Glacier is one of the few spots where you may see threatened glaciers, but there’s much more to this parkland than glaciers. At this International Dark Sky Park recognized park, you can observe breathtaking scenery, millions of stars, and stargaze. It is also known for its amazing biodiversity, including lynx and elk and grizzly bears, wolves, and wolverines.
Glacier National Park has so much to see and do that it might be daunting. So, here are some tips for traveling to Glacier National Park.
Check out the glaciers
If you’re visiting Glacier National Park, you’ll almost certainly want to view the park’s iconic ice blocks. Many Glacier, considered the park’s heart, is one of the 25 glaciers that survive (there were 150 glaciers in 1850). Have a close look at the glaciers and their impact on the terrain by traveling by car, foot, boat, or horseback. You may not have much longer, as scientists anticipate that all of the park’s glaciers will be gone by 2030 due to global climate change.
Go on a hike
With over 700 miles of hiking trails, Glacier National Park offers many opportunities to go out and about, whether for a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks. When planning your hike, keep in mind that we’re in Montana, and some of the higher-elevation paths won’t be snow-free until mid-to-late July.
Cruise around the park in a classic wooden boat
There are many fantastic methods to go through the park, and one of them is aboard a classic wooden boat. The Glacier Park Boat Company has been touring visitors through its backyard. It still utilizes the classic, well-maintained boats it has used since the beginning. St. Mary Lake at Rising Sun, Lake McDonald, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier are just a few places where tours depart from across the park.
Saddle up
Another great way to see the area is on horseback. Swan Mountain Outfitters offers horseback rides into the park for as long or as little time as guests choose. Trips range from one hour to three hours, including a steak dinner, to full-day and multi-day outings. You may even combine river rafting and horseback riding. Even better, Swan Mountain has worked with riders of all skill levels, from novice to expert, so that everyone can ride.
Glacier National Park Lodging
There are lots of locations to stay near the park in terms of Glacier National Park lodging. Accommodations within the park will be pricey and scarce; several classic rustic lodges with an early twentieth-century style and feel can be booked.
Lake McDonald Lodge is an excellent Glacier National Park lodging option located in West Glacier that offers breathtaking views and convenient access to the Red Bus tours. There are 82 guest rooms, a dorm-style hall, and cabins available, all of which lack air conditioning, elevators, and televisions.
Many Glacier Hotel, situated on the banks of Swiftcurrent Lake, is the park’s largest hotel. It gives you access to Red Bus tours, boat cruises, and other attractions, but no air conditioning or televisions are available.
In West Glacier, there’s also the Village Inn at Apgar, which is more of a motel. If you can get a room, it costs around $179 per night. Expect to be without a phone, television, or air conditioning.
