Glacier National Park Activities

Camping

Camping in Glacier National Park is an adventure like no other. Some things to consider if you have never camped in Glacier, it gets cold in Glacier almost every night. This is due to the geographical location and elevation. If you come prepared for cold weather camping, you shouldn't be surprised. Be prepared for quick weather changes, a day may start out warm and sunny and turn cold and stormy with very little notice. Either wear or take layered clothing with you and bring rain gear.

There are ten major campgrounds in Glacier. There are also backcountry sites for backpackers. Reservations are available at Fish Creek and St. Mary Campgrounds through the National Park Reservation Service: 1-800-365-2267. Reservations may also be made through a secure Internet site at reservations.nps.gov. Hours for making reservations, both phone and Internet, are 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Reservations may be made up to 5 months in advance. Campers without reservations may inquire about site availability at kiosks located near the campground entrance.

To register for your campsite at a first-come, first-served campground, stop at the registration and information bulletin board located at the entrance to campgrounds or campground loops. Select a site, fill out a fee envelope completely, and deposit it in the fee tube within 30 minutes. Pay for only one night at a time. Park rangers can not give refunds. Place envelope fee receipt in clip on your numbered site post. Check out time is 12:00 noon.

Camping Tips:

Public showers are available at Many Glacier (at Swiftcurrent Camp site) and Rising Sun.
Campgrounds are operated on a first come, first serve basis. Plan to arrive early. The more popular campgrounds often fill before noon, especially in July and August
Camping is permitted only at designated locations. Overflow or roadside camping is not permitted. Campsites are limited to eight (8) people and two (2) vehicles per site.
Campgrounds have drinking water and most provide restrooms with flush toilets and cold running water. Utility hookups are not provided, but disposal stations are available at the larger campgrounds.
Group campsites for groups of 9 to 24 people are available at Apgar, Many Glacier, Saint Mary and Two Medicine The fee is $ 3.00 per person per night.
Gathering firewood from along roads or near developed campgrounds is prohibited. Dead and decaying wood plays an important part in nutrient cycling and provides a habitat for many species. As supplies of dead and down wood are depleted, continued collection promotes unsightly social trail development and vegetation damage.
Collecting firewood is permitted along the inside North Fork Road from one mile north of Fish Creek Campground to Kintla Lake, along the Bowman Lake Road, and in the area of backcountry campgrounds where fires are permitted. Park staff monitor these areas to asses continued availability and impacts associated with collecting.

Backcountry Camping

In order to camp in the backcountry, a free permit is required. The permit is a means to manage the backcountry sites to avoid confusing and overcrowding. You can pick up a permit at Apgar and St. Mary Visitor Centers or Many Glacier Ranger Station. Normally between May 1 and November 19, permits can be obtained no more than 24 hours in advance.

Reservations for backcountry camping can be made in advance starting May 1 through October 31. These reservations can be made in person at Apgar and St. Mary Visitor Centers or via mail by writing to:

Backcountry Permits
Glacier National Park
PO Box 395
West Glacier, MT 59936-0395

The fee for a reservation is $ 20.00. All reservations must be picked up by 10:00 am on the day you are headed into the backcountry or it will be canceled.

Hiking

There are over 730 miles of hiking trails in Glacier National Park. One way to see and enjoy Glacier's beauty is to take a hike in the park. You can do a short hike, a day hike or an extended backcountry hiking and camping trip. To camp in the backcountry, you will need to obtain a free backcountry permit. There are over 114 miles of hiking trails in Waterton Lakes National Park as well. These backcountry trails wind through the mountains and valleys of the park. Trails are well marked on topographic maps available in the park. Permit are required for backcountry camping. Camping and open fires are allowed only in designated areas.

By mid-June, the trails are usually dried out enough to hike in the lower elevations. In the higher elevations, trails are not normally free of snow until late July. You may be aware of the need to cross streams of very cold water, so bring extra dry clothing to change into and do not attempt to cross steep snow banks.

If you're going to hike off the road in Glacier, follow a few commonsense tips:

