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Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to plan your 3 day Glacier National Park itinerary for this summer? Don’t worry, I got you! I’ve detailed my exact itinerary here for you to use.
Glacier National Park is located in Northern Montana (very close to the US/Canada border) and is absolutely STUNNING. The scenic drives, hikes and viewpoints in this park had me saying “wow” at every turn. It’s seriously epic, and one of my top 3 favorite national parks.
You do need to do some advance planning to get the correct permits to do this trip the right way, but keep reading and I will explain all of that as you go!
Glacier National Park Trip Overview:
- PTO/Vacation Days Needed: 1-3
- How to get around: Use RentalCars.com to find the best deal on a rental car, or Outdoorsy for a campervan! NOTE: vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are not allowed on Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Permits Needed? Yes – more on that below!
- Entrance Fee: $35 per car. If you plan to go to more national parks within a year, I recommend getting the America the Beautiful pass! It’s only $80 and is good for any of the national parks in the U.S!
How to Get to Glacier National Park?
Glacier National Park is located in Northern Montana (pretty close to the US/Canada border!) The closest airport is Kalispell Airport (FCA) which is only 15 minutes to the town of Whitefish, and about 30 minutes to the West Entrance of Glacier National Park. I recommend using Expedia to search for the best flight deals!
You could also combine your 3 day Glacier National Park itinerary with a trip to see any of the following spots, which are driving distance away:
- Yellowstone National Park (this is my 3-day itinerary)
- Banff National Park (3-day itinerary)
- Sawtooth National Forest
What is the Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park?
The best time to visit is in Summer, when all the roads and hiking trails are open! Plan for anytime early July – mid September. I recommend avoiding June, because it is very likely the Going-To-The-Sun road will still be closed (along with several hiking trails) due to snow.
What Permits Do I Need for Glacier National Park?
You will need a permit for Going-To-The-Sun Road and Many Glacier. (You also need permits for North Fork area, but this area is not included on my 3-day Glacier National Park itinerary).
Going-To-The-Sun-Road Permits
Driving along Going-to-the-Sun Road is a “can’t-miss” activity during your 3 days in Glacier National Park. This 50-mile road connects the West and East sides of the park and crosses the continental divide. The road can be narrow and windy, but the views are incredible!
To enter Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side during the hours of 6am-3pm, you will need a permit (one per vehicle). See below for details:
- Permits required during the dates of 5/24-9/8 for entering during the hours of 6am-3-pm.
- Permits are valid for one day only. If you want to drive along the road for multiple days during your trip, you will need to obtain multiple permits (one for each day)
- You can book your permit on recreation.gov 120 days in advance of your date
- If you miss the 120-day window, a few permits go up for grabs the day before your date, at 7pm MDT.
- Permits are not required to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road from East to West.
- The permit does not cover your entrance to the park itself. You will still need your America the Beautiful Pass (or $35 entrance fee).
Many Glacier Permits
The area of Many Glacier on the east side of Glacier National Park is absolutely stunning, and is where the trailhead for my favorite hike (Grinnell Glacier) starts. If you want to visit Many Glacier (which is included on this 3-day Glacier National Park itinerary), you will need a permit.
- Permits required during the dates of 7/1-9/8 (one per vehicle) at the entrance station from 6am-3pm.
- Permits valid for one day only
- You can book your permit on recreation.gov 120 days in advance of your date
- If you miss the 120-day window, a few permits go up for grabs the day before your date, at 7pm MDT.
- The permit does not cover your entrance to the park itself. You will still need your America the Beautiful Pass (or $35 entrance fee).
- If you have a service reservation in the area (camping, lodging, boat ride, horseback riding tour) then you are exempt and do not need to get a vehicle permit.
