5 Places You Must Go in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is the destination if your idea of the perfect vacation is visiting the most beautiful mountains, rivers, and lakes in the world all conveniently located in northwestern Montana. I had the opportunity to spend three days in Glacier National Park last July and I wish I could have been there for thirty. Wildlife and scenery abound at every turn in this historic park that celebrated its centennial anniversary this year. To make the very most of your experience make time to visit all of these places.

1.The Going-to-the-Sun-Road is the icon of Glacier National Park. The 53 mile two-lane highway takes visitors from West Glacier and Lake McDonald Lodge to St. Mary's Lake on the eastern side of the park. It is the avenue from which most people see Glacier National Park and guides you to just about everywhere you would want to go. The road has many places where you can stop and bail out to take pictures of glaciers, mountains, and the incredible turquoise rivers and lakes. If you don't drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you haven't been to Glacier National Park.

2. Logan Pass, at the top of the Going-to-the-Sun-Road includes a small visitor center and is the jumping off point for a variety of hiking trails. The Hidden Lake viewpoint trail is a relatively short three mile round trip that is easy for inexperienced hikers or families with children. You may also choose to add another three miles by going from the viewpoint to the lake proper. Logan Pass is also the start point for six other hikes that are longer and more challenging.

The Pass is also a great place to observe delicate and beautiful alpine nature. The meadows surrounding the pass are filled with wildflowers and there are many opportunities to observe mountain goats, big-horn sheep and occasionally grizzly or brown bears.

3. Lake McDonald lodge should be a major stopping point on your trip to Glacier. It is both scenic and historic and is one of a handful of places you can stay that are actually inside the park. The lodge offers a chance to take a boat ride out across Lake McDonald. The lake is extremely beautiful and most of the boat tours are guided and the guides offer some interesting historical information about the lodge and surrounding area. The lodge also has a very informative ranger presentation that really delves into the geology and forces that form Glacier National Park. It's a great place to learn and is kid-friendly.

Lake McDonald Lodge is the start point for the iconic "jammer" tours; bright red vintage buses that take guests on a variety of excursions throughout the park. The guided tours are very informative, but do cost money. They don't go anywhere you can't explore in your own vehicle.

4. Many Glacier is a region in the northeast part of the park and is separate from the Going-to-the-Sun- Road. As a result Many Glacier has a lot less traffic than the rest of the park. It is centered on historic Many Glacier Hotel and campground on the banks of Swiftcurrent Lake. Many Glacier is considered the best place to observe wildlife in Glacier National Park. It is also a jumping off point for several long hikes and backpacking trails. A beautiful and quiet place.

5. The Trail of Cedars and Avalanche Lake Trail were my personal favorite places in Glacier National Park and definitely should be visited by everyone who visits the park. The Trail of Cedars is a 0.6 mile boardwalk loop just off the Going-to-the-Sun-Road not far from Lake McDonald. Anyone can and should enjoy the quiet path through an incredible cedar-hemlock forest to observe Avalanche Gorge. At the high point of the loop the Avalanche Lake Trail begins. It takes you past and above the gorge to Avalanche Lake. We did this short hike at about seven in the morning. The forest was a wonderful place to be as the first light of the day began to peek through the trees.

Glacier National Park is a singularly amazing place to visit. The sheer scale of the mountains and the pristine beauty of the lakes and rivers made this my favorite National Park to date. I hope everyone gets a chance to go there.

Sources: National Park Service Going-to-the-Sun Road FAQ
Glacier National Park Logan Pass Travel Guide