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Glacier National Park

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Overview

Glacier National Park is home to an abundance of untouched forests, mountainous meadows, rugged peaks, and striking lakes. Boasting over 700 miles of trails, the park is a haven for adventurous visitors seeking solitude and wilderness. Guests can get a glimpse of Glacier's past by exploring the old chalets, lodges, and Native American historical sites abundant throughout the park. Whether enjoying the solitude of a backcountry outing or the beauty of a short day on the trails, Glacier National Park has something for everyone.

To learn more about Glacier National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Easy hikes:

  • Hidden Lake Overlook
  • Baring Falls
  • St. Mary / Virginia Falls
  • Running Eagle Falls
  • Intermediate hikes:

  • Avalanche Lake via Trail of the Cedars
  • Grinnell Lake
  • Bullhead Lake
  • Florence Falls from Gunsight Pass Trailhead
  • Difficult hikes:

  • Grinnell Glacier
  • Iceberg Lake
  • Siyeh Pass Route
  • Cracker Lake
  • Local Info

    Visitor Centers:
    Visitor center hours of operation vary by day and season. Visit the park's website to see current hours of operation.

    • Apgar Visitor Center: Open year round. Hours and days vary by season.
    • Apgar Backcountry Permit Office: Open May through October. Hours vary by seaon.
    • Apgar Nature Center: Open mid-June through August. 10 am to 4 pm.
    • Logan Pass Visitor Center: Open from the road opening through late September. Hours vary by season.
    • Many Glacier Ranger Station: Open late May through mid-September. 7 am to 5 pm.
    • Park Headquarters: Open Monday through Friday year round. 8 am to 4:30 pm (closed from 12 pm to 12:30 pm for lunch).
    • Polebridge Ranger Station: Open late May through mid-September. 9 am to 5 pm.
    • St. Mary Visitor Center: Open late May through beginning of October. Hours vary by season.
    • St. Mary Backcountry Office: Open late May through mid-September. 7 am to 4:30 pm.
    • Two Medicine Ranger Station: Open late May through mid-September. 7 am to 5 pm.

    Visiting Tips

    Glacier National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Winter weather dictates when most guest facilities are open. Generally, most facilities are accessible to visitors between late May and early September. Park roads experience seasonal closures due to snow, and visitors should check the park's website for current conditions and closures when planning their trip.

    Summer is the peak season in the park, but the other seasons offer similarly excellent opportunities to explore the park, although with fewer amentities. Fall is magnificent, but visitors must be more self-reliant as fewer facilities are open. Winter brings a snow-covered environment that's conducive to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Spring is a short and late-arriving season with spectacular opportunities for wildflower viewing.

    Fees & Passes
    To learn more about park fees, click here.

    Camping & Lodging

    Camping:
    Glacier National Park has thirteen drive-in campgrounds. Most campgrounds in Glacier are filled on a first come, first served basis with the exception of Fish Creek, St. Mary, some of Many Glacier, and half of the group sites in Apgar. The opening and closing dates of the campgrounds vary by season and weather so be sure to check the park's website for current campground status. For more information on campground amenities, current conditions, making reservations, and camping in the park, click here.

    • Agpar: 194 sites.
    • Avalanche: 87 sites.
    • Bowman Lake: 48 sites.
    • Cut Bank: 14 sites.
    • Fish Creek: 178 sites.
    • Kintla Lake: 13 sites.
    • Logging Creek: 7 sites.
    • Many Glacier: 109 sites.
    • Quartz Creek: 7 sites.
    • Rising Sun: 84 sites.
    • Sprague Creek: 25 sites.
    • St. Mary: 148 sites.
    • Two Medicine: 100 sites.

    Backcountry Camping:
    Backcountry camping is permitted in Glacier with a permit which may be reserved online in advance and obtained the day before or day of a desired trip start date. Permits will not be issued after 4:30 pm at any location. For more information on backcountry camping and reserving a permit, visit the park's website.

    Lodging:
    Lodging in the park varies from rooms in historic grand hotels to cozy cabins, comfortable motels, and backcountry chalets. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Rooms book quickly, especially for the peak months of July and August.

