While the, Be sure to check night sky visibility using the, An hour north of St. Mary, Waterton is a small alpine town perched on Waterton Lake, part of the, Before the boat tour, have a quick lunch. To see reviews, where to stay, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Glacier National Park trip itinerary maker app. Glacier Park Boat Company has been offering boat tours in the park since 1938. It definitely did to me, after all, the prior year I visited all 5 Utah national parks in a week. You will want to stock up on groceries for the week at the Super 1 Foods in Columbia Falls, Montana. Take the rest of the afternoon off and make a delicious dinner. Welcome to Well Planned Journey. I also recommend picking up supplies to make dinners most nights. You’ll cover 460 feet of elevation over the 1.4 miles out to the overlook, but the way back will be all downhill. Be prepared to see some of Glacier’s renowned wildlife up close and personal on this hike. If you do not want to hike the Highline Trail, split your time between East and West Glacier on the first two days of this itinerary. This 7-day Glacier National Park itinerary lets you experience it all. Search for parking at the Trail of the Cedars trailhead, Avalanche Creek campground (just west of the trailhead), or Avalanche Creek picnic area (across the street from the trailhead). Although be aware, you don’t cut off any of the elevation gains. Learning about their history is a crucial part of understanding Glacier National Park. Two Days in Glacier National Park. Glacier National Park 7-Day Itinerary. Go to bed early tonight since you will quite literally be up before the crack of dawn tomorrow morning. Drive slowly and stop en route to take picturesStop at Logan Pass Visitor’s Center (register for next day’s hike)Hike the first 1-2 miles of the Highline TrailOptional: Hike to St. Mary’s Falls (1.7 mil… I visited Glacier National Park for the first time in September 2019 and I can’t wait to return. If you still haven’t gotten your huckleberry fix, try a huckleberry cocktail or dessert. Please, could you help me with 7 days itinerary for GNP. Our travel experts have sorted it out for you with the Glacier National Park itinerary of 7 days. As this is a one-way hike, you’ll need transportation back from The Loop to your vehicle at Logan Pass Visitor Center. Scroll down to see our smaller Glacier Itinerary examples to fit the exact days of your trip! You can drive the road from west to east and back or you can turn it into a loop tour by driving the road from West Glacier to St. Mary and heading back to West Glacier via East Glacier Park and Highway 2. If you have some time before sunset, I recommend driving the 15 minutes from St. Mary to Wild Goose Island Overlook for sunset. You’ll be boarding only if the tour is not already at capacity, meaning you could have to wait. Drive into the park at least as far at Wild Goose Island Overlook and stop at a pull-off. But prepare for a warm hike in the afternoon sun on the way back down. If you’re coming to Glacier National Park from Billings, Bozeman, or Spokane, driving will take you anywhere from 4 - 8 hours, so plan to leave early in the day to maximize your time in the national park. If you’re a fan of keeping a daily travel journal, I recommend doing this too! Park at the Two Medicine General Store and walk mere steps to the shore of Two Medicine Lake for sunrise viewing. There’s also a restroom here for those of you that have been hydrating to adjust to the higher elevation. The 8 AM tour is typically filled with hikers beginning longer backcountry hikes, so you might be some of the only ones doing the round trip boat tour. The townsite here is home to many quaint shops and restaurants, making it the perfect day trip on a hiking rest day. Proceed through the Logan Pass section of the park. Three Day Glacier National Park Itinerary. The hike-in, hike-out Granite Park Chalet provides a place for a nice snack and restroom break before beginning your downhill trek to The Loop. Take the free park shuttle. Window shop and stop in at the small craft shops and galleries along the way. Park and walk around the inside of the hotel before heading out back for a spectacular view. The climb on this trail is strenuous, gaining 1,600 feet over 3.6 miles. But a week in one national park can seem like a lot, right? Sure, a longer trip will let you see, do, and hike a lot more – but let’s be real, we don’t all have unlimited vacation time, and a short getaway to Glacier National Park is one of the best ways to spend your weekend! At this point, you deserve some well-earned relaxation time. But don’t worry, the area around the dock is shaded and has a shelter with seating. Lush lakes, swoon-worthy waterfalls and scenic camping. Check our travel expert recommended itineraries for a week in Glacier National Park. I spent a week in Glacier. That was all Ben. Plus, you’ll save money by cooking at home! While some hikers prefer to do this hike as an introduction to Glacier, I prefer this hike as the finale. Reward yourself after a long upward journey by peeling off those merino wool hiking socks and dipping your toes in the near-freezing glacial melt. The drive is a little over an hour and you’ll want some time to spare so you don’t miss first light! Parking at the Logan Pass Visitor Center can be challenging and you’ll want to arrive before 7:30 AM to secure a spot for the day. From hiking to scenic driving – there’s something for everyone at every ability level. My account; Log out; Log in + 7 days in Glacier National Park Itinerary. ITINERARY SUMMARY. If you’re looking for a slice of Montana’s famous huckleberry pie, I recommend Two Sisters Cafe in Babb. Enter the Going To The Sun Road from West Glacier.Stop to see Mcdonald creek at the Mcdonald Falls trailhead.Hike Trail of The Cedars (1 mile) If you’re a fast hiker, go all the way to Avalanche Lake (4.5 miles)Get back on the road heading east. The additional stretch from Baring Falls to St. Mary Falls passes through the woods along the shores of St. Mary lake. The swiss-style lodge is one of the park’s many in-park lodges. You can only buy tickets in person at the marina, so be sure