What To Do If You Aren’t Able to Get Permits for Going-to-the-Sun Road Permits
It would definitely be a bummer to not have Going-to-the-Sun Road permits for your first trip to Glacier National Park, but don’t panic. Here is my advice:
- Stalk recreation.gov site for cancellations (this does happen! just keep a tab up on your browser and refresh it every now and then during the work day)
- Try to get one of the day-before permits that come out at 7pm MDT
- If all else fails, alter your plans to get up early and enter Going-to-the-Sun road before 6am or after 3pm (the sun sets super late in the summer time!)
- OR just plan to drive this road from East to West instead of West to East, which doesn’t require a permit
PRO TIP: Download this Glacier National Park audio guide beforehand so you can learn about all the stops along the Going-to-the-Sun road and beyond.
Where to Stay During Your 3-Day Glacier National Park Trip
There are two main options of areas to stay in at Glacier National Park: The West side (the towns of Whitefish or Columbia Falls, ) or the East side (Many Glacier Hotel, any other lodging just outside of the park).
West Side of Glacier National Park
When I visited with my family, we based ourselves out of Whitefish the whole time, at this epic penthouse Airbnb with a hot tub that is perfect for a bigger group (there were 6 of us). Staying in Whitefish is a great idea if you like to come back to a cute mountain town after your day exploring. It’s super walkable, and there’s a main street with lots of bars and restaurants to choose from. The only downside is that the Glacier National Park west entrance is about a 40 minute drive from town. Alternatively, you could stay in the much smaller town of Columbia Falls (20 min drive to the West Entrance).
If you’re not traveling with a group, check out one of these great hotel options in Whitefish:
- Firebrand Hotel: great reviews, very much centrally-located right in the main square. I also hear that they have a great brunch!
- The Lodge at Whitefish Lake: located right on the shores of Whitefish Lake, this hotel has beautiful lake views from the rooms and from the swimming pool!
East Side of Glacier National Park
The east side of Glacier National Park is much more remote than the west side, but it is absolutely STUNNING. You’ll find more wildlife, slightly less people, and even more epic views (in my opinion).
If you are planning your 3-day Glacier National Park trip enough in advance, I highly recommend reserving one night at Many Glacier Hotel inside the park if you can get a spot! You are able to book a reservation up to 13 months in advance. This historic, Swiss-chalet themed hotel sits right on Swiftcurrent Lake, and is the start of the trailhead for the popular Grinnell Glacier hike. You aren’t near any sort of town staying here, but there is a restaurant and a bar on the hotel grounds so you won’t need to leave!
Alternatively, you could stay just outside the East entrance of the park in the tiny town of St. Mary or Babb. Saint Mary Village is a good hotel option located right on the outskirts of the park. They also have a restaurant on site.
NOTE: for this itinerary, I am recommending 2 nights in Whitefish and 1 night on the East Side. This is not what I did, but is what I wish I had done! However, you can also totally make this itinerary work with staying in Whitefish the whole time instead, if you don’t want to move around hotels or if you aren’t able to get a reservation on the east side.
Packing List for Glacier National Park
Besides the obvious essentials, don’t leave home without these items as well!
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- Nano Puff Jacket (packs up small and keeps you warm when it gets chilly at night!)
- The COLDEST Water Bottle (seriously – it stays colder than Hydroflask!)
- Hiking Boots (these are my fave)
- REI Soft Cooler (I have this and love it!)
- Cliff Bar Energy Chews (great to give you a boost of energy on hikes!)
- Sony A6000 (I’m just starting to learn photography, but this is the camera I’ve been using! I love it)
- Day Pack
- SmartWool Hiking Socks
- Portable charger
- Bear Spray – bring with you on every hike! (you can’t fly with this, so if you are flying in, you’ll need to either rent it from the airport or buy it from the Costco in Kalispell or another outdoor store nearby).
3 Day Glacier National Park Itinerary
And now without further ado… check out my 3-day Glacier National Park itinerary!
Day 1:
I recommend booking a flight into FCA that arrives early in the morning (or the night before) so that you have the full day to spend in Glacier National Park!
