The Best Things To Do In Glacier National Park

5 Best Tours In Glacier National Park

1. Full-Day Whitewater Rafting Trip • Glacier National Park

As well as expertly guiding you through class II-III rapids, your licensed escort will teach you about the flora and fauna in the area, as well as provide a riverside barbecue lunch. Starting in the town of West Glacier, this white-water rafting trip is a perfect addition to a Glacier itinerary.

2. Moped Rental • West Glacier National Park

Tour West Glacier on your own with this 2-hour, half-day, or full-day moped rental. While you’ll be free to plan your own itinerary, staff are available to offer suggestions and advice about navigating the area.

3. Scenic Raft Trip • Glacier National Park

Between two and three hours long depending on the current during your visit, this is the perfect opportunity to see wildlife like eagles, dear, or maybe even a bear. This rafting trip down the pristine Flathead river is perfect for those interested in a peaceful, scenic outing, as opposed to the thrills of whitewater.

4. Half-Day Whitewater Rafting Trip • Glacier National Park

This eight-mile trip through class II and III rapids via the John F. Stevens Canyon travels down the Flathead River. The excursion begins with a four-mile stretch of calm waters to give you plenty of time to acclimate to the boat.

5. Whitewater Rafting with Dinner • Glacier National Park

This whitewater adventure also sets aside some time to go on a mini-tour of the town of West Glacier, have a swim in the pristine waters of the Flathead River, and enjoy a hearty, riverside barbecue dinner. This rafting tour combines a calm float with class II and III rapids.

5 Best Things To Do In Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful, and thus popular parks in the Nation. Established in 1910 by then-president Taft, it is over a million acres large and is visited by over 3 million people a year.

When you’re planning your own visit, be sure to buy your entrance pass. There are a few different passes depending on your individual needs, but the most popular covers yourself, your vehicle, and up to 15 passengers for seven days and costs $35. Passes for motorcycles, people traveling on bikes or on foot, and annual passes are also available, all of which are available online.

Once you’ve purchased your entrance pass, you’re ready to start planning the rest of your trip to Glacier National Park. Here are some ideas for the best things to do during your visit.

1. Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road

An engineering marvel, the Going-to-the-Sun Road connects the east and west entrances of the park via one of the most scenic drives in the country. Along it you’ll find several of the major attractions of the park, and some of the most scenic views in all of Montana. You’ll need a ticket and a reservation to travel along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, but these can both be procured easily online.

2. Red Bus Tours

With a fleet of 33 fully-restored vintage busses, Red Bus Tours offers in-depth coach tours of Glacier National Park. Each one only seats 17 people and they tend to sell out quickly, so if this is an experience you’re looking forward to on your trip to Glacier National Park, be sure to book well in advance.

There are two tours you can take with red Bus Tours. One departs from the west entrance of the park and visits Lake McDonald and other attractions. The other departs from the east entrance of the park and stops at Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and Lake Mary, as well as other sites.

3. Glacier Park Boat Company

Offering tours and excursions, the Glacier Park Boat Company has several historic boats on which you can schedule a tour of Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Lake McDonald, and Lake Mary. Many of the boats in their fleet were built by hand to exacting standards as far back as the 1920s. You can choose from either single tickets on a public tour, or charter an entire boat with a guide, depending on your needs.

4. Logan Pass

The highest point in the park you can reach with a car is Logan Pass where the continental divide crosses the park from north to south. Here you’ll find the Logan Pass Visitor Center which can provide information about the area, as well as the Logan Pass parking lot, where you can park your vehicle before going on a hike. The immediate surroundings have some of the best activities in all of Glacier, and the elevation provides some truly impressive views. Because it’s along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a ticket and reservation are required in addition to your entrance pass.