If you’re looking for a vacation that has mind-shattering vistas, incredible hikes, and those “OMG, is that a moose?” experiences, you gotta see Glacier National Park. I recently returned from three incredible days there, and I gotta tell you, it was really humbling and completely exhilarating.
Whether you like challenging hikes or you prefer to relax and take it all in with a warm cup of coffee, this itinerary will ensure you get the best use of your time at Glacier.
Day 1: West Glacier, Lake McDonald, and the Avalanche Lake Trail
Morning: Getting It Together
I began the party by rolling in through the West Glacier entrance, which is surely the most common route to access the park. It’s the classic national park experience—wooden signboards, welcoming park rangers, and anticipation buzzing around you. You’re going to want to visit the Apgar Visitor Center the moment you get there.
Pick up a trail map, look at the weather (it can get wild at Glacier), and talk to one of the rangers. They’ll tell you anything you need to know, like any closed trails, wildlife sightings, and where the bathrooms are (don’t laugh, you’ll be glad you know this).
Mid-Morning: Lake McDonald Views
So, next, I headed to Lake McDonald. This spot is like something out of a dream—really clear water mirroring those jagged peaks like a mirror. The multicolored pebbles beneath the water are so surreal you’ll think someone photoshopped them in. I just relaxed on the rocky shoreline for a while, observing paddleboarders and kayakers float by. If you like taking pictures, you’ll be going wild with your camera here.
You can completely kayak or canoe around Apgar. I didn’t manage to fit it into the schedule the first day (had to preserve my arms to hike), but it is going on my “next time” list for sure.
Afternoon: Hiking to Avalanche Lake
I began my first actual hike of the break, the Avalanche Lake Trail. It is roughly 4.5 miles round-trip, really straightforward, and full of incredible views. You begin along the Trail of the Cedars boardwalk—this beautiful, shaded trail that winds between these giant cedar trees. And the scent of the forest there? Total magic.
Once you pass the Avalanche Creek section, the trail begins to ascend, and you get these incredible glances at the turquoise-coloured lake that lies ahead of you. When I finally reached the Avalanche Lake, I was completely awestruck. It’s like nestled inside this awesome cirque, with waterfalls tumbling off the cliffs directly into the lake. I just dropped down onto a log, ate my PB&J, took it all in, and honestly, it remains one of the highlights of the entire trip.
Evening: Going-to-the-Sun Road + Sunset at Wild Goose Island
You absolutely have to see Going-to-the-Sun Road when you’re at Glacier—it’s like you can’t not go. So, I left around 6 p.m. to get that golden-hour drive, and man, it was awesome. I mean, it’s one breathtaking vista after the next: glacial valleys, waterfalls dangling there, flower-filled meadows.
I visited the Wild Goose Island Overlook at sunset. And honestly, it’s really Instagrammable, and I completely see why. That tiny island set exactly in the middle of Saint Mary Lake, surrounded by those wild peaks, has that film-like feel to it, no question. Bring a blanket, lie down on the rocks, and relax while the colors change—believe me, this is one experience you won’t be forgetting anytime soon!
Day 2: Many Glacier, Grinnell Glacier Hike & Wildlife Galore
Early drive to Many Glacier
Day two was the day I visited the Many Glacier region of the park, which is much more rugged and much less touristy. I rolled out of bed at my Airbnb in West Glacier at 5:30 am (pretty early, huh?) and downed a giant coffee to get the day started, then set off driving.
It took nearly two hours, and I saw three deer, one fox, and not one other car—just the mountains and I, awakening simultaneously.
Mid-Morning: Grinnell Glacier Trail – A Must-Do
You’ve gotta see this: if you’re going to Glacier, you really gotta hike the Grinnell Glacier trail. It’s an absolute adventure, man. It’s 7.5 miles total from the trailhead, but you can shave off some of that by taking the boats along Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine (I hiked the whole thing, ’cause, like, type-2 fun is still fun).
This trail has lots of climbing, but I assure you, step by step, it’s altogether worth it. You’ll see wildflowers, lakes so blue that they seem to be straight out of a postcard, then there’s this huge glacier—huge, shiny, and flat-out beautiful.
