The Ultimate 1 Day in Glacier National Park Itinerary
If you only have one day in Glacier National Park, make the most of it with this helpful itinerary!
Known as the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park is known for its winding Going-to-the-Sun Road, beautiful mountain views, and crystal clear, glacier-fed lakes.
The itinerary below will help you make important decisions on how to spend your limited time in this incredible park, and what can be left for a later, longer visit.
You’ll find a minute by minute itinerary with recommendations on how to best use your time throughout the day, as well as dining and hiking suggestions.
The itinerary is laid out so you’ll hit the highlights of Glacier National Park, so you’ll feel like you’ve got a good overview without being overwhelming.
As with all of my national parks itineraries, everything here is family friendly, though it’s equally good for any beginning visitor to this area.
View of Mount Oberlin from Going-to-the-Sun Road near Logan Pass
This post contains affiliates. If you purchase through the links below, I will receive a commission at no charge to you.
Is one day enough time at Glacier National Park?
The incredible Paradise Meadows Overlook in Glacier National Park
Honestly, one day in Glacier only allows you to see the tip of what the park offers, but it is a good enough outlay for you to decide if it’s worth another, longer visit.
You definitely cannot exhaust the hiking, camping, and other outdoor adventures in this area in that time, but a day is enough to see part of the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, do a hike or two, and see why so many visitors flock to this park every year.
Plus, I know that many visitors also want to see this area as part of a larger Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks itinerary, which doesn’t leave a lot of extra time.
Glacier National Park covers more than a million acres in Montana and is centered around the section of the Rocky Mountains that runs through it.
While that might seem like a lot to tackle in just a day, you’ll be able to see a good amount just by driving through the scenic roads and doing select hikes.
Glacier National Park is divided into 6 major areas:
West Glacier, including Apgar and Lake McDonald, which includes the park’s most popular entrance, a visitors center, and lodging options. One end of Going-to-the-Sun road is here, and you will need reservations to access it from this entrance. Trail of the Cedars, watersports on Lake McDonald, and multiple hiking trails are located in this part of the park.
Logan Pass, which is at the roughly half-way mark along Going-to-the Sun road. It also functions as a marker for the highest vehicle pass in the park. There is a small gift store, ranger station, and bathrooms here. It’s the place most likely to have snow in July and where you’re most likely to see mountain goats!
St. Mary is at the eastern end of Going-to-the-Sun Road, and you will not need a reservation to get onto the road if you’re traveling east to west. There are a few stores at this entrance, as well as a visitors center. There are many beautiful hikes, a boat tour, and the Wild Goose Island overlook near here.
Many Glacier is a separate entrance north of St. Mary and is not accessible via Going-to-the Sun Road. There’s a gorgeous chalet here and incredible hiking to glacier-fed lakes that’s not as crowded as those in West Glacier.
Two Medicine is located in East Glacier, which is also a separate entrance of the park and not accessible via Going-to-the-Sun Road. It is located south of St. Mary and has a historic lodge, Amtrak train station, easy waterfall hikes, and boat tours.
Polebridge is another entrance to the park that’s not along that main Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor. To access this cute town northwest of Apgar, you’ll have to take North Fork Road, which is partially gravel and partially pavement. (Of all of the areas you could skip with kids on a first time visit, this one would be my pick.)
There’s no way that you’ll be able to cover all of that area in just one day, so I’m recommending that you stick to West Glacier and Logan Pass via Going-to-the-Sun Road.
However, please know that the other areas of the park that you’re not getting to on this quick trip are still absolutely worth your time.
We’re just hitting up the major points of interest for your first, brief trip.
Park Location
To get to Glacier National Park, head to northern Montana.
While the park has entrances near St. Mary, East Glacier, and Polebridge, you’ll need to enter through West Glacier for this itinerary.
Doing so puts you in easy range of everything you’ll want to see for your one and only day here, from dining options to hiking trails.
That’s the entrance closest to Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Hungry Horse, Montana.
Flying into Glacier National Park
If you’re starting your trip by flying into Montana, you’ll need to book your flight for the Glacier International Airport in Kalispell.
Note that there are two airports in Kalispell, but the other is the tiny Kalispell Regional Airport which is likely not going to have your desired connections and is going to cost a lot more.
