One Day in Glacier National Park!
If you have ever looked at travel blogs, or scrolled through any social media sites, you have likely come across gorgeous photos of snow-capped mountains and pristine glacial lakes carpeted with smooth stones that come in every hue. If you’ve been left wondering where such photos were taken, look no further than Glacier National Park!
Glacier National Park is America’s tenth most visited national park and is located in northern Montana. For years, Glacier National Park has been on my bucket list, and I was finally able to cross it off this summer during our two week trip out west.
We spent three nights in the Flathead Valley/Glacier area of Montana. While we could have easily spent more time here, we were very happy with our visit to the park! Some day, when time allows, we will go back and stay longer, and hopefully do more hiking and playing in the bright blue waters that Glacier has to offer. In the meantime, we will hold onto the memories that we did make in these can’t miss spots:
Going-To-The-Sun Road
There is an obvious reason it is called Going-to-the-Sun Road. We entered the park through the West Glacier entrance, so we started our journey on this road. You start off in the forest, so be on the lookout for wildlife. We seen a mama deer and her babies on both the way in and the way out!
You soon see Glacier’s biggest lake, Lake McDonald. This lake is soooo beautiful- it is easily my favorite location in the park! Lake McDonald is 10 miles long and nearly 500 feet deep, so you’re going to see it for quite a while.
After Lake McDonald is no longer in view, the Going-to-the-Sun Road follows a river. Get out and enjoy the waterfalls along the way! There are some really fun photo opportunities, as well as some areas to venture out and maybe get wet and splash around.
Soon, the elevation begins to change and you can really recognize where this road gets its name! You’re in the mountains! This road is carved into the side of the mountain, and some portions of the drive can get really tight. No matter what, stay on your side of the road. It may seem like you’re about to fall off the side of the mountain into oblivion, but I promise you won’t. However, I would suggest letting your best driver take the lead, and only drive a reliable vehicle! There are pull-offs spaced sporadically, so stop when you can to really soak in the landscape and the magnitude of where you are. Glacier was totally giving me Switzerland vibes!
Research which points of interest you want to stop at ahead of time. Glacier National Park is usually very busy, so there may not be space for you to park in some areas. If you can’t stop, don’t forget to catch that area on your way back down to earth!
Logan Pass
Logan Pass is the highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road at an elevation of 6,647 feet. There are trails you can hike, and a visitor center with restrooms.
Like I just stated, Glacier National Park is very busy. Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed in the winter, so the peak summer season IS THE season. We stopped at the visitor center at Logan Pass at a horrible time, so we literally drove around the parking lot waiting for a spot to open for at least 20 minutes! Much of the center was not fully open, due to Covid. We also could not walk the Hidden Lake Nature Trail behind the visitor center because of increased bear activity! However, we did see a ton of black-tailed prairie dogs, a few bighorn sheep just hanging out on the side of the mountain plus one bighorn sheep up close walking through the brush near the parking lot, and one mountain goat grazing near the road. The kids really loved that!
Saint Mary Lake
Saint Mary Lake is the second largest lake inside the park, at 10 miles long with a depth of 300 feet. The deep turquoise waters are so pretty that it is hard to look away! We stopped and dipped our toes in the frigid water. There is camping nearby and fishing is allowed.
Apgar Village
At the end of the day, we landed in Apgar Village, hungry and thirsty. It is a very cute little tourist area with shopping and one dine-in restaurant, plus a few ice cream shops. The Village Inn at Apgar sits at the foot of Lake McDonald.
So now lemme tell ya ‘bout…
My Favorite Spot!
Lake McDonald
There are few places that I have been throughout my life that evokes such raw emotion that I feel as if I left a piece of my heart there, and Lake McDonald is one of them. We actually visited this lake the night before when we were chasing the sunset, and we all fell in love. I gave my heart to it a little bit more the next night at dusk. We had already spent the entire day inside the park, making the scenic drive and stopping along the way many times for photos and to learn about each point of interest. We ate at Eddie’s Cafe inside Apgar Village, shopped a little, and then walked to Apgar Beach to end the day.
This location has it all. Your eyes first spot the rainbow-colored pebbles, glistening in the last rays of the sun, just inside the lakeshore. The water is crystal clear, but also a glorious aqua blue all at the same time. My favorite color. The lake spans for miles, that same amazing color, and finally your eyes reach the hazy, rocky mountains capped with snow. My heart!
The kids didn’t care that the water was so cold. They didn’t care that they weren’t in their swimwear. They dove in, soaked in the splendor of God’s creation in this magical place, and loved every minute of it. We loved every minute of it. I encourage you to seek out your happy places like this! And keep a piece of it in your heart always.
Good To Know Before You Go
- Going-To-The-Sun Road requires a steady driver and a reliable vehicle. Do not attempt this scenic drive without both!
- This is bear country, so always be cautious and aware. Carry bear spray at all times!
- Take snacks and enough water. There are not many places to stop, and when you do find a place, expect it to be busy.
- Take your time and stop everywhere you can and would like to! There are so many hidden gems inside this park- plan to hike if time allows!
- We really would have loved to hike the Trail of Cedars and visited Avalanche Lake, but both times we made the attempt, we could not find a place to park! Be prepared to visit VERY early if this is on your to-do list!
We will again someday visit the majesty of Glacier National Park! Have you ever been? Do you have a favorite memory, photo, or location?
Other Places To Go Near Glacier National Park
We spent three days in this area, toward the end of our vacation. Here are some other notable locations to check out!
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is beautiful! It is about an hour from Glacier National Park and has so much to offer. We found a restaurant for a nice Sunday lunch with a fantastic view.
Whitefish Mountain Resort
Whitefish Mountain Resort has a lot of things to offer for a fun day! It is a prime location for winter skiing, but in the summer they have a scenic gondola ride with a restaurant and gift shop at the top of the mountain. They also offer alpine slide rides among other activities! The resort has tons of condos for rent as well.
And While You’re In Montana…
Don’t forget to try something huckleberry! We had huckleberry sodas, huckleberry chocolates, huckleberry cobbler, and multiple types of huckleberry candies!