    • Apgar Village Lodge: Reservations can be made

    Food & Drink

    There are a number of locations throughout the park that offer food, snacks, and groceries. Dining options within the park range from snack shops to grills, pizzerias, cafes and the more formal Russell's Fireside Dining Room. There are also several campstores located throughout the park where visitors can stock up on groceries and supplies for their stay in the park.

    Other Activities

    Visitors looking for other ways to explore Glacier National Park will not be disappointed by the variety that the park offers. Backcountry camping, road biking, driving tours, fishing, horseback riding, photography, and boating are among the many activities that the park affords in the summer. In the winter, you can continue your exploration by snowshoeing or cross country skiing. When not out exploring the 700 miles of trail that the park has to offer, visitors should be sure to check out the opportunities for rock climbing in the park and mountain biking up the road in Whitefish.

    Maps & Guidebooks

    Check out onX Backcountry for the ultimate backcountry GPS navigation app.

    Gems in Glacier National Park - 19

    Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Gems

    gem Favorite St Mary's Falls.

    St. Mary Falls

    (51) Rising Sun, MT
    gem Favorite Hey there lil' buddy!

    Logan Pass

    (40) Red Roc…, MT
    gem Favorite Grinnell Glacier past end of trail, Many Glacier area, Glacier National Park. with permission from phil h

    Grinnell Glacier

    (33) Swiftcu…, MT
    gem Favorite Virginia Falls.

    Virginia Falls

    (31) Rising Sun, MT
    gem Favorite One of many iconic red cedars along the way.

    Glacier Cedar Forest

    (26) Red Roc…, MT
    gem Favorite Running Eagle Falls (low flow, August) as the day turns to dusk. Near Two Medicine Lake.

    Running Eagle Falls

    (22) Bison, MT
    gem Favorite Dawson Cutoff overlooking Pitamakin Lake.

    Pitamakan Pass

    (14) Rising Sun, MT
    gem Favorite Three friends taking a minute to take in the view from the summit of Siyeh Pass.

    Siyeh Pass

    (12) Rising Sun, MT
    gem Favorite Red Rock Falls

    Redrock Falls

    (21) Swiftcu…, MT
    gem Favorite No Photos

    The Garden Wall

    (11) Swiftcu…, MT
    gem Favorite Camping on the beach at Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park, Montana.

    Lake McDonald Lodge

    (20) Red Roc…, MT
    gem Favorite No Photos

    Triple Divide Peak

    (2) Rising Sun, MT
    gem Favorite Sun Point

    Sun Point - St. Mary Lake Overlook

    (11) Rising Sun, MT
    gem Favorite Switchbacking Ptarmigan Wall above Ptarmigan Lake near the tunnel. with permission from phil h

    Ptarmigan Tunnel

    (9) Swiftcu…, MT
    gem Favorite A view of the shore by Rocky Point

    Rocky Point

    (13) Apgar, MT
    gem Favorite View from the top of Chief Mountain. with permission from Babbylonian

    Chief Mountain

    (3) Swiftcu…, MT
    gem Favorite Bird Woman Falls in the evening.

    Bird Woman Falls

    (8) Red Roc…, MT
    gem Favorite Mt. Grinnell.

    Swiftcurrent Falls

    (8) Swiftcu…, MT
    gem Favorite Mountain goat and kid at Goat Lick.

    Goat Lick Overlook

    (10) Nimrod, MT

    Recommended Routes in Glacier National Park - 24

    Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

    Favorite Grinnell Lake overlook.
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

    Grinnell Glacier

    10.3 mi 16.6 km • 1,774' Up 540.61 m Up • 1,777' Down 541.59 m Down

    Swiftcu…, MT
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Looking at the Continental Divide from the trail from Granite Park Chalet on the way to the Loop.
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

    Highline to The Loop

    11.7 mi 18.8 km • 1,183' Up 360.66 m Up • 3,554' Down 1083.33 m Down

    Red Roc…, MT
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Amazing sunny day at Avalanche Lake with all of the falls flowing.
    Intermediate Intermediate

    Avalanche Lake via Trail of the Cedars

    6.2 mi 9.9 km • 616' Up 187.82 m Up • 616' Down 187.75 m Down

    Red Roc…, MT
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Iceberg Lake.
    Intermediate Intermediate