Today is a big day – you will be entering the park from the West Entrance and driving along Going-to-the-Sun Road all the way to the East side, and then check into your lodging over there (hopefully Many Glacier Hotel, if you are lucky enough to get a spot!)
FOR DAY 1 YOU WILL NEED:
- Going-to-the-Sun Road permit
Trail of the Cedars/Avalanche Lake Hike
The first stop on your 3-day Glacier National Park itinerary is the beautiful Trail of the Cedars/Avalanche Lake hike just inside the national park. Once you pass through the West Entrance, the trailhead is about 30 minutes down the road, just past Lake McDonald. Make sure you get there early – parking can be tough at the trailhead! We arrived at 7:15 and were able to snag one of the last few spots that were available.
Avalanche Hike Details:
- Distance: 5.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 757 ft
- Type: Out & Back
- Trailhead: Trail of the Cedars
- Time: About 2.5 hours
This is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park – for good reason! The trail is so beautiful and serene, with a bright blue river rushing along one side of you for about half of the way. And then the view of Avalanche Lake at the end is stunning! The hike is family-friendly and easy to follow.
The trail starts out on Trail of the Cedars, which is an ADA-accessible, flat, 0.9-mile loop along a boardwalk that meanders through old-growth Cedars and passes by a waterfall.
About halfway into the Trail of the Cedars, you will see a fork in the trail leading off the boardwalk and up a dirt hiking trail to Avalanche Lake (there will be a sign directing you too). Follow this trail, and start your hike up to this beautiful alpine lake!
I also want to note – it was actually RAINING while we were doing this hike and even despite that, the hike was still 100% worth it and so stunning! So if you happen to get bad weather (light rain or cloudy weather) , don’t let it deter you for this one.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
You technically are already on Going-to-the-Sun Road at the point of the Avalanche Lake/Trail of the Cedars trailhead, and have already shown your vehicle permit, but the iconic scenery of this road starts after this point!
Going-to-the-Sun Road is about a 50-mile road the connects the West and East sides of the park. This iconic drive is one of highlights of visiting Glacier National Park. The road is narrow and winding at some parts, with waterfalls that fall right onto the road next to you, and incredible views of the surrounding mountains and valley. It’s breathtaking!
There are several lookout points and turnoffs on the road, so make sure to pull over and stop whenever you want to get a closer look at any of the viewpoints.
First Stop: Logan Pass
Logan Pass is the highest point in Glacier National Park that is accessible by car, at 6,647 ft. There is a pretty big parking lot here with a visitors center. Take a look at the exhibits and info in the visitor’s center, and also keep an eye out for Mountain Goats, which are commonly seen right around here hanging out!
Second Stop: Hidden Lake Overlook or Highline Trail
Time for another hike, if you’re up for it!
There are two trailheads that start from the Logan Pass Visitor Center area: Hidden Lake Overlook and Highline Trail.
Given that these trails start at the highest point in the park, they are normally the last trails to open for the summer because of snow. Double check on AllTrails before you go to check the conditions.
Hidden Lake Overlook
- Distance: 2.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 551 ft
- Type: Out & Back
- Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
This trail takes you up and over Hidden Lake Pass to the overlook of Hidden Lake. The aerial view from the overlook is amazing!
Highline Trail
- Distance: 14.9 miles (but you can just do a little bit of the trail and still get epic views before turning around)
- Elevation gain: 2,621 ft
- Type: Out & Back
- Time: 7 hours to do the whole thing, but for this itinerary – if you choose this over Hidden Lake – I recommend just doing about 2-3 miles of it!
The Highline Trail starts just across the road from the Logan Pass Visitor Center. This iconic hike in Glacier National Park has stunning views the whole way, which is exactly why some people who are short on time will just hike a little bit of the trail to get their fill before turning around. Obviously, if you had more than 3 days in Glacier National Park, it would be awesome to get to do the full hike!
If you do have more than 3 days in Glacier National Park (or if you’re already thinking about your next trip here) there is a little mountain hut at the end of the Highline Trail called the Granite Park Chalet. You can reserve a spot to sleep there for the night, which I’m sure would be absolutely incredible!
