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Glacier National Park - Need Help Planning
Posted on 8/19/26 at 2:59 pm
Posted on 8/19/26 at 2:59 pm
We are a family of 4, children will be 13 and 9. Based on out schedule for next summer we picked July 7 - 17, 2027 to go. (Budget 10-13k all in) We will fly out of MSY and don't mind having to drive a few hours to glacier from the airport if it saves us some money on flights and car rental.
So when should I start booking stuff? If we want to rent a VRBO, what areas should we look at? Where to avoid? When's the best time to book flights for this? Any weird things that I would need to book months in advance due to limited availability?
Our focus / plans for the trip is to get in as much hiking as possible. We would like to go horseback riding one day, maybe white water rafting, check out a rodeo if ones taking place in town while there and lastly spending a day just walking around town. We will likely cook most of meals but would like to eat out 2-3 nights.
I'm not really sure on where to start with this one, so I would appreciate any guidance anyone has.
So when should I start booking stuff? If we want to rent a VRBO, what areas should we look at? Where to avoid? When's the best time to book flights for this? Any weird things that I would need to book months in advance due to limited availability?
Our focus / plans for the trip is to get in as much hiking as possible. We would like to go horseback riding one day, maybe white water rafting, check out a rodeo if ones taking place in town while there and lastly spending a day just walking around town. We will likely cook most of meals but would like to eat out 2-3 nights.
I'm not really sure on where to start with this one, so I would appreciate any guidance anyone has.
Posted on 8/19/26 at 4:51 pm to lsucm10
Look into Somers, Whitefish, or Columbia Falls for places to stay. Whitefish will have a lot of dining options.
I’ll have to check, but you will need a pass to enter Going-to-the-Sun Road a couple months prior at least.
My wife and I went last summer and hiked…
Hidden Lake (favorite scenery)
Avalanche Lake (the end opens up to a big lake with mountain streams in the background)
St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
We wanted to do Grinnel Glacier, but you need to lodge at Many Glacier Hotel to get access to the trailhead, or be prepared to get out there at 4am.
I can come back later for more specifics, but I would start off there.
Oh, and rent a canoe for an hour or 2 at Lake McDonald.
I’ll have to check, but you will need a pass to enter Going-to-the-Sun Road a couple months prior at least.
My wife and I went last summer and hiked…
Hidden Lake (favorite scenery)
Avalanche Lake (the end opens up to a big lake with mountain streams in the background)
St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
We wanted to do Grinnel Glacier, but you need to lodge at Many Glacier Hotel to get access to the trailhead, or be prepared to get out there at 4am.
I can come back later for more specifics, but I would start off there.
Oh, and rent a canoe for an hour or 2 at Lake McDonald.
Posted on 8/19/26 at 4:54 pm to Crescent Connection
quote:
We wanted to do Grinnel Glacier, but you need to lodge at Many Glacier Hotel to get access to the trailhead, or be prepared to get out there at 4am.
I was looking at staying a night or two here just for the experience. Just cant decide if I should do so towards the end of my trip or at the start. Leaning towards end, if I can get a room as we are behind on that side of things.
Posted on 8/19/26 at 4:57 pm to lsucm10
Friend,
Glacier is one of the most beautiful spots in America. We find that flying into Missoula, which is about 2.5 hours away, is the easiest way to get there.
Unfortunately, you are asking lodging questions a month after NPS lodges began taking reservations for your trip. Without question the two places you want to stay are Many Glacier Hotel and the Lake McDonald chalet, both are operated by Xanterra through the NPS. Only make such reservations at the official website, LINK because there are unscrupulous companies out there that pretend to have NPS lodging reservations, charge you for their service, and then stick you at a motel outside the park.
On the positive side of lodging, if you check that website daily, you will almost certainly find availability for your trip. We have never stayed anywhere but inside Glacier, either at Many, Lake McDonald or Granite Park Chalet and Sperry Chalet, the latter two which require a hike at which to arrive. I would do what you can to stay inside the park. It is how the park is meant to be visited, puts you in the center of things, and helps you avoid traffic.
Glacier is a fairly large national park, and it has three primary nodes: Lake McDonald, Two Medicine Lakes, and Many. I would not recommend moving between any two on a daily basis, especially in the height of tourist season. I would spend two nights at Lake McDonald and the rest of them at Many, as Many is among the three most beautiful spots in America and the chalet there is beautiful and quite comfortable. If you plan on spending more than a good hike at Two Medicine, you could stay at a motel in East Glacier Park, which is something we have never done.
