A west-to-east loop across Going-to-the-Sun Road with Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook, a boat-assisted hike to Grinnell Glacier and a peaceful finish at Two Medicine. Stay in historic park lodges and avoid backtracking. The $$ budget tier is an editorial estimate.
Boardwalk through old-growth cedars and a hike to Avalanche Lake
Hidden Lake Overlook from Logan Pass
Jackson Glacier Overlook, Sunrift Gorge and Wild Goose Island Overlook on the east side
Boat-assisted hike to Grinnell Glacier from Many Glacier Hotel
Two Medicine boat cruise and a waterfall walk before exiting via US-2
Why visit Glacier
Glacier National Park is a landscape carved by ice and then left to show off: needle-sharp peaks, long lakes the color of sea glass, and a single road, Going-to-the-Sun, that lifts you from cedar forest to the Continental Divide. This four-day route strings the park's best-loved corners into a west-to-east arc, then finishes with a quiet exit through Two Medicine so you never have to drive the same stretch twice.
Day 1 stays on the west side. You start in Apgar Village with a ranger stop, then have lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge, walk the boardwalk through old-growth cedars at Avalanche Creek, then climb 2.3 miles to Avalanche Lake, which has outstanding waterfalls. The night is spent at Lake McDonald Lodge, a Swiss-style lodge that has welcomed guests since 1914, with dinner and a pebble-shore sunset.
Day 2 is the big road day. Stop at Bird Woman Falls Overlook on the way up to Logan Pass, then hike to Hidden Lake Overlook (1.4 miles each way, 460 feet of gain), an overlook in the cradle of Clements and Reynolds Mountains. Descend the east side past Jackson Glacier Overlook, Sunrift Gorge and Wild Goose Island Overlook, eat at Two Dog Flats Grill, and continue to Many Glacier Hotel, a 1914-15 railroad-era lodge on Swiftcurrent Lake.
Day 3 belongs to Grinnell Glacier. A concession boat across two lakes shortens the trail to about 7.2 miles round trip, with about 1,600 feet of climbing, ending with a view of ice-dotted water beneath the glacier. After that, dinner at the hotel is well earned.
Day 4 heads south to Two Medicine for Running Eagle Falls, a cruise on the wooden Sinopah, and a short walk to Paradise Point, then exits via US-2 over Marias Pass.
The trip is designed for the main season, roughly July through early September. Snow keeps the upper sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road and high trails such as Grinnell Glacier closed into early summer, and lodges, boats and shuttles wind down in September, so timing matters more here than in almost any other national park. Reserve lodging and any required Logan Pass access far ahead; details for the current season are in the tips.
Sources: park trail pages and data, Glacier National Park Lodges, Glacier Park Boat Company.
Glacier 4-day itinerary, day by day
1
Day 1 · 11 stops
Lake McDonald and Avalanche Lake
Ease into Glacier on the west side: a ranger check-in, lunch at Lake McDonald Lodge, then the boardwalk through old-growth cedars and the hike up to Avalanche Lake. You finish the day beside Lake McDonald with dinner and a pebbled-shore sunset.
Visitor center9:00 AM · 30 min
Apgar Visitor Center
Rangers here help with trip planning, and it is the hub for the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle. Pick up a map, ask about trail conditions and bear activity, and check the day's road and shuttle status before you head up the valley.
Photo: NPS Photo
Time
20-30 minutes
Apgar Visitor Center
Going-to-the-Sun Road, West Glacier, MT 59936
Hours: Open seven days a week in summer; check current hours.
Season: Typically summer; limited hours in other seasons.
Stroll Apgar Village and the shore of Lake McDonald
Apgar sits at the foot of Lake McDonald, the park's largest lake, and a short walk to the pebbled shoreline gives you your first look at the peaks framing the far end. It is a gentle warm-up before the bigger walk ahead, with room to linger over the shops and the water.
Photo: NPS
Time
About an hour
Best time
Morning, before the lakeshore fills up
Apgar Village
Apgar Loop Road, West Glacier, MT 59936
Season: Village services typically operate in the warm months.