to do this first thing when you arrive in Waterton. My goal is to empower you to visit America’s national parks by providing super-detailed national park guides and the tools to grow your hiking and camping skillset so you can feel confident outdoors. Stay in West Glacier or St. Mary. We are planning to take a week in mid of May. Aside from the Garden Wall, the elevation change is gentle and isn’t very strenuous for seasoned hikers. Waterton Cruises’ 2-hour scenic boat tour on Waterton Lake is a must-do. You. Created by a user from United States. St. Mary is about an hour from The Loop. Head to your accommodation and check-in before sundown. A 7 Day itinerary from Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier National Park is plenty of time to take a few short hikes, get a good feel for all three parks, and explore some great towns in between. I’m a national park lover and avid planner on a mission to visit every U.S. national park. Turn off your headlights and let your eyes acclimate to the darkness for at least a few minutes. This 7-day itinerary allows you to see the highlights of Glacier National Park at a more leisurely pace compared to shortened itineraries, like this 3-day Glacier National Park itinerary. Be sure to take advantage of the various pull-outs and scenic viewpoints along the way. Be aware of your surroundings and give any wildlife plenty of space. Moderate hikes are good... Glacier National Park. The visitor center will be closed when you arrive in the morning, so stop in after your hike to look around, talk to park rangers, or buy souvenirs. I actually recommend every visitor should spend a full week in Glacier National Park! The entrance is staffed during normal visiting hours of 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, but you can technically enter any time you would like. It’s critical that you pack the night before to ensure you’re out the door before 7 AM. Let our handpicked 5-day Glacier National Park itineraries guide you in creating a trip plan of your own. Afternoon parking at Glacier National Park can be tricky, but this area offers multiple parking options. The national park service has also published, Read More: Guide to going-to-the-Sun Road, 4:15 PM – Stop at Lake McDonald Lodge & The Loop, Break up your drive to St. Mary by stretching your legs at, Read More: Best Hikes in Glacier National Park, Enjoy a home-cooked meal or treat yourself to dinner out in St. Mary. Travel Itinerary: 7 Family-Friendly Days in Glacier National Park. A simple trip itinerary for a visit to Glacier National Park in Montana's Rocky Mountains on the United States-Canadian border. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, The Complete Guide to Going-to-the-Sun Road, Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Highline Trail, Ultimate List of National Parks by State (+ When to Go and What to Do! Parking at the Logan Pass Visitor Center can be challenging and you’ll want to arrive before 7:30 AM to secure a spot for the day. I saw a mountain goat, a ram (male bighorn sheep), and a black bear on my trip. The best part of this boat tour is the capability to do a split round trip, meaning you can take the boat out first thing in the morning, complete your hike, and use your return trip in the afternoon. Quality restaurants are few and far between in the St. Mary area (as is the case for most national park towns). The tour is conducted on two-story boats, with an open-air deck up top. 110%. Here is a travel itinerary to hit some main highlights for your time in the park. As this is a one-way hike, you’ll need transportation back from The Loop to your vehicle at Logan Pass Visitor Center. How late in the year is the Going to the Sun road open, in 2018? The total out-and-back hike from Sun Point to Virginia Falls is 6.4 miles with 535 feet elevation gain, predominantly in the last stretch from St. Mary to Virginia Falls. The Highline Trail perfectly ties together everything you’ve seen over the last week. This trail takes you past 3 of the parks more accessible, and well-known, waterfalls. You can book the tour online in advance to ensure the 8 AM departure time. Designated as a “dark sky park” by the International Dark Skies Association, you’ll see more stars here than almost anywhere else in the world. Are you now ready with your Glacier National Park bucket list? In June, daytime highs in Glacier National Park are °F, while nighttime lows are °F. This is particularly true at Logan Pass Visitor Center. With over 700 miles of trails, one could really spend a whole summer here without running out of new routes to try. If you do encounter wildlife, slowly back away and wait for the animal to leave. Due to challenges with US National Park Service funding, the region is no longer staffed or maintained so the tour can no longer stop at Goat Haunt. This area of the park is some of the oldest growth in the park, left untouched by recent forest fires. You literally cannot miss it – it’s the only road through the main section of Glacier National Park. Aside from the Garden Wall, the elevation change is gentle and isn’t very strenuous for seasoned hikers. Or, maybe just sleep in after a strenuous week! If you’d like to stay in one of the historic lodges inside the park, plan to make reservations 13 months in advance. Explore Glacier National Park for indelible memories. Break up your drive to St. Mary by stretching your legs at Lake McDonald Lodge. To launch your trip, aim for tiny East Glacier, where mountains jut up from the prairie. After Paradise Point, head back to the car and make the return trip to St. Mary for a quick bite to eat before your afternoon hike. It’s the perfect place to spot quietly feeding deer and other wildlife. Try to be out the door by 7 AM to head to Logan Pass Visitor Center for the Hidden Lake Overlook hike. I like to spend time on my return trip reflecting on my favorite parts of the trip, jotting down some notes, and determining what I would have done differently. Check out some of my other resources to help you plan your trip to Glacier National Park! With everything from grassy mountainsides to breathtaking vantage points, this trip is a must-do in Glacier.