If you like hiking, do all you can to stay at either Granite Park or Sperry Chalet. Those have been part of my favorite experiences at Glacier. But be forewarned: the bears are a problem at Glacier. Be careful, make noise, and petition your Congressmen and women to have bears eradicated from our national parks. They are violent and they hunt humans. I was nearly mauled by one once and I will forever hate bears.
Yours,
TulaneLSU
Glacier is one of the most beautiful spots in America. We find that flying into Missoula, which is about 2.5 hours away, is the easiest way to get there.
Unfortunately, you are asking lodging questions a month after NPS lodges began taking reservations for your trip. Without question the two places you want to stay are Many Glacier Hotel and the Lake McDonald chalet, both are operated by Xanterra through the NPS. Only make such reservations at the official website, LINK because there are unscrupulous companies out there that pretend to have NPS lodging reservations, charge you for their service, and then stick you at a motel outside the park.
On the positive side of lodging, if you check that website daily, you will almost certainly find availability for your trip. We have never stayed anywhere but inside Glacier, either at Many, Lake McDonald or Granite Park Chalet and Sperry Chalet, the latter two which require a hike at which to arrive. I would do what you can to stay inside the park. It is how the park is meant to be visited, puts you in the center of things, and helps you avoid traffic.
Glacier is a fairly large national park, and it has three primary nodes: Lake McDonald, Two Medicine Lakes, and Many. I would not recommend moving between any two on a daily basis, especially in the height of tourist season. I would spend two nights at Lake McDonald and the rest of them at Many, as Many is among the three most beautiful spots in America and the chalet there is beautiful and quite comfortable. If you plan on spending more than a good hike at Two Medicine, you could stay at a motel in East Glacier Park, which is something we have never done.
If you like hiking, do all you can to stay at either Granite Park or Sperry Chalet. Those have been part of my favorite experiences at Glacier. But be forewarned: the bears are a problem at Glacier. Be careful, make noise, and petition your Congressmen and women to have bears eradicated from our national parks. They are violent and they hunt humans. I was nearly mauled by one once and I will forever hate bears.
Yours,
TulaneLSU
Posted on 8/19/26 at 5:06 pm to TulaneLSU
We flew into Kalispell. Maybe 45 minutes to an hour to get to Whitefish or Somers. We stayed in Somers and would drive into Whitefish for dinner every night.
Abruzzo for Italian.
Herb and Omni for farm to table ($$$)
Blackstar Brew Pub for lunch or if you get back from hiking late, can eat outside upstairs and it’s still daylight till 10pm
Abruzzo for Italian.
Herb and Omni for farm to table ($$$)
Blackstar Brew Pub for lunch or if you get back from hiking late, can eat outside upstairs and it’s still daylight till 10pm
Posted on 8/19/26 at 6:48 pm to Crescent Connection
Check the park website for how they operate as I don’t think the daily reservation pass to is still valid. Note you can only park at Logan pass visitor center for 3hrs. That lot is your direct access to hidden lake trail which is a 3ish mile hike. Other hiking options really depend on your family’s ability to some degree. Highline trail to the glacier overlook is 16ish miles round trip and decent amount of elevation change and fully exposed if it is a warm day. This also starts at Logan pass but you’ll have to shuttle with the 3hr limit unless you just go for a few miles and turn around. East side of the park you have iiceburg and cracker lake.
I’d look for Airbnb maybe in Columbia falls that way your b/w the west park entrance and whitefish. Rental car availability has been a problem in the past which then dictates where you fly into. Kalispell is close then you can look at Missoula and great falls.
I’d look for Airbnb maybe in Columbia falls that way your b/w the west park entrance and whitefish. Rental car availability has been a problem in the past which then dictates where you fly into. Kalispell is close then you can look at Missoula and great falls.
Posted on 8/19/26 at 7:03 pm to lsucm10
We rented a cabin (5 star) between Columbia Falls and the Parks West entrance. We found it on VRBO and it was on Spoon Lake....Great location.
Flew into Spokane WA it was about 5 hours ish drive but the airfares (SWA), and car rentals were good. Columbia falls had everything needed for your stay. In the park plus restaurants. Whitefish really is awesome to visit but its a drive to get to West entrance...If there is a lot of visitors then its hard to get in park and then park when you are in it...Early entrance is important.
Had the grandkids 6 and 9 when we went. Glacier rafting, trip down the Flathead, some of the tour boats on the lakes, red bus through Going to the Sun Road, visit Many Glacier....Hikes in the park......Drive to Polebridge
Outstanding place to visit there's other things to do but remember cel phones are almost useless in park. Get All trails and figure out how to download things. We have been three times over the last 6 years .
