The ULTIMATE 3 Day Glacier National Park Itinerary

Glacier National Park is one of the most scenic national parks in the U.S., but planning a trip here can feel overwhelming due to limited lodging, seasonal road closures, and long driving distances. This Glacier National Park itinerary is designed for visitors who want to see the highlights while still leaving time for hiking and exploring at a relaxed pace.

Located in the Northwest corner of Montana, it borders Canada and Waterton Lakes National Park (Canadian). The park got its name from all of the Glaciers that shaped it. Unfortunately, there are only 25 active glaciers left, so you should go soon before they continue to melt.

I have been to over 50 National Parks and this is in my top two! There’s nothing quite like seeing the imposing mountains behind glacial lakes. The park is open year round, but many things close when the weather gets cold and snow hits the region. We visited Glacier in August, which is a great chance to see all of the things that are available in the park!

This park is large and getting from one area to another takes a lot of time. Some drives are up to two hours long! So, you will want to add extra time into your plans. Below you will find the best 2 day itinerary to see the different areas of the park. Make sure that you take bear spray on any of hikes that you do throughout the park!

Glacier National Park Guide

Glacier National Park at a Glance

• Best Time to Go: Late June through mid-September
• Where to Stay: West Glacier, Whitefish, Columbia Falls
• How to Get There: Fly into Glacier Park National Park
• Must-Sees: Going to the Sun Road, Lake Macdonald, Many Glacier Area

How to Get to Glacier

Getting to this park is tricky, as it is located far from most airports and cities. The closest airport is in Kalispell, but flights are usually a big high.

If you want to save some money, you can fly into larger airports like Bozeman and drive 4-5 hours to the park. Luckily, it’s a beautiful drive so you can enjoy some great views. For any train lovers, there is an Amtrak station located in Whitefish, so this is a good option if you enjoy riding the rails.

👉 Find out hotels and campgrounds to stay at in my Glacier National Park lodging guide here!

Things to Know Before You Go

Packing Guide for Glacier

Even in the summer, the weather can be unpredictable. It’s important that you pack layers, good walking shoes, and waterproof items. That way, you will be set for all of your adventures.

• Comfortable Hiking Boots
• Day Pack
• Hiking poles
• Water Reservoir
• 1-2 Liters of Water
• Snacks and Food
• First Aid Kit
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Headlamp
• Shelter
• Rain jacket
• Light winter jacket
• Satellite phone
• Camera Clip
• Bathing Suit
• Towel
• Portable Charger

Three Day Glacier National Park Itinerary

Day 1: Going to the Sun Road & Logan Pass

On your first day in the park, I recommend driving the most iconic road in the park, Going to the Sun Road and visiting the Logan Pass area.

Going to the Sun Road

One of the most famous and iconic parts of the park is the Going to the Sun Road, which travels through the center of the park over Logan Pass and gives you access to some of the most popular sights.

The road can take months to plow, because all of the snow that falls there, which means that most years the road is only fully open from late June (or even early July) through mid October.

So, you can also bike it! This depends a lot on the weather, so make sure you stay updated on the openings by looking at the NPS website. As you travel through the twists and turns of the mountains, you will see the famous Red “Jammers” that are vintage tour buses originating in the 1930s. 

*Note: You will need reservations to access the Going to the Sun Road during the summer from 6 am-4 pm.*

Lake Mcdonald

The road is two lanes and follows the twists and turns of the mountains. You will see Lake McDonald on your left as you start driving through the park.

This lake is the largest one in Glacier National Park and it is also incredibly clear. People often go canoeing, kayaking, and paddling on the surface.

We stopped here to skip a few rocks and take in its majestic beauty! After the lake, you are going to start slowly going up the mountain. As you drive along the road, make sure that you stop at some of the overlooks to take in the stunning views that surround you.

Logan Pass

The Logan Pass visitor center is a very populated part of the park. It took us about 20 minutes to get a parking spot there and can take up to an hour to find one!

This is the tallest part of the park and is home to an amazing visitor center, great hikes, and awesome views over the park!

Logan Pass hikes

After you stop at the visitor center, you can head out on one of the amazing trails that leaves directly from Logan Pass! I recommend the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, because it’s insanely gorgeous, home to mountain goats, and fairly easy.

Before going on these hikes, just remember that this is grizzly country. So, pack bear spray and stay alert! We saw some on our way down to Hidden Lake, but luckily they were far enough away where it wasn’t super concerning.

Hidden Lake Overlook

This is one of my favorite trails, because it is easy to add onto every single itinerary! It takes you up to a stunning overlook of Hidden Lake and there are often mountain goats hanging around. Colorful wildflowers and fields with mountains in the distance will surround you.

Distance: 2.7 miles
Elevation: 550 feet of gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 1-1.5 hours total
Difficulty: Moderate

Hidden Lake

Instead of heading back to your car when you get to the overlook, you can continue another mile down to the shores of this stunning lake. It’s a great spot to hang out, have a picnic, and enjoy the scenery. The only thing you’ll have to remember is the way back is uphill. But, I loved going for a dip here.