From Glacier International Airport to the western entrance of the park will take 30-40 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Getting around the Park
Glacier National Park does offer a shuttle throughout the park, so you could do the entire itinerary below within driving within Glacier’s boundaries.
However, you’re going to need a rental car to get into the park. If you’d like to take the shuttle, you can park in the Apgar Visitors Center parking lot in West Glacier.
Visiting with Kids
This itinerary specifically highlights experiences that first time visitors and families can do easily, and you’re not going to need to bring anything more specialized than a day pack and some good hiking shoes to enjoy it.
Your kids will marvel at the waterfalls that cascade over the road, the bighorn sheep that hang out on impossibly steep inclines, and the crystal clear lakes that are begging to be splashed in.
I also have a family-friendly guide to Glacier National Park with kids, which further shows you how fun this park is with little ones!
Many of the items that we loved in Glacier could be compacted into just a single day, and nearly all of these are great for kids. I’ve noted the particularly kid-friendly options on the itinerary below, as well as options when a specific activity won’t work for younger visitors or families.
The best time to visit Glacier National Park is during the summer, when your kids are already free from school schedules. Going in July or early August will provide the best weather and the greatest likelihood that the entirety of Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open.
However, keep in mind that this is the busiest time for the park, so be prepared to encounter crowds at the most popular trailheads.
FREE Glacier National Park Planning Resources!
Get everything you need to plan the perfect Glacier National Park vacation for your family in one place. From a review of the Red Bus tours to hiking guides to how to paddleboard in the park, get kid-friendly information from a parent who’s been there.
Can I bring an RV or travel trailer with me into the park?
The answer there depends on where you’ll be driving and what you ultimately want to accomplish here.
Parking in West Glacier is already a pain in a regular sized vehicle, and there’s simply no place to park anything bigger than a Class B van at the vast majority of the trailheads. Even the large (by comparison) parking area at Apgar Visitors Center isn’t going to have room for travel trailers, Class A RVs, and Class C RVs.
Plus, there are height and length maximums for vehicles on Going-to-the-Sun Road past the Avalanche Creek area, since the road is far too narrow and winding to accommodate anything much longer than a 15 passenger van.
Read more about the vehicle restrictions in the park in my guide to Going-to-the-Sun Road.
In short, there’s so much going on here that I recommend that you NOT take a camper into the park unless you have a Glacier National Park campground site in one of the on-site campgrounds:
Apgar Campground,
Fish Creek Campground,
Sprague Creek Campground, or
Avalanche Creek.
And, even then, you should park it in the campsite and rely on the shuttle or your daily driver vehicle.
Keep in mind, too, that the in-park campgrounds are not made for larger RVs and travel trailers. If you’re driving or hauling a larger RV, you’ll want to book outside of the park.
We’ve camped at Beargrass Lodging and RV Resort in Hungry Horse, Montana, only 15 minutes from the west gate.
>> Read my review of the Beargrass Lodging and RV Resort here. <<
Do I need vehicle reservations to get into Glacier National Park?
Yes, you will need to make vehicle reservations on Recreation.gov before heading into Glacier National Park. When you’re accessing Going-to-the-Sun Road from West Glacier (as you will be doing in this itinerary), you will have to have a valid daily vehicle reservation.
You’ll need to apply for this ahead of time. I also recommend screenshotting your information and QR code since the cell service is spotty inside the park.
Learn more about the current vehicle reservation system in place at Glacier here.
There’s a caveat to this requirement: if you take the recommended Lake McDonald boat tour in my itinerary below, your tour ticket includes all day access to Going-to-the-Sun Road.
If you do the boat tour, you do NOT have to get another Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle pass via Recreation.gov.
In addition, you will need to pay the entrance fee to get into the park, or have an annual NPS pass.
TIP: To save money, get an NPS annual pass! This will get you into any NPS site—including national parks, national battlefields, and national historic sites—for a year. And for even more savings, grab the AllTrails+ and NPS America the Beautiful annual pass bundle!
How to Spend One Incredible Day at Glacier National Park
To make the most of your short time in Glacier National Park, you’re going to want to be up early. This is not the day for lingering over your coffee!
