25 Travel Tips for Glacier National Park You Need to Know in 2023

We spent an entire week in Glacier National Park this summer in Montana. Glacier is considered one of the most spectacular National Parks, and with that status, you can expect BIG crowds.

In fact, Glacier National Park is receiving RECORD crowds. The crowds grow every single year, no matter what’s happening in the world, which means you need smart travel tips for Glacier National Park.

There’s so much to see and do in Glacier National Park it can be overwhelming. Especially if you are dealing with summer time crowds, as well. So here are our 25 Glacier National Park Travel Tips – all of the tips and tricks we used to escape the crowds, avoid the heat, and enjoy Glacier National Park more.

25 Travel Tips for Glacier National Park

1. Do the most popular trails early in the morning (before 7:00 a.m.) or later in the day (starting about 6 p.m.) The most popular locations have parking areas that can’t accommodate the crowds at peak times.

Save frustration of waiting for a parking space or parking far away by getting there when there are fewer crowds.

2. Early morning is a great time to get a jump start on hiking. However, everyone is starting to learn this trick, so when I say early, I mean EARLY!

We headed to Avalanche Picnic Area at 8 a.m. to do the Trail of the Cedars Hike. By the time we waited in construction along the roads and arrived at 8:30-8:45 a.m., the main parking areas was full, cars were lining the road, and there was little parking left in a secondary parking lot.

Heading out and ARRIVING at your location well before 8 a.m. is smart. Consider getting to your location around 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. if you have one of the required vehicle registration passes now needed in 2022.

Or, if you don’t have a registration, you’ll need to get into the park before 6 a.m.

Then you can go back to your hotel or campsite in the afternoon to rest.

3. Night time seems to be the absolute best time for hiking, photography, and nature encounters (like this curious mountain goat). The light is just perfect for stunning images.

The weather is a bit cooler, without the blazing heat of the day. And animals are coming out to feed before settling in for the night.

With sunset times around 9:30 p.m. in the summer, you will have lots of time for hiking and pulling out at photo overlooks.

4. Free shuttle services are available along the Going to the Sun Road. Park in Visitors Centers (including St. Mary’s and Apgar) to catch the shuttle. However, keep in mind that lots of people are doing this and the parking is very limited in these visitor centers after early morning.

There are different types of shuttles available:

• Express Shuttle Service (direct non-stop shuttles from either St. Mary’s Visitor Center or Apgar Visitor Center to Logan Pass)
• Full Shuttle Service (this shuttle will stop at places such as overlooks, hiking locations, a lodge and a campground and all shuttle stops along Going-to-the-Sun Road)
• Hiker-Biker Shuttles (only on weekends during Hiker-Biker season)

Also, waiting for the shuttle and being at the mercy of having to catch one at the right time that has room can be frustrating and eat time out of your day. If you have your own transportation, consider driving in early morning and late evening.

5. Apgar Visitor Center on the West Entrance was the least impressive visitor center we visited, yet the most crowded. Unless you must stop there, consider some of the other Visitor Centers that have more interpretive displays and bigger gift stores and facilities.

In fact, St. Mary’s Visitor Center has an entertaining film about Glacier National Park on the hour and half hour in their auditorium.

6. The West Entrance of Glacier National Park has more of a woodsy feel, similar to what you would envision Oregon or the forests of California to look like. With so many trees, the temperatures seem to be cooler on that side of the park, compared to the East Entrance.

7. Apgar Village on the West side of the park is like a small town, with plenty of large shops (including one specializing in Montana artists), as well as an outfitters rental company, restaurant, ice cream shop, and bear spray rentals.

If you do not bring your own bear spray, you can rent cans of the bear spray to have just in case. This saves you the hassle of bringing it on the plane.

There are two hotels in the village, including:

• Lake McDonald Lodge
• The Village Inn

Boat rentals are also popular on Lake McDonald. With so much to do in the tiny village, expect big crowds and very little parking.

This is a smart place to visit very first thing in the morning or late after dinner.

8. There are more traditional creature comforts on the West side, making it a popular location for families and those that aren’t into roughing it too much.

The trails, photo pull outs and activities seem to be more family-oriented, compared to the rougher, more rugged East side.

9. The East Entrance at St. Mary’s is a gateway to terrain that seems to be a bit more rugged, more rocky snow-covered mountain peaks, and more challenging hikes.

10. Going to the Sun Road is best discovered in two half-days of driving if you are able. Unless you’re only doing photo ops along the side of the road, you will need to leave in some time to hike to see views that aren’t visible from the road.

Logan’s Pass is a good mid-way point to travel to.

Going-to-the-Sun Road now requires a vehicle reservation in 2022. From May 27 to September 11, you will need to get a reservation for travel on the road and North Fork. If you are traveling the road between 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., you will need to show proof of a reservation.

If you have reservations for lodging, camping or a commercial tour within Glacier National Park, you do not need to secure a vehicle reservation for the day or days that you have existing reservations inside.

11. Logan’s Pass is a highly popular visitor center and parking destination. Just like all popular destinations, get there early or after the visitor center closes.

