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Welcome to this article about 22 plans to do and see in the Glacier National Park  in Montana, USA,

Through our own experience of 21 days of travel through the Canadian and American Rockies, We tell you what you can do and what to see in Glacier National Park in the USA. This is our seventh National Park on our route through the Rocky Mountains, visited after the visit to the Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada. 30 minutes from Montana's Glacier and after crossing Canada's National Parks of Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Glacier National Park of Canada, Mount Revelstoke National Park and the Kootenay National Park.

It is one of the National Parks that we missed on our previous route through the West Coast of the United States where we got to Yellowston National Park. We were looking forward to it and the day finally came to visit it on this year's route!

AN IMPORTANT TIP: Don't travel to the United States without a good travel insurance, avoid major problems. It is one of the first essential requirements for traveling to the USA.
We recommend you the Iati Star We hired this insurance after a good comparison and study between the different ones on the market. It is the only one that exceeds one million euros of coverage. Without a doubt, it is the best for travelling to all of North America, where breaking a leg will cost you €150.000, as happened to a friend of ours in the USA. Another positive thing is that Iati has an app for virtual visits.
I leave you here a link where you have a 5% off for any Iati travel insurance.

Why visit Glacier National Park Montana

Belonging to the State of Montana in the United States, Glacier National Park in the United States is also one of the most visited National Parks in the Rocky Mountains, with more than 3 million visitors a year. 

It is the northernmost National Park in the USA bordering the province of Alberta in Canada and one of the most spectacular for its alpine scenery in the American Rockies.

Its main attractions are the lakes, wildlife, alpine mountain peaks, and glaciers, as its name indicates. 

Glaciers in retreat, since the 150 glaciers that existed in the XNUMXth century in this National Park, Only 25 still exist today.

 Although it is unfortunately estimated that these will disappear in 2030 because of climate change. If anyone still denies climate change today, I don't know how it is possible. They must have travelled very little.

About us

History of Glacier National Park and origin of the name of Glacier National Park in Montana

A park that has had different names over the years. Here lived the Blackfeet tribe, the Blackfeet Indians, those who knew this park as “the backbone of the world”. 

When George Bird Grinnell, explorer and naturalist, I buy to the blackfeet these lands and had Congress establish the national park in 1910 He called these mountains “the crown of the continent”, “Crown of the Continent”, a nickname still used. Like many people call it the “Switzerland of the USA”.

Together with the Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada, it is now part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a place World Heritage Site from 1995 and a symbolic place for the peace of union between Canada and the United States. This is one of the interesting facts about Glacier National Park today that you should not forget.

Where is Glacier National Park and how to get to Glacier National Park USA?

Glacier National Park of the United States, not to be confused with Glacier National Park of Canada, about 4 hours away from each other.

Glacier National Park of the United States It is located in the US state of Montana, in the north of the United States andbordering Canada, En of province of Alberta.

On our trip we arrived at Glacier National Park in Montana, from Canada, crossing the border 30 minutes away with Glacier. We arrived at Calgary Airport which is the closest to the Canadian Rockies where our trip would depart.

Just 3,5 hours from Calgary you will find the Glacier National Park, United States. 

The best way to access is with a rental vehicle, there is very few public transport options, if not none that are direct and easy.

Other major airport close and within the United States is that of Washington, about 4,5 hours away away and a few kilometres further than Calgary. From Washington you should also rent a car to move.

My recommendation is to enter through Calgary, which has more flights from Spain and is a little cheaper. 

When to go to Glacier National Park? Best time to visit Glacier National Park

The climate in Glacier National Park in Montana is like that of most destinations in the Rocky Mountains. The climate is generally cold and in summer it is temperate, with even hot days for swimming in the lakes. 

If you're looking for bathe in the lakes and do water activities, the ideal is Visiting Glacier National Park in the Summer during July and August, which are the warmest and best weather months.

En spring and fall You can still hike, watch wildlife, and do water sports, but with the added bonus of colder weather and possible rain with strong gusts of wind and even snow that whip up through this area. We went at the beginning of September and apart from rain and wind, there was also snow on the mountain tops and we even got to touch snow at Logan Pass!