    Iceberg Lake

    9.8 mi 15.8 km • 1,349' Up 411.22 m Up • 1,349' Down 411.17 m Down

    Swiftcu…, MT
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite View of Hidden Lake taken from the lookout at the top of the trail.
    Intermediate Intermediate

    Hidden Lake Overlook

    2.7 mi 4.3 km • 490' Up 149.25 m Up • 489' Down 149 m Down

    Red Roc…, MT
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite St Mary's Falls.
    Intermediate Intermediate

    St. Mary / Virginia Falls

    3.1 mi 5.0 km • 467' Up 142.38 m Up • 467' Down 142.44 m Down

    Rising Sun, MT
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Beautiful wildflowers looking out towards the renowned Montana mountains. In valley below Siyeh Pass.
    Difficult Difficult

    Siyeh Pass Route

    10.2 mi 16.5 km • 2,229' Up 679.35 m Up • 3,371' Down 1027.38 m Down

    Swiftcu…, MT
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Trail to Cracker Lake
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

    Cracker Lake

    13.0 mi 20.9 km • 1,434' Up 437.14 m Up • 1,434' Down 437.19 m Down

    Swiftcu…, MT
    Explore in 3D
    Favorite Never Laughs Mountain, Grizzly Mountain, Painted Tepee Peak, and Sinopah Mountain (left to right) with Two Medicine Lake in the front
    Difficult Difficult

    Pitamakan/Dawson Loop

    17.9 mi 28.9 km • 3,320' Up 1011.94 m Up • 3,322' Down 1012.66 m Down

    Bison, MT
    Explore in 3D

    Glacier National Park Running

    • 903 Miles 1,454 Kilometers of Trail
    • 24 Recommended Routes
    • 19 Gems Gems
    • 74 Easy Trails Easy Trails
    • 97 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
    • 64 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
    Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Share what you know about this area!

    Areas Within Glacier National Park

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    Trails in Glacier National Park - 211

    Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Trails

    2.6 mi 4.2 km #1Hidden Lake
    Intermediate Intermediate
    Red Rock Point, MT
    Intermediate Intermediate
    Red Rock Point, MT 46 
    0.9 mi 1.4 km #2Grinnell Glacier Overlook
    Difficult Difficult
    Swiftcurrent, MT
    Difficult Difficult
    Swiftcurrent, MT 30 
    0.9 mi 1.4 km #3Trail of the Cedars
    Easy Easy
    Red Rock Point, MT
    Easy Easy
    Red Rock Point, MT 40 
    3.5 mi 5.6 km #4Grinnell Glacier Trail
    Difficult Difficult
    Swiftcurrent, MT
    Difficult Difficult
    Swiftcurrent, MT 20 
    3.6 mi 5.9 km #5Apgar Lookout
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    West Glacier, MT
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    West Glacier, MT 35 
    7.7 mi 12.3 km #6Swiftcurrent Pass
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Swiftcurrent, MT
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Swiftcurrent, MT 19 
    19.9 mi 32.0 km #7Highline Trail
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Red Rock Point, MT
    Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
    Red Rock Point, MT 22 
    8.4 mi 13.6 km #8Avalanche Trail
    Intermediate Intermediate
    Red Rock Point, MT
    Intermediate Intermediate
    Red Rock Point, MT 25 
    10.1 mi 16.2 km #9Dawson Pass
    Difficult Difficult
    Bison, MT
    Difficult Difficult
    Bison, MT
    7.8 mi 12.5 km #10Siyeh Pass Trail
    Difficult Difficult
    Swiftcurrent, MT
    Difficult Difficult
    Swiftcurrent, MT

    Photos of Glacier National Park - 795

    Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. Add Your Photos

    Grinnell Lake overlook.
    Nov 12, 2015 near Swiftcu…, MT
    A friendly local waves hello to hikers.
    Nov 12, 2015 near Swiftcu…, MT
    St Mary's Falls.
    Jan 21, 2016 near Rising Sun, MT
    Grinnell Glacier glacier hike - great reward for not a ton of effort.
    Jan 28, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
    Swiftcurrent Lake. Glacier National Park.
    Sep 10, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
    View of Hidden Lake taken from the lookout at the top of the trail.
    Oct 1, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT
    Mt. Grinnell.
    Nov 6, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
    Hidden Lake
    Dec 30, 2018 near Red Roc…, MT

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