During summer, the Visitors Center closes at 7 p.m. – the latest of all visitor centers in Glacier National Park.

12. Rising Sun is one of the least-crowded areas, yet offers lots of options for shopping and dining. The restaurant has seriously delicious food (try the Huckleberry BBQ sandwich but skip the bread – it’s a HUGE portion!).

It’s one of the only areas in the park where we found Huckleberry Hard Cider….. just sayin’!

13. St. Mary’s waterfall is a stunning hike that’s not too hard. You’ll be rewarded with turquoise waters rushing over the rocks into a pool. It’s one of the most rewarding, least strenuous hikes available.

14. Rocky Point Trail at Fish Creek Campground is a hidden gem of a trail, bordering Lake McDonald with stunning views of the lake and mountains. You don’t have to be staying in the campground to hike it.

It’s a relatively flat and easy trail. When you see well worn trails lead off to the lake off of the Rocky Point Trail, take those down to the water for a chance to sit by the lake and dip your toes in the water.

15. There are water bottle filling stations at most visitor centers, lodges and some gift shops. No need to buy bottled water. Be sure to bring along a great reusable water bottle to save money.

16. Don’t bring in firewood from outside. The National Park Service is trying to prevent invasive species that come from outside of the park. The motto is, “buy it here, burn it here.”

17. It can get HOT in Glacier National Park – ironically. Be prepared with plenty of water and sunscreen, and time your activities for early morning or after 6 p.m. on the hot days.

18. Bear Spray is smart. I didn’t want to spend the expensive cost (more than $40) at the Visitor Center gift shops for a can of bear spray that I might never use. But I absolutely think you must have bear spray with you, whether you rent it through programs at the park or buy it.

Sometimes you can find fellow hikers that are leaving the park and can’t bring the spray with them on the plane. They pass along their spray to fellow hikers who could use it. Whether you receive that generosity or are generous passing on your spray, it is much appreciated!

When we were on a trail at Lake McDonald, the people in front of us saw a bear climbing a tree. We spooked it and it ran, but it is the first time we have ever encountered a bear on the trail.

The lady in front of us had her can unpinned and ready and asked everyone behind us to do the same. Thank God we had a can (but didn’t have to use it). Consider renting bear spray or buying bear spray on Amazon before you get there if you don’t want to spend the higher prices at the park.

19. The Many Glacier area is absolutely beautiful – with the historic lodge and traditional rugged mountain peaks that have glaciers. It looks a lot like Switzerland in that area.

Keep in mind, though, that Many Glacier is not a region accessible from within the main part of Glacier National Park (along the Going to the Sun Road) unless you hike in.

If driving, you must exit the park at St. Mary’s and then drive (maybe 20-30 minutes) to enter the Many Glacier part of Glacier National Park.

We were absolutely horrified at how rough the roads were leading to the park entrance. The ruts and dips were horrendous.

Also, there’s not as much to do on this side of the park. So if you’re planning on staying in the Many Glacier area for several days, be prepared to have to drive to see a lot of the more popular Glacier National Park attractions.

20. Amtrak stops right near the West Entrance of Glacier National Park. This is a cool, old-fashioned way of traveling to the national park!

21. There are gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants outside of both the East and West entrances. Expect to pay higher prices.

22. Going to the Sun Road is awesome! Truly awesome. However, it is extremely packed during the day. Again (and we can’t say this enough!) go really early or late in the evening.

In 2022, Going-to-the-Sun Road requires vehicle reservations for travel between 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Driving the road after 4 p.m. not only avoids the reservation requirement, but can be better for weather and less crowds.

23. Stay inside Glacier National Park if you can. In this case, time is money. If you only have a day or two to see the park, you’re going to need a very early start. Driving in from outside of the park, then waiting to go through the ticket entrance, then getting far enough inside to see some of the trails and attractions, all takes precious time.

You will see more and (maybe) enjoy it more if you stay inside the park. If you are RVing or tent camping, check out our video site tours of St. Mary’s Campground and Fish Creek Campground.

And see our honest account of what it’s really like boon docking in Glacier National Park.

24. Trail of Cedars is a highly popular trail, because it’s less than a mile long and entirely wheelchair accessible. It’s an easy walk and a cool respite during the day.

However, if you are able, consider going up the Avalanche Lake trail just ¼ mile. You don’t need to do the entire 3 mile hike. The first ¼ mile offers a rocky hike along the rushing river with cascading waters and gorgeous photos.

25. Hidden Lake Overlook is a fabulous trail up a mountain to gorgeous views. However, it is covered in deep snow, even in mid-July. Bring appropriate shoes and hiking poles.

Lots of hikers set off in sandals and shorts, and plenty of them do make it. Yet the melting snow offers slushy terrain that is not stable and you will likely lose your footing A LOT!

Have you found these Glacier National Park travel tips helpful? Then check out our other National Park travel guides:

• 33 Must-Know Tips for Petrified Forest National Park
• 17 Tips for Minuteman National Historic Site
• How to Do Craters of the Moon National Monument
• Congaree National Park Travel Tips
• Wind Cave and Jewel Cave: What You Need to Know
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park Travel Tips