Your Guide to Glacier National Park in the Summer
Ross and I on Grinnell Glacier Trail. Click on my photos to pin on Pinterest!
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This blog will be all about my time in Glacier National Park in the summer! I’ll go over what we all did and what I’d recommend for your trip to Glacier National Park.
Getting to Glacier National Park
To start our Glacier National Park adventure, we took the Amtrak train from Minneapolis all the way to Glacier, just for the experience. It was cool for a bit, but I know now that I will not be traveling this way for long periods of time. We didn’t get a sleeper car because of how expensive it was, so we slept (or didn’t sleep) in our train seats. The views were pretty, but only when we began to come into Montana. If I go to Glacier again, I’ll opt for roadtripping or flying, because traveling by train took SO LONG and was not my favorite experience.
The view outside the Amtrak window
Car Rentals & Where to Stay
Once we arrived, we rented a car with Turo and had a great experience. A rental car is definitely needed to get around the park. It’s very large! We booked an Airbnb near Columbia Falls in the little town of Hungry Horse, only about 15 minutes outside the park entrance. If you’re looking for an Airbnb that fits 6-8 people, we enjoyed our stay at Jay’s Cozy Cottage. Being near Colombia Falls was great, because we were close to restaurants and grocery stores while also being near the park entrance.
Glacier National Park in the Summer
We spent 6 days exploring around Glacier National Park at the end of August. The weather was beautiful, and even though the park is so large, there were a lot of people who were also visiting during that time. Finding parking at some of the trail heads was difficult, so keep that in mind when hiking the popular trails. Here’s a full run down of what we did for our 6 days in Glacier National Park.
Start of Grinnell Glacier Trail
Our Favorite Hikes
Glacier National Park is full of so many gorgeous hikes. You can visit multiple times and hike somewhere new each time. Below is a list of our favorite hikes we’ve explored while on our trip.
Grinnell Glacier Trail
The first hike we did was Grinnell Glacier Trail. Maybe this was a mistake for hiking this trail first, or maybe it was a good thing because our legs were fresh, but this trail definitely made us sore for the next few days! It’s a 10 mile out-and-back trail that is rated hard on AllTrails. Although it’s a difficult trail, it was my favorite hike that we did while in Glacier. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking the entire hike. Grinnell Glacier Trail is a must in my opinion!
Ross hiking Grinnell Glacier Trail
There is often wildlife all over the trails, including black bears and grizzly bears. We came prepared with bear spray and bells, just in case! We did see bears while driving around, but luckily none on the trails. However, we did see mountain goats and bighorn sheep on the trails and had to move out of the way for them. We didn’t want to get too close! Keep yourself and the animals safe while hiking.
We also almost always hike with CamelBaks to ensure we drink plenty of water and bring snacks along the way. Honey Stingers Organic Energy Chews and Waffles are our favs! Seriously, I love these. I definitely recommend getting a CamelBak and packing these easy snacks for your trip or for any longer hike. Make sure everything you pack in, you always pack out! Leave no trace.
On this trail, the views are amazing! You’ll want to stop and take it in and of course, snap some photos!
Ross and I on Grinnell Glacier Trail
As you’re nearing the top of the trail, the temperature drops since you get closer to the glacier, so be prepared with extra layers. We also packed a little lunch to eat at the top to refuel for the hike back down. It was so special to see Grinnell Glacier, as it’s melting everyday. Sadly, it won’t be here forever.
Grinnell Glacier
Grinnell Glacier Trail ranks very high on my list of hikes. There’s so much beauty around every corner.
View from Grinnell Glacier Trail
Iceberg Lake Trail
My second favorite hike we did in Glacier was Iceberg Lake Trail. This trail is rated moderate on AllTrails. It’s also a fairly long hike at 9.6 miles out-and-back.
This trail weaves through forests and beautiful vegetation. When you reach the end, you’re rewarded with the most beautiful teal blue lake.
Ross and I hiking Iceberg Lake Trail
Hanging out at Iceberg Lake
How beautiful is this lake! We relaxed here for awhile before heading back down. You can even swim here, but be careful and be prepared to be incredibly cold! We opted for just taking in the view without jumping in.