Follow Going-to-the-Sun Road along the shore of Lake McDonald to the lodge. The lodges site places Lake McDonald Lodge about 10 miles inside the West Entrance, so allow roughly 20 minutes (estimate).
Lunch at the lodge before the afternoon hike. The dining room serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and seats walk-ins only. The lodge also lists Jammer Joe's Grill and Pizzeria and Lucke's Lounge, which serve casual fare and drinks.
A short drive up the valley to the Avalanche Picnic Area, where both the cedar boardwalk and the Avalanche Lake trail begin. Allow about 15 to 20 minutes (estimate). Parking here fills up in summer, so arrive as early as your schedule permits. Vehicles over 21 feet long or 8 feet wide are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun.
An accessible boardwalk nature trail through old-growth cedars along Avalanche Creek, where you can listen for American dippers and see the force of water carving Avalanche Gorge. It is listed at 0.7 mile, so it works as a warm-up for the lake hike that starts from the same area.
Photo: NPS
Time
About 30 minutes; 0.7 mi and minimal elevation gain
Accessible
Yes
Trail of the Cedars
Avalanche Picnic Area, Going-to-the-Sun Road, West Glacier, MT 59936
The classic west-side hike: a steady climb through mossy old-growth forest above Avalanche Gorge, ending at a cirque lake with waterfalls streaming down the surrounding cliffs. It is 2.3 miles one way, so the round trip is about 4.6 miles. Its trail record lists 741 feet of gain (275 feet of loss), while another page says 500 feet, so expect a steady climb. Most people take two to three hours, longer if they picnic at the lake. Carry bear spray and make noise on the forested stretches.
Photo: NPS/Frank
Distance
4.6 mi
Elevation gain
741 ft
Route
Out and back
Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead
Avalanche Picnic Area (Trail of the Cedars/Avalanche Campground area)
Avalanche Lake Trail
Avalanche Picnic Area, Going-to-the-Sun Road, West Glacier, MT 59936
On the way back down the valley, pull over at this observation platform for a close look at McDonald Creek, which is part of the park's longest creek system at around 25 miles. Park photography from this spot shows harlequin ducks on the creek.
Dine in the lodge's dining room, which serves Montana-inspired dishes and regional craft beers. The restaurant seats walk-ins only, so arrive early in peak season.
Walk down to the pebbled shore for evening light on the far peaks; the lakebed stones show a rainbow of colors underfoot. A nearby turnout, the North Lake McDonald View, also gives access to the shoreline and a view across to Howe Ridge, which has burned twice in the last few decades. Sunset falls much earlier in September than in July, so shift dinner accordingly.
The big day: over Logan Pass on Going-to-the-Sun Road, an early hike to Hidden Lake Overlook, glacier and lake overlooks on the east side, lunch at Rising Sun, and an evening at the historic Many Glacier Hotel.
Eat6:30 AM · 1 h
Breakfast at Russell's
Fuel up early with the breakfast buffet at the lodge, since the day involves crossing the Continental Divide and a morning hike where an early parking spot matters.
Going-to-the-Sun Road: Lake McDonald Lodge toward Logan Pass
The road climbs from lakeside forest to the Continental Divide, passing sights such as the Weeping Wall and the Loop. The full drive takes three to eight hours depending on stops. Allow roughly an hour from the lodge to Bird Woman Falls Overlook and about 30 minutes more to Logan Pass (estimate). Vehicles over 21 feet long or 8 feet wide are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun, and vehicles over 10 feet tall may struggle on the section west of Logan Pass.
Time
3-8 hours for the full road; this leg roughly 1 hour to Bird Woman Falls Overlook (estimate)
Best time
Early morning
Going-to-the-Sun Road (Lake McDonald Lodge to Logan Pass)
Going-to-the-Sun Road, West Glacier, MT 59936
Season: Upper sections are seasonal; typically fully open from about late June or July into September or October; check current status.
A roadside pullout with a view across the hanging valley to the tall, thin ribbon of Bird Woman Falls. This stop is on the west side of Logan Pass, so it comes before the summit on the way up.
