Glacier National Park Family Guide: Complete Planning Guide with Kids (2025)

What Makes Glacier Special

Glacier National Park protects 1 million acres of pristine Montana wilderness along the Canadian border. The park features dramatic glacier-carved peaks, 700+ miles of trails, 130+ named lakes, and exceptional wildlife. Glacier is one of the few places in the Lower 48 where grizzly bears, wolves, and mountain lions still roam freely.

What makes it family-special:

• Going-to-the-Sun Road: One of the world's most spectacular scenic drives. 50 miles of clifftop driving with waterfalls cascading onto the road, mountain peaks towering above, and dramatic drop-offs. Accessible to all ages.
• Once-in-a-lifetime scenery: Glacier's dramatic beauty (10/10) surpasses most national parks. Families consistently say "worth the extra effort."
• Exceptional wildlife: Grizzly bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, wolves, wolverines. Wildlife diversity exceeds Rocky Mountain.
• Lower elevation than Rocky Mountain: Logan Pass at 6,646 ft vs Trail Ridge Road at 12,183 ft. Fewer altitude issues.
• Pristine and remote: Feels like true wilderness. 2.9 million visitors (vs 4.9M at Rocky Mountain) means less crowded feel despite popularity.
• Educational value: Active glaciers (25 remaining, down from 150 in 1850s) teach climate change. Crown of the Continent ecosystem. Bears and predator-prey relationships.

What to Know Before You Go

Location: Northern Montana, Canadian border

Closest airports:

• Glacier Park International Airport (Kalispell, FCA): 30 miles from West Glacier entrance, 1 hour drive. Smaller airport with limited direct flights.
• Missoula International Airport (MSO): 150 miles, 2.5 hours to West Glacier. Slightly more flight options than Kalispell.
• Flights typically more expensive than Denver: $100-200 more per person from major cities

Gateway towns:

• West Glacier: West entrance (most popular). Closest to Going-to-the-Sun Road. Limited services.
• Whitefish: 25 miles from West Glacier. Best lodging/dining options. Resort town with 50+ hotels, restaurants. Most families stay here.
• East Glacier: East entrance. Small town, limited lodging. Less convenient for Going-to-the-Sun Road.
• St. Mary: East side of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Small, limited options, but good if doing east-to-west drive.

Park entrance: $35 per vehicle (7-day pass) or $80 America the Beautiful Pass

Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation: $2 per reservation, required July-early September, 6 AM-4 PM. Book at recreation.gov up to 120 days in advance. Highly competitive (sells out in minutes).

Cell service: Very limited. Verizon best coverage but still spotty. Download offline maps essential.

Altitude: Lower than Rocky Mountain. Most areas 3,000-4,000 ft. Logan Pass 6,646 ft (highest point). Altitude sickness rare.

Glacier works best for families with kids ages 8-16. Younger kids can visit but may not fully appreciate the scenery or handle the logistics. Here's what to expect by age:

Ages 4-7: Acceptable but Not Ideal

Rating: 6.5/10

What works:

• Going-to-the-Sun Road drive works for all ages (car-based, no hiking required)
• Wildlife viewing (mountain goats, bighorn sheep) excites young kids
• Lower elevation (6,646 ft max) = no altitude issues
• Easy trails available (Hidden Lake Overlook boardwalk, Trail of the Cedars)

Challenges:

• Scenery appreciation gap: Young kids see "pretty mountains" but don't grasp the epic scale. Parents rave about views while kids ask "When can we go swimming?"
• Remote logistics stressful: Long drives from airports (2-3 hrs), limited dining options, fewer backup activities if weather bad
• Cost-to-value ratio: Paying $3,500+ for trip where kids don't fully appreciate the scenery feels wasteful to some families
• Hiking limitations: Most kids under 7 can't do moderate hikes where best scenery is

Honest verdict: If you have kids under 7, consider waiting 2-3 years OR visit a more accessible park (Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone) where logistics are easier.

Ages 8-12: Excellent

Rating: 9/10

This is when Glacier shines. Kids are old enough to appreciate the scenery, handle moderate hikes, and understand the "special-ness" of the experience.

