Are you thinking about visiting Glacier National Park, Montana? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Glacier National Park worth visiting?
This park is a good place to visit for two to three days. 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. We first visited in 2017 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with world-renowned views.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Reasons to Visit Glacier National Park
Hiking
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.
Resorts
There are several lodges, cabins, and inns near or within the park, but reservations are recommended well in advance.
Things to Consider Before Visiting Glacier National Park
Museums
Glacier National Park isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. There are a couple of local museums in the area, but most people head straight for the park.
Nightlife
Most people don't associate Glacier National Park with a lively nightlife scene. People visit for the scenery, not the nightlife scene.
Food: Glacier National Park doesn't top the list for most foodies. You'll find several restaurants and cafes both within and near the park, but this is an incredibly crowded park so you'll want to make reservations well in advance.
Shopping: Glacier National Park isn't exactly a shopper's destination. There are park stores where you can pick up books, souvenirs, and gifts.
Lots of Tourists
Glacier National Park sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Glacier National Park might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Glacier National Park here or see if Glacier National Park is expensive here.
Related
What is Glacier National Park most famous for?
Glacier National Park is most famous for its miles of hiking trails, impressive glaciers, and pristine lakes. The park is very popular for its hiking. It is also known for its great resorts. It is often described as stunning, breathtaking, and gorgeous.
What is the most famous sight in Glacier National Park?
The most popular sight in Glacier National Park is Going-to-the-Sun Road. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Glacier National Park on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Going-to-the-Sun Road and other attractions here.
How touristy is Glacier National Park? Is it a popular park to visit?
Glacier National Park is a very touristy park that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Shared Glacier Adventure: Drive and Snowshoe with Lunch: $220
- 5 Hours Glacier National Park Driving Tour: $220
- Self Guided Bike Tour in Glacier National Park: $65
- Full Day Whitewater Adventure Trip with Included Lunch: $157
- Full Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure - With Lunch!: $152
- Half-Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure: $87
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Glacier National Park: $12
- Glacier National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
How long should I spend in Glacier National Park?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Glacier National Park is two to three days. Since Glacier National Park has activities such as hiking, many visit for up to three days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Glacier National Park?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Glacier National Park?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Glacier National Park?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.