A Fabulous 3 Nights in Glacier National Park
For a fabulous three nights in Glacier National Park, it all starts with picking some great hiking trails! We added Glacier to our Grand Teton and Yellowstone trip. You can read about Grand Teton here and Yellowstone here. We opted to make it all a driving trip that stated in Jackson, WY and ended up north at Glacier National Park.
The park is open 365 days of the year, but numerous roads close due to weather in the winter. The fee to enter the park is $35 and is valid for 7 days. Don’t forget that veterans get into all national parks for free! If you don’t have a pass, you can get one at the gate by showing proof.
Also note that if you are entering the park via Hwy 2, Blackfeet Nation can place restrictions on what you can and can’t do. You can’t stop for tourism on the Blackfeet Reservation and be respectful as this sacred land is their home.
Where to stay
The first thing we got totally wrong is that I didn’t do my research and picked a hotel in Kalispell, MT. Don’t get me wrong, the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell is not a bad hotel. It’s just not located in the quaint little town we grew accustomed to on other parts of our trip. When we go again, we will stay in Whitefish, MT for sure!
Whitefish is home to Whitefish Mountain Resort and a short drive to Glacier National Park. The winter months offer skiing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling and much more. In the summer, you can take part in any number of outdoor activities such as hiking , fishing and kayaking. There are also some amazing restaurants, wineries, breweries and more for your food and beverage cravings!
There are also hotel options in the park, but you will need to book almost a year in advance. They fill up quickly. The Many Glacier Hotel is a favorite of many. You can find some great options here.
Now for things to do in Glacier National Park
Going-to-the-Sun Road
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a must-do activity, but be sure to check road closures. The road closes often due to weather and construction. It is recommended to go very early, since it gets very busy, and parking is scarce.
Logan Pass
Logan Pass is an absolute must-do during your visit. The view is amazing with wildflower fields and wildlife such as big horn sheep. It’s also the highest point in the park that can be reached by car, at 6,646 feet (2,025 meters).
You can also pick up the Highline Trail at Logan Pass. This trail is 14.9 miles out and back and is rated as moderate to hard. This one is a crowd favorite. And hiking down to Hidden Lake is a must!
St. Mary Lake
If you’re a fan of the horror movie “The Shining”, Wild Goose Island is in the opening scene. The first few minutes of the movie are filmed around the lake. There’s also some great hiking around St. Mary Lake. Be sure to hike to St. Mary Falls, only a 1.7-mile easy hike. By adding another 1.6 miles, you can continue to see Virginia Falls.
West Glacier
We entered the park via West Glacier. I recommend spending some time there for activities such as golfing, hiking, biking or kayaking on Lake McDonald. We rented a couple kayaks and did the lake, and it was awesome! If you took a train trip out, this is also one of the stops on Amtrak’s northern route across Montana.
East Glacier
East Glacier is a great starting point as it has over a thousand miles of hiking trails. You can see awesome views of glaciers, snowcapped peaks and various wildlife. We spotted a big horn sheep and some mountain goats. One of the trails was closed during our visit due to a grizzly bear sighting.
Avalanche Lake
This was one of our favorite hikes. It’s about 4.5 miles and considered moderate. There are awesome views along the way and an incredible view once you get to the lake. Get there by 7:30 am as it gets crowded later in the day.
Polebridge (note: not actually inside the park but still fun!)
You can also spend some time at Polebridge, MT on the northwestern edge of the park. Today, there are a few houses, cabins, and small ranches in the area. You can also have a meal at the Northern Lights Saloon which serves beer and meals under propane lights.
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