Explore Glacier National Park through thrilling whitewater rafting trips, guided nature walks, or scenic driving tours. Choose from active adventures or relaxed self-guided experiences along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Free Cancellation Half-Day Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Free Cancellation Raft Class II and III rapids on the Middle Fork Flathead River and eat a riverside buffet lunch.
Free Cancellation Guided scenic floats follow the Middle Fork of the Flathead River along Glacier National Park’s southern border.
Free Cancellation Walk two miles through Lake McDonald and North Fork valleys on a four-hour guided nature tour from West Glacier.
Free Cancellation This GPS-triggered audio tour narrates the drive through Logan Pass, Many Glacier, and the park's tunnels offline.
Free Cancellation Guided van tour of West Glacier including Lake McDonald Lodge, Apgar Village, and lunch from Park Provisions.
Free Cancellation Drivers view Glacier’s lakes and tundra while an offline app narrates Blackfoot and gold rush history.
Free Cancellation A GPS-synced audio tour guiding drivers along the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park.
Free Cancellation Paved bike paths connect West Glacier, Apgar, and Fish Creek on this self-guided scavenger hunt with a return prize.
Free Cancellation Four GPS-synced audio tours cover Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and the North Fork in Glacier.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Glacier National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Glacier National Park tours focus on the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, and the old-growth cedar forests of Lake McDonald Valley. Visitors choose between guided whitewater rafting, private van excursions, and GPS-triggered audio drives.
This 50-mile route climbs to 6,646 feet at Logan Pass. Audio tours narrate the engineering of the Three Arches and rock tunnels along the cliff faces.
Rafts navigate the Middle Fork of the Flathead River along the park's southwestern border. Guides teach paddle commands during a four-mile calm stretch before entering John Stevens Canyon.
Guided walks cover one mile through old-growth cedar and hemlock forests. Moose and black bears frequently appear near the trail.
This eastern valley contains the 1915 Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake. Audio bundles guide drivers to trailheads for Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake.
Paved bike paths connect West Glacier to Apgar Village and Fish Creek. Riders stay separated from vehicle traffic on the main road.
Oarsmen row rafts down calm stretches of the Flathead River without rapids. Passengers sit on bench seats, making this safe for infants and toddlers.
Booking a Glacier National Park tour requires deciding between guided river excursions, private van drives, and self-guided audio apps.
Whitewater rafting and nature walks provide in-person guides with wilderness first aid training. Self-guided audio tours use GPS to trigger narration on your smartphone.
Most tours do not include the park entrance fee. Visitors pay $35 per private vehicle in summer or $25 in winter at the gate.
The park does not require vehicle reservations for 2026. Logan Pass operates a ticketed shuttle system with three-hour limited parking from July 1 through September 7.
Audio apps require downloading over Wi-Fi before arriving. The narration functions offline using your phone's GPS chip.
Scenic river floats and audio tours accommodate infants and toddlers. Whitewater rafting trips prohibit pregnant travelers and those with spinal injuries.
Mountain weather changes rapidly, bringing summer snow or sudden rain. Most operators provide a full refund if canceled at least 24 hours before departure.
Rafting companies supply personal flotation devices and optional wet suits. Hikers and drivers need warm layers, water-resistant footwear, and EPA-registered bear spray.
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| Whitewater Rafting | Self-Guided Audio Tour | Private Van Tour | Guided Nature Walk | E-Bike Rental | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Type | Guided River Tour | GPS Driving App | Guided Driving Tour | Walking Tour | Self-Guided Cycling |
| Duration | 2.5 hours to Full Day | Flexible | Full Day | 4 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Price from | $90 | $10 | $250 | $70 | $65 |
| Best for | Paddling John Stevens Canyon | Driving Going-to-the-Sun Road offline | Avoiding summer parking traffic | Spotting wildlife in cedar forests | Riding paved paths to Apgar Village |
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Glacier National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, but access depends heavily on the season. Most businesses, visitor centers, and services operate only from late May through September.
The lower portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road near West Glacier are plowed and open year-round. The full road over Logan Pass typically opens from late June or early July through the third Monday of October, weather permitting.
Visitor centers close in late September or early October. The Apgar Visitor Center restrooms remain open year-round.
Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell is 30 miles west of the West Entrance via Highway 2. Missoula International Airport is 150 miles south, and Great Falls International Airport is 130 to 165 miles east of the St. Mary, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier entrances.
Amtrak's Empire Builder line stops year-round at West Glacier (Belton) and the Izaak Walton Inn at Essex, and seasonally at East Glacier Park. Glacier National Park Lodges runs a paid summer shuttle connecting the West Glacier depot to Apgar Village and Lake McDonald Lodge.