Distance: 5.1 miles
Elevation: 1300 feet of gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 3-4 hours total
Difficulty: Moderate

Highline Trail

If you’re up for a challenge, then you can tackle the iconic Highline Trail. This trail is known as one of the best in the park, and I’m sad to say I still have yet to conquer it. This version will take you from Logan Pass to Granite Chalet and back with insane views over the landscape. Luckily, you can turn back early if you need!

Distance: 15 miles
Elevation: 2600 feet feet of gain
Type: Out and Back/Loop
Length: 7-9 hours total
Difficulty: Hard

After a long day in the park, you can head back to your hotel on the West side of the park, grab some food, and call it a night!

Day 2: St Mary Lake

On your second day in the park, it’s time to explore a new area of Glacier. I recommend driving the Going to the Sun Road from the West side to the East side to explore the St Mary Lake area. This takes about 90 minutes from the West side and East side.

Jackson Glacier

On your way through the Going to the Sun Road make sure to stop at Jackson Glacier Overlook to see one of the famous glaciers alongside the road. It’s a great spot to get out and stretch your legs.

St Mary Lake

St Mary Lake is a large scenic lake that is a beautiful area to explore. There are boat tours, hikes, and amazing views to explore.

You may want to pack some extra clothes for the St Mary Falls hike, because at the end you will get to falls and a little stream. There were plenty of adventurous people jumping off the bridge into the water below. I don’t know that I have the guts to do this, but seeing the falls were impressive and I wish I had a bathing suit to cool off in.

St Mary Boat Ride

There are a bunch of boat tours that you can do across St. Mary Lake. Some of them have guided hikes and Ranger talks.

As you ride on the boat, you’ll learn about various Glacier information including the wildfires that have affected it, the geographical features, and the wildlife in the park. I highly recommend taking a guided tour, because you learn things that you would not on your own.

St Mary & Virginia Falls

I’ve done this hike a few times and I would still do it again! It takes you to two stunning waterfalls and a bridge where you can jump into the water and swim. If you have time, this is a fantastic hike to add to your trip to the park!

Also, if you do a boat tour, the hike to St Mary Falls is one of the guided walks you can do. On our hike we even saw a moose hanging out in the shores of St Mary Lake!

Distance: 4 miles
Elevation: 300 feet of gain
Type: Out and Back
Length: 1.5-2 hours total
Difficulty: Easy

After you’ve spent time in the St Mary Lake area, I recommend driving through to the East side of the park and staying on that side.

Day 3: Many Glacier

On your third and final day in the park, it’s time to explore my favorite area! The Many Glacier Area is well known for it’s vibrant glacially fed lakes, fantastic hikes, and the historic Many Glacier Lodge.

Spend the day conquering one of the great hikes in the Many Glacier area and then treat yourself to a drink at Many Glacier Lodge for your final night on your Glacier National Park itinerary.

Many Glacier

Start your day by stopping at the insanely blue Swiftcurrent Lake before continuing on to the gorgeous Josephine Lake. There are great boat rides that you can take along the lake to see the area and they also make some of the hikes shorter!

Many Glacier is one of the most common areas to see grizzly bears. So, just make sure to carry bear spray and check the Glacier website for any bear trail closures. I’ve seen a bear in Many Glacier on every single one of my visits.

Many Glacier Hikes

Todays your final day in Glacier and so it’s time to take on some of the very best trails in the park! There are so many to choose from that you’ll have to make a tough decision. However, Grinnell Glacier would be my top choice if you only have time for one!

• Grinnell Glacier (11 miles, 2000 feet, Hard) – One of my favorite trails in the entire country!!
• Iceberg Lake (9.7 miles, 1400 feet, Hard) – Even though this hike is long, it’s not super hard and has a great payoff
• Cracker Lake (12.5 miles, 1600 feet, Hard) – A long trail that takes you to one of the most turquoise lakes in the park!
• Grinnell Lake (4.8 miles, 450 feet, Moderate)- A lovely trail that takes you by Josephine Lake to the bright blue Grinnell Lake
• Ptarmigan Tunnel (10.7 miles, 2300 feet, Hard)- Take a tunnel through the mountains and out to a gorgeous valley.

After your long trek through the park, you can grab a drink or some dinner at Many Glacier Lodge before ending your time in one of the best parks in the country!

Final Tips For Visiting Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is one of those parks that you will fall in love with and want to go back for more. Three days is simply not enough to see it all. But, I hope that this itinerary helps guide you to see some of the highlights!

Before going remember to look up any trail or road closures, check the park website for any updates, and get places early! Especially if you’re going in the summer, parking lots end up filling up by 6 am sometimes. Pack your patience and you’ll love this park.

Let me know in the comments if you found this itinerary helpful!

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