7 Fun Things To Do in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is one of the most pristine parks in the country, filled with snow-capped mountains, sub-alpine meadows, and lush forests. If you’re looking for things to do in Glacier National Park, you’re in the right place. 

In our Glacier National Park guide, you’ll find all the information you need to find fun and educational activities for the entire family to enjoy, along with places to stay, park information, and more. Explore our list of seven Glacier National Park activities that will create lifelong memories for everyone in your group.

As the tenth largest National Park with over one million acres of protected land, there are a lot of things to do in Glacier National Park. If you’re ready to explore Glacier National Park must-see features and attractions, take note of our seven recommendations below:

• Horseback Riding: What better way to explore the wonders Glacier National Park has to offer than on horseback? Horseback riding offers a great opportunity to not only see features of the park, but to learn about the horses you’re riding and how early settlers roamed these lands in a similar fashion.

• Boat Tours: There are several water features in Glacier National Park that define the landscape, such as Lake McDonald, Avalanche Lake, Saint Mary Lake, Flathead River, and Stillwater River. Some of these waters can be explored via boat with commentary from guides on key attractions like Rising Sun and Many Glacier.

• Hiking: One of the top things to do in Glacier National Park is hiking. There are over 700 miles of trails throughout the park that can accommodate a wide range of experience levels. If you’re looking for an easy day hike, check out the Trail of the Cedars, Hidden Lake Overlook, and Grinnell Lake. Or, if you’re up for a more grueling adventure, take a look at the Highline Trail, Swiftcurrent Pass, or the Grinnell Glacier.

• Rafting: Up for adventure? An exciting Glacier National Park activity is to go rafting down the Middle Fork and/or North Fork of the Flathead River. There are several rafting companies with permits that you can choose from to take you and your group on an experience of a lifetime.

• Stargazing: A Glacier National Park must-see feature is the Milky Way and Northern Lights. Both children and adults will never forget the extraordinary sights of the lights that brighten up the night sky.

• Visitor Centers: There are three visitor centers located throughout the park, including the Apgar Visitor Center, St. Mary Visitor Center, and Logan Pass Visitor Center. In these visitor centers, you can find exhibits that tell the story of life in the park, geology, effect of climate change on the park, Native American history, and more. You can even talk with Park Rangers to find more things to do in Glacier National Park, and visit the gift shops to bring a token of remembrance back home.

• Wildlife Viewing: When visiting Glacier National Park, you’ll have the opportunity to see rare and unique wildlife first-hand. Some Glacier National Park must-see wildlife includes moose, bighorn sheep, black bears, mountain lions, elk, mountain goats, beavers, and more. When viewing wildlife, always make sure to keep your distance and to protect their home by staying on designated paths and trails and picking up after yourself.

Where to Stay in Glacier National Park

With so many things to do in Glacier National Park, you can have peace of mind knowing there are plenty of places to stay to ensure you have a comfortable place to return to after a day filled with activities. When visiting Glacier National Park, you can stay at one of these unique hotels or lodges:

• Many Glacier Hotel
• Cedar Creek Lodge
• Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins
• Rising Sun Motor Inn & Cabins
• Lake McDonald Lodge
• Village Inn at Apgar
• Sperry Chalet
• Granite Park Chalet

In addition to these historic and well-kept lodges, you can also take the adventurous route and go camping in Glacier National Park. There are numerous Glacier National Park campgrounds where you can pitch a tent and stargaze as you doze off, such as:

• Apgar Campground
• Avalanche Campground
• Bowman Lake Campground
• Cut Bank Campground
• Kintla Lake Campground
• Logging Creek Campground
• Quartz Creek Campground
• Rising Sun Campground
• Two Medicine Campground
• Fish Creek Campground
• Many Glacier Campground
• St. Mary Campground
• Sprague Creek Campground

Opening Hours and Fees

Convinced that Glacier National Park might be one of the most exciting adventures you’ll take? If so, start planning your trip now. But before you go, keep their opening hours and fees in mind:

• • Hours: Open 24/,7 365 days a year

• Fees:

• • Entrance Fee by Car (7-Day Permit): $35
  • Entrance Fee by Single Entry: $20
  • Motorcycle Entrance Fee: $30
  • Glacier National Park Annual Pass: $70

Visiting Glacier National Park With Road Scholar

At Road Scholar, we have an expansive collection of Glacier National Park tours that you can join to gain privileged access to the park. Led by local experts educated on the history, landscapes, and biodiversity of Glacier National Park, you and your cohort will be able to learn and discover the story of these protected lands.

For example, you can sign up for our experiential learning program The Best of Glacier National Park, which brings you rafting down the Flathead River, teaches you about the role glaciers had in forming the park, carries you along alpine paths, and more. 

There are endless things to do in Glacier National Park, and our adventure tours make sure to highlight the top features this park has to offer so you return with newfound knowledge and memories.

Don’t worry, though. Whether you’re not sure if you’re ready to visit Glacier National Park or unable to explore at this time, you can discover the wonders of this area through our online lectures on Glacier National Park that you can learn from in the comfort of your home. Our goal at Road Scholar is to open the world to everyone, which is why we offer both National Park group tours and online learning adventures. Explore all of Road Scholar’s Glacier National Park trips and book your next adventure today.