Drivers approach from the west via Highway 2 to West Glacier. Eastern access uses Highway 89 north from Great Falls through Browning.
July and August have fully open roads and all visitor services running. These are the busiest months, and parking lots at Logan Pass or Avalanche Lake routinely fill before 8:00 a.m.
June has flowing waterfalls and greenery, though high-elevation trails and Logan Pass usually remain snow-covered and inaccessible by vehicle until late June or early July. September brings golden larch trees and noticeably thinner crowds.
November through April closes most roads, lodges, and visitor services. Travelers during this time must be entirely self-sufficient.
The Trail of the Cedars and Running Eagle Falls trails are paved or hard-packed and wheelchair accessible. The park's shuttle system is fully accessible.
Some campgrounds, such as Two Medicine Site #20, have designated accessible sites with flush toilets.
More strenuous hikes to places like Hidden Lake Overlook or Grinnell Glacier involve significant elevation gain. Logan Pass sits at 6,646 feet, which presents altitude and cardiovascular challenges.
There are no fueling stations inside the park boundaries. The nearest gas stations are in West Glacier, St. Mary, and other gateway towns.
Cell service is nonexistent in most of the park. Visitors must download audio tours and maps before departing gateway towns.
In-park lodges like Many Glacier Hotel and Lake McDonald Lodge sell out quickly for the peak season. Reservations open 6 to 13 months in advance via Recreation.gov.
Yes. You download the audio tour over Wi-Fi before entering the park. The narration triggers automatically using your phone's GPS chip, which does not require a cellular signal.
No. Most tours do not cover the National Park entrance fee. You pay $35 per private vehicle in summer or $25 in winter at the gate.
No vehicle reservations are required in any area of the park for 2026. Logan Pass operates a ticketed shuttle system with three-hour limited parking from July 1 through September 7.
Vehicles cannot exceed 21 feet in length or 8 feet in width on the section of Going-to-the-Sun Road between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun.
Scenic floats on calm water are safe for infants and toddlers, as the boat remains level. Whitewater rafting trips have specific age and fitness restrictions.
Rafting trips depart regardless of rain. Operators provide wet suits, splash gear, and river shoes free of charge.
The guide carries bear spray and has wilderness first aid and bear management training. The park still recommends all hikers carry their own EPA-registered bear spray.
Driving the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road takes 2 to 4 hours one-way. The exact duration depends on how often you stop at pull-offs like the Weeping Wall or Jackson Glacier Overlook.
E-bikes cannot be booked for children aged 4 to 12. Standard bicycles are available, and paved paths connect West Glacier to Apgar Village and Fish Creek.
Private van operators pick up passengers at hotels in Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls. This avoids the need to find parking at busy areas like Apgar Village.
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If you're new to white water rafting trips, no worries, as you have four miles of relatively calm water to learn the paddle commands and how to paddle effectively as a team. Along the way there are incredible views into Glacier National Park's dramatic terrain. Once you get to John Stevens Canyon the river picks up speed and your adventure really begins. You'll need all of that practice from upstream to execute the commands in the white water. With rapids like Bonecrusher, Jaws and the Notch (to name a few) your crew is sure to have an exciting time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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The trip begins with a float on the Middle Fork Flathead River along the southwestern border of Glacier National Park. Groups meet at 9:15 AM for a 9:45 AM departure regardless of rain. Guides explain the local geography and stop at a riverbank site to serve a buffet lunch of organic ingredients from local suppliers. The water is glacially fed and stays cold through the season. The afternoon route includes nine named rapids typically rated Class II and III, such as Bonecrusher. Rafts pass under the Old Belton Bridge before the trip ends in West Glacier, where a five-minute bus ride returns groups to the starting campus. No previous rafting experience is necessary. Rafters must weigh at least 50 pounds and be 5 years old, though spring runoff often raises these minimums. Life jackets accommodate a maximum chest size of 58 inches.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Guides row rafts down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River along the southern boundary of Glacier National Park. Passengers sit on bench seats while the oarsman navigates calm water stretches without whitewater rapids. This section is safe for infants and toddlers, as the boat remains level and stable throughout the float. Arrival is required 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time for life jacket fitting. Glacial runoff keeps the water temperature low, so bring a windbreaker for the cooler air found immediately above the river surface. The banks are lined with cedar and larch trees, and the route provides views of the park’s southern mountain peaks.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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The tour begins at 9:30 AM at the Glacier Guides and Montana Raft office in West Glacier. A one-mile walk through the Lake McDonald Valley follows a brief orientation and entry into the park. This valley contains old-growth cedar and hemlock forests where moose and black bears occasionally appear near the creek beds. Gravel roads lead to the North Fork Valley, a remote section of the park visited during the second half of the tour. The second one-mile walk follows the North Fork of the Flathead River, a designated Wild and Scenic River known for its clear water and views of the Livingston Range. Guides explain local homesteading history and the impact of past wildfires on the lodgepole pine forests. The trip returns to the West Glacier office by 1:30 PM. Bring a bandana or face covering, as the unpaved roads to the North Fork generate significant dust in mid-summer.