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Are you wondering how to spend 3 days in Glacier National Park with kids this summer? I’ve crafted the perfect 3-day itinerary for families in Glacier National Park. The itinerary includes outdoor activities, beautiful viewpoints and short hikes for the family.
I’ve crafted the perfect introduction to Glacier National Park itinerary for your family. In this itinerary, you’ll see that you’ll be staying near West Glacier on your first night and near St.Mary on your second night.
- First night near the West entrance: I would recommend either staying in West Glacier, just outside the West entrance or near Apgar Village. Apgar Village is a great hub with visitor centers, lodging, gear rental and restaurants like Eddie’s Cafe & Mercantile.
- Second night near the St. Mary entrance: I recommend staying in St. Mary or the Many Glacier areas. Both locations have campgrounds and hotels.
Pro-Tips For the BEST trip to Glacier National Park with kids
🧳 Get our FREE Glacier National Park packing list
🎟️ Don’t forget to get your Glacier National Park timed-entry tickets in advance. Glacier National Park requires timed-entry tickets from end of May to mid-September, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m if entering through the West entrance, and for the Rising Sun checkpoint (near St. Mary entrance).
📕 Stop at the Visitor Center to get the Junior Ranger Booklets. The Junior Ranger program is a great way to engage the kids during their visit to Glacier National Park. When visiting the park, you should first stop at a visitor center. Don’t forget to go back to a visitor center and see a ranger at the end of your trip so the kids can show their booklet to a Ranger and get their badge.
🚌 Consider using the park shuttle. Glacier National Park gets really busy in the summertime, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road has only one lane each way. Plus, parking space at most viewpoints and trailheads is really limited.
🛏️Try to sleep on each side of the park (West Glacier and St. Mary). Most people will only stay near the West entrance, but the St. Mary and Many Glacier areas are worth a stop, too.
Day 1: Explore Apgar Village and Lake McDonald
Note that the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor vehicle reservation does not include a park pass, and the park pass does not serve as a vehicle reservation.
Begin your Glacier adventure with a cliché family photo in front of the Glacier National Park sign at the West entrance. We usually take a family photo when we get to a national park, and we did the same thing at the Death Valley National Park entrance sign.
Visitor Center and Lake McDonald
Enter the park and stop at the visitor center to get the Junior Ranger’s booklet for the kids. Then, slowly start driving along the Going-to-the-Sun road. You’ll want to stop at Lake McDonald Lodge and walk around.
I’m sure your kids will love throwing colorful rocks in the lake and even going in the water (if they are brave enough… the water is FREEZING).
Trail of the Cedars Hike
You can continue a bit on the Going-to-the-Sun road and park at the Trail of the Cedars. It’s a 0.9-mile (1.45-km) easy loop. It’s one of the great family-friendly hikes in Glacier. If you feel like it, you can also continue to Avalanche Lake.
Be careful, it’s an area frequented by grizzly bears. Always carry your bear spray with you, keep your kids close, and make noise.
Don’t forget to check on AllTrails for more hiking options in Glacier National Park for the family.
Apgar Bike Path
End your day with a bike ride on the Apgar Bike Path. It’s a 3.0-mile (4.8-km) paved, easy trail. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one from Glacier Outfitters. They offer E-bikes, regular bikes, kids’ bikes and child trailers.
You can also look at the sunset at Apgar Village. There’s a nice lake access with beautiful views.
Day 2: Discover Logan Pass, Hidden Lake Overlook, and St. Mary
Start your day early to discover the breathtaking Going-to-the-Sun road. The scenic route is a 50-mile-long drive in the mountains.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
❌ The drive to the Going to the Sun road is only open from July to October
The construction of the road began in 1921 and was completed in 1932. It’s named after Going to the Sun Mountain. This mountain is considered a sacred site by the Blackfeet tribe. The road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. It’s the highest point on the road at 6,646 feet above sea level.
The Going-to-the-Sun road was named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1985.
It’s important to know that the speed limit is 25 mph, and there is only one lane each way. Patience is important. It can also get really busy in the summertime. Also, driving the Going-to-the-Sun road with an RV or trailer longer than 21 feet is not recommended.
🚙 Not feeling like driving? You can also take the park’s shuttle. That way, you don’t have to worry about parking lots space, which are really limited at most view stops.
Logan Pass and Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
Take your time along the road and stop at the many viewpoints. You can pack a lunch and do a picnic at Logan Pass. Don’t forget to stop at the Logan Pass visitor center.
