Glacier National Park is the kind of place that makes you want to pull over before you’ve even reached the trailhead.
A flash of blue water through the trees. A waterfall tumbling beside the road. A mountain goat picking its way across a high slope. The first wide-open view from Going-to-the-Sun Road. Glacier has a way of turning simple moments into the ones you remember most.
So, what are the top things to do in Glacier National Park?
The top things to do in Glacier National Park include driving Going-to-the-Sun Road, hiking to alpine lakes and overlooks, visiting Lake McDonald, exploring Many Glacier and Two Medicine, taking a boat ride, watching wildlife safely, photographing mountain views, and rafting the Flathead River. First-time visitors should plan around season, road access, weather, crowds, and activity level instead of trying to see the entire park in one day. A guided small-group trip can make Glacier easier to enjoy by connecting highlights like Grinnell Lake, Iceberg Lake Trail, Hidden Lake Overlook, Two Medicine Lake, Lake Josephine, Swiftcurrent Lake, Going-to-the-Sun Road, and the Flathead River into a smooth, well-paced adventure.
In this guide, we’ll help you discover Glacier by experience: scenic drives, hikes, lakes, wildlife, boat rides, photography, rafting, biking, and guide-led adventure. The goal is not to do everything. It’s to choose the right things for your trip, your season, and your people.
Let’s start with the road that introduces Glacier like no other.
Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road and see Glacier’s big mountain views
Going-to-the-Sun Road is Glacier’s signature experience. It connects the park’s east and west sides through the heart of the mountains, passing Lake McDonald, forested valleys, waterfalls, cliffs, alpine meadows, and Logan Pass.
This is not just a drive between activities. It is one of the activities.
Start early, bring layers, and give yourself time to stop where it’s safe and allowed. Weather can feel completely different at Logan Pass than it does at Lake McDonald, and traffic or parking can shift the shape of the day. The guide mindset here is simple: let the road be part of the adventure, not a box to check.
Top stops and experiences along Going-to-the-Sun Road
Lake McDonald
A classic west-side stop for clear water, mountain reflections, and colorful shoreline stones.
Logan Pass
The high alpine heart of the road, with access to trails, wildlife-aware viewing, and sweeping mountain scenery.
Hidden Lake Overlook
A shorter hike from Logan Pass that delivers big alpine rewards.
St. Mary Valley
A dramatic east-side landscape with open views, bright water, and access to waterfall hikes.
Scenic pullouts
Some of Glacier’s best moments happen at overlooks you didn’t plan around.
Who this suits best
Going-to-the-Sun Road is ideal for first-time visitors, families, photographers, travelers with limited hiking time, and anyone who wants Glacier’s grand mountain scenery without committing to a full-day trail.
What to keep in mind
Road access is seasonal and weather-dependent, so check current conditions before you go. In peak summer, start early and build in extra time for congestion, parking, construction, weather changes, and wildlife delays.
Hike to lakes, overlooks, waterfalls, and alpine scenery
Hiking is one of the best ways to experience Glacier National Park. You don’t need to choose the hardest trail to have a spectacular day. Glacier’s trails range from gentle forest walks to full-day alpine routes, and the best hike is the one that fits your ability, your group, and the day’s conditions.
Best easy hikes and walks
Trail of the Cedars
A gentle forest walk near the Avalanche area, ideal for families, mixed-ability groups, and travelers who want a beautiful introduction to Glacier on foot.
Running Eagle Falls
A short Two Medicine trail with a waterfall payoff and a quieter feel than some of the park’s busiest areas.
Swiftcurrent Nature Trail
A scenic Many Glacier walk with lake and mountain views, great for relaxed exploring.
Best moderate hikes
Avalanche Lake
One of Glacier’s classic lake hikes, with forest, creek scenery, and a lake framed by cliffs and waterfalls.
Grinnell Lake
A beautiful Many Glacier hike with glacier-fed water, mountain scenery, and a rewarding destination. It pairs beautifully with time around Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.
Hidden Lake Overlook
A shorter alpine hike from Logan Pass with open views and excellent photography opportunities.
Best challenging hikes
Iceberg Lake Trail
A signature Many Glacier hike with big mountain views and a dramatic alpine lake destination. It’s a strong fit for active hikers who want a full, rewarding trail day.
Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint
A bigger hiking day for active travelers who want glacier-carved scenery, lake views, and a stronger alpine challenge.
Highline Trail
A famous Logan Pass-area trail with sweeping views and exposed sections. It is beautiful, but not ideal for every traveler, especially anyone uncomfortable with heights or narrow trail sections.
Who this suits best
Glacier hiking suits active couples, families with older kids or teens, multigenerational groups with good mobility, photographers, and travelers who want to feel immersed in the landscape.
What to keep in mind
Glacier is bear country, and hiking requires awareness. Carry bear spray, know how to use it, hike alert, make noise where visibility is limited, and give all wildlife plenty of space. Trail conditions, closures, snow, and weather can change quickly, so current guidance matters.
Explore Glacier’s lakes by shoreline, boat, and camera
Glacier’s lakes are more than scenic stops. They are the quiet heart of the park.
They mirror mountains, cool the air, soften big hiking days, and create some of the most memorable travel moments: skipping stones at Lake McDonald, watching clouds move across Swiftcurrent Lake, stepping off a trail near Grinnell Lake, or taking in the calm of Two Medicine Lake after a busy day elsewhere.
Top lakes to include in your Glacier trip
Lake McDonald
Best for classic Glacier photography, colorful shoreline stones, west-side access, and sunrise or sunset views.
Swiftcurrent Lake
Best for Many Glacier scenery, mountain reflections, and easy wandering near the lake.
Lake Josephine
Best for peaceful views and hiking connections in the Many Glacier area.
Grinnell Lake
Best for glacier-fed color and a rewarding hike with a real sense of arrival.
Two Medicine Lake
Best for quieter scenery, boat rides, hiking options, and a less hurried Glacier experience.
Iceberg Lake
Best for active hikers who want a dramatic alpine lake destination.
Boat rides and water-based experiences
Boat rides are a wonderful way to experience Glacier from another angle. They can also help connect hiking routes in areas like Many Glacier or Two Medicine, depending on current schedules and availability.
Rafting the Flathead River adds a more playful water experience. It’s a great contrast to hiking days and a favorite for families, active couples, and multigenerational groups.
Watch wildlife safely and discover Glacier’s quieter corners
Glacier is home to grizzly bears, black bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, elk, marmots, and countless birds. Wildlife sightings can be thrilling, but the best wildlife experience is always the respectful one.
The point is not to get close. The point is to notice.
Many Glacier and Logan Pass are especially well known for wildlife-aware viewing opportunities, while Two Medicine offers a quieter feel and a beautiful sense of being tucked into the mountains.
Best places for wildlife-aware viewing
Many Glacier
Big valleys, lakes, open slopes, and excellent chances to observe animals from a responsible distance.
Logan Pass
Alpine habitat where visitors may see mountain goats, bighorn sheep, or marmots.
Two Medicine
Quieter trails, lake scenery, and a peaceful east-side atmosphere.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Wildlife delays can happen, so build extra time into your drive.
Wildlife tips for first-time visitors
• Carry bear spray when hiking.
• Know how to use it before you need it.
• Never feed wildlife.
• Keep snacks and scented items secured.
• Give animals plenty of room.
• Use binoculars or a zoom lens for better views.
• Treat wildlife delays as part of the Glacier experience, not an inconvenience.
Quieter Glacier experiences
Not every top thing to do in Glacier needs to happen at the busiest overlook.
A quieter day might include Two Medicine Lake, a waterfall walk, a less crowded picnic stop, or a slower morning near Whitefish before heading into the park. The right guide can also help adjust the day around crowds, weather, and energy so the experience feels more personal.
Rafting, biking, and guided adventure on your Glacier trip
Glacier is famous for hiking and scenic drives, but some of its best days combine more than one kind of adventure.
A multi-activity trip might include hiking in Many Glacier, biking portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road, rafting the Flathead River, and relaxing in Whitefish or St. Mary at the end of the day.
Raft the Flathead River
Rafting the Flathead River is one of the best ways to add energy and fun to a Glacier itinerary. After hiking or scenic driving, time on the water gives your legs a break while keeping the adventure moving.
It is especially well suited to families, couples, and multigenerational groups because it creates a shared experience that does not depend on everyone hiking the same distance.
