3 Perfect Days in Glacier National Park: A Full Itinerary

In late August, my boyfriend, parents, and I took a spontaneous weekend trip to Glacier National Park in Montana. As a group, we were interested in short to moderate length hikes and beautiful views. We wanted to experience the best that the park had to offer in the short amount of time that we had. Based on our experience, I’ve put together this little 3-day itinerary to Glacier National Park. Most of the activities listed below are in West Glacier as that’s where we spent the majority of our time. Enjoy!

Last updated: 18 November 2022

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Things to know before you go

• Glacier National Park experiences a lot of bear activity, especially in the summer. Both black bears and grizzly bears roam the trails and forests. Make sure to carry bear spray (and understand how to use it)!
• Cell service is spotty to nonexistent in most places in the park. Instead of relying on Google Maps, grab a physical map from the visitor’s center so you don’t get lost.
• Glacier NP is divided into two parts: West Glacier and East Glacier. Both sides of the park offer stunning backdrops and access to untouched nature. Where you decide to stay depends on what you’re looking for.
  • West Glacier: More conveniences, better lodging, more expensive, gorgeous views
  • East Glacier: More remote, lots of camping options, right in the mountains, harder to access
• Going-to-the-Sun Road is a scenic mountain road that connects West Glacier and East Glacier. The road is closed in the winter because it becomes very dangerous for the National Park Service to plow the snow.
• There are 7 entrances to Glacier National Park. Only 3 of them connect to Going-to-the-Sun Road.
  • West Glacier Entrance: The main entrance in West Glacier; close access to Lake McDonald and Apgar Village
  • Camas Creek Entrance: West Glacier; more remote
  • Polebridge Entrance: West Glacier; mostly used by locals
  • Saint Mary Entrance: Main entrance in East Glacier
  • Two Medicine Entrance: East Glacier; closed in the winter
  • Many Glacier Entrance: East Glacier; more remote
  • Cut Bank Entrance: Most remote entrance in East Glacier, on a dirt road
• Campgrounds and chalets within the park sell out quickly. You’ll need to book at least a few days in advance for most locations if you want to stay within the bounds of the park.

How to get to Glacier National Park

If you’re flying, the best and closest airport to fly into is Kalispell Glacier Park International Airport (FCA). Five major airlines (Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, and United) service this small airport daily, as well as several rental car companies. If you’re visiting the park during the peak summer season, make sure you rent your car early because they do sell out.

Although there are park shuttles that run throughout the park, they don’t operate that frequently and would restrict the time you spend doing each activity. For this reason, I highly recommend renting a car and driving through the park yourself.

Glacier National Park is partially open during COVID, but some campsites and shops are not. Make sure you check out their website for the most updated information before you go!

Where to stay near Glacier National Park

As our trip was a bit last-minute, every hotel inside or next to the park was already booked. Because of this, we ended up staying in the town of Whitefish. About a 40-minute drive from the nearest park entrance, I only recommend staying here if you don’t plan on doing much early-morning hiking (our wake-up times were brutal). Hotels and motels here are often much cheaper than they are closer to the park.

(Whitefish is a really cute town though, so if you have more time, I would recommend checking it out anyway!)

Inside the park, there are several different lodging options that include chalets, lodges, and hotels.

• Lake McDonald Lodge: Rustic lodging on the lake
• Sperry Chalet: National Historic Landmark Hotel near Lake McDonald that is only reachable by trail
• Belton Chalet: Historic railway hotel near the West entrance
• Granite Park Chalet: Panoramic views near Grinnell Glacier Overlook

Camping is also a popular option.

• Apgar Campground: In Apgar Village
• Fish Creek Campground: On Lake McDonald
• Many Glacier Campground: East Glacier with views of the water
• St. Mary Campground: East Glacier, between the Saint Mary Lakes

If it was possible, I definitely would have wanted to stay inside the park itself. Although they’re more expensive, the lodges and chalets are much more convenient than having to drive into and out of the park each day. If staying within the park is a priority for you, make sure you look into booking your accommodation months in advance (especially in the summer).

