After getting back from our 3-month trip visiting nearly 20 National Park sites in the Western US last Fall, people always ask us which park is our favorite. That’s quite the challenging question!! All National Parks are amazing in their own unique way. It’s exactly why they are protected treasures for all of us to enjoy today and hopefully far into the future!! At this point, we may all agree that Glacier National Park is officially at the top of our list.
This majestic park, with its deep, glacier-carved valleys, jagged peaks, blue water streams, and astonishing, cascading waterfalls, provides visitors with a unique, high alpine experience which can’t compare with any other location in the United States. Our family was wowed the entire time, even though we were exploring this impressive landscape through the thick, smokey haze of the awful 2020 wildfire outbreak further West in Washington, Oregon, and California. Though shrouded in smoke, Glacier provided one of our favorite experiences in our 3-month trip. Glacier National Park offers some of the best day hiking in the entire world, and the Going to the Sun Road may be the most spectacular drive in the Western Hemisphere.
Day Hikes
We never would have imagined ourselves hiking at over 8,000 feet on cliff ledges in Montana, but that’s exactly where our adventure took us while visiting Glacier last Fall. Glacier National Park provides some of the best day hiking opportunities in the entire world. Whether you’re looking for an adventurous and challenging long-trek hike, or a short walk to beautiful overlooks, you’ll find plenty of views to take your breath away.
Included below is some information about two of the trails we hiked, as well as a brief list of some of the other more popular trails throughout the park that we unfortunately did not have the time to hike.
The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is a moderate 3-mile heavily trafficked out-and-back trail, with an elevation gain of 567 feet. A high chance of spotting wildlife, 360-degree mountain views, and the payoff at the end (panoramic view of Hidden Lake) all make this hike totally worth climbing a series of steep steps along the trail.
From the overlook, the trail continues for some, all the way to Hidden Lake. This trail adds about 2.7 miles out-and-back (over 5 miles total) and includes a series of switchbacks as the trail drops roughly 770 feet from the overlook to the lakeshore. Oftentimes, this section of trail is closed due to bear activity, as was the case during our visit.
Fun Fact: In 1983, the then-Vice President, George H.W. Bush hiked these trails to the shores of Hidden Lake to fish for trout.
The Haystack Butte Trail is a moderate 8.2-mile moderately trafficked out-and-back trail, with an elevation gain of 1,689 feet. This hike begins at the Highline Trailhead, and travels along the Continental Divide. At every turn are opportunities to enjoy spectacular scenery and spot wildlife and wildflowers. The most thrilling section of the trail, at close to ¼ mile from the trailhead, is the famous 6-8 inch wide ledge with drop-offs of 100 feet or more down to the Going-to-the-Sun Road below. This narrow stretch lasts for only 3/10 of a mile, and a hand cable has been installed as an extra measure of safety. We are so glad we didn’t let our fears deter us from trekking on! This was our favorite trail in Glacier!
Tip: Parking for both Hidden Lake Overlook and Haystack Butte Trails is at Logan Pass, and the lot fills up very early! If you plan to do either of these hikes in the morning, arrive at Logan pass before 7:30 am to snag a much-sought after spot. Due to work and school, we had to wait until the afternoon to begin our hikes and had no problems with parking.
Other Trails Worth Checking Out In Glacier
- Avalanche Lake via the Trail of the Cedars is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier. It is a moderate 5.9 mile heavily trafficked out-and-back trail near Lake McDonald. The payoff is the incredibly clear blue Avalanche Lake.
- Trail of the Cedars is an easy 0.9 mile heavily trafficked loop that features a river. It is a combination of boardwalk and paved sections.
- Grinnell Glacier Trail is a hard 11.2 mile heavily trafficked out-and-back trail. Many people say Grinnell Glacier is a must-see. This challenging hike offers views of glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, forest, and wildlife. It is about a 6-mile hike to the Glacier from Grinnell Glacier Trailhead. Another option is to take a boat from the Many Glacier Hotel across Swiftcurrent Lake, and then another boat across Lake Josephine to shorten the hike by about 3.5 miles roundtrip.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
One of our favorite drives was the daunting Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park. This famous 50-mile scenic road traverses dramatic cliff ledges overlooking deep valleys and provides travelers impressive views of ancient glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and towering peaks.
Portions of the road stay open year round providing guests access to the park even in winter. However, the alpine section which ascends to Logan Pass on the Continental Divide is typically closed between late October and early June. Most visitors agree the best time to visit this majestic and awe-inspiring park is June through September, with July and August being the peak season.
Vehicles, or vehicle combinations, longer than 21 feet are prohibited on parts of the GTTS Road, and those taller than 10 feet may have difficulty between Logan Pass and the Loop, due to rock overhangs. The speed limit is 45 miles per hour in the lower elevations, and it drops to 25 miles per hour in the alpine section, where there are a series of blind curves. Be on the lookout for wildlife and pedestrians crossing the road!
As the main road through Glacier National Park and one of the top scenic drives in the US, Going-to-the-Sun Road is the best way to see the park with the least amount of effort. It takes 2 hours or more to drive the full 50 miles of GTTS Road without stopping, but we highly recommend giving yourself plenty of time to stop and take in the views along the way. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch at one of the picnic areas, and visit the three visitor centers – Apgar, Logan Pass, and St. Mary Visitor Centers are all located along the GTTS Road. Even if you have only one day, you must make Going-to-the-Sun Road your top priority!
Have you visited Glacier National Park? Tell us about your favorite hike and/or stop along Going-to-the-Sun Road!
Know Before You Geaux
Glacier National Park
PO Box 128
West Glacier, MT 59936
406-888-7800
- Entrance fee for 7 days: Private vehicle $35, Motorcycle $30, Hiker/Biker $20 (Winter Rates from November 1 – April 30: Private vehicle $25, Motorcycle $20, Hiker/Biker $15)
- Open year round, but services are limited in the Spring, Fall, and Winter. Be sure to check the website and plan ahead.
https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/index.htm
Glacier Day Hikes:
http://www.hikinginglacier.com/glacier-national-park-day-hikes.htm
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
https://www.youtube.com/RHODESRULES
This Westward Expansion episode features our first alpine hike to Hidden Lake Overlook in majestic Glacier National Park and our drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Rhodes Rules’ Westward Expansion journey continues as we share Part 2 of our amazing adventure in Glacier National Park. We hike the famous Highline Trail along the Continental Divide and discover afresh that the best things in life are worth the extra effort often required.
We encounter some new-for-us wildlife and learn, AGAIN, that to see these amazing sites and have life-changing experiences will require a little extra effort.