NOTE: This itinerary assumes that you’ve stayed nearby the night before so that you can start your day no later than 8 AM.
Entrance Station and Apgar Visitors Center
Arrival time: 8 AM
Approximate duration: 30-45 minutes
Head into the park no later than 8 AM and either purchase your park entrance pass or show your NPS annual pass at the gate. When you make your way through the gate, you’ll also get a Glacier National Park map, which will be helpful as you explore around the park today.
You’ll likely have a 10-15 minute wait at the entrance gate even this early, so pack your patience.
From there, you’ll want to follow the entrance road until you come to a 4-way stop. Go straight across, following this small road through a short patch of woods until you get to a large parking area.
This is the parking area for the Apgar Visitors Center, and it’s also the largest parking area for this part of the park.
Head into the small building at the back left corner of the parking lot, which is where you’ll find the Apgar Visitors Center. You’ll find outdoor informational placards showcasing each section of the park, bathrooms, and a small souvenir shop.
This is also where many of the Glacier National Park Red Bus Tours pick up.
If you’re interested in doing one of those instead of a self-drive experience along Going-to-the-Sun Road, it is a good, if less flexible, alternative.
Just be sure to book ahead since they’re very popular. I’d recommend doing a half day (3.5-4 hours) tour so you could still do some of the other activities on this itinerary.
Read my complete review of the Red Bus Tours at Glacier National Park here.
For those visitors like me who need to get their NPS passport stamp, you’ll find that station to the right side of the information desk inside the store, so be sure to get that before you head further into the park.
This is also a good time to ask questions about the park and trails and talk to the rangers on duty. If you’re traveling with kids (or you’re a kid at heart!), you can pick up your free Junior Ranger booklet here, too.
When you’ve gathered all of the information and souvenirs you need, go to the end of the building near the parking lot and look for a sign for the multi-use pathway.
Short Hike to Apgar Village
Start time: between 8:30-8:45 AM
Approximate duration: 15 minutes
The paved multi-use trail is the best way to get to Apgar Village from the visitors center.
I know it’s tempting to hop back in the car, but walking is far better in this situation.
For one, getting out into the park is the best way to get a feel for Glacier, and, two, the parking situation at Apgar Village is dire.
There are far fewer parking spaces than there are people staying at the hotels, eating at the cafes, shopping at the stores, and out on the water at Lake McDonald.
Instead of worrying about all of that, enjoy the short, 1/4 mile stroll through the ferns and towering pines. From the visitors center, turn to the left to access Apgar Village.
(Turning right would take you into the Apgar Campground.)
The multi-use trail will pop out in Apgar Village near the Nature Center.
TIP: It’s always helpful to get up-to-the minute notes on hiking trails, so I recommend scoping out the trails at Glacier National Park on AllTrails+ before you go.
Exploring Apgar Village
Start time: 8:45 AM
Approximate duration: 60 minutes
Apgar Village is an adorable part of the park that deserves some time before you move onto other areas of the park.
There are several souvenir shops here, so if you didn’t see something you liked over at the visitors center, you’ll have more choices here.
If you didn’t have breakfast before arriving in the park, or if you need a snack, stop by Eddie’s Cafe. You’ll find some tasty options at this quick service restaurant.
The cafe is attached to Eddie’s Mercantile which is one of the many places to get t-shirts, postcards, and other souvenir items in Apgar Village.
Lake McDonald
Start time: between 9:45-10:00 AM
Approximate duration: 60-90 minutes
Apgar Village is located on the shores of the incredible Lake McDonald.
It’s one of those places that’s so pretty in photos that you’re sure to think that the reality of the place just can’t live up to the hype.
But it does!
Here, you’ll find brilliantly colored tumbled stones, crystal clear water, and the best water sports options in the park.
While you can simply splash at the small beach or walk along the dock, the best way to appreciate the lake is to get out onto it.
You can do this easily, thanks to the in-park outfitters in Apgar Village.
Apgar Boat Rentals are the most convenient with their spot directly on the lake shore. You can rental canoes and kayaks here, or, if you want to sit back and relax, you can take out one of their small, motorized boats.
Flathead Outdoor Rentals has kayaks and paddleboards, and they’re closer to Eddie’s Cafe, which is still very close to the water.