If you’re not into hotels or camping, Airbnb and VRBO are also options nearby the park, although they don’t seem to be as popular as the in-park options.

3-Day Glacier National Park Itinerary

Day 1: Whitefish & relaxation

Arrive in Kalispell in the morning, pick up your rental car, and drive 20 minutes to Whitefish. If you’re staying in Whitefish, check in to your hotel. Otherwise, get lunch at Mama Blanca’s for out-of-this-world burritos and ceviche. Or, for something a bit lighter, try Rebel Roots Kitchen. Spend a few hours browsing the shops, relaxing at City Beach, or having a drink at Bonsai Brewing Project. Make sure to stop by the grocery store today to get some snacks and sandwich ingredients for your hikes.

Drive over to the park in the afternoon after you’ve explored Whitefish. Make sure you stop at the Glacier National Park sign before each entrance to take a few photos. If you’re staying in the park, check in to your lodge or campsite now.

Afterward, stop by the colorful Lake McDonald, the largest body of water in the park, for some rock skipping and exploration. Lake McDonald is known for its brightly-colored rocks that look like Fruity Pebbles. The lake itself was formed in a valley through a combination of erosion and glacial activity. On the northeastern edge of Lake McDonald, you’ll find Lake McDonald Lodge, a popular accommodation option in the park.

Around the southern edge of the lake, you’ll find Apgar Village, one of the main villages in Glacier National Park. There, you’ll find Apgar Campground, Apgar Visitor Center, a general store, and a gift shop. Since Apgar Village is only about 1 mile (1.6 km) away from the West entrance of the park, it makes a good first stop to acquaint yourself with the area.

Day 2: Avalanche Lake hike

No Glacier National Park itinerary would be complete without a few hikes. We chose to do Avalanche Lake on this day because of its relative ease. Feel free to choose whatever kind of easy hike tickles your fancy (Iceberg Lake and Hidden Lake hikes are also very popular trails). Whichever hike you end up doing, I recommend starting it very early to get a parking spot. We got to the Avalanche Lake parking lot (really, just a line of about 20 spots) around 7 am and it was already half full.

This moderate difficulty out-and-back hike is about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) round trip, with 730 ft (222 m) of elevation gain. It starts out going through the Trail of the Cedars, which is a boardwalk trail through a cedar and hemlock forest. You pass a waterfall, go over a few bridges, and climb upwards around Avalanche Creek. Halfway through, you reach Avalanche Lake, which is especially beautiful and still in the mornings. There are lots of spots to rest or have a picnic lunch around the lake before heading back the way you came.

If you chose one of the above hikes, you should be done around midday. If you’re ambitious, you could fit in another short hike in the afternoon. Otherwise, you can spend your time kayaking, white-water rafting, or relaxing by one of the park’s many lakes. You could also make a trip to see one of Glacier National Park’s many waterfalls, like Baring Falls or Columbia Falls.

If you’re in Whitefish for dinner, check out Whitefish Lake Restaurant for delicious seafood or Last Chair Kitchen & Bar for great burgers (regular and veggie). Make sure you get to bed early tonight because tomorrow is an even earlier start!

Day 3: Mt Oberlin hike & Going-to-the-Sun Road

Although it’s not technically an official park hike, Mt Oberlin was our favorite experience of the trip. To get to it, you need to park in the Logan Pass parking lot and step over a roped barrier (don’t worry — it is allowed, just not recommended as the park rangers don’t maintain the trail). Stop by the Logan Pass visitor center for a trail map. Make sure you get to the parking lot early as it fills up very fast — right before or just at sunrise is best.

It starts off with a steady uphill climb through a small forest and rolling hills with beautiful wildflowers and a waterfall. Once you hit the base of the mountain, the hike goes past a glacier and up a narrow rocky path. The last half of the trail is quite fun, with lots of scrambling over boulders and hopping through crevasses. It’s not uncommon to see wild mountain goats up here! Even though the fog started rolling in when we were ascending, the views were still incredible. The best part of this hike is that since it’s not official, there is hardly anyone else that does it.