Flew into Spokane WA it was about 5 hours ish drive but the airfares (SWA), and car rentals were good. Columbia falls had everything needed for your stay. In the park plus restaurants. Whitefish really is awesome to visit but its a drive to get to West entrance...If there is a lot of visitors then its hard to get in park and then park when you are in it...Early entrance is important.
Had the grandkids 6 and 9 when we went. Glacier rafting, trip down the Flathead, some of the tour boats on the lakes, red bus through Going to the Sun Road, visit Many Glacier....Hikes in the park......Drive to Polebridge
Outstanding place to visit there's other things to do but remember cel phones are almost useless in park. Get All trails and figure out how to download things. We have been three times over the last 6 years .
Posted on 8/19/26 at 7:06 pm to lsucm10
quote:
I'm not really sure on where to start with this one, so I would appreciate any guidance anyone has.
quote:
I would spend two nights at Lake McDonald and the rest of them at Many,
We went to Glacier a few years ago with friends. We had a hard time making a good plan until we realized that we needed to think of it as two trips - an east side and a west side.
It’s time consuming to travel from one side to the other. It makes sense to stay in two places.
Apgar is another good place to stay on the west side.
We didn’t stay at Many but enjoyed the day we were there; 8 days seems like a lot at Many but maybe there is that much to do there. I guess you could use it as a base and drive to Two Medicine, St Mary and Waterton Park in Canada. Take your passport if you want to go to Canada.
Posted on 8/19/26 at 8:14 pm to lsucm10
quote:
I was looking at staying a night or two here just for the experience. Just cant decide if I should do so towards the end of my trip or at the start. Leaning towards end, if I can get a room as we are behind on that side of things.
We stayed here 3 nights in the beginning of our trip and then did two nights in whitefish in an Airbnb. We preferred this as it was nice to relax with some creature comforts after hiking hard for days, especially with a pregnant wife. Highly suggest grinnel glacier trail, high line trail, and driving the whole going to the sun road if it’s open. Avalanche lake is a nice easy one as well.
I’m not sure if park reservations have changed, but you used to have to make them a year in advance to the day to snag a room at many glacier hotel. Also, watch out for grizzlies! One of the trails we wanted to hike was closed because of aggressive bear activity in the area.
Posted on 8/19/26 at 8:28 pm to sloopy
I found a 2 hundred dollar fare from houston to Seattle r/t on united. 4 hour flight got us there around noon. Drove over to Spokane for first night. Was in gnp by noon next day. On way back visited Mt Rainier np on a clear day. Good trip.
This post was edited on 8/19/26 at 8:29 pm
Posted on 8/21/26 at 7:23 am to lsucm10
quote:
So when should I start booking stuff? If we want to rent a VRBO, what areas should we look at? Where to avoid? When's the best time to book flights for this? Any weird things that I would need to book months in advance due to limited availability?
Two years ago some family members and I rented this propertry just outside Whitefish and a five minute walk from Whitefish Lake. It was very quiet and remote but we were five minutes from downtown Whitefish and about 45 mins to the West Glacier entrance to the park. I highly recommend. There are a ton of similar properties out there on the site.
Scouts Retreat
Posted on 8/25/26 at 10:04 am to lsucm10
Resume: 41yo, wife and 4 kids (13, 12, 10, 7) have been to 28 NPs and tent camped in about half of those. Did a 6200 miler this summer with stops at DETO, MORU (fireworks on 7/03), WICA, BADL, THRO, YELL, GRTE and GLAC. Wife was not open to tent camping in brown bear country so we picked up a Cruise America RV in Denver. I had zero RV experience and was not pumped about it. Last concession was turning the fridge on with 4 days of trip left. Was an awesome trip. Here is our GLAC leg:
Trip Suggestions:
-Pick up a rental RV in Bozeman and stay in the NP campgrounds. What a true nightmare having to drive in everyday. No hookups but no problem. Empty tanks daily and fill FW tank when getting back in evening. Cools down at night for sleeping. Battery stays plenty charged for lights. Use stovetop, fridge, toilet and shower for convenience. Both sides of park have a "village" area with all amenities. The 21' Compact RV sleeps 4 and is under size limits for Going-to-the-Sun Road.
-Agree on breaking park into two separate trips, E & W. East: Get passport cards (cheaper than books and good for vehicle crossing into Canada) and hit Waterton, Banff and Jasper. Hike Grinnell Glacier, Cracker Lake and Iceberg Lake. West: Stay overnight at Granite Park Chalet when hiking Highline (must do trail). Hike Hidden Lake and Avalanche Lake with Trail of the Cedars. Drive up to Polebridge. Lots to do outside of park west entrance including Kalispell.