Glacier Outfitters is the furthest from the water, but they also offer kayaks and paddleboards for hourly rental.
Learn more about paddleboarding in Glacier National Park here.
However you get out onto the water, the morning is the best time to do so since the water is usually calm. These conditions make it very easy to row and paddle around, and you’ll get the most visibility down into the lake’s clear waters.
NOTE: If you do have any souvenirs that you purchased while exploring Apgar Village, most of the outfitters will allow you to keep them at the rental hut. Or, you can get a dry bag and take them with you in your kayak or on your paddle board.
Some of the educational materials in the Nature Center
Nature Center
Start time: 11:15 AM
Approximate duration: 15-30 minutes
Before you leave the Apgar Village area of the park, stop by the Nature Center, which is tucked away in the woods across from Eddie’s Cafe.
This little building holds some incredible hands-on learning opportunities, and it’s particularly good for families.
Inside, you’ll be able to talk to the knowledgeable volunteers and rangers, compare different skulls and furs from wildlife in the park, see just how big a grizzly bear’s claws are, and practice stamping animal tracks in a sand box.
The Nature Center also hosts free, family friendly ranger talks throughout the day.
If you happen to arrive when one is starting, it’s worth it to stick around for the half hour presentation.
Lunch at McDonald Lodge
Start time: around noon
Approximate duration: 45-60 minutes
Lobby at Lake McDonald Lodge
From the Nature Center, retrace your steps on the multi-use path back to the Apgar Visitors Center parking area.
Get into your vehicle and make your way to the check point on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
You’ll leave the parking area at Apgar, turn left onto Going-to-the-Sun Road and follow that until you see the orange traffic cones and rangers on the side of the road.
Here, you’ll show your vehicle reservation pass for that day.
If you don’t have one, or you can’t pull it up on your phone, the ranger will ask you to do a U-turn back towards Apgar Village.
But, you listened to all of my recommendations and have both a valid pass and a screenshot of said pass, and you’re soon on your way to lunch.
You’ll wind along the eastern shore of Lake McDonald, far past where you were paddleboarding or kayaking earlier in the day.
Towards the far end of the lake, look for the Lake McDonald Lodge turn off, which will be on your left.
You’ve got a couple of lunch options here.
You can opt for Russell’s Fireside Dining Room inside the lodge, which is a sit-down meal and will take the longest time outlay and the most expensive of your options.
Here, you’ll find salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pasta dishes in a dining area that overlooks the lake. Keep in mind that a popular boat tour disembarks next to the lodge, and, so the dining room gets very busy as a result.
Your next option is Jammer Joe’s Grill and Pizzaria, which is across the hotel’s front lawn and to the right. This quick service option is great for families and those with less time to linger.
Order whole pies, pizza slices, salads, and soups at the counter, or go all in with their all-you-can-eat lunch buffer.
Your final option is to bring your own picnic into the park. This is one of our favorite ways to save money while traveling and ensure that our picky eaters get a nutritious meal.
If you decide to also do this, you can find picnic tables on the lodge’s back deck near the cabins and overlooking the lake.
Trail of the Cedars
Start time: 1:00 PM
Approximate duration: 45 minutes
Avalanche Gorge as seen from the bridge on the Trail of Cedars
When you’re done with lunch, head deeper into the park on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
At Avalanche Creek, see if you can get a parking spot for Trail of the Cedars, an easy 1-mile loop that will take you past 500-year-old cedar trees and the beautiful Avalanche Gorge.
Learn more about the Trail of the Cedars hike here.
Parking truly can be difficult here during the summer since there’s far more interest in both Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake Trail (which share a trailhead) than the parking can support.
Circle a few times, looking at the lots on both sides of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. If you just cannot find a spot, you can try again on your way back down the road towards the end of the day.
Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass
Arrival time: 2:30 PM
Approximate duration: 45-60 minutes
Bird Woman Falls
Once you’ve completed the Trail of the Cedars, it’s time to chase some incredible mountain views.
Above Trail of the Cedars, Going-to-the-Sun Road begins to climb in earnest, and, by the time you make the hairpin turn at the Loop, you’ll get into some of the most spectacular parts of the park.