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Audio narrations trigger automatically via GPS to describe the engineering of the Three Arches and the rock tunnels along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The app functions without cell service or Wi-Fi once the tour data is downloaded to a smartphone. Narrations identify Wild Goose Island in Saint Mary Lake and explain the geological forces that shaped the 6,646-foot Logan Pass summit. Itineraries scale from four-hour drives to three-day excursions through the Many Glacier valley. Bighorn sheep and mountain goats often congregate near the visitor center parking lots at the continental divide. One purchase covers all passengers in a single vehicle and includes lifetime map updates. Synchronize the app with your vehicle's Bluetooth before passing the entrance gates to ensure the audio triggers correctly as you drive.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This full-day van tour covers the west side of Glacier National Park with pickup and drop-off at your hotel. The route includes stops at the 1920s Belton Bridge and Lake McDonald Lodge, a Swiss-style timber structure built in 1913. Drivers navigate the heavy summer traffic and parking at Apgar Village while you walk the shoreline of the 10-mile-long Lake McDonald. Lunch is a catered meal from Park Provisions. The afternoon itinerary includes a choice between visiting a huckleberry gift shop or a spirits tasting at Glacier Distilling. These tours are shared with other travelers; contact the operator directly to arrange a private booking.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Glacier’s primary driving routes lead through cedar forests and over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Narrations detail the history of the Blackfoot Confederacy and the 19th-century gold rush that failed to find significant deposits in these mountains. Drivers stop at Lake McDonald and St. Mary Lake, where glacial silt gives the water a turquoise color. One purchase covers all passengers in a single vehicle and provides lifetime access to the content. Download the Action Audio Tour Guide app via WiFi before arrival, as cellular service is unavailable throughout most of the park interior. Enter the provided password to access the content offline; the app uses GPS to trigger audio descriptions automatically as you drive past specific landmarks. Drivers must obtain park entrance fees and seasonal vehicle reservations separately from this audio guide. Check the official park website for road conditions before departing, as heavy snow frequently blocks high-altitude passes until late June or early July.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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The 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass and reaches an elevation of 6,646 feet. This audio tour triggers automatically via GPS and functions offline once downloaded. Drivers can start from either the West Glacier or St. Mary entrances. Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are prohibited on the narrow stretch between Avalanche Campground and Rising Sun. Snowmelt from the Garden Wall falls directly onto the pavement at the Weeping Wall and often soaks cars in the right lane. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep frequently graze near the Logan Pass Visitor Center. The Trail of the Cedars is a 1-mile boardwalk through old-growth forest, while the hike to Hidden Lake Overlook involves a 460-foot elevation gain over 1.4 miles. Wild Goose Island sits in the center of St. Mary Lake, 6.5 miles west of the St. Mary park entrance. Narrations cover the 1932 road construction and the movement of the Grinnell Glacier. Most visitors require a vehicle reservation to access this corridor between May and September — verify current entry requirements on the official park website before arrival. The app provides lifetime access for repeat visits.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Paved bike paths link the West Glacier office to Apgar Village and Fish Creek. This route remains separated from vehicle traffic on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Rentals include an interactive map used for a photo scavenger hunt. Returning to the shop with photos of specific landmarks earns a prize. The terrain consists of flat stretches and gentle grades through cedar and hemlock forest. Pedestrian traffic is heavy near Apgar Village during midday; riders should use bells when passing walkers from behind. Pick up a physical map and helmet at the bike shop or front desk before starting. The shop staff gives current trail conditions and weather updates at the time of rental.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This bundle includes four GPS-synced audio tours covering the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier, Two Medicine, and the North Fork. Narration triggers automatically based on your location to explain the 1.5-billion-year-old Belt Supergroup rocks and the history of the Great Northern Railway’s Swiss-style chalets. Many Glacier is the primary access point for the Grinnell Glacier trailhead, while Two Medicine contains the park’s southeast lakes. The North Fork route follows 28 miles of unpaved road to reach the Polebridge Mercantile. Parking at Logan Pass often fills by 7:00 AM, which requires an early start for those planning to hike the Highline Trail. Download the Shaka Guide app and all tour data over Wi-Fi before entering the park, as cellular signals are unavailable across most driving routes. The app uses offline GPS to play audio through car speakers via Bluetooth or an auxiliary cable.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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