On winter, Snowy landscapes and skiing This is the prevailing trend in Canada's Glacier National Park. The big problem is that many roads and access points are closed to vehicle traffic.

It depends on your tastes and preferences for activities, you may prefer one time of year or another. Your budget can also affect your preferences. July and August are high season and everything is more expensive and difficult to book, but if you travel in spring or autumn you can find better prices and fewer people.

Where to stay in Glacier National Park, USA

Surely the best way to visit this great national park is to sleep inside the National Park itself or in one of its main entrance towns. 

So what we recommend is that you stay in one of These 55 accommodations are located within Glacier National Park or at most at its main entrances. Any accommodation in Glacier National Park will be good and ideal.

Now, if you arrive late and everything is already booked, or what is left is very expensive, I recommend looking outside the Park in the largest town in the city. Blackfeet Indian Reservation: Browning. 

Here there is a couple of motels very good price and not bad for entering the park through its 3 main areas to the east, which are the less crowded entrances and do not require 2 of the 3 QR reservations for car access.

Many Glacier Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge or Swiftcurrent Motor Inn are of the best hotels in Glacier National Park.

Campsites Glacier National Park Montana USA

If you prefer to go camping, like us, who did the route through Canada by motorhome y United States by motorhome You can look at the Montana Glacier National Park Campgrounds.

The 4 Visitor Areas of Glacier National Park in the United States

Below, and to give you an idea of ​​how Glacier National Park in the United States is distributed and visited, I will explain the main areas, marked by roads and accesses, that can be visited in Glacier National Park.

Glacier National Park Sun Road: Going- to -the- Sun- Road Scenic Highway

50 kilometers of asphalt between incredible landscapes make this road one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. 

In addition, it is the unique road that It crosses the entire National Park from east to west completely and the one with the most attractive points of interest and hikes in Glacier National Park.

Now, just as attractive as she is, just as complicated to access.

First of all, if your vehicle does more than 21 feet, 6,5 meters, you will not be able to accessIt is prohibited due to the complicated and closed curves and tunnels that exist.

You have another option shuttle buses, the ones we took. Although sometimes you have to be very patient and wait in line to get them and find a place. 

On the other hand, it is equally complicated to access if you go with a small vehicle and access through the west entrance of Apgar Park. That's because there is so much tourism that May 24 to September 8 and if you access from 6 am to 15 pm (then you don't need the pass) you can only access if you have the QR code for access reservation with vehicle. You must make this reservation online the day before from 19pm hours in the afternoon of the day you want to access. 

By the way, if you have any activity booked within the Park or a campsite, you will not need the QR code for access.

Do they work from 8 a.m. to 19 p.m.. The last ones leave Logan Pass at 19pm to either the West or East entrance gate.

Finally, the option of private tours There are different types and companies. The most legendary is the long red cars that are historic in the park.

Many Glacier

This area of ​​Many Glacier in Glacier National Park is the northernmost drop and is entered through the East of the Park onlyat Babb. 

To access you also need a Vehicle Access Reservation QR Code. If you go from the May 24 to September 8 and if you access from 6 am to 15 pm (you do not need the pass afterwards). You can only access if you have the QR code for booking access with a vehicle. This reservation must be made online the day before from 19 pm on the day you want to access. 

There are no shuttle buses here, so the only way is by your own vehicle.

It is the area, as its name indicates, where they are more glaciers, although as I have said, only 25 of the 150 that existed remain and they are expected to disappear in the coming years.

It is an area through which a road of only 20 km which goes from the detour of the small town of Babb to the parking lot just beyond Swifcurrent Lake, from where different trails start such as Iceberg Lake oa Grinnell glacier viewpoint, two of the most mythical. 

This road is also famous for being where in 1914 the Great Northern Railway built the Many Glacier Hotel. Montana's largest hotel, famous for its idyllic location, is still active and renovated today.

Two Medicine

We can enter through the entrance to Glacier National Park at Two Medicine near the largest town east of Glacier National Park., Browning. Where we find the Museum of the Plain of Indians, in the middle of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. A visit that we recommend if you are in this area.