What works:

• Scenery appreciation: Ages 8-12 understand "This is one of the most beautiful places on Earth." They take photos, remember details, talk about it for years.
• Wildlife excitement: Seeing grizzly bears or mountain goats up close = unforgettable childhood memory
• Hiking capability: Can handle Hidden Lake Overlook (3 mi), Avalanche Lake (4.6 mi), other moderate trails
• Educational engagement: Glacier formation, climate change (disappearing glaciers), bear ecology all resonate
• Photo participation: Kids love taking their own photos with dramatic backdrops

Ages 13-17 (Teens): Ideal

Rating: 9.5/10

Teens LOVE Glacier. The dramatic scenery appeals to their developing aesthetic sense. The wildlife and wilderness feel authentic (not "touristy"). The challenge of longer hikes provides accomplishment.

What works:

• Epic scenery resonates: Teens appreciate Going-to-the-Sun Road's drama more than most adults. "This is insane" is common teen reaction.
• Wildlife thrills: Seeing grizzlies, mountain goats = bragging rights with friends. Instagram/TikTok moments.
• Hiking challenges: Can tackle harder trails (Grinnell Glacier 10 mi, Highline Trail 11.8 mi)
• Authentic wilderness: Glacier feels "real" and remote, not commercialized. Teens respect this.
• Educational depth: Climate change (glaciers disappearing), ecosystem complexity, conservation all meaningful to teens

Teen verdict: "Glacier is way cooler than Rocky Mountain. More dramatic, more remote, better wildlife. Worth the extra effort."

Going-to-the-Sun Road is THE reason most families visit Glacier. This 50-mile engineering marvel climbs from Lake McDonald (3,153 ft) to Logan Pass (6,646 ft), traversing the Continental Divide through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the world.

Key Facts

Distance: 50 miles (West Glacier to St. Mary)
Drive time: 2-3 hours without stops, 4-6 hours with stops (realistic)
Maximum elevation: 6,646 ft (Logan Pass)
Open season: Late June to mid-September (snow-dependent)
Vehicle reservation: Required July-early September, 6 AM-4 PM ($2). Book at recreation.gov 120 days in advance. Extremely competitive.

Why it's rated 10/10 (vs Trail Ridge Road 8.5/10):

• Road carved into cliffs: More dramatic engineering than Trail Ridge Road's gradual ascent
• Waterfalls cascade onto road: Weeping Wall, Bird Woman Falls visible from car
• Narrow sections with drop-offs: Thrilling (some say terrifying) clifftop driving
• Glacier-carved valleys: More dramatic vertical relief than Rocky Mountain
• Wildlife on/near road: Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, bears commonly spotted

Must-Stop Viewpoints

1. Lake McDonald (west side): Largest lake in park. Colorful rocks visible in clear water.

2. Weeping Wall: Waterfall cascades over cliff onto road (drive through it!). Kids love this.

3. Logan Pass: Continental Divide crossing. Hidden Lake Overlook trailhead. Mountain goats common. Visitor center. MOST important stop.

4. Wild Goose Island Overlook (east side): Classic Glacier photo - tiny island in St. Mary Lake with mountains behind.

Glacier has 700+ miles of trails. Here are the best for families:

Easy Hikes (Ages 5+)

Trail of the Cedars (1 mi loop, paved): Boardwalk through ancient cedar/hemlock forest. Wheelchair accessible. Avalanche Creek. Perfect for young kids or rainy days.

Running Eagle Falls (0.6 mi, easy): Short hike to unique waterfall (flows through hole in rock in summer, over rock in spring). East side of park.

Moderate Hikes (Ages 7-8+)

Hidden Lake Overlook (3 mi round trip): THE must-do family hike at Glacier. Starts at Logan Pass. Boardwalk, then trail to overlook above pristine alpine lake. Mountain goats common. Wildflowers July-August. Rating: 9.5/10.

Avalanche Lake (4.6 mi round trip): Beautiful forested hike to lake surrounded by cliffs with waterfalls. Moderate elevation gain (500 ft). Popular but worth it. Rating: 9/10.

Strenuous Hikes (Ages 11-12+)

Grinnell Glacier (10.6 mi round trip): Bucket-list hike to active glacier. Turquoise lakes, mountain goats, glacier up close. Long but not technical. Ages 12+ with hiking experience. Rating: 10/10.

Highline Trail (11.8 mi one-way): Dramatic clifftop trail from Logan Pass. Exposed sections (not for those afraid of heights). Wildflowers, wildlife, spectacular views. Teens love it. Rating: 10/10.

Glacier has the best wildlife viewing of any mountain park in the Lower 48. The park is one of the few places where the full complement of native predators and prey still exists.

What You'll Likely See

Mountain goats (90% of visitors see them): White, shaggy, often at Logan Pass. Surprisingly close to trails/roads. Kids LOVE them.