When I reached the summit, I removed my boots, stuck my toes into the glacial melt that was ice cold, and just hung out there for a while. It’s difficult to describe how small you feel up there, but honestly, it’s all good stuff.
Afternoon: Lunch with a killer view and moose watching!
I returned to the Many Glacier Hotel, which has this fantastic patio serving up grub and libations. I ordered up a sandwich and a brew and just relaxed on a bench overlooking Swiftcurrent Lake. Seriously, it was such a deserved break.
So, you’ll never guess what? A mama moose and her calf walked down to the lake while we were snacking. Nobody moved (not from fear, just in awe), and we all just stood there silently and watched from a distance. It was like the park was saying, “Thanks for visiting. Here’s a bonus moose.”
Evening: Boat Tour or Scenic Relaxation
If you’re not completely exhausted after that glacier hike, you’ve gotta take the boat tours with Glacier Park Boat Company. They’re very relaxing and one of the best means of appreciating the area from yet another vantage point, particularly at sunset.
I opted to simply take a relaxing stroll along Swiftcurrent Lake, then star-gaze after I returned to the hotel. Gosh, with virtually no light pollution at all, the night sky is breathtaking. You can see the Milky Way stretching like a starry river through the heavens. Just sit down at one of the picnic tables or take along a blanket and look up—believe you me, you’re going to adore it.
Day 3: Logan Pass, Hidden Lake, and It’s Time to Say Goodbye
Hike Early to Logan Pass (And It’s Completely Worth It)
My legs were completely trashed after Day 3, but I just could not pass up Logan Pass, the highest drivable location in the park (6,646 feet), and trust me—it’s worth getting up at 5 a.m.
I set out of the West Glacier region before sunrise, with my coffee in one hand and my camera at the ready. Early-morning driving along Going-to-the-Sun Road felt like a dream. I witnessed the first light of the day striking the mountain peaks, mist curling up off the valleys, and even caught several bighorn sheep lounging along the side of the road like they owned the place.
The lot at Logan Pass fills up really fast—like, typically around before 7 a.m.—so you’ve gotta be early. When I arrived, there were lots of early birds preparing to set off, and it was all relaxed, like we all knew something incredible was going to take place.
Mid-Morning: Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
The moment I tied up my boots (or rather pulled myself out of the car, really stoked but half asleep), I set out on the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail. Sure, it’s only 3 miles round-trip, but don’t be deceived; it’s not a stroll in the park.
The hike begins along this boardwalk that traverses these fantastic alpine meadows filled with wildflowers, and, depending on the time of day you are there, mountain goats just hangin’ around. I passed two of them that were very close, and I actually saw their breath in the crisp morning air. We kept our distance, but man, it was dreamlike.
Hiking up, the scenery was just crazy with all these incredible jagged peaks and valleys still retaining some snow. When I reached the overlook, Hidden Lake was twinkling down there, ringed by the sharp curves of Bearhat Mountain. I hung around there for about 45 minutes, taking it all in. It’s one of those spots where time sort of slows down—and possibly stops if you let it.
Feel free to go down to the lake, but just be aware you’ll be adding an extra few miles onto the ride and doing some climbing. I considered doing it, but I didn’t want to ruin my knees coming back up the hill. But if you’ve got the time and the energy, it’s an awesome added extra!
Chillin’ Picnic at Logan Pass
There is no restaurant or diner at Logan Pass, so I quickly assembled myself some lunch—turkey sandwich, trail mix, some fresh fruit—and propped myself up behind the visitor center on some mellow rock. I could see the pass, the trail I’d just climbed, and the occasional wildlife roaming around from where I was sitting. It was one of those meals that tasted so much better than it should, all due to the location I was at.
Shoutout to the Logan Pass Visitor Center! It’s not large or anything, but they have some pretty cool exhibits on the local ecosystem and glacial history. And if you’re into that park nerd stuff like me, they’ve also got ranger-led information.