Two Medicine is the southernmost area of ​​Glacier National Park. Its road is also short and passes by two of the three lakes. called Lower Two Medicine Lake and Middle Two Medicine Lake This is the last point where the road arrives. From there there are many trails, viewpoints and we can even embark on a kayak or boat.

To access this This area is the only one where you do not need a reservation for access to the vehicle. and there are no shuttle buses either.

North Fork 

The fourth zone of Glacier National Park is the northernmost and westernmost, with the only entrance to the west. 

An area where there is mainly only unpaved roads and where you can enjoy long day hikes between different lakes. It is perhaps the most inaccessible of all the areas depending on the vehicle you are travelling with.

To access you also need a QR code for booking access with a vehicle. If you go from May 24 to September 8 and if you access from 6am to 15pm (after that you do not need the pass). You can only access if you have the QR code for booking access with a vehicle. This reservation must be made online the day before from 19pm on the day you want to access. 

There are no shuttle buses here, so the only way is by your own vehicle.

Getting around Glacier National Park Montana, USA

The first thing we find different between the countries of North America and Europe is the organization of the streets of the cities and towns. In the US, the streets are not designed for walking. They are very wide streets and are designed for cars rather than pedestrians.

In Glacier National Park, Montana, USA, you need a rental car If you want total flexibility (which I will tell you is relative), but if you want to do without it you can do serve their shuttle buses and forget about you, but this option It is only possible in one of the 4 sectors which has Glacier National Park in the USA.

By rental car through Glacier National Park 

I explained to you earlier that flexibility with own rental vehicle It is relative and that's how it is. 

This is due to A private vehicle access control system has been implemented in most of the most visited National Parks in the United States. where you have to Book the day before starting at 7 pm, a pass to enter each road you want to use the next day. Oh, and it is obviously possible that you will be left without the QR code they give you and you will not be able to access.

In Glacier National Park There are 3 access zones with online vehicle reservation, of the 5 areas with access to the National Park, if you are going to access between May 24th and September 8th from 6am to 3pm:

• Access to the West to the Going to the Sun Road Scenic Highway (However, if you enter from the east side of St Mary's you do not need to book an entry ticket)
• access to the North Fork
• And access to Many Glacier

To access, remember the day before accessing, Connect to the vehicle reservation and access website at 19 p.m. and reserve your pass.

Also, remember to be in a place with mobile coverage at 19 p.m., which is usually in populated areas. There are many areas without coverage.

IMPORTANT: If you go by motorhome like we did, you will not be able to access the Going To The Sun Road scenic road. Vehicles longer than 21 feet, about 6,5 meters, cannot access this road due to its sharp curves and narrowness. You will only be able to access the Shuttle Bus like us.

Shuttle bus Glacier National Park: Going-to-the-sun-road: Glacier National Park Sun Road

This was our choice and we truly believe it is one of the best options not only if you are taller than 21 feet, 6,5 meters, which means you will not be able to travel on the main road in Glacier National Park, but also if you go by other options. You park at the beginning at the Agpar or St Mary Visitor Centers and forget about the car and parking, which is often very complicated. Plus, you forget about reserving access the day before. It's all advantages.

3-Day Route Through Glacier National Park Montana USA

The route I propose is for the 22 essentials that I describe below of 3 of the 4 main visiting areas of Glacier National ParkOn this route I am ruling out the North Fork area, as access is via unpaved tracks and we did not visit it either due to its complexity.

Day 1 through Glacier National Park

El Day 1. I recommend you visit the area of Two Medicine.  Enter through the Two Medicine entrance and first go to park at the last point on the road, at Two Medicine Lake Parking Lot. From there, the proposal is to make one of the Hiking routes are listed below. Our choice is to take an intermediate route, neither easy nor long: to reach the Aster Falls and Aster Park Viewpoint, a 6 km route. 

After the route we suggest you Rent a kayak and enjoy the lake by kayak, to end with a picnic at their lakeside picnic area.

At the end of the meal, we will finish visiting this area of ​​Glacier National Park and we suggest you stop to see the Running Eagle Falls and then the Appistoki Falls. Very easy routes of less than 1 hour.