Next Stop on Going-to-the-Sun Road: Jackson Glacier Overlook
After you finish your short hike to either Hidden Lake Overlook or a portion of the Highline Trail, get back in your car and keep heading along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road about 15 minutes to the Jackson Glacier Overlook. This is a quick stop at a viewpoint turnoff for the best view of a glacier along Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Jackson Glacier is the 7th largest of the 25 glaciers in the park, and is one of the easiest to see.
Wild Goose Island Lookout
12 minutes past Jackson Glacier Overlook you will reach Wild Goose Island Lookout. This is another quick stop, a turnoff viewpoint along the road. The view of Wild Goos
e Island Lookout is beautiful, but is also well-known as the location in the opening scene of the movie “The Shining”.
Check in to Many Glacier Hotel (or wherever you are staying on the East Side)
The drive from Wild Goose Island Lookout to Many Glacier Hotel is 45 minutes. You will finish Going-to-the-Sun Road and exit the park, drive north, and then re-enter the park at Many Glacier entrance.
Check in to Many Glacier Hotel and sit back, relax, and enjoy the views of Swiftcurrent Lake from your room! There is a restaurant and bar on site for dinner.
Day 2:
Permits Needed: If you are staying at Many Glacier hotel inside the park, then there are no permits needed for this day. If you found lodging elsewhere on the East side outside of the park, then you will need a Many Glacier vehicle permit for today (unless you booked a boat ride, in which case you are exempt).
Grinnell Glacier Trail
This hike is a MUST-DO on your 3 day Glacier National Park itinerary. Seriously – if you only do one of the things I list in my guide here, this should be it. Grinnell Glacier Trail is absolutely incredible, and is one of my top 5 favorite hikes now! The views are stunning pretty much the entire way.
Hike Details:
- Distance: 10 miles (or if you take the boat across Swiftcurrent lake, the hike would be only 6.5 miles)
- Elevation Gain: 2,047 ft
- Type: Out & Back
- Time: About 5 hours
When I did this hike in early July, only the first 3.5 miles of it were open due to snow beyond that point. Even just doing to that point, not even making it to the glacier at the end, I thought the hike was epic and the views were amazing. Also note – if you are with parents or young kids, don’t be deterred by the length of this hike. Just go as far as you want to before turning around, because even the first half if beautiful!
You’ll likely see wildlife on this trail. We actually saw a Grizzly Bear and a cub! Make sure you bring bear spray on this hike (and on any hike in the park).
You can start this hike right at Many Glacier Hotel. Make sure you bring enough water and snacks (there is a little convenient store in the hotel if you need to buy any last minute items). Turn left when you exit the back of the hotel by the lake, and follow the flat trail around the lake. You will eventually come to an instersection where you can cross over the lake area – take that, and then turn left again to continue along the lakeside trail. There are signs, and the trail is pretty easy to follow!
As you continue on, the trail starts to steadily incline. The views are amazing, and there are some sections where there are little waterfalls right on the trail itself that you can run your hands through if you need a little cool-down.
Taking the Boat Across to Shorten the Hike
If you want to shave 3.5 miles off the Grinnell Glacier hike, you can book a spot on one of the boat tours. It’s $20 for one-way, or $40 round trip. The boats leave from Many Glacier hotel. Make sure you book in advance if you want to do this! I was trying to reserve about a month out from my trip and all the times were sold out.
It’s not a huge deal if you can’t get a boat ride across to shorten the hike. That 3.5 miles of the hike is basically all flat! It does seem like a fun, scenic thing to do though and I wish we had been able to for at least one-way.
Head to Whitefish
After you finish hiking the Grinnell Glacier Trail, it’s time to head back to the West side of the park and check into your lodging at Whitefish.