Then, it’s time for a memorable family hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook. This 3.0-mile (4.8-kilometer) round-trip trail begins at Logan Pass. It offers breathtaking views of alpine meadows, jagged peaks, and the beautiful Hidden Lake.
Watch for potential wildlife encounters, as you may spot mountain goats, bighorn sheep, or even a bear in the distance. Remember to follow park guidelines and maintain a safe distance from any wildlife you encounter.
We didn’t get to hike the Hidden Lake trail since a section was closed due to bear activity. We still walked a bit along the boardwalk and admired the view. It’s simply beautiful.
Continue towards St. Mary
When you’re ready, continue on the Going-to-the-Sun road toward St. Mary, where you’ll stay for the night.
Stop at St. Mary Falls Overlook. You can also do St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail to see St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls. It’s a 2.9 mile (4.7 km) out-and-back easy trail where you can admire both waterfalls.
Then, you’ll want to see the iconic Wild Goose Island Overlook.
Day 3: Many Glacier and Swiftcurrent Lake
On your last day in Glacier National Park, you’ll venture around Swiftcurrent Lake and Many Glacier.
Swiftcurrent Nature Trail
You can start by hiking the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail. It’s a perfect hiking trail for families. This 2.6-mile (4.8-kilometer) loop around Swiftcurrent Lake offers relatively flat terrain, gorgeous scenery, and possible wildlife sightings.
Many Glacier Boat Tour
Then, take the Many Glacier boat tour to see Grinnell Lake. The boat tour goes to Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. It’s only a 0.9-mile (one-way) hike to reach the lake from the boat dock. Otherwise, it’s a 7.1-mile loop from Many Glacier Inn if you don’t take the boat.
If you do the Many Glacier boat tour, you’ll also see Lake Josephine.
GETTING READY FOR YOUR GLACIER NP TRIP?
✈️ BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS: Find cheap flights to Glacier National Park (FCA) or Calgary International Airport (YYC) using Google Flights or Skyscanner where you’ll be able to compare different airline tickets, including some low-cost ones.
🚗 RENT YOUR CAR: You can rent a car directly from Glacier Park International Airport or wait until you are in town. I recommend you compare pricing on DiscoverCars or Expedia.
🛏️ BOOK YOUR HOTEL: Booking.com is a great search engine for hotels and guesthouses in Glacier National Park. You can look at: St. Mary Village or Glacier Park Lodge.
🎟️ BOOK YOUR TOURS: Viator and Get Your Guide are two great websites for finding fun tours in and around Glacier National Park such as a boat, bus or raft tours,
Where to Stay in Glacier National Park (Family-Friendly Options)
Glacier National Park offers a variety of family-friendly lodging options both within the park and just outside its entrances. To explore the park efficiently, I recommend that you split your stay between the east and west sides to minimize driving time.
- West Glacier: This location is near the park’s main western entrance, and accommodation options include Under Canvas Glacier for a unique glamping experience. Staying here provides easy access to key attractions along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. When we first visited, we found a HomeExchange in West Glacier.
- St. Mary (East Glacier): This location is ideal for exploring the east side of the park and using the free park shuttle. The St. Mary Village hotel is a top pick, offering both standard rooms and cabin-style accommodations. It is also convenient for those visiting nearby Waterton Lakes National Park.
- Inside the Park: Staying inside Glacier National Park, like at Lake McDonald Lodge, gives you direct access to the park’s attractions and avoids long drives. However, booking early is essential as accommodations fill up fast.
- Whitefish: A bit further from the park, Whitefish is a charming town with various accommodations, like the Lodge at Whitefish Lake. It’s an excellent base for park exploration and town amenities.
Final Thoughts: 3 Days in Glacier National Park with kids
This 3-day itinerary is perfect for families with young kids, offering a balance of outdoor activities, indoor alternatives, and dining options. Remember to dress in layers, bring sunscreen, and stay hydrated during your visit. Most importantly, have fun and cherish the memories you create together at Glacier National Park!
Related Articles – Visiting National Parks with Kids
If you like national parks, here are a few more resources for national parks in USA and Canada:
- The Best 10-Day Itinerary to Utah National Parks
- A 2-Day Itinerary in Yosemite National Park With Kids
- 21 of the Best National Parks for Kids ? (USA Edition)
- 11+ Things to Do in Waterton Lakes National Park With Kids
