Top Things to do in Glacier National Park
Top Hotels in Glacier National Park Campgrounds
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Glacier National Park, Glacier National Park
Known as the Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park encompasses more than one million acres of terrain. Explore glacial-carved mountain peaks and valleys, cascading waterfalls and the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, which runs through the heart of the park and crests the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. The park is open year-round and offers sightseeing, wildlife watching, fall foliage, boating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, bicycling, fine dining and luxury accommodations.
Restaurants in Glacier National Park Campgrounds
1. Garden Wall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 82 reviews
Ridge along a mountain trail.
Reviewed By MaryEllenM27 - Kalispell, United States
The Garden Wall is also known as the 7 mile long Alpine Section on the West side Going to the Sun Road. It has stunning views and parking turnouts...some small and others quite large. There are many extra waterfalls early in the season and the iconic Weeping Wall runs so full you can drive under the water or walk under it for photos. In late June/early July there will be areas with remaining snow drifts the higher you drive approaching Logan Pass. There will also be remaining snow-bridges with waterfalls rushing beneath them. Those are gorgeous but extremely dangerous to walk out onto for photos...just don't do that. In the Summer the Garden Wall is full of wildflowers of all kinds...including the broad spherical white Cow Parsley, Indian Paintbrush, perennial geranium, the blue or lavender Penstemon, & small white daisy like flowers. At the Big Bend area where the largest parking area is located, you will see fields of purple Fireweed and/or the tall white spikes of the famous Bear Grass. In the Fall the foliage above and below the road is a carpet of various colors with a background of the nice clear blue sky. Fall wildflowers at that time of year include Indian Paintbrush, Aster and Gallardia.
2. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 462 reviews
A park symbolizing the long-standing friendship between Glacier National Park and its neighbor, Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada.
Reviewed By GorgeousRaquel - Calgary, Canada
Because of Covid19, it’s understandable that some places are still closed so we were not able to see majority of Glacier Nat’l. Park. We only saw the Canadian side since US border is still closed. However, the Canadian side is still great to experience. It raided 2 days straight but the 3rd day it was a mixture of sun and clouds. Majority of the days are windy and rainy. Waterton is the second windiest city in Canada. We had a great time nonetheless. Food we tried were The Wieners, Zum’s has the best chicken, Welch’s candy shop (expensive store but has a tasty Honey Cashew Crunch ice cream), I love the afternoon tea at The Prince of Wales Hotel (a must), Cameron Falls is glorious though Cameron Lake is incidentally closed for the year due to maintenance. Red Rock Canyon is great with its rock formation and falls, meadows. It has exceptional alpine scenery and deep valleys filled with ancient forests.
3. Highline Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 509 reviews
A popular hiking trail with phenomenal views.
Reviewed By BigtimeAllthetime
With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). Highly recommend this route as Highline going back out is not only longer but harder and the loop is mostly downhill. The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier.
4. Grinnell Glacier
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 651 reviews
A large glacier offering 300 acres of beauty.
Reviewed By BigtimeAllthetime
With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). Highly recommend this route as Highline going back out is not only longer but harder and the loop is mostly downhill. The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier.
5. Swiftcurrent Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 304 reviews
A scenic lake.
Reviewed By roamawaywithus - Bismarck, United States
A super pretty area to stop and check out the lodge, history, eat, or take a boat tour! We took a boat tour and hike to upper Grinnell Lake & Grinnell Glacier it was truly an unbelievable trip. The boat staff was very knowledgeable and more than accommodating. The lodge was a perfect place to eat and rest and just take in the views of the Lake!!!
6. Going-to-the-Sun Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,120 reviews
A spectacular and scenic 52-mile highway through Glacier National Park, which crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass in Montana.
Reviewed By rdburrows
Every part of this drive is beautiful and breathtaking!!! Take your time and enjoy it!! Way to many people get in a hurry!! Enjoy the pull offs and take in the views!! Get out of the vehicle and take it all in!! We chose to drive on our own that way we could go at our own pace!!! We went the end of June and it was the first week that the full road had been open!! So glad we got to experience it!! We decided to drive east to west to avoid all the traffic coming into from the West!!
7. Iceberg Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 103 reviews
This spectacular lake, bordered on three sides by mountains and located 1,000 feet above the trailhead, has patches of ice even in the warmest months.
Reviewed By U617RFnicoles - Gettysburg, United States
Our family of six took this hike on the first day of our trip to Glacier National Park. The first part of the hike is rather taxing but once you get past that part, it levels out. This is a 10 mile hike round trip so you will want to make sure you have plenty of water, lunch food/snacks, and bug repellent. Hiking poles would have been helpful but we bought them after this hike. We saw several moose on the way to the lake. When you get to the Iceberg Lake, it is gorgeous! Beautiful pictures! Take your shoes off, and dip your feet into the freezing cold water after your long hike. Have lunch on the rocks by the lake. Enjoy every minute!
8. Iceberg Lake Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 470 reviews
Hikers often wear bells and strike up loud conversations, so as not to startle the bears on this back country trail.
Reviewed By DRT135 - St. Marys, United States
We joined one of the park rangers for this hike who was very good guide. We learned about the plants along the trail as well as about the animals living in the area. The hike up was pleasant and Iceberg Lake reflects the changes in our climate. On our hike down we had rain, wind, hail and wintery mix so definitely plan to have layers of clothes as well as a good rain jacket and hat.
9. Virginia Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 254 reviews
Reviewed By J8934MJjulieb - Las Vegas, United States
Amazing beautiful waterfall, be sure to hike a little farther to Virginia Falls. Take note at the beautiful water as well.
10. Siyeh Pass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By 2MNtravelers_JnA - Chicago, United States
Loved this hike. We had no idea what we were getting into. We’re not hardcore hikers but we kept hearing how great this hike was. We started out not knowing how much of a climb it was. It was quite the incline but very much worth it! We made it up to Preston Park and Wow! Amazing views of Piegan Glacier as well as many others mountain peaks! You could definitely go further and I know there would be more amazing views! Do this hike!
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