There are many turn-offs and scenic viewpoints, but you won’t be able to do them all since your afternoon will fly by.
Focus on the ones on your right hand side as you ascend to Logan Pass. You can catch any interesting areas on the left as you descend into West Glacier later on.
Two viewpoints that I think are worth your time on this section are:
Bird Woman Falls Overlook and
Paradise Meadows.
If you can find a spot at Oberlin Bend, pause here for a moment. This is where the mountain goats and bighorn sheep often hang out, and their complete lack of fear on the steep mountain cliffs is fascinating to watch.
Just beyond Oberlin Bend is the Continental Divide, but don’t stop for a photo on the road. You’ll have a better opportunity in just a moment.
TIP: Listen to the Glacier National Park GuideAlong audio tour while you’re cruising around the park!
This inexpensive self-guided tour is excellent for learning more about the park’s history, important figures, wildlife, hikes, geology and more.
Once you have it downloaded to your phone, you don’t need wifi. Plus, the tour starts and stops automatically as you approach points of interest.
This is one thing we never go to a national park without.
Logan Pass and Hidden Lake Trail
Start time: 3:30 PM
Approximate duration: 60-90 minutes
At Logan Pass, you’ve reached the highest elevation on Going-to-the-Sun Road, and it makes for a great turn-around point when you’ve got limited time in the park.
Before you head back down to Apgar Village, spend some time here.
Parking can be a bit tough, but I’ve found that people move in and out of this area much more quickly than they do at Trail of the Cedars. If the lot looks full when you arrive, circle for a few minutes and something is likely to open up.
There are bathrooms here if you need a quick break, as well as a small souvenir shop and ranger station.
I also recommend doing at least the first portion of the Hidden Lake Trail. This area of the park is the last to lose snow cover, so it’s not usually to find drifts along the trail well into the first week of July.
If there is snow on the trail when you’re there in the summer, take your hike slow and watch your step. The snow right off of the boardwalk sections can be surprisingly deep. (Ask my husband how we found that out!)
You can aim for the overlook or the trail terminus, but the overlook is only about 1 mile each way from the Logan Pass visitors center.
You’ll get pretty views of Clements Mountain and Hidden Lake from the overlook, and I don’t think you’ll feel like you’re missing anything by not finishing the entire trail.
Keep an eye out for bears any time you’re hiking in Glacier National Park, and be sure to carry your bear spray!
Returning to West Glacier
Start time: 5:00 PM
Approximate duration: 60 minutes
After you’ve gone for your hike, stop by the shop for any souvenirs.
Before you return to your car, don’t forget to walk out to Going-to-the-Sun Road to get a photo with the Continental Divide sign.
There is a dedicated walkway to the sign, so you don’t have to worry about getting out into the traffic or climbing around on the shoulder of the road.
Follow Going-to-the-Sun Road back the way you came. While you’re going the same route, each direction on the road offers a unique experience.
As you head down the mountain, you’ll get to pass directly under the Weeping Wall, which is a favorite feature of mine.
Weeping Wall
During the summer, there’s so much snow melt coming off of the mountains next to the road that you’ll see seasonal waterfalls almost constantly.
Along the Weeping Wall section, the water flows directly over a cliff and onto your car as you drive through it! Because the road is so narrow, there’s no way to avoid this impromptu car wash.
Another place that I recommend stopping is the overlook for Heaven’s Peak.
Look for a small rock tunnel over Going-to-the-Sun Road about half a mile below The Loop. There is a wide shoulder where you can pull your car over after you go through the tunnel.
From here, you can carefully walk the short distance back up to the viewing platform inside the tunnel, where you’ll get a perfectly framed view of Heaven’s Peak.
Heaven’s Peak from the overlook area
If you weren’t able to get a parking spot earlier in the day for Trail of the Cedars, be sure to check once more on your way back to West Glacier.
Boat Tour of Lake McDonald
Start time: 7:00 PM
Approximate duration: 60 minutes
End your busy day with a sunset boat tour on Lake McDonald!
These boat tours are excellent, and are run by the Glacier Boat Company. The company holds the record of the longest running concessionaire in the national parks service, and they’ve been providing tours to Glacier visitors since 1938.