To end day 1 we suggest you visit the largest town in this area in the middle of the Blackfeet Indian reservation, Browning. Here the final plan for the afternoon is to visit the Museum of the Plains Indian, a must to get to know this indigenous tribe of the area.

Day 2 in Glacier National Park

El Day 2. We suggest you take a road trip through the Going-to-the-Sun Scenic Drive. Remember to reserve your QR code the day before at 19pm if you are going to enter through the west entrance of Apgar, if you enter through St Mary it is not necessary.

During this day, the proposal is to stop at the 9 points that I suggest below, from Saint Mery Lake in the east to McDonald's Lake in the west.

3rd day in Glacier National Park

El Day 3. It's time to do some hiking and a horseback tour during your visit to the area. Many Glaciers, for which you must reserve the QR code for access the day before at 19pm on the website.

The suggestion is that you get up early and park in the Many Glacier Hotel parking lot. From there we suggest you do the route to Grinnel Glacier but taking the boat tour which I explain in detail below, to save you 6 km on foot and to enjoy the views by boat both on the way there and on the way back.
After the Grinnel Glacier route 12 km, On the way back, we will arrive again at the banks of the Swiftcurrent Lake where we left the vehicle parked in the morning. Now in the afternoon we suggest you do a horse route From the stables in front of the parking lot, it takes one or two hours.

After the tour we will go to rest at our accommodation to finish enjoying our experience in Glacier National Park.

What to see in Glacier National Park: Top Attractions in each area

Below, I will give you the exact coordinates of parking lots and trails for the walking routes of all the best places to visit in Glacier National Park in the USA, a park that the whole family fell in love with.

What to do and see in the Many Glacier area (northeast of the park): 5 must-sees

From the small town of Babb we can turn off onto a 20 km road and enter the part of the further north east of Glacier National Park. This part is the Many Glaciers area. As its name indicates, it is where There are more glaciers of the National Park, although in reality only 25 of the 150 remain and it is predicted that by 2030 there will be almost none left due to climate change, sadly.

Here I try to explain what you can do and what to see in Many Glacier.

Remember, as I explained above, that to access Many Glacier you need Reserve your vehicle access the day before at 19 p.m.. Apart from having your pass to the National Park.

Apikuni Fall Trailhead

A first easy route that you can find near the entrance to the Many Glaciers Park is the Apikuni waterfall. Parking on this side of the road You can do the 3-day hike,2 km round trip and 213 meters of elevation gain quite easy

Visit to the Many Flacieer Hotel at Swifturn lake

Many Glaciers is a famous and accessible area thanks to this hotel on the lake shore Swiftcurrent.

Parking in the hotel and lake parking lot We can enjoy the views of the largest hotel in Montana and this magnificent lake and its surrounding trails.

Horseback riding from Many Glacier Hhorse Stable on Swiftcurrent Lake

Right in front of the same parking lot of the previous hotel we find the stables of the horses of Swan Mountain Outfitters Glacier Division. Horseback riding routes through Many Glaciers start from them.

There are 1- or XNUMX-hour routes, half-day and full-day routes for experienced riders.

Grinnel Glacier Tour, by boat or without boat tour

The Grinnel Glacier Route It is one of the most iconic long routes in Glacier National Park. 

Start at a parking lot down the road from the hotel or at the same parking lot as the Many Glaciers hotel above. 

From there the route is 18 km round trip and 488 meters of elevation gain.

But if you want to shorten it there is a version of 12 km there and back and 488 meters of elevation gain that is leaving from the Many Glacier Hotel and take the boat in front (it is better to book in advance) and this way you will save yourself around 6 km of crossing the lake by boat.

The reward of the route is a Beautiful glacial lake and the retreating Grinnel glacier

Iceberg Lake Route 

Another of the most legendary routes in the area is to Iceberg Lake starting from end of road parking lot in front of a hotel, the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. 

From there a little higher up in this point Iceberg Ptarmigan route leaves Una 15 km round trip route with 366 metres of elevation gain.

The precious gift of the end is Iceberg Lake, where we find floating ice in blocks in early summer.

What to see on the Going-to-the-sun Road: 9 essential plans

This road is 50 km that crosses Glacier National Park from east to west is most visited in the entire Park. Their Viewpoints and impressive views make it an attraction in itself.