You can either go back via Going-to-the-Sun Road (2 hours 45 min), or you can drive around the outside of the park (2.5 hours). Personally, I recommend going back through Going-to-the-Sun Road. It’s only 15 minutes longer (unless you opt to take more stops) but it is WAY more scenic! You also don’t need a permit for Going-to-the-Sun Road going from East to West.
Optional: St Mary & Virginia Falls Trail
If you decide to drive to Whitefish via Going-to-the-Sun Road and are down for a pit-stop, consider checking out the St Mary & Virginia Falls trail. This moderate, 3-mile trail leads to beautiful waterfalls and lake views.
Hike Details:
- Distance: 3.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: 452 ft.
- Type: Out & Back
- Time: About 1 hour
Dinner in Whitefish
Once you check into your lodging and get settled, walk around the cute streets of Whitefish and pick a spot for dinner and/or drinks!
There are plenty of places to choose from. I recommend either:
- Abruzzo (modern Italian. make a reservation!)
- Blackstar Brewing (if you want a more casual vibe. The food was good!)
Day 3:
For your last day of your 3 day Glacier National Park itinerary, I recommend getting out on the water and booking either a whitewater rafting tour or a scenic float trip!
Optional: Check out Whitefish Mountain Resort if You Have Time
But first – if you find yourself waking up early and having some extra time in the morning, consider heading just 15 minutes from the town of Whitefish up to Whitefish Mountain Resort. This is a ski mountain in the winter. In the summer, it’s open for mountain biking. OR you can just pay for a lift ticket to ride the lift up to the top of the mountain, and get a beer or snack with an amazing view (which is what we did!) Such a nice way to start your last day on your Glacier National Park trip.
Whitewater Rafting or Scenic Float
We opted for the scenic float trip to keep things relaxing, and it was amazing! This is the exact tour that we booked: West Glacier National Park Scenic Raft Trip. There were 6 of us, so we got to be on our own raft together with our guide. The tour starts out in West Glacier Village, just outside the West Entrance. We got fitted for our life jackets, got an intro to our guide for the day, and boarded a school bus for a quick 10-min ride to the launch point on the Flathead River.
The float tour was very scenic and relaxing. We honestly barely had to paddle because the current was moving us along. The river and surrounding scenery was beautiful! There was also a spot where we could jump out and swim if we wanted to (chilly, but refreshing!). Overall it was about 2 hours spent floating down the river. Such a lovely way to spend the afternoon!
If you are more adventurous, the whitewater rafting tour would be a better fit. I’ve heard it’s great in this area, and the same tour company that we took on the float tour also offers whitewater rafting.
Lake McDonald / Apgar Village
After your float trip or whitewater rafting trip, head back through the West Entrance to the park and into Apgar Village to get an up-close view of Lake McDonald.
You’ve probably seen the pictures on Instagram of the colorful rocks at the water’s edge of this lake. The lake is beautiful! But, just to manage expectations – a lot of the pictures you see of the colorful rocks on social media are heavily edited. The rocks are colorful, but not as bright and vibrant as you see in photographers pictures. However, this spot is still very much worth a stop! Seeing the view of the lake from Apgar Village is a better view than from Lake McDonald Lodge, in my opinion
Rent a Boat, Kayak or Paddleboard
Head into Apgar Village and find a parking spot. Walk up to the shore of the lake, and admire the view! You can either sit here and soak it in, OR you can rent a little motorboat, paddleboard or kayak and get out on the water. We ended up renting a motorboat. It’s only $35 for an hour, and it seats up to 4 people.
It was really nice to get out onto the lake and get different viewpoints from the boat!
Ice Cream in Apgar Village
Afterwards, walk around Apgar Village. There is a cute little souvenir shop in an old converted schoolhouse. There are also two different spots to get ice cream from. Try some huckleberry ice cream! You will see Huckleberry flavored items often throughout your 3 days in Glacier National Park, as the area is known for huckleberries.
Back to Whitefish
Head back to Whitefish. Go into town for dinner or drinks and reminisce on the epic 3 day Glacier National Park trip you just had!
Enjoy!