Lake McDonald with the tour boat
This same company offers tours of St. Mary Lake on the eastern end of Going-to-the-Sun Road, a hiking and boating tour in Two Medicine, and a hiking and boating tour in Many Glacier, all of which I recommend highly.
On your Lake McDonald cruise, which will start at 7 PM, you’ll need to check in at the Lake McDonald Lodge (where you had lunch) no later than 6:30 PM.
From there, you’ll walk down the short flight of stairs to the boat dock, and join the captain and crew for a narrated tour around the lake.
As you cruise around, you’ll learn about the lodge’s history, the wildlife and geology of Glacier National Park, and other fun facts.
Book early as these tours are very popular. Tickets for the summer typically open up in late November or early December of the previous year.
Dinner in West Glacier
Start time: 8:00 PM
I’m sure you’re tired after a full day of exploring the park, and it’s time to grab a bite to eat.
For a quick, easy dinner, try Glacier National Pizza just outside of the West Glacier entrance gates. You can get a delicious pizza, calzones, garlic knots, and more here.
There’s outdoor seating, where you can enjoy the evening.
After your meal, you can grab some ice cream at the shop next door, or, if you’re still not ready to call it a night, challenge your travel buddies to a round of mini golf at Golfing to the Sun.
What Else to Know about Visiting Glacier National Park
The park is open year round, but things change considerably during the colder months.
Thanks to the park’s elevation and location within the Rocky Mountains, the East and West portions of Glacier are cut off from one another for much of the year.
Going-to-the-Sun Road at Logan Pass is fully blocked by snow and ice from fall to early summer, so you will only be able to do this itinerary in its entirety from roughly July to September.
If you cannot visit during that time frame, know that the park and its tours are largely closed. You’ll be able to do Trail of the Cedars and other hikes in West Glacier, but you will not be able to take the boat tour, shop in Apgar Village (which shuts down in the low season), or visit Logan Pass and the Continental Divide.
You can camp in the park, but there are also other good options nearby.
There are multiple campgrounds inside the national park, but these are incredibly popular.
Making things even more complicated is the fact that people will book a campsite with zero intention of using it just so that they can get a daily vehicle pass for Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Unless you are planning far in advance and get lucky, you’ll also want to have a backup plan at one of the off-property campgrounds.
We also wanted a campground that had more amenities for my kids, including a pool and full hook-ups, since we were staying for 10 days in our travel trailer.
We booked at the Beargrass Lodging and RV Resort in nearby Hungry Horse, Montana, and really enjoyed our stay.
>> Read my complete review of the Beargrass Lodging and RV Resort here. <<
Ready to extend your visit to Glacier National Park?
If your plans change, and you decide to extend your stay at Glacier, there’s SO much more to do!
In the park, here are some additional things to do that are excellent (but just didn’t fit in a single day’s visit).
One of the Red Bus Tours on Going-to-the-Sun Road
Red Bus Tour
These excellent tours are offered on both the west and east ends of Going-to-the-Sun Road and can provide a unique look at the park.
While you could do one of these on your single day in Glacier, the overall time outlay required for these tours is best left to a longer schedule.
Grinnell Lake and/or Grinnell Glacier
One of my favorite hikes is located in Many Glacier, a part of the park that we didn’t even get close to on this one day itinerary.
Grinnell Lake has shockingly blue water, thanks to the glacier that sits above it.
The hike to Grinnell Lake is excellent for families and beginning hikers, while the longer trail to the Grinnell Glacier viewpoint is better for more experienced hikers.
Twin Falls and Running Eagle Falls in Two Medicine
Another part of the park that didn’t get covered above is Two Medicine in the lower, eastern side of the park.
Here, you can take a guided boat tour and hike to Twin Falls, or complete the easy but incredibly scenic hike to the double cascade of Running Eagle Falls.
Stop by for coffee or a fireside moment at the East Glacier Lodge after you’re done.
St. Mary Lake
On the eastern end of Going-to-the-Sun is St. Mary Lake.
In it is the famous Wild Goose Island, which you can see up close on a guided boat tour from the Rising Sun Boat Dock.
There are also some great hikes along this lake, including Sun Point Nature Trail and St. Mary Falls.