-Booking note - not simple to book popular NP campgrounds. Reservations open 6 months out. Must be sitting at computer on recreation.gov when clock hits 09:00:00 or 08:59:59 and a half (use time.gov not your computer) ready to hit book. Would suggest practicing before attempting on day needed. Shuttle tickets are similar if you need them.
Budget:
-Flights 3500
-RV 2000
-Campgrounds 600
-Fuel 1000
-Food 1500
-Entertainment 3000
-Total $11,600
Cruise America had a free unlimited miles discount that they allowed me to modify my reservation to after booking. Could come in <$2k for RV rental. Picnic lunches with breakfast and dinner in RV or over campfire.
We didn't have enough time at GLAC. Would like to go back one day with itinerary very close to what I suggested. Enjoy.
Trip Suggestions:
-Pick up a rental RV in Bozeman and stay in the NP campgrounds. What a true nightmare having to drive in everyday. No hookups but no problem. Empty tanks daily and fill FW tank when getting back in evening. Cools down at night for sleeping. Battery stays plenty charged for lights. Use stovetop, fridge, toilet and shower for convenience. Both sides of park have a "village" area with all amenities. The 21' Compact RV sleeps 4 and is under size limits for Going-to-the-Sun Road.
-Agree on breaking park into two separate trips, E & W. East: Get passport cards (cheaper than books and good for vehicle crossing into Canada) and hit Waterton, Banff and Jasper. Hike Grinnell Glacier, Cracker Lake and Iceberg Lake. West: Stay overnight at Granite Park Chalet when hiking Highline (must do trail). Hike Hidden Lake and Avalanche Lake with Trail of the Cedars. Drive up to Polebridge. Lots to do outside of park west entrance including Kalispell.
-Booking note - not simple to book popular NP campgrounds. Reservations open 6 months out. Must be sitting at computer on recreation.gov when clock hits 09:00:00 or 08:59:59 and a half (use time.gov not your computer) ready to hit book. Would suggest practicing before attempting on day needed. Shuttle tickets are similar if you need them.
Budget:
-Flights 3500
-RV 2000
-Campgrounds 600
-Fuel 1000
-Food 1500
-Entertainment 3000
-Total $11,600
Cruise America had a free unlimited miles discount that they allowed me to modify my reservation to after booking. Could come in <$2k for RV rental. Picnic lunches with breakfast and dinner in RV or over campfire.
We didn't have enough time at GLAC. Would like to go back one day with itinerary very close to what I suggested. Enjoy.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 12:17 pm to lsucm10
We stayed in Columbia but any of the town mentioned will be good. You may want to stay at the St Mary lodge one or two nights (east side), great place to stay for the Grinnell glazier hike. Most beautiful hike I have ever been on, if you book the boat ride across the lake it will save you about 5-6 miles on the hike, better book that early. You have to get a pass going from west to east on the Going to the Sun Road but you can do that the afternoon before but you do not need a pass going from east to west, just one direction. The road should be open the middle of July but you are going to cutting it close. I have been to 35-40 National parks and Glazier is my favorite! Wildlife at the pass of Going to the Sun Road is unreal. Enjoy the trip with your family and make memories.
Posted on 8/25/26 at 12:59 pm to freececil
Think Glacier is prolly our favorite as well.
Summer '26 changed to not needing passes for GTTSR. Instead, they placed a 3 hour time limit on Logan Pass parking. Saw them booting offending vehicles. This forces people to ride the shuttle to be able to hike Highline.
GLAC Logan Pass open/close dates
23 - June 13
24 - June 22
25 - June 16
26 - June 22
Summer '26 changed to not needing passes for GTTSR. Instead, they placed a 3 hour time limit on Logan Pass parking. Saw them booting offending vehicles. This forces people to ride the shuttle to be able to hike Highline.
GLAC Logan Pass open/close dates
23 - June 13
24 - June 22
25 - June 16
26 - June 22
This post was edited on 8/25/26 at 1:07 pm
Posted on 8/27/26 at 8:23 am to DeepwaterGoMer
Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far! While nothing is booked officially or unable to book at this time, below is our current plan.
July 14 - Travel Day - Fly into MSO and drive to rental in Columbia Falls. Rental that we are looking at is about 25 minutes to the west entrance of GNP and 15 minutes to Whitefish.
July 15 & 16 - Hiking GNP
July 17 - Glacier Rafting Company 1/2 Day trip at 9:00AM (2-3.5 hours long)
Lunch at Freda's then maybe putt putt.
