- Come for at least five days. A weekend trip just won't do. ...
- Bring your car. Although shuttles run throughout the park, you'll need a car to reach some of the best spots. ...
- Stock up on supplies while you're in town. ...
- Sign up for activities. ...
- Get out on the trails. ...
- Eat lots of ice cream. ...
- Make new friends.
What do I need to know before going to Glacier National Park?
- The natural wonders are plentiful and magical. ...
- Climate change is rapidly affecting the landscape. ...
- The main road may be closed until July. ...
- Wildlife is on display. ...
- Water is the number one cause of fatalities. ...
- There are a wide range of hiking trails.
Is it hard to hike in Glacier National Park?
Awesome. You may be ready for what we like to call challenging Glacier National Park hikes! These are strenuous hikes for advanced hikers — all are over 10 miles and incur at least 2,000 feet of elevation gain/loss. And every step is worth it.
Is bear spray necessary in Glacier National Park?
Do I really need bear spray? Yes. We highly suggest that visitors carry bear spray in the park as Glacier is home to the largest numbers of both grizzly and black bear in the lower 48.
How likely are you to see a bear in Glacier National Park?
Just to keep things in perspective, though, bear encounters are very rare . Consider that roughly two million people visit Glacier each year, and more than one million venture into the backcountry. On average, there are only one or two non-lethal bear “incidents” in a given year.
How should I dress for a glacier hike?
To dress appropriately for a day of hiking in Glacier, think like an onion and layer up . Light, quick-dry clothing can be paired with warmer layers like merino wool or fleece and a rain and wind-proof jacket for blustery summits.
How many days do you need in Glacier?
How Many Days Do You Need in Glacier National Park? Ideally, plan on spending at least two to three days in Glacier National Park. This gives you enough time to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, hike one or two trails, and visit the Many Glacier or Two Medicine areas.
What is the greatest danger when visiting a Glacier?
Flooding caused by a glacier
Although it is not uncommon for a glacier to have a small lake of meltwater near its terminus, extreme melting or unusually fast melting can cause these lakes to overflow their barriers and cause flooding downstream. These are called glacial lake outburst floods.
What is the best month to visit Glacier National Park?
For most people, late June through mid-September is the best time to visit Glacier, because they want to drive the Going to the Sun Road, raft and fish the rivers, hike the trails, visit the backcountry Chalets, and explore several areas of the park, on both sides of the Continental Divide.
Is the Highline Trail worth it?
worth the crowded trail. the highline trail is a great dayhike if you want to get out of your car but still see a lot of the park . good overlooks, lots of scenery change, and i almost always see mountain goats, bighorn sheep and marmots on this trail.
What is the hardest trail in Glacier National Park?
Sperry Glacier Trail (16.4 miles/26.3 km)
Mountain goats abound along Sperry Glacier Trail, the most challenging hike in the Lake McDonald region of the park. This trek rises almost 5,000 feet (1524 m) in elevation, making it one of the more difficult day hikes in Glacier National Park.
What is the easiest hike in Glacier National Park?
- #1 – Rocky Point – Lake McDonald Area. ...
- #2 – Hidden Meadow – Polebridge Area. ...
- #3 – Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake – Lake McDonald Area. ...
- #4 – Hidden Lake Overlook – Logan Pass Area. ...
- #5 – Virginia Falls – St. ...
- #6 – Grinnell Lake – Many Glacier Area.
How common are grizzly bears in Glacier National Park?
Only about 800 grizzly bears have remained in Montana, and the majority of them live in Glacier National Park , which is rightfully called the bear country. Glacier National Park boasts the largest bear population in the Lower 48 States.
Can you carry a handgun in Glacier National Park?
As of February 22, 2010, a federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park .
Are there more bears in Glacier or Yellowstone?
A new report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates that Yellowstone's grizzly bears are more dangerous than those in Glacier National Park , despite Glacier's larger bear population.
Which is better Glacier or Yellowstone?
Which is better Yellowstone or Glacier? Glacier is much more rugged than Yellowstone . Hiking will demand much more physical ability and skill. The whole park is much higher than Yellowstone, so animals and plant life will be quite a bit different than what you find in Yellowstone.
Should you make noise while hiking?
Make noise while hiking.
Making noise on the trail can alert a bear to your presence before you have the chance to surprise it . Talk to your partners and occasionally sing loudly, yell “hello” or “whoop! whoop!” and clap your hands loudly to let any bears know you're coming.
How many bear attacks happen in Glacier?
The area along the Continental Divide that includes Glacier National Park has seen 11 fatal bear attacks in the last 50 years.
What to wear to ice caves?
Waterproof trousers and jacket
You need to ensure that any moisture like rain, sleet or snow stays on the outside. Avoid jeans – when they get wet, they stay wet and you'll soon feel very cold. Waterproof trousers and a good quality waterproof jacket will keep the wind out and keep you snug and toasty.
How cold is it on a glacier in Alaska?
The Right Glacier Bay Weather Conditions for Adventure
Summer visitors can expect highs between 50 and 60 degrees F (10 to 15 degrees C). Winter temperatures rarely drop into the single digits, with average nighttime lows of 25 to 40 degrees F (-2 to 5 degrees C) .
What do you wear on a glacier cruise?
- Backpack: to carry your things. ...
- Long Pants: wear a good pair of pants (not cotton). ...
- Good Footwear: wear a good pair hiking boots or hiking shoes. ...
- Rain Gear or Jacket Shell: rain gear is good to keep in your backpack just in case we encounter a small rain event.
When should I avoid Glacier National Park?
The Best Way to Avoid Crowds in Glacier National Park during the Summer . The best way to avoid summer crowds in Glacier National Park is to arrive before 7am at the trailhead or parking area. For extremely popular areas like Logan Pass, 7am might not be early enough to find a parking spot.
How far is Banff from Glacier?
The driving distance between Glacier National Park and Banff is 288 miles . The travel time is 6 hours.
How long does it take to drive around Glacier National Park?
Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is 51 miles long and runs from West Glacier to St. Mary. It takes approximately 2 hours to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road without traffic or stops. However, plan to spend at least 4 to 5 hours exploring the scenic drive.
Are there snakes in Glacier National Park?
Moose, Elk, Black Bears and Grizzly Bears, not to mention Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goats and Mule Deer, all call Glacier Park their home. There are no poisonous snakes in Glacier Park , so you don't have to worry about where you step.
What happens if you fall in a glacier crevasse?
If they are pulled down by one person falling into a crevasse, the ice axes help stop the fall . To keep from slipping on ice, they wear crampons, which are steel spikes attached to the bottoms of their boots.
How do you walk on glaciers?
To go walking on a glacier, you use specialized safety equipment including crampons to dig into the ice underfoot, climbing ropes to tie together with teammates, ladders to cross crevasses and ice axes to help you maintain balance, check terrain, climb and stop your fall if you slip on a slope.
