6 Things To Know Before Visiting Glacier National Park
When I first visited Montana in June of 2020, I was in awe of its beauty - specifically Glacier National Park. We arrived through the West Entrance, stopped at Apgar Village, and then continued on past Lake McDonald. In the early morning hours, the lake looked like glass. It was still, quiet, and unlike anything I had ever seen before. I’m sure I took way too many photos that morning trying to capture this unreal sight that was before me. From that day, I knew that I wanted to live in Montana - and I bought a house a month later! I’m not saying you’re going to fall in love and move across the country on a whim like I did (or, maybe you will…) but I am saying that everyone should put Glacier National Park on their bucket list and make it a priority to visit. Before you visit, here are a few things to consider:
Visiting Glacier National Park
Getting to Glacier National Park is probably easier than you think! Simply fly into Glacier International Airport, located in Kalispell. With several arriving and departing flights each day, you can be here in no time! Seven major airlines offer a variety of flight options - check out Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country and United. While flights may be more limited in the winter months, the summer months are filled with direct flights from a variety of cities including Las Vegas, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Portland and Seattle.
Road trips are spectacular! You’ll need a car when you visit Glacier National Park, so why not take a road trip if the timing allows? When I first visited here, I traveled through 9 different states and enjoyed the variety that our beautiful country has to offer. Driving through Montana is an experience like no other! With breathtaking views in every direction, you’ll be glad you opted to enjoy the fresh mountain air and wide open spaces.
If road tripping isn’t your thing - don’t worry! You can rent a car for your visit to Glacier National Park. However, you’ll want to make your reservation early. Make your reservation online now, then simply pick up your car when you arrive at the airport. If the national rental companies are sold out, check website’s such as Turo for additional options.
Glacier National Park has implemented a vehicle reservation system - so you’ll need to be aware of the requirements for entry due to limited parking and road capacity. During the summer season, all vehicle traffic will be required to have a reservation to access the Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork-Polebridge entrance stations. This requirement is in place from Memorial Day through Labor Day, so if you’re unable to get a reservation don’t worry - you can always visit during an off-peak season. Fall is personally my favorite time of the year to visit, and many people love to snowshoe in the winter and bike ride along the Going-to-the-Sun Road before it re-opens to vehicular traffic in the early summer. If summer is your preferred month to visit, just plan accordingly to get your online reservation before you arrive.
Speaking of reservations, make a game plan early for things you want to do while you’re here. From white water rafting, to kayaking, to a guided hike, it’s important to make your reservations early since spots fill up fast. If tours aren’t your thing, you’re always welcome to explore Glacier National Park on your own. We kindly ask that you stay on the paths and recreate responsibly. Oh, and it’s a good idea to have bear spray with you. You never know when you might need it.
While Glacier National Park is spectacular, you’ll definitely want to make time to explore outside of the park too. The Flathead Valley is filled with things to do. Hike in Jewel Basin; ride a bike along Kalispell’s extensive trail system; rent a boat on Flathead lake; soak up the sun at Whitefish City Beach; shop and dine in our locally owned establishments; and learn about Montana’s history at a local museum; or unwind at a local brewery. With so much to do, you may need to stay a little longer.
The Best Local Recommendations
If you’re looking for a few recommendations for local coffee shops, restaurants, family activities, shopping, and more, check out my Flathead Valley Resources page.
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