Here I try to explain what you can do and what to see during your road trip along the Going to the Sun road.

Remember, as I explained above, that to access the Going to the Sun road on its west side of the Apgar entrance from 6 am to 15 pm You need to reserve your vehicle access the day before at 19 p.m., otherwise you will not be able to access. Apart from having your pass to the National Park.

On this road you also have something positive and that is that you can access it in shuttle bus free to the main points of visit.

Visitor Centres 

On this road you will find 3 Visitors Centres. One at the entrance of the this de Saint mary, another in the middle of the route in its highest pass at 2000 meters, the Logan Pass, and another at the entrance of the west de Apgar.

Any of the three is worth stopping to see their exhibitions, videos and collect interesting information. And if you take children, don't forget to make the booklet Junior Ranger so that they can give them their badge when they finish.

Saint Mary Lake

During the first stretch of road we will be able to admire the great Saint Mary's Lake. 

To stop, we can do it first in the Rising Sun Picnic Area. Later, if we want to see the viewpoint on its Wild Goose Island We can stop for a moment in a small parking lot on the side of the road. Or a little further ahead in another parking lot where we can also get to see the Baring Falls, some small waterfalls.

The last landmark of Saint Mary's Lake is at the end of the whole lake where we can park to enter a small route of visit to the St Mary Falls, some waterfalls near the lake, like the ones above. These are emerald-coloured and come out of the middle of a curious rock. The shuttle bus for this road also stops in the same parking lot.

Jackson Glacier Viewpoint

From a small parking lot Along the road we can stop and see the distant views of Jackson GlacierA short but nice stop.

Logan Pass and the Hidden Lake Route

In the middle of the road we come to an emblematic point. The Logan Pass It is the highest point of the road, exceeding 2000 meters high.

Here we find the Logan Pass Visitor Center and the starting point of many interesting routes.

The most interesting and affordable route is undoubtedly the route of Hidden Lake 11km round trip with 202m elevation gain.

Another curious fact about this point is that we found the Continental Divide point, where the waters divide and each one goes in one direction or another, Pacific or Atlantic.

Paradise Meadow

This place is a emblematic stop on the road Going to the sun, the views to a paradise meadow They are brutal.

Just stop and enjoy the views.

Weeping Wall

We continue along the road to the east of the National Park and we will pass by the Weeking Walls.

The walls that look like waterfalls, which translates to crying walls. We'll shower the vehicle on the way, hehe.

Red Rock Point

From another small parking lot From the road we can access some small waterfalls with reddish rocks which is one of the easy stops you can make during the road trip if there is room in the parking lot.

Trail of the Cedars Nature

This Trail is one of the easiest and flattest in all of Glacier National Park. A 1,5km circular walk andamong a forest pbeautiful with wooden walkways.

To do this there is to park along the road.

Glacier National Park McDonald Lake renting a canoe

The last point that is a must stop already west of the Going to the sun road is the Lake McDonald, where can we park and eat in one of your restaurants, make a Ride the Horse in the stables behind or rent a kayak and explore it by kayak.

What to do and see in the Two Medicine area: 8 essential plans

This little road that goes to the Two Medicine Lakes and the various very nice hiking trails, first of all, is the easier access and secondly, it is the one that fewer people from the Park receive.

You don't need a QR code to reserve your vehicle access to enter and it is usually much more peaceful and quiet than in other areas of Glacier National Park in the United States.

Below, I show you the main attractions of this area.

Running Eagle Falls 

After passing the access booth to the National Park with the rangers, the first stop you can make is at the parking to do one short walking route de 20 minutes to and from some beautiful waterfalls, the Running Eagle Falls.

Route to Scenic Point

If we continue along the same path of the Appistoki Falls, in a Total route of 12 km there and back and 723 meters of elevation gain, we will be able to reach the Scenic Point, a place with impressive views. 

A beautiful route but of moderate difficulty due to the gradient.

Boating or kayaking on Two Medicine Lake

The last stop in this area of ​​Glacier National Park is right on the shores of Two Medicine Lake. 