Afternoon: Driving Back & Pull-Off Stops Along the Way
After completing my final day of the large hike and taking some lunch, I rolled west along Going-to-the-Sun Road—this time, just relaxing and taking it all in. This section of the road is the world’s best nature playlist: waterfalls tumbling off cliffs, breathtaking views of glacier-carved valleys, and plenty of places to pull over to take it all in.
These are some of my favorite places along the route back.
- Big Bend – jaw-dropping views of the valley below and Mount Oberlin looming in the distance.
- The Weeping Wall – essentially, it’s a wall of water that drips onto the road. So, roll down your windows and enjoy some mist therapy!
- Jackson Glacier Overlook – one of the few places where you can actually view a glacier from the roadway, and it truly brings home the impact of climate change.
Chill Time: Lake McDonald Lodge and a Coffee Break
I stopped at the retro Lake McDonald Lodge for one final relaxed moment after wrapping up my vacation day. This place is like going back in time—constructed way, way back in 1913, it has that Swiss chalet feel and fabulous places to sit around. I treated myself to a huckleberry latte at the gift shop café (huckleberry everything is ubiquitous around these parts), walked the lakeshore path, and even shopped for presents to take to my family members.
It was such a relaxing way to unwind before we left the park.
Evening: Saying Goodbye (For the Moment)
Leaving Glacier was bittersweet, you know? There is something so down to earth, so big, so colorful, about relaxing in a place like that. I took one last visit to Apgar to relax on the shores of Lake McDonald and take it all in for awhile.
If you can, take it easy and look at the sunset on your final night there. It’s so relaxing, so colorful, and the best way to absorb all the fun you’ve been having the last three days. I was there, my legs fatigued but my heart full, already planning the return.
6 Things to Know When Visiting Glacier National Park
1. Get Your Timed Entry Permit Early
Glacier now uses a timed entry system during peak months (typically late June through early September). You’ll need a reservation to drive parts of the park, especially Going-to-the-Sun Road. These can go fast, so set a reminder and snag one as soon as they’re released.
2. Start early!
Not only are the peaceful mornings beautiful, but also because trailhead parking lots (such as Logan Pass and Many Glacier) fill up really fast—often by 7 a.m. or even earlier. And, of course, when you hike early, it’s cooler and you have a greater chance of seeing wildlife.
3. Wear Layers—The weather is unpredictable!
You can literally go from 80°F to hailing within a matter of a few hours. I’m not even kidding. I started one hike wearing a t-shirt and finished in a raincoat with fingers that were completely frozen. So, definitely bring a waterproof jacket, gloves, and a warm layer just in case.
4. Don’t forget bear spray!
Glacier is paradise for bears. You’ve got grizzlies and black bears lounging around there. Make sure you get bear spray and know how to use it before you go into the park, and hike with friends and be noisy (I’ve softly sung the Taylor Swift song more times than I can count).
5. Cell Service is Minimal—Download Everything
Once inside the park, don’t count on getting any cell signal, if any at all. So, be sure to download maps, offline GPS, trail information, and anything else you may need beforehand. I completely used the AllTrails app and saved everything offline.
6. Respect the Wildlife (and the Vibe)
Just stay clear of all the animals, ok? Like, at least stay 100 yards off the bears, and then stay 25 off the rest of them. Seriously, don’t be that guy who tries to take selfies with the bighorn sheep. And, like, be quiet, take your trash with you, and don’t be that person. The park has this relaxed, special atmosphere—let’s keep it that way.
Final Thoughts
Three days at Glacier National Park is almost too much of a tease, but it’s completely enough time to become hopelessly in love with the place. The breathtaking mountain vistas, the beautiful glacier-born lakes, the fantastic hikes, and possibly even the spotting of some moose, there’s something to make any nature enthusiast swoon, no doubt.
Honestly, I’m incredibly curious to know when I can return. Whether you go all alone like I took the liberty of doing or take some friends and family along, Glacier somehow feels different (in the best possible way, of course).
Suit up with the hiking boots, take your water, and prepare to see one of the most beautiful places in the country!