From the boardwalks behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center, the trail climbs through subalpine meadows, with alpine plants and wildlife, to an overlook above Hidden Lake in the cradle of Clements and Reynolds Mountains. It is 1.4 miles one way with 460 feet of gain, so about 2.8 miles round trip; allow 2 to 2.5 hours with photo stops. Check trail conditions at the visitor center and carry bear spray. Timed parking limits at Logan Pass are summarized in tips.
Photo: NPS
Distance
2.8 mi
Elevation gain
460 ft
Route
Out and back
Difficulty
Moderate
Trailhead
Behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center
Hidden Lake Trailhead (Logan Pass)
Logan Pass Visitor Center, Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, MT
Season: Typically snow-free from about July; check current trail conditions.
One of the few places along the road where you can actually see a glacier. Jackson Glacier measured 316 acres in 1966 and 187 acres by 2015, a sobering way to frame the view.
A short stop at Sunrift Gorge. The Sunrift Gorge pullout is the trailhead for the short walk to Baring Falls (0.3 mile one way) and the Sun Point Nature Trail (0.8 mile one way) if you want to stretch your legs longer.
Photo: NPS
Time
20-30 minutes
Sunrift Gorge
Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sunrift Gorge pullout), Glacier National Park, MT
One of the park's most recognizable scenes: a tiny island rising only 14 feet above the surface of St. Mary Lake, ringed by big mountains. There is parking and an accessible viewing area.
A casual grill at the Rising Sun Motor Inn serving burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads, a handy refuel right on the road between Logan Pass and Many Glacier.
Meal
Lunch
Cuisine
American
Two Dog Flats Grill (Rising Sun Motor Inn)
Rising Sun, Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, MT
Continue east past St. Mary, then north on US-89 and west up the Many Glacier Road into the valley (allow about an hour; estimate). The scenery opens up into big pointed peaks around the hotel and Swiftcurrent Lake.
Built in 1914-15 as the showpiece of the Great Northern Railway's Glacier hotels, this Swiss-style lodge sits on Swiftcurrent Lake with mountains all around. Per the lodge site it has 214 rooms, no TVs and no air conditioning. Its location puts hikes and boat shuttles close by. You will stay two nights.
Photo: NPS photo.
Type
Lodge
Location
Inside the park
Many Glacier Hotel
1 Rte. 3, Babb, MT 59411
Season: Typically early June to about the third week of September; check current dates.
Evening at the Lakeshore View of Many Glacier Hotel
Walk to the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake for the postcard view of the hotel with mountains reflected on calm evenings. The hotel's history is interpreted from this shoreline.
A full day in the Many Glacier valley: take the boat across two lakes and climb to Grinnell Glacier, then rest your legs over an easy dinner at the hotel.
Eat7:00 AM · 1 h
Early breakfast at the Ptarmigan Dining Room
Eat early and pack lunch or snacks; the hotel also lists Heidi's Snack Shop & Espresso Stand. Breakfast service begins at 6:30 a.m.
Grinnell Glacier via the Many Glacier boat shuttle
This mostly exposed trail climbs past lakes, waterfalls and wildflowers to a view of Grinnell Glacier and an ice-dotted lake beneath striated cliffs. Ride the concession boat across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine to trim the hike; the boat page lists a 9:00 a.m. departure and advises checking in at the ticket office 30 minutes before. Return boats leave from the head of Lake Josephine; check the day's return schedule so you do not have to walk back. The viewpoint is 3.6 miles one way with the boat (5.3 without) and 1,600 feet of gain, so about 7.2 miles round trip with the boat. The concessioner quotes 7.6 miles round trip and 1,900 feet for the full hike to the glacier, so sources differ. Bring 3 liters of water, layers and bear spray; there is no shade on much of the route.
Photo: NPS
Distance
7.2 mi
Elevation gain
1,600 ft
Route
Out and back
Difficulty
Strenuous
Trailhead
Many Glacier Hotel boat dock/Grinnell Glacier Trailhead
Reservation needed
Yes
Grinnell Glacier Trailhead
Many Glacier Road (trail starts near Many Glacier Hotel/Swiftcurrent Lake), Babb, MT 59411
Season: Typically opens mid-July, per the concessioner; boat shuttle runs typically early June to mid-September; check current dates.