Once you’re done with the hike, it’s time to take a scenic drive and appreciate the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Built in 1932, this 50 mile (80 km) road zigzags through the heart of the park at quite a high altitude. Leaving the Logan Pass parking lot, turn left towards Lake McDonald or right towards the east side of the park for some incredible views. There are several places to stop along the side of the road to take pictures.

Day 4: Homeward bound

Check out of your hotel or campsite. If you’re driving back to the airport from Glacier National Park, make sure you stop at any of the several bakeries selling huckleberry pie. Grab a few slices of pie and some huckleberry jam for the road.

Once you get to the airport, drop off your rental car and go through security. There are a few shops with cute trinkets and souvenirs to browse through before your flight.

If you have more time in Glacier NP

• Check out one of the many lakes
  • Iceberg Lake: Views of Iceberg Peak and Mount Wilbur
  • Hidden Lake: Can be reached by day hike (Hidden Lake Trail). Make sure to check out the Hidden Lake Overlook for views over an alpine lake with amazingly blue water.
  • Swiftcurrent Lake: Large, picturesque lake with boating
  • Lake Josephine: Glacier-fed lake with nearby hikes
  • Bowman Lake: Remote lake for kayaking
• Marvel at some waterfalls
  • Baring Falls: Half-mile hike on Saint Mary Lake
  • Mary Falls: 35 ft (10.6 m) waterfall accessible by moderate hiking trail
  • Running Eagle Falls: Beginner-friendly trail on Two Medicine Creek
  • McDonald Falls: At the northern end of Lake McDonald
  • Aster Falls: In East Glacier Park Village
• East Glacier: The more remote side of Glacier National Park. You’ll find over a thousand miles (1,609 km) of hiking trails, quiet campgrounds, and beautiful mountain views. East Glacier Park Village has a few lodging options.
• Jackson Glacier Overlook: Pull-out on Going-to-the-Sun Road with views of Jackson Glacier
• Logan Pass: Dramatic mountain views on the Continental Divide. Stop by the Logan Pass visitor center and try one of the many hikes that begin here (Hidden Lake Trail, Siyeh Pass Trail, or Highline Trail).
• Columbia Falls: Cute town near the park’s West entrance

Glacier National Park FAQ

When is the best time to visit Glacier National Park?

If you want to go hiking and road trip down Going-to-the-Sun Road, the summer months (late June through September) are the best time to visit. This is peak season in the park and it will be more crowded, but you’ll be able to experience everything the park has to offer. Wildflowers are also in bloom, giving you spectacular views over the entire Glacier area.

Shoulder season (spring and fall) can also be a good time to visit because there are fewer crowds. Keep in mind that the park is at such a high latitude that snow is not uncommon, even into late spring and early autumn.

The winter months can be beautiful, but a lot of the most popular things to do at Glacier National Park can be closed due to weather. You’ll also have fewer options when it comes to accommodation as most things are open only during the summer.

How many days do you need in Glacier National Park?

Three days is the minimum I’d recommend for visiting Glacier National Park. That way, you’ll have enough time to do a few short hikes, visit the west side of the park, and see all of the top attractions.

For a more in-depth experience, you can definitely spend up to a week in the park (or more, if you’ll be doing a long hike or going deeper into the nearby mountain ranges!).

What should I not miss at Glacier National Park?

Every Glacier itinerary should include at least a few of these options — these are the best things to do in the park!

• Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road
• Visit a few alpine lakes, like St. Mary Lake or Lake McDonald
• Take a quick hike, like Grinnell Glacier Trail or Avalanche Lake
• Learn more about the park at the St. Mary Visitor Center
• Get an early start and watch the sunrise

What to pack for Glacier National Park

• Bear spray: To protect yourself in case of a bear encounter. It’s important to note that you cannot bring this on an airplane!
• Comfortable hiking boots: For the many miles of hiking trails within Glacier National Park
• Microfibre towel: Quick-drying towel that’s great for travel
• Sun hat: Great for hiking

Take a tour at Glacier National Park

Thanks for reading this Glacier National Park itinerary! I’ll have more travel guides out soon. Check out my about me if you want to learn more about the girl behind the blog!

xoxo Niki

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