En This parking lot, you will find not only a beautiful lake where you can Rent a kayak or take a boat tour for it, but also a shop, restaurant, a picnic area, bathrooms and the start of various trails.

Paradise Point

One of the easiest routes leaving from the previous parking lot of Two Medicine Lake, at the hiking exit point that says South Shore Trailhead, and it is the one that is going to Paradise Point, a very nice lake viewpoint. A route 2,2 km round trip, very easy.

Aster Falls and Aster Park Overlook

If the previous hike is too short for you, you can also take another route from the same Two Medicine Lake parking lot, at the hiking exit point that says South Shore TrailheadUntil the Aster Falls. 

Some waterfalls that are easy to access and walking a little further you reach a spectacular viewpoint of the Park: the Aster Park Overlook.

In total, the The route to the waterfalls is 4 km long. go and come back and even to the viewpoint of Aster Park 6,4 km round trip.

Rockwell Falls

Yes, if the 6,4 km are too short for you, you can continue walking on the previous route and reach Rockwell Falls, some waterfalls that are a total of XNUMX km long. 12 km round trip and 114 meters of elevation gain.

Upper Two Medicine Lake

The last must-see in this area of ​​Glacier National Park is the upper Two Medicine Lake. A route of 16 km there and back and only 107 meters of elevation gain which for many is the route chosen here.

This route, but leaves from the same Two Medicine Lake parking lot, but not from the same point. The departure is from the point of North Shore Trailhead, above the campsite in the area.

Map of what to see in Glacier National Park Montana, USA

Below, I leave you an interactive map with everything What to do in Glacier National Park, all the What to see in Glacier National Park , with Glacier National Park parking lots y Glacier National Park Campgrounds to help you plan your visit to Glacier National Park, Montana, United States.

Tips for planning your trip to Glacier National Park

Below are some tips for visiting Glacier National Park that you may find useful.

Pass to access Glacier National Park in Montana, USA

To access the United States National Parks you must have a pass that must be carried inside the vehicle in which you travel and carried on you at all times.

There are national park passes that are valid for 7 days for about $35, or if you are going to be more than 7 days or more parks in the United States, what we recommend is to buy the Annual Pass, As we did last year on our trip through the National Parks of the West Coast of the United States and Yellowston. 

Fill up your gas tank before entering Glacier National Park

To access the National Parks of the United States and Canada, as a general rule, take a full tank of gas. There are no gas stations inside the national parks and if there are, the price is sometimes higher. much more expensive. 

There is not a single gas station in Glacier National Park. At the main entrances you will find gas stations, although they are more expensive than if you go further away.

What to bring to Glacier National Park

Next, I'll tell you what we carry in the suitcase for 21 days of route through the Rocky Mountains in August – early SeptemberHey, it was great taking you to Glacier National Park.

First of all, above all think that the best To go trekking in the mountains along the Rocky Mountain Range, you should always wear long pants, closed shoes and long socks.

La clothing that we brought and that we had nothing left over or missing:

• 3 complete changes of long technical summer mountain trousers + short-sleeved T-shirt 
• 2 changes of shorts + short t-shirts 
• 5 changes of underwear and socks
• 2 fleece or long-sleeved sweatshirt-type jackets
• 1 light down jacket, the kind that folds into a Decathlon bag 
• 1 cap
• 1 raincoat
• 1 flip flops
• 1 swimsuit
• 1 microfiber bathrobe
• 1 Gore-tex trekking shoes
• Toiletry bag with solid soap and bamboo toothbrush to be sustainable

Things we carry apart from clothes which were very useful to us and some were necessary for going camping as we did:

• Canada plug adapter
• Decathlon tent If you are not going in a motorhome or camper
• Binoculars to see the wildlife
• Small Italian coffee maker + a packet of ground coffee, if you are a coffee drinker like us and you are going to campsites, bungalows or apartments like us. American coffee is the worst.
• Foldable memory foam travel pillow, if you have trouble sleeping on those thin pillows from Ikea, which is what they will give you in the rental motorhome. Also, it is useful for the plane, which low-cost airlines do not provide.
• A couple of small travel blankets, for the cold-blooded people in the house and for the plane, which low-cost airlines don't provide. 
• 2 extendable skewers for barbecues and making marshmallows 
• 1 multi-purpose knife with a whistle for the mountains and a compass if possible
• 1 lighter to light the barbecues
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunscreen

Above all, keep in mind that the following are not allowed on the plane to travel to the United States: Fresh foods such as fruit, sausages, meat or fish, and also no dangerous products such as bear sprays, which if you buy one you cannot take back with you.