Mass at 5 PM
Dinner and spend the evening in Whitefish
July 18 & 19 - Hiking GNP
As of today there is a room available for the Rising Sun Motel Inn & Cabins. Likely to book one night to be closer to the east side to start the morning off with less driving.
July 20 - Horseback riding the C.M. Russell Trail (2 Hours)
Picnic lunch
Rocky Point Trail ~2 miles per All Trails
Check out the Farmers Market in Whitefish at 5PM
July 21 - Rent a pontoon boat at Flathead Lake
July 22 & 23 - Hike GNP
July 24 - Travel Day
Most of these activities are unable to book at this time. I did the research on these first because it's less work than figuring out which trails I want to do and then also seeing how far I can get the kids to hike. Last summer in Western North Carolina we hiked 6-10 miles a day. I think I could get them up to 13 max for one or two of the days.
I forgot who mentioned it here but I have stalked the site with the hotels in the parks and wish I would not missed that window when it opened. I'm going to book the one night today and hope something opens up at Many Glacier Hotel. Also will likely book the rental property by the weekend. We have two options and just trying to deiced which one is best for us.
Thanks again for the tips and I will continue to come back to this thread for refrence and update as the planning goes along.
July 14 - Travel Day - Fly into MSO and drive to rental in Columbia Falls. Rental that we are looking at is about 25 minutes to the west entrance of GNP and 15 minutes to Whitefish.
July 15 & 16 - Hiking GNP
July 17 - Glacier Rafting Company 1/2 Day trip at 9:00AM (2-3.5 hours long)
Lunch at Freda's then maybe putt putt.
Mass at 5 PM
Dinner and spend the evening in Whitefish
July 18 & 19 - Hiking GNP
As of today there is a room available for the Rising Sun Motel Inn & Cabins. Likely to book one night to be closer to the east side to start the morning off with less driving.
July 20 - Horseback riding the C.M. Russell Trail (2 Hours)
Picnic lunch
Rocky Point Trail ~2 miles per All Trails
Check out the Farmers Market in Whitefish at 5PM
July 21 - Rent a pontoon boat at Flathead Lake
July 22 & 23 - Hike GNP
July 24 - Travel Day
Most of these activities are unable to book at this time. I did the research on these first because it's less work than figuring out which trails I want to do and then also seeing how far I can get the kids to hike. Last summer in Western North Carolina we hiked 6-10 miles a day. I think I could get them up to 13 max for one or two of the days.
I forgot who mentioned it here but I have stalked the site with the hotels in the parks and wish I would not missed that window when it opened. I'm going to book the one night today and hope something opens up at Many Glacier Hotel. Also will likely book the rental property by the weekend. We have two options and just trying to deiced which one is best for us.
Thanks again for the tips and I will continue to come back to this thread for refrence and update as the planning goes along.
Posted on 8/27/26 at 12:18 pm to lsucm10
quote:do that. And bookmark the xterra site and check it every day. Cancellations are free and happen all the time. We were able to get two nights at many glacier lodge a week before our trip. You’ll be fine.
I'm going to book the one night today and hope something opens up at Many Glacier Hotel
Do note that most of the rooms at many are small. The one we got was tiny but staying there is a must and the hikes you read about are right outside your door
Posted on 8/27/26 at 9:21 pm to lsucm10
Depending on where your boat rental is on lake go to wild horse island and try to find the big horn sheep. Also be aware of the weather while on the lake. Wind picks up and the lake almost looks like the ocean with waves.
Posted on 8/27/26 at 9:33 pm to lsucm10
Posted on 8/28/26 at 12:10 pm to lsucm10
I know yo want a B&B but I’ve done hundreds of miles of backcountry hiking in glacier and theee is no better place to stay than Many Gkacier Lodge. It is a wonderful way to experience glacier even with kids. Convenient to many trails that can be done in a day. Grizzly bears in the mountain side outside your the porch. Brook trout fishing at the headwaters of the lake.
Posted on 8/28/26 at 3:30 pm to Royalfishing
quote:
I know yo want a B&B but I’ve done hundreds of miles of backcountry hiking in glacier and theee is no better place to stay than Many Gkacier Lodge. It is a wonderful way to experience glacier even with kids. Convenient to many trails that can be done in a day. Grizzly bears in the mountain side outside your the porch. Brook trout fishing at the headwaters of the lake.
I missed the window for when reservations opened and its booked up. I check 1-2 day looking for something, but no luck so far. I did book one night at the Rising Sun Motor Inn to have a day starting a little closer towards the east side. The goal is to get at least one night at Many Glacier hotel.
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