Images from Glacier National Park, Montana

I have spent much time exploring Glacier, so I know the park well. In fact, I have steered so many people here over the years that I even created a primer for visiting the park. At the end of my pictures, you will find that information so you can start planning your own trip. This is a truly spectacular place that is simply overwhelming in beauty almost everywhere you look. A must-see, bucket list destination!

Lodging
St. Mary Village — cabins, motel rooms, restaurant & bar.  Located at the eastern entrance to the park (about a mile).  Stayed in the cabins once about twelve years ago.  Simple, convenient to a couple of restaurants (walking distance) and a small grocery store/laundromat.
Many Glacier Hotel — Swiss feel, full amenities.  Located inside the eastern part of the park, twenty miles north of St. Mary.  Little more elegant, styled after Swiss lodges.  Lots of trailheads leave from the lodge area, canoeing/kayaking available in Swiftcurrent Lake, which the lodge overlooks.  Viewing of animals (grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats) from the lodge — bring binoculars!  Somewhat inconvenient for accessing the rest of the park because it dead ends (though sort of convenient when heading up to the Waterton part of the park).
Lake McDonald Lodge — Western lodge feel, full amenities.  Again, a little more elegant in a rustic sort of way, direct access to Lake McDonald for water activities, close to touristy town of West Glacier. 

Camping
St. Mary CG — eastern entrance to park, very convenient to all of the eastern hikes up to Logan Pass.  Also convenient (within a mile) of the town of St. Mary.  Pretty campsites.
Rising Sun CG — (BTW, there is a little motor inn/cabins available here but I know nothing about them) just inside eastern part of the park, even more convenient to the park.  General store, full service restaurant.  Even prettier campsites.
Many Glacier CG — convenient to all Many Glacier amenities, these are among the prettiest campsites anywhere!  Fill up fast.

Hikes
Iceberg Lake — one of the most popular hikes in the park, and worthy of that moniker.  About 10 miles round trip (accessed from Many Glacier area), you will see (from afar) Ptarmigan Falls, experience lots of wildflowers and beautiful vistas, and finish at Iceberg Lake (which always lives up to its name with cool “icebergs” of various sizes and shapes).  Bear spray recommended — very high bear density area. 
Hidden Lake Overlook @ Logan Pass — just 2.5 miles roundtrip, this is an extremely popular trail, and parking at the VC can be difficult after 10 a.m.  You’ll start on a boardwalk (to protect delicate alpine plants) then finish on a trail that will likely be wet, muddy, slushy, and snowy.  At the top, a great panoramic view of the western side of the park — oh, and Hidden Lake itself. Mountain goats are common to this area, along with marmots and the occasional wolverine down at Hidden Lake.
Highline Trail to Swiftcurrent Pass (from Logan Pass to Many Glacier Hotel) — my favorite hike (maybe anywhere!), this is a day-long hike (15+ miles), or can be broken up by a night’s stay at Granite Park Chalet.  Lots of gorgeous views of the western part of the park, waterfalls (Bird Woman Falls) back toward Logan Pass as you summit near Granite Park Chalet.  The view as the hike transitions into the Swiftcurrent Valley is simply spectacular.  The rest of this hike is a series of switchbacks down into the valley toward a number of lakes and streams until you reach the Many Glacier area.  Redrock Falls will mark the final two miles of the hike (a nice flat stretch to finish).  You’re back in grizzly bear/moose country for the last five miles.  I can’t adequately describe the beauty of this hike in totality.  Last time I walked it I took over 400 pictures.
St. Mary and Virginia Falls — can be accessed via boat ride as well.  Short easy out and back hike (maybe 3+ miles total) will take you past two impressive waterfalls, and a nice stroll along the picturesque St. Mary River.  St. Mary Falls has three drops and you will likely see dippers (the bird) near the falls.  Spent much time attempting to photograph them last time I was there.  Another mile up the trail (after passing pretty cascades and other smaller waterfalls) is the even more impressive Virginia Falls (maybe a 110 foot drop).  If you are fans of waterfalls, these are keepers.
Grinnell Glacier — about 4 miles round trip after two boat shuttles (should take about 25 minutes total).  7.5 miles without shuttles.  After the boat ride, you will spend a little time on a boardwalk along Josephine Lake.  Trail is steep after this, eventually leveling off as you near Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Falls.  Here you will also see three smallish glaciers (I know one is named Salamander).  After this you will stroll through some beautiful meadows (should be lots of flowers), then hit a stretch of trail along an exposed, narrow ledge with a fairly steep drop-off.  A series of switchbacks above this will take you to the Overlook itself — and a nice view of Grinnell and Gem glaciers.  Used to be able to walk out onto the glacier, but I don’t think that is permitted anymore.  Strenuous hike, but how often can you get within a stone’s throw of a glacier!?

Redrock Falls — if you can’t do the Highline Trail, this is an easy 4 mile hike to a very pretty waterfall.  You will walk past a couple of beautiful lakes that provide great views of the mountains that surround the Swiftcurrent Valley.  Lots of berries along this trail (when in season) — which can mean lots of grizzlies as well.  Unfortunately, this trail is closed many times through the summer because of high bear density.  This also might be one the best areas in Glacier itself to see moose, especially near the lakes (look for willow, birch, aspen, and poplar trees, the younger the better).
Trail of the Cedars — easiest “hike” in the park (one mile loop), partially paved, partially boardwalked — but definitely worth doing.  Five hundred year old cedars and hemlocks, lots of ferns, and Avalanche Gorge are the highlights.  Everyone loves this little hike!
Other hikes to consider (that Jane or I have done — but I won’t bore you with more details) include Siyeh Pass, Dawson Pass, Twin Falls, and Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail.

Hangout Places/Other Activities
Sun Point — there is a short nature trail here, but we have used this as a hang-out or picnic spot.  Beautiful views of mountains (particularly Mt. Fusillade) and St. Mary Lake.
Sunrift Gorge — stunning little gorge at this pull off.  A trail here will also take you a few hundred yards to another nice waterfall, Baring Falls.  Definitely worth spending half an hour or so here. 
Wild Goose Island — most iconic pull off and photograph in the park.  Lots of congestion here, but a trip to Glacier is not complete without a picture from this viewpoint.

Canoeing/kayaking on Lake McDonald and at Many Glacier — always fun to get on the water in one way or another.

Whitewater rafting on Flathead River — western side of the park.  Have done a half day trip, mostly class II and III rapids, but absolutely gorgeous views of the park and Stevens Canyon.

What to do in Waterton, Canada

• Lots of cute shops/restaurants in Waterton Village — if you want to do some touristy stuff.
• Prince of Wales Hotel — especially an afternoon tea or a very expensive dinner.
• Waterton Lake boat tour.  Old wooden boats take you back into the U.S. to Goat Haunt, where you can take off to hike or just explore the shoreline before heading back to Waterton.  You will likely see eagles on this trip, along with moose.
• Cameron Falls — close to town, easy to get to.  Very pretty waterfall.
• Bear’s Hump Trail — short hike (2 miles up and back), but you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the Waterton Valley and the village of Waterton.
• Red Rock Parkway to Red Rock Canyon — this is a beautiful drive, lots of picturesque pull offs, culminating at the gorgeous Red Rock Canyon.  Typically lots of animals along this drive, including moose and bears.