Glacier National Park Safety Tips: Beware of Bears and Weather

Glacier National Park in Montana is a national park full of wildlife where we must first be very cautious about encounters with bears and other wild animals and then be careful with its climate and normal adversities in a mountain landscape.

For your safety you should always go well equipped for the mountains and natureGlacier National Park is a wilderness, that's its appeal, but you have to be prepared.

Bear Precautions: How to Avoid Bears in Glacier National Park

How to avoid encounters and what to do in case of sighting a bear?

There are many places that directly indicate that it is forbidden to enter without anti-bear spray, therefore, it is more than advisable to buy one and carry it with you. In the United States it is easy to buy them, in any Walmart supermarket you can buy them or Decathlon. Otherwise, in stores sport or Visitors Centers from the National Parks they sell them.

We can say that It is not normal to find a bear on marked and tourist-frequented trails. But just in case, it is best to always carry bear spray.

Also, from our experience with bears in the United States and Canada, we know that The bear is not normally an aggressive animal towards humans, on the contrary, it flees of him. He goes alone, or with his young, he eats fish and berries. He is not stupid and he knows that humans do more harm than good to his species. 

Therefore, If he hears you, he will run away and not even come near.

In all the visitor centers they explain to you that The most effective way is to speak loudly or sing like we did with the children “an elephant was swinging on a spider's web…” hehehe. Neither carrying a bell nor music is more effective than talking. There is one ranger who has even told us that the bell is not good because it can make them curious if it is a goat or another animal. In any case, the spray is only a last resort when the bear is less than 100 meters away.

Frequently Asked Questions About Glacier National Park Montana

Below, I will try to answer your most frequently asked questions and doubts about Glacier National Park, which you are asking us when planning your routes through Glacier National Park in the United States. I hope these frequently asked questions about Glacier National Park in Montana are helpful to you.

When does Going-to-the-Sun Road open and close?

Well, it really depends on the weather conditions of that year. Normally, the road opens at the end of June and can remain open until October or November. But as I said, it depends on when it starts to snow.

It is best to look at the official website of Glacier National Park where you will have the current road conditions.

What are the best hiking trails in Glacier National Park?

These would be the best routes:

• Highline Trail Glacier National Park: the most famous route in the park, spectacular views.
• Hidden Lake Trail: a moderate hike with stunning views.
• Grinnell Glacier Trail: one of the most popular trails to see a glacier up close.
• Iceberg Lake Trail: perfect for viewing lakes and mountains in the surroundings.

About Us The one we liked the most was the Grinnell Glacier Trail, the one we would recommend the most and without a doubt one of the best hiking routes in Glacier National Park to prioritize if you only have a few days.

Is it necessary to book in advance for camping?

Yes, and well in advance, especially between July and mid-September, when there are more people. You must book at least 6 months in advance to guarantee a spot at the campsite.

What is the best time to see bears and wildlife?

They can be seen throughout the summer, especially at the end of July and August, when they come down to the forests and meadows to eat berries. Before that, from spring onwards, they are seen more in the rivers, when they eat salmon and trout.

Can you visit Glacier National Park in winter? 

It depends on the area, but there are many road closures. Check the official Glacier National Park website for road and access status.

Conclusion: Why Glacier National Park Should Be on Your Bucket List

Glacier National Park in Montana, United States, is one of the national parks in Most iconic United States. 

First of all, because it is one of the few where you can see glaciers, although there are very few left. And secondly, because the alpine landscape and wildlife it's beastly.

Without a doubt, after Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon of the ColoradoFor us, it is one of the best national parks in the United States in terms of landscape that we have visited. 

Although, on the other hand, if what you really want is to see spectacular glaciers and landscapes with brutal alpine lakes, I recommend going on a Route through the Canadian Rockies also.