A relaxed bar-and-bites spot inside the Ptarmigan Dining Room space, described as the ideal place to grab a quick bite before or after a hiking day. Food is served until 10 p.m.
Head south to the quieter Two Medicine valley for a waterfall walk, a historic boat cruise and a lakeside stroll, then exit over Marias Pass toward West Glacier and Kalispell.
Eat6:30 AM · 1 h
Early breakfast at the Ptarmigan Dining Room
One more hotel breakfast before the long drive south, with a packed lunch from the hotel's snack shop or espresso stand if you want one; the Two Medicine area has limited food options.
The route runs through Babb, south on US-89, then south on MT-49 and into the Two Medicine valley. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for roughly 55 miles (routing-based estimate; confirm before leaving).
A short, accessible walk (0.3 mile one way) to Running Eagle Falls, a large waterfall framed by rocks and trees in the Two Medicine area. There are restrooms at the trailhead, and a native-plants nature trail starts nearby.
Photo: NPS Photo
Time
About 30-45 minutes; 0.3 mi one way, accessible
Accessible
Yes
Running Eagle Falls Trailhead
Two Medicine Road, East Glacier Park, MT
Season: Typically accessible summer through early fall.
A 45-minute narrated cruise on the historic wooden Sinopah, built in 1926, beneath Sinopah and Rising Wolf Mountains. Arrive well before departure; the operator advises arriving an hour early for parking and check-in. Departure times vary, so check the posted schedule.
Time
45-minute tour; allow about 60 minutes with boarding
Reservation needed
Yes
Two Medicine Lake boat dock (Glacier Park Boat Company)
746 Two Medicine Road, East Glacier Park, MT
Hours: See the concessioner for daily departures.
Season: Typically early June through early September; check current dates.
Leave Two Medicine after a picnic lunch (bring your own; food options in the valley are limited) and follow MT-49 to US-2 over Marias Pass, crossing the Continental Divide, to West Glacier. A routing-based estimate is about 70 miles and about 1.5 hours; the exit avoids doubling back over Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Built in 1933 and located one mile from Many Glacier Hotel, this motor inn is a hikers' base with trailheads for several of the valley's most popular hikes, including Iceberg Lake and Ptarmigan. A simpler, generally more budget-oriented alternative to the hotel.
Stay
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins
Built in 1933 and located one mile from Many Glacier Hotel, this motor inn is a hikers' base with trailheads for several of the valley's most popular hikes, including Iceberg Lake and Ptarmigan. A simpler, generally more budget-oriented alternative to the hotel.
Type
Hotel
Location
Inside the park
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins
Many Glacier Road, Babb, MT 59411
Season: Typically summer only; check current dates.
Built in 1956, this 36-room motor inn sits on the shore of Lake McDonald, with lake views from every room. Handy for the first night if you arrive late.
Stay
Village Inn at Apgar
Built in 1956, this 36-room motor inn sits on the shore of Lake McDonald, with lake views from every room. Handy for the first night if you arrive late.
Type
Hotel
Location
Inside the park
Village Inn at Apgar
Apgar Village, Going-to-the-Sun Road, West Glacier, MT 59936
Season: Typically summer season; check current dates.
Built in 1940 and renovated in 2015, this 72-unit property sits about a quarter mile from St. Mary Lake and 12 miles from Logan Pass, with a grill, general store and gift shop on site. A convenient midpoint on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Stay
Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins
Built in 1940 and renovated in 2015, this 72-unit property sits about a quarter mile from St. Mary Lake and 12 miles from Logan Pass, with a grill, general store and gift shop on site. A convenient midpoint on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Photo: NPS
Type
Hotel
Location
Inside the park
Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins
Rising Sun, Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, MT
Season: Typically mid-June to mid-September; check current dates.
The largest campground in the park, shaded by trees, with Lake McDonald sunsets a short stroll away. Reservations are required through spring, summer and fall via Recreation.gov.
Stay
Apgar Campground
The largest campground in the park, shaded by trees, with Lake McDonald sunsets a short stroll away. Reservations are required through spring, summer and fall via Recreation.gov.