Bighorn sheep (70% chance): Often at Logan Pass, Many Glacier area. Spectacular spiral horns on males.

Deer (80% chance): Common in valleys and near campgrounds.

Ground squirrels, marmots, pikas (95% chance): Common along trails.

What You Might See (Luck Required)

Grizzly bears (30-40% of multi-day visitors): More common at Glacier than Rocky Mountain. Many Glacier Valley, Going-to-the-Sun Road, meadows. Usually from car (safe). Bear jams common (cars stopped to watch bears).

Black bears (25% chance): Smaller than grizzlies, more common in forests.

Moose (20% chance): Tall, massive. Often in willows near lakes/streams. Most likely at Many Glacier, North Fork area.

Elk (15% chance): Less common than Rocky Mountain but present.

Rare But Possible

Wolves (5% chance): Glacier has wolves but they're elusive. Most sightings at dawn/dusk in remote valleys.

Wolverines (1% chance): Extremely rare. If you see one, buy a lottery ticket.

Mountain lions (1% chance): Present but almost never seen (nocturnal, avoid humans).

Glacier lodging is CHALLENGING. Options are limited, expensive, and book out 6-12 months in advance for summer. Plan early.

Best Option: Whitefish (25 miles from park)

Cost: $200-300/night (summer)
Distance: 25 miles from West Glacier entrance, 35 min drive
Why Whitefish: Most lodging options (50+ hotels), best dining (30+ restaurants), resort town amenities, backup activities if weather bad

Hotel examples: Hampton Inn Whitefish ($220/night), Lodge at Whitefish Lake ($280/night), various vacation rentals

Pros: Abundant lodging, good dining, family-friendly town, easier to book than in-park
Cons: 35-45 min drive to park entrance each day

In-Park Historic Lodges (Expensive, Book Early)

Many Glacier Hotel ($300-400/night): Most scenic in-park lodge. On Swiftcurrent Lake. Book 13 months ahead (opens Jan 15 for following summer). Incredible views, wildlife nearby, but expensive and hard to get.

Lake McDonald Lodge ($250-350/night): West side, Going-to-the-Sun Road proximity. Historic lodge (1913). Books out 12 months ahead.

Pros: Inside park, no daily driving, historic charm, wildlife at your door
Cons: Very expensive, book 12-13 months ahead, limited dining options

Budget Option: Columbia Falls or Hungry Horse

Cost: $150-200/night
Distance: 20-30 miles from West Glacier
Why: Cheaper than Whitefish, more availability

Trade-off: Less charming towns, fewer dining options, but saves $50-100/night vs Whitefish

How much does a Glacier family trip cost? Here's a realistic budget for a 5-day trip, family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids):

Mid-Range Option: $3,650 Total

Best Months for Families

July: Peak season. Going-to-the-Sun Road fully open, all facilities operating, warmest weather (70-80°F), but most crowded and expensive. Vehicle reservation required.

August: Also peak season. Similar to July but wildflowers fading, huckleberries ripe, slightly fewer crowds. Vehicle reservation required until early September.

Late June: Good. Going-to-the-Sun Road opens late June (typically June 20-30). Some snow lingering at higher elevations. Fewer crowds than July-August. Waterfalls at peak flow.

September: Excellent. Fewer crowds, cooler temps (60-70°F), fall colors emerging. No vehicle reservation after Labor Day. Many facilities close after Labor Day weekend.

Not recommended: October-May (Going-to-the-Sun Road closed for winter)

Best overall: Late June or September for balance of good weather and smaller crowds.

Glacier National Park is worth the extra effort and cost for families with kids ages 8-16.

Why families love it:

• Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the world's most spectacular drives (10/10)
• Wildlife viewing exceeds most national parks (grizzlies, mountain goats, bighorn sheep)
• True wilderness feel - remote, pristine, authentic
• Epic scenery creates lifelong memories
• Lower elevation than Rocky Mountain (less altitude issues)

Be prepared for:

• $400-700 higher costs than Rocky Mountain
• Advanced planning (lodging books 6-12 months out, Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservations sell out fast)
• Remote location (2-3 hours from airports)
• Limited backup options (fewer towns, restaurants, activities if weather bad)

Parent satisfaction rating: 9.5/10

Glacier National Park delivers once-in-a-lifetime scenery and wildlife encounters that justify the extra cost and planning. For families with kids old enough to appreciate the beauty (ages 8+), Glacier creates memories that last forever.