Hiking Iceberg Lake Trail
Hidden Lake Overlook
The two other hikes we did while on our trip were Hidden Lake Overlook and Hidden Meadow Trail. Both of these hikes were fairly easy. I recommend both of these if your legs are tired, but you still want to see beautiful views.
Hidden Lake Overlook trail
Hidden Lake Overlook was pretty popular, because you don’t have to hike too far to see these stunning views. You’re surrounded by mountains in every direction. Try to get to this spot early, rather than later, because the parking lot fills up fast. We went during the afternoon and had to wait to find a parking spot, but it worked out.
Ross and I at Hidden Lake Overlook
There were little wildflowers and lots of butterflies along this trail. It was pretty! There is a path to stay on so you don’t harm the wildflowers blooming. Stay on the path and leave no trace.
Hidden Meadow Trail
Hidden Meadow Trail
Hidden Meadow Trail was very laid back and super easy. It was a short and sweet leisurely hike through the woods to a pretty, open meadow with a pond. We were the only people on this trail, which was a nice change of pace. We did this trail while visiting the Polebridge area, which I recommend taking a trip to visit.
What to Eat
The Polebridge Mercantile is the real reason why we ventured over to the Polebridge area. They have the most delicious huckleberry bear paw pastries at their little bakery! Huckleberry treats are very popular around Glacier, so you definitely need to try a few of these sweet berry goodies.
Eating a huckleberry bear paw pastry from Polebridge Mercantile
Other Fun Activites Around Glacier National Park
In between our hikes or when we were looking to rest our legs, we did a lot of other fun activities while in Glacier. These activies are great, especially with a group.
Whitewater Rafting
One of the most adventurous activity we did was whitewater rafting! We booked a half-day whitewater rafting experience with Glacier Raft Company and had SO MUCH FUN. Their guides were knowledgable, entertaining, and made sure to keep us safe. While on our voyage, we went over a turbulent rapid and my brother-in-law fell out of the raft! Looking back at it now, we all laugh lol, but in the moment it was definitely scary. Our guide knew exactly what to do and swiftly pulled him right back into the raft. Honestly, it made the experience even more memorable. I highly recommend it!
Whitewater Rafting Tip: Wear a swimsuit under your shorts or clothes you’re ok with getting wet in. You’re more than likely to get wet!
Whitewater Rafting in Glacier National Park
Ziplining
We also spent a day ziplining while resting our legs from hiking. We went to Glacier Ziplines in Colombia Falls and had a great time. The staff was friendly and they made sure we all stayed safe while high in the sky. It’s a perfect activity for a group!
Lake McDonald boat cruise tour
Lake McDonald Boat Cruise
One of my favorite parts of our trip was our Lake McDonald boat cruise tour. I loved this so much. We booked our tour for sunset around 7pm, so we saw the prettiest views while learning all about Lake McDonald and Glacier National Park. I highly recommend doing this on your visit.
Ross on the Lake McDonal boat cruise tour
The boat cruise was very relaxing. We found seats at the back of the boat with a great view. We could also walk around and watch the sunset from their upper deck. It was beautiful!
Even if you don’t end up booking a boat tour around Lake McDonald, definitely stop and see the Lake McDonald Lodge or simply, Lake McDonald. This area is gorgeous and serene. The lake overlooks the mountains and it’s such a special place.
Lake McDonald Lodge is a beloved place to stay in Glacier. It’s often booked out pretty far in advance, so make sure to plan ahead if you’d like to stay right along Lake McDonald.
Going-to-the-Sun Road view from our vehicle
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Finally, the last must do while visiting Glacier National Park is drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This road is closed during the winter and spring due to the snow, but it opens in the summer! Not only is this road useful to get to different hiking trails, it’s so gorgeous for sight seeing. Make sure to get your vehicle reservation before your trip, as it’s needed for each day you plan to drive along the Going-to-the-sun Road. Get your pass here. If you don’t get your vehicle reservation beforehand, they may sell out due to its popularity.
Going-to-the-Sun Road view
Overall Thoughts on Glacier National Park
Overall, our experience in Glacier National Park was absolutely amazing. We talk about going back all the time and there’s still so much more to explore!
Camera used to document my travels: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV 35mm lens, GoPro Hero7 Black, and iPhone 10