One of the park's most popular campgrounds, set in trees in the Many Glacier valley; only a small number of sites can fit larger rigs, and sites are reservable on a rolling basis six months ahead.
Stay
Many Glacier Campground
One of the park's most popular campgrounds, set in trees in the Many Glacier valley; only a small number of sites can fit larger rigs, and sites are reservable on a rolling basis six months ahead.
Going-to-the-Sun Road was reported fully open for the 2026 summer season; late-season closures are possible, so check the park's road status before driving.
2026 rules: no vehicle reservations. Logan Pass used a $1 ticketed shuttle (July 1 to September 7, 2026) via Recreation.gov and three-hour timed parking with free kiosk permits. Both have ended for the season.
2026 season dates: Many Glacier Hotel June 5 to September 21 (closed now); Lake McDonald Lodge May 15 to September 28; Rising Sun Motor Inn June 11 to September 13. For 2027 the lodges site lists Many Glacier Hotel June 3 to September 20 and Lake McDonald Lodge May 14 to September 30.
Two Medicine boat tours ran June 1 to September 7, 2026 (adult round trip $20.85 as of the operator's 2026 page). 2026 construction affects North Shore Trailhead access at Two Medicine.
Many Glacier boat 2026 season ran June 10 to September 19; the concessioner listed its final return from the head of Lake Josephine at 5:45 p.m. (walking back is about 2 miles).
Entrance fee in 2026: $35 per vehicle in summer (valid 7 days); the park does not accept cash. Check for the following year's fees.
Planning notes
Best window: mid-July through August, when the upper road, Hidden Lake and Grinnell Glacier are typically clear and lodges and boats operate. Early September is a shoulder period: boats, lodges and shuttles typically start closing between roughly the first and third weeks of September, so confirm the dates for every piece of the itinerary.
Expect Logan Pass access to be regulated in peak summer (shuttle tickets, timed parking or reservations have varied by year); check the park website before booking.
Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun; vehicles over 10 feet tall can struggle west of Logan Pass.
Carry bear spray on every hike and hike in groups where possible; it is strongly recommended.
Lodge restaurants seat first-come, first-served with no reservations; lodging books far in advance.
Drive-time figures in this trip are estimates; confirm on the day.
The budget tier is an editorial estimate; lodge pages do not publish rates.
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4 days to cover Glacier National Park. Day 1: Lake McDonald and Avalanche Lake; Day 2: Across the Divide to Many Glacier; Day 3: Grinnell Glacier; Day 4: Two Medicine and the Southern Exit.
When is the best time for Glacier?
The best months are July to August. Window: mid-July through August, when the upper road, Hidden Lake and Grinnell Glacier are typically clear and lodges and boats operate.
What are the highlights of this Glacier itinerary?
Boardwalk through old-growth cedars and a hike to Avalanche Lake; Hidden Lake Overlook from Logan Pass; Jackson Glacier Overlook, Sunrift Gorge and Wild Goose Island Overlook on the east side; Boat-assisted hike to Grinnell Glacier from Many Glacier Hotel; Two Medicine boat cruise and a waterfall walk before exiting via US-2.
Where should you stay for Glacier?
This itinerary suggests Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins, Village Inn at Apgar, Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins and Apgar Campground. Check current rates and availability before you book.
Where should you eat on this Glacier trip?
Places this itinerary uses or suggests include Russell's Fireside Dining Room (Lake McDonald Lodge), Two Dog Flats Grill (Rising Sun Motor Inn), The Ptarmigan Dining Room (Many Glacier Hotel) and Swiss Lounge (Many Glacier Hotel). Opening hours change, so confirm before you go.
How much does it cost to enter Glacier?
Entrance fee in 2026: $35 per vehicle in summer (valid 7 days); the park does not accept cash. Check for the following year's fees.
Sources
Good to know: distances and drive times are typical figures without live traffic, and where routes are shown the route data comes from OpenStreetMap contributors. Toll amounts are estimates and change often, so check them in the DriftKin planner or with the toll authority before you plan around them. Opening hours, fees, prices, permits and closures also change, so confirm with the park or business before you go.
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