Day Trip to Glacier National Park

If you only have one day to spend in Glacier National Park in Montana, this guide will help you make the most out of your time

Established in 1910, Glacier National Park is home to old growth forests, wind-swept prairies, ancient glaciers and deep lakes. Located in Northwestern Montana, the park was linked with Canada's Waterton Lakes Park in 1932 to form the border-straddling Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.

The main thoroughfare, the fifty two mile long Going-to-the-Sun Road, traverses the park from the Park Headquarters on the southwest end near the town of West Glacier to the Saint Mary Visitor Center near the town of Saint Mary on the northeast end of the park. The road provides access to old-growth forests, ancient glaciers, western prairies, alpine meadows, rushing streams and deep water lakes. As described in the novel 'Melting Glaciers Mystery' by Joseph A. Mootz, some features are more easily accessible than others but all inspire wonder at their beauty.

Day Trip Plan

If you have one full day to spend in the park, the best plan is to explore the natural beauty surrounding Going-to-the-sun Road in depth. 'Best Easy Day Hikes Glacier and Waterton Lakes' and 'Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park' describe many of the attractions along the lake.

Figure 1 - Map of Glacier Park

Start at the southern entrance of the park near the town of West Glacier and follow Going-to-the-Sun Road. Watch for black bears and moose as you pass through the dense forest towards Lake McDonald. A one-hour boat cruise of the lake provides views unavailable from park roads as you look up at the rocky mountains you will soon be passing by.

After your cruise, continue north making brief stops to admire McDonald Falls and Sacred Dancing Cascades on McDonald Creek. Stop at Avalanche Campground and park near the Avalanche Lake trailhead. Load up with water and snacks and then hike the relatively flat, two mile trail to the lake.

Be ready for your jaw to drop as you exit from the dark woods into bright sunshine shimmering off a turquoise-colored pristine mountain lake deep in a glacier carved gorge and surrounded by tall crags with massive waterfalls splashing down their sides to the valley below. Spend twenty minutes or so and head back down the trail the way you came to the trailhead for Trail of the Cedars.

If you packed a light lunch now is a good time to enjoy it as you settle down on one of the park benches along the quarter mile long trail and take in the fresh air of the hemlock/ cedar forest filled with shade loving ferns. Return to the trailhead and move your vehicle onto Going-to-the-Sun Road and continue north.

Follow the winding road as it takes you into the mountains and watch for spectacular views of the valleys below and melting snow above. Stop at a few of the many overlooks to admire the spectacular forests and waterfalls below. Pass by Weeping Wall as it splatters melted snow on your vehicle.

Watch for mountain goats and badgers as you approach the summit at Logan Pass. Take a brief tour of the visitor center and then head out to Hidden Lake Trail. Watch for wildflowers and wildlife as you follow the trail for one and a half miles to the spectacular view of the lake from the overlook. Take in the view for several minutes before returning to the trailhead at Logan Pass.

Continue north on Going-to-the-Sun Road as it takes you downhill into the valley. Stop at Gunsight Lake Trailhead to get a good view of Jackson Glacier. Take advantage of the pullout above Saint Mary Lake to get a good view of this long lake under the shadow of Red Eagle Mountain. Park your vehicle at Sun Point Nature Trail trailhead and load up with water and snacks for another short hike.

Follow the two mile long flat trail into the woods past Baring Falls and Saint Mary Falls to spectacular Virginia Falls. Spend some time on the small wooden bridge crossing Virginia Creek letting the mist of the falls drift over you.

Return to the trailhead and cross the road to Rising Sun Campground and enjoy an early dinner at Two Dog Flats Restaurant. After dinner, continue north on Going-to-the-sun Road and watch for black bear grazing in the lush alpine meadows along Saint Mary Lake. Stop at the visitor center and review your long day before finding lodging for the night. You should be able to complete the trip in eight to ten hours.

Lodging

There are many options for lodging depending on your needs and travel plans. If you are ready to call it a day, Saint Mary Campground has many sites near the park entrance or you may wish to return to Rising Sun and its smaller campground or take advantage of its Motor Inn. The town of Saint Mary just outside the park also has a few motels available.

If you have completed your visit with still plenty of daylight left, you may wish to continue outside the park and then re-enter at Many Glaciers where a well designed large campground provides easy access to several lakes and hiking trails.

When to go: The campgrounds are open from May through September. Early summer is best to catch more view of the melting snow and full lakes and streams.

What to bring:

ü Good hiking boots.

ü Lots of water and a little energy food.

ü Long pants, long sleeves, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for protection from the elements and dense underbrush.

ü A camera for the spectacular views of all the water features.

Available Services:

* Lake McDonald: Store, gift shop, restaurant, motor lodge, showers.

* Avalanche: 87 sites, flush toilets.

* Rising Sun: 83 sites, flush toilets, store, gift shop, restaurant, motor lodge, showers.

* Saint Mary: 148 sites, flush toilets, reservations.

* Many Glaciers: 110 sites, flush toilets, store, gift shop, restaurant, motor lodge, showers.

How to get there: The Park is located approximately 180 miles north of Missoula, Montana via Highway 200 near the Canadian border