Best Things to do in Glacier National Park

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Going to Glacier National Park had been on my travel bucket list for as long as I could remember. And our time there completely lived up to the hype. Towering peaks, turquoise lakes, wildlife around every corner… it’s the kind of place that makes even the most reluctant hikers fall in love with the outdoors.

When I first started planning our trip, I was overwhelmed with all how much there is to do there. Because we’d be traveling with kids, I knew they wouldn’t want to just hike the whole time. But I also couldn’t not plan some hikes–Glacier has some of the best hikes in the country.

So I’ve put together this list of my personal can’t-miss highlights and the experiences that truly made our time there unforgettable. You can also check out our full Glacier to Yellowstone itinerary if you want to knock out both national parks.

Pro Tip: Before you go to Glacier National Park, be sure to download AllTrails+. There are so many hikes in Glacier that you can do, but you won’t always have cell service. The app will download trail maps so you can guide yourself even without service.

Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road – One of the absolute best things to do in Glacier National Park

Let’s start with the obvious must-do: Going-to-the-Sun Road. If you go during the summer months, this has to be at the top of your list.

This isn’t just a scenic drive—it’s the scenic drive. The road winds through the heart of the park, climbing up to Logan Pass, with jaw-dropping views basically the entire way. You can do the self-guided audio tour so you know exactly what you’re looking at.

It typically opens up in late June, but snow and weather can impact that. When we visited, the Going-to-the-Sun Road was still closed (it opened a few days after we left). We were so bummed! But that just means we’ll have to go back someday, and I am totally down for that.

Beginning in summer 2026, you will no longer need reservations to drive this road, which is great. One less thing for you to worry about. But you’ll want to go early or later in the day to avoid the traffic that midday brings.

Hiking to Hidden Lake – One of the most iconic things to do in Glacier National Park

If the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, Hidden Lake Overlook needs to be on your itinerary. Sadly, we couldn’t do it since the road was closed, but it was the hike that was recommended to us time and time again.

The trail starts right at Logan Pass, and it’s one of those hikes where the reward comes quickly. The boardwalk trail makes it manageable for kids And the views are completely next-level.

Mountain goats frequent this area, so you have a good chance at spotting some. And when you reach the overlook, you’ll see the lake tucked between the mountains. From the pictures I’ve seen, it looks like a postcard.

Grinnell Glacier – One of the best hikes in Glacier National Park

For something more challenging (and incredibly rewarding), there’s Grinnell Glacier.

This hike is no joke, but it’s one of the most iconic in the park. When we did it, it was snowing—in summer—which made the whole experience feel even more wild. We saw bear prints on the trail (slightly nerve-wracking with kids), heard a wolf howling somewhere in the distance, and spotted a bighorn sheep along the cliffs.

And then there’s Grinnell Lake along the way, which is this unreal shade of blue that doesn’t even look natural.

It’s the kind of hike that becomes a core memory. Read more about the Grinnell Glacier hike here.

Lake McDonald (Easy, Beautiful, and Relaxing)

After a long hike or drive, Lake McDonald is the perfect place to slow things down.

The colorful rocks along the shoreline are just as pretty as you’ve seen in photos, and the water is crystal clear (and freezing, if you’re brave enough to dip your toes in).

We spent one night on the west side of the park and stayed at the Apgar Village Inn right on the lake. It’s one of the best places to stay inside the park–the views are unbelievable.

St. Mary Lake & Sunrise Views

On the east side of the park, St. Mary Lake has a completely different feel—more open, wind-swept, and dramatic. You can simply enjoy a sunrise over the lake, or you can take a ferry across the lake.

There are also some cool hikes in this area if you’re up for exploring more. We hiked to St. Mary’s Falls and Virginia Falls, which was a pretty quick and easy 3-mile roundtrip hike.

Avalanche Lake – One of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park

Another great hike (especially with kids) is the trail to Avalanche Lake.

The first part of the trail goes through the “Trail of the Cedars,” which feels like stepping into a completely different ecosystem—lush, shady, and filled with towering trees.

At the lake, waterfalls cascade down the cliffs into the water, and it’s the perfect spot to sit, snack, and let the kids explore a bit before heading back. Be sure to bring bear spray. We didn’t see any grizzlies, but there were signs that they had been frequenting the area.

Many Glacier Area (Wildlife & Big Views)

If you have time to explore beyond the main road, head to the Many Glacier area.

This part of the park felt a little quieter to us—and we saw the most wildlife here. It’s also where you’ll find the historic Many Glacier Hotel, which is worth a stop even if you’re not staying there. We stayed two nights here so that we could be close to the Grinnell Glacier trailhead.

Take a Boat Ride on Swiftcurrent or St. Mary Lake

One of the more unique ways to experience the park is from the water. Boat tours run on places like Swiftcurrent Lake and St. Mary Lake.

I looked into booking a boat ride to shave off some of the miles on the Grinnell Glacier hike, but they were all booked up several weeks in advance. So I recommend booking this early!

Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife

One of the things we loved so much about Glacier National Park was the amount of wildlife we were able to see. It’s so different from San Diego, and it was our first time seeing many of these animals up close.

We saw tons of deer, some bighorn sheep and mountain goats . The only thing we didn’t see that we really wanted to was a moose–but we later saw one just outside of Grand Teton National Park! So it was a successful trip overall.

Glacier National Park is one of those places where you’re constantly scanning the landscape, because you never know what you’ll spot next.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to do in Glacier National Park

What I loved most about Glacier National Park is that there are so many great things to do there. It truly offers something for every kind of traveler. You can go all-in on long, challenging hikes—or simply enjoy the views from the road and still feel like you’ve experienced something extraordinary.

Some of our favorite moments weren’t even the “big” ones—they were the in-between times: pulling over for an unexpected view, spotting wildlife from the car, or sitting quietly by a lake after a long day.

If you’re planning a trip, my biggest advice is this: don’t overpack your itinerary. Leave room for those spontaneous moments—they tend to be the ones you remember most.

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