Glacier National Park
Of the great National Parks in America, few capture the raw beauty of the mountains, tranquility of our rivers and streams, peacefulness of our lakes, and wonder of our wildlife as seamlessly as Glacier National Park. Nicknamed the “Crown of the Continent”, this rugged landscape is also a clear reminder of the fragility of these epic lands.
Lake Josephine at Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, established in 1910 protects over 1 million acres of land in northwest Montana and sees nearly 3 million visitors annually. This pristine landscape contains staggering mountains, open prairies and meadows, hardwood forests, and a dizzying array of flora and fauna. As the Park borders the Canadian Waterton Lakes National Park, the two are commonly known as the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
The dense cedar forests of Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park can be easily divided into 6 regions: Lake McDonald and North Fork on the western edge of the Park, Goat Haunt, Many Glacier, St. Mary’s Lake, and Two Medicine on the eastern edge. Visitor Centers can be found at Lake McDonald (Apgar Visitors Center), St. Mary’s Lake Visitors Center, and the Logan Pass Visitors Center located in the middle of the park. The Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, and St. Mary’s Lake regions of the park can become incredibly crowded during peak summer months. Be sure to check out our tips for a stress-free park visit ensure don’t end up waiting in traffic to explore this unbelievable landscape.
The roaring Apikuni Falls at Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is open 24 hours a day and requires an entrance fee of $35. Additionally, due to the increased visitation to the park, summer visits to Glacier National Park requires a reservation to access the Going to the Sun Road, which bisects the park from east to west. As a note, the incredible Going to the Sun Road is typically open from late June-early October, although these timeframes are highly dependent on snowfall within the park.
Covey Meadow at Glacier National Park
In addition to the awe-inspiring landscape, Glacier National Park has a jaw-dropping assortment of wildlife found throughout the park. There are over 260 bird species, 23 species of fish, and various amounts of mammals that are all welcome sights in Glacier National Park. But the Park’s most beloved and possibly most well-known mammal is the Grizzly. Astonishingly, over 1000 Grizzly Bears are protected within the park boundaries. The population of Grizzly Bear has and continues to thrive thanks to extensive efforts to protect this threatened species.
Evidence of the mighty Grizzly Bear can be found on virtually every trail within Glacier National Park
While the flora and fauna of Glacier National Park continue to flourish, the park’s namesake- glacier- are retreating at an alarming pace due to climate change. At one point, over 150 active glaciers were present in the park. Today, there are fewer than 25 remaining, many of which may completely disappear by 2030.
The melting snowpack creates never-ending waterfalls into Avalanche Lake at Glacier National Park
Across the wild landscape of Glacier National Park are over 700 miles of hiking trails leading to incredible vistas, gorgeous turquoise lakes, thunderous waterfalls, and so much more. From short day hikes to multi-day backcountry expeditions to the Sperry or Granite Park Chalets, the park offers opportunities for all levels of adventurers. In addition to the two backcountry chalets, Glacier has more traditional lodging options at the historic Many Glacier Hotel and the Lake McDonald Lodge, as well as multiple eating options scattered throughout the park.
The Historic Many Glacier Hotel on the banks of Swiftcurrent Lake at Glacier National Park
In addition to the many trails throughout the park, cycling, fishing, boating, and cross-country skiing are also popular activities at Glacier National Park. For those looking for a quieter side of the park, the incredibly remote Goat Haunt and North Fork regions of Glacier National Park offer an opportunity to truly explore this wild, untamed land. While Goat Haunt is only accessible by boat via the Waterton Lakes National Park Ferry or by an overnight backcountry hike, the North Fork is accessible via the North Fork Rd, a rough and rocky dirt road that leads to the off-the-grid community of Polebridge. GPS and phone service is unavailable at both locations, and visitors should be self-reliant due to the lack of services available in these regions.
The desolate wilderness of the North Fork of Glacier National Park
Within the sprawling landscape nestled in northwestern Montana lies a place truly worthy of its nickname. The majestic mountains send down their glacial silt to form the striking turquoise lakes, and the snow-capped peaks shine brightly while the wildlife thrives within the diverse ecosystem. The awe-inspiring Glacier National Park fully demonstrates the pure beauty of our National Parks and why we must all work so hard to protect them for the enjoyment of generations to come!
Dusk over Lake McDonald at Glacier National Park
