching 11.6 miles from Logan Pass to The Loop, this iconic cliffside trail delivers jaw-dropping alpine views, wildflower-filled meadows, and frequent wildlife sightings — all with surprisingly modest elevation gain. If you’re planning a trip […]
Glacier National Park Map
Vehicle Reservations
US National Parks that Require Reservations – 2026 Guide
Glacier National Park required timed entry reservations in the past, but this might be discontinued in 2026.
We cover these vehicle reservations, plus other US National Parks that require some form of advance reservation, in our guide to National Parks that Require Advance Reservations.
When To Visit Glacier National Park
The park is open all year.
However, Going-to-the-Sun Road, the main road through the park, is only open during the summer months (typically from late June/early July through mid-October).
If you want to go hiking in Glacier National Park or if you want to be able to visit the entire park, you will have to plan your visit during this narrow window of time.
July and August are the busiest months to visit Glacier National Park. Crowds begin to lessen in September.
For good weather and low crowds, plan your visit between the end of September and early October.
Glacier National Park appears in our Best US National Parks Month-By-Month series as a great park to visit in July, August, and September, since all the park roads are open during this time.
15 Best US National Parks to Visit in July 2026
Which are the best national parks to visit in July? In this guide, we list 15 great parks to visit in the USA. Go hiking in Mount Rainier and Glacier National Parks, go whale watching in the Channel Islands, and venture into Alaska for some amazing adventures. About this National Park Series This article is […]
15 Best US National Parks to Visit in August 2026
Planning a trip to the US national parks in August and don’t know which ones to visit? August is a busy time to visit the national parks, but crowd levels aren’t quite at their peak (that typically happens in July for many parks). In this guide, we list some popular summertime parks to visit plus […]
14 Best US National Parks to Visit in September 2026
September is one of the best months of the year to visit the national parks. The weather is fantastic across much of the USA, the busy summer season is coming to an end, and, in some parks, you can see the first of the fall colors. In this guide, we list 14 of the best […]
How Many Days Should You Spend in Glacier?
The Ultimate Glacier National Park Itinerary for 1 to 5 Days
Ideally, plan on spending at least two days in Glacier National Park. This gives you enough time to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, hike one or two trails, and visit the Many Glacier or Two Medicine areas.
Every day you add to Glacier National Park gives you more time for hiking, to explore more regions of the park, or day trip to Waterton Lakes National Park.
For a detailed day-by-day breakdown, see our Glacier National Park Itinerary.
Road Trip Itinerary with Glacier
Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks: 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary
Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks are three of the top national parks to visit in the United States. With 10 days, you can visit all of them on an epic road trip.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park form the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
Waterton Lakes, which is located in Canada, feels like a quieter, mellower version of Glacier National Park.
Hiking and biking are popular things to do here, as well as some experiences you wouldn’t expect to have in a national park. Have high tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel, go shopping at the boutique stores in the town of Waterton, or take your pick from one of many great restaurants in town. One of the best things to do is to take a guided boat tour on Waterton Lake. You will cross the border back into the United States, see remote Goat Haunt, and look for wildlife.
Glacier National Park Photos
US National Parks List
In our US National Parks List, get information on all of the US national parks, including interesting facts, the most and least visited national parks, and a FREE printable national parks checklist with map.
Ultimate US National Parks List for 2026 (+ Printable Checklist)
