Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Glacier National Park?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Glacier National Park?

Most visitors spend two to three days in Glacier National Park when visiting. The stunning park offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the beautiful scenery and the hiking.

Glacier National Park is a truly spectacular wilderness area in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. The alpine peaks and glacier-fed lakes give this park an impressive beauty. While it's one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States, it is also one of the most crowded. Particularly during peak seasons you can expect large crowds and full parking lots.

Do you have one or two days to visit Glacier National Park? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Glacier National Park?

Unfortunately, one day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to enjoy the scenery and nature of Glacier National Park. Most vacationers schedule two to three days to fully experience the stunning park. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit, which includes Going-to-the-Sun Road.

How to spend a day in Glacier National Park

When visiting Glacier National Park, you can't miss Going-to-the-Sun Road as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.

Glacier National Park is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. This is one of the most stunning national parks in the United States with its many pristine lakes, striking mountain peaks, and breathtaking views.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Glacier National Park?

A weekend is usually not enough time to see everything in Glacier National Park such as Going-to-the-Sun Road and the beautiful scenery and the hiking. Because of everything to see and experience, you'll likely want more than a weekend, as many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your adventure in this park.

Glacier National Park, Montana Glacier National Park, Montana

How to spend 2 days in Glacier National Park

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Glacier National Park, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the park has to offer.

Known for it's hiking, Glacier National Park sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. There are more than 700 miles of trails in the park. For the best experience, you should purchase a permit and explore the parks backcountry. Other popular trails include Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail, and Avalanche Lake Trail. It's best to start in the early morning as this is a popular park and the trails get busier as the day progresses.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Half Day Bike and Hike Tour in around Whitefish ($175)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Glacier National Park, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

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