Bike near Going-to-the-Sun Road
Biking around Glacier can be a memorable way to experience the park’s scenery, especially when conditions and seasonal access allow. It adds movement, fresh air, and a different pace to a destination many travelers first imagine only by car or on foot.
Go guided and get all the the details handled
Glacier rewards planning. But not everyone wants to spend their vacation managing trail timing, parking, road access, lodging, meals, weather calls, and backup plans.
Guided travel is a strong fit if you want:
• Trail choices matched to the day
• Local guide knowledge
• Small-group camaraderie
• Transportation handled
• Lodging and many meals arranged
• Snacks and trail support
• Help with pacing and weather calls
• Wildlife-aware hiking support
• A richer understanding of the park
• More energy left for the experience itself
Austin Adventures’ guided Glacier trips are designed to bring together the park’s biggest highlights in a way that feels active, thoughtful, and well-paced. The Glacier National Park Hiking Adventure focuses on iconic trails like Iceberg Lake Trail, Grinnell Lake, and Hidden Lake Overlook.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Glacier National Park
What are the top things to do in Glacier National Park?
The top things to do in Glacier National Park include driving Going-to-the-Sun Road, hiking to places like Avalanche Lake, Grinnell Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook, and Iceberg Lake, visiting Lake McDonald, exploring Many Glacier and Two Medicine, taking a boat ride, watching wildlife safely, photographing mountain views, and rafting the Flathead River.
How many days do you need in Glacier National Park?
Plan at least four to six days if you want to experience Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald, Logan Pass, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, a few hikes, and time on or near the Flathead River. Shorter visits are possible, but Glacier is easier to enjoy when you are not rushing between distant regions of the park.
What is the best time to visit Glacier National Park?
The best time to visit Glacier National Park for hiking, scenic drives, rafting, lake activities, and mountain views is generally late June through September. July and August usually offer the broadest access, while September can bring cooler temperatures, softer light, and fewer crowds. Always check current road, trail, shuttle, and access updates before travel.
Is Glacier National Park good for families?
Yes, Glacier National Park can be excellent for families when activities are chosen carefully. Good family-friendly options include Trail of the Cedars, Lake McDonald shoreline time, Two Medicine Lake, Redrock Falls, Running Eagle Falls, scenic stops along Going-to-the-Sun Road, and rafting the Flathead River. Families should plan around trail difficulty, weather, wildlife safety, snacks, hydration, and flexible pacing.
Do you need a guide for Glacier National Park?
You do not need a guide to visit Glacier National Park, but a guided trip can make the experience smoother and more rewarding. Guides help with trail selection, pacing, weather decisions, wildlife awareness, road timing, transportation, lodging, meals, and daily logistics. This is especially helpful for first-time visitors, families, multigenerational groups, and travelers who want a well-planned active trip.
What should I pack for Glacier National Park activities?
Pack hiking shoes, moisture-wicking layers, a warm fleece or light insulated jacket, rain jacket, sun protection, daypack, water bottle, snacks, insect repellent, camera or phone charger, and bear spray purchased or rented locally. Glacier weather changes quickly, so prepare for sun, wind, rain, and cool temperatures in the same day.
Choose the Glacier experiences that fit your trip
The top things to do in Glacier National Park are not just the famous things.
They are the things that fit your season, your energy, your group, and your sense of wonder.
Maybe that’s driving Going-to-the-Sun Road with the windows down and the mountains rising ahead. Maybe it’s hiking to Grinnell Lake, standing at Hidden Lake Overlook, or watching evening light settle across Lake McDonald. Maybe it’s a boat ride at Two Medicine, a wildlife-aware morning in Many Glacier, or a rafting day on the Flathead River where everyone laughs more than expected.
Glacier is big. Beautifully big.
So give it room. Choose one main region at a time. Pack for changing weather. Respect the wildlife. Start early when it matters. Leave space for the stop you didn’t plan.
And if you want the park’s great moments connected with care, travel with guides who know how to shape the day around the mountains, the weather, and the people on the trail.
That’s when Glacier becomes more than a destination.
It becomes the kind of adventure you carry home with you.
Written by Madeline Miller, part of the Austin Adventures team, with insight from a company that’s been creating guided adventure vacations in our National Parks since 1985.