Take proper gear
That means rain and sun protection, a first-aid kit with blister treatments, and maps. To prevent blisters, the most common hiking ailment, wear comfortable shoes or boots that suit your needs and the terrain. Likewise, choose quality outdoor socks that will protect your feet.
Let someone know where you're going in case you don't return on time
Park rangers will generally not start a search unless you are reported missing.
Know your limitations
A 12-mile alpine hike is a bad place to learn you've got a pair of 7-mile legs. An average hiker travels 2 miles an hour. If the trail is steep, figure another hour for every 1,000 feet of elevation. Remember that heavy loads, young children, or bad weather may also slow your travel time.
Watch for wild animals
Obviously, bears and mountain lions are dangerous, but you should be aware of all activity around you.
Carry water
Trails through high mountain areas frequently will cross areas with little or no water. Streams and lakes may carry Giardia lamblia protozoans, making the water unsafe to drink unless boiled or treated. To avoid this sickness, carry adequate water for short hikes. On longer hikes, boil water from streams or lakes for at least three minutes before using it for drinking or cooking, or use a water filter.
Know where you're going
There are a multitude of trails, especially around developed areas such as hotel sites. Some lead to scenic landmarks, while others lead to employee dorms. Ask a ranger for directions before starting out. Maps and excellent hiking guides are available at park visitor centers and through park natural history associations.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted when consistent with preservation or restoration of natural aquatic environments, native fishes, and other aquatic life.

General park season is from the third Saturday in May, through November 30, with some exceptions: Waterton Lake season, catch and possession limits are the same as set by Canada.*

Lower Two Medicine Lake season, catch and possession limits are set by the Blackfeet Nation.*
Lake McDonald and St. Mary Lake are open to lake trout (mackinaw) fishing only from April 1 through December 31.

* Regulations may change from year to year. Check before fishing these waters.

Daily catch and possession limits will not exceed five (5) fish, including no more than:

two (2) cutthroat trout
five (5) burbot (ling)
five (5) northern pike
five (5) whitefish
five (5) kokanee salmon
five (5) brook trout
five (5) grayling
five (5) rainbow trout
five (5) lake trout (mackinaw)

Fishing for bull trout is prohibited and any bull trout incidentally caught must be immediately released.

River Rafting

The Middle Fork and North Fork of the Flathead River provide a range of rafting adventures. The Middle Fork, along Glacier's southern border, contains some excellent white water. The North Fork has both fast and calm water and is popular for all-day sightseeing tours. Numerous rafting companies provide trips of varying lengths, including Wild River Adventures,(800) 826-2724; Glacier Raft Co., (406) 888-5454; Great Northern Whitewater, (406) 387-5340; and Montana Raft Co., (800) 521-RAFT.

You can also bring your own raft or boat to run the rivers. Stop in at Hungry Horse Ranger Station in Flathead National Forest near West Glacier to obtain a permit and advice on how to handle the tricky parts of the rivers. Call (406) 387-5243.

Biking

Bicycling is a popular way to tour Glacier National Park, but park roads are winding and narrow and have limited shoulder space. Glacier does not allow bike traffic across Logan Pass from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. between June 15 and Labor Day. Glacier does have trails specially designated for cyclists. Bike travel is prohibited on all Glacier hiking trails except for one near Apgar. Check at a visitor center for information.

Snowshoeing

Join a park interpreter at Glacier National Park weekends during the winter for a free guided snowshoe walk to learn how plants and animals survive the challenges of the winter season. The two-hour guided snowshoe walks are suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities. Snowshoe programs are offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. from January 7 to March 18 (weather and snow dependent). Participants should meet at the Apgar Visitor Center, where the walks begin and conclude.

If needed, snowshoes can be rented for $2 per pair for the walks at the Apgar Visitor Center. Snowshoes are also available for longer rentals in West Glacier and elsewhere in the Flathead Valley.

Though reservations are not accepted, there is no limit to the group's size. Participants should wear winter footwear, dress in layers for a variety of winter conditions, and bring water.

For more information, or to confirm a day's outings when there is severe weather or possible insufficient snow, please call the Apgar Visitor Center (open Saturdays and Sundays only from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at (406) 888-7939.

Visitors are reminded that although the snowshoe programs are free, valid park entry is required. During winter months, entrance costs $15 for a seven-day single vehicle entry. Annual Glacier park passes are also available for $35.

Jammer Buses

View Glacier National Park in a new way from one of the many "jammer" buses. These vintage motor coaches, built from 1936 to 1939, travel over Going-to-the-Sun Road and link all the hotels and lodges within the parks. Full- and half-day tours are available from most GPI facilities.

The bright red 15-passenger coaches have rollback canvas tops, which allow sweeping views. The coaches make plenty of stops for taking pictures and roadside investigations. The drivers, or "jammers," are knowledgeable about park lore and the natural wonders of the routes they travel. Their nickname comes from the days when the coaches did not have automatic transmissions, so drivers tended to grind and jam the gears as they traveled up and down the mountains. Tickets may be purchased at all Glacier Park, Inc. hotel information desks, or call (406) 226-9311 (May to October).

Shuttle

Starting in July 2007 park visitors will have the option to enjoy the Going-to-the-Sun Road by riding one of the park’s environmentally-friendly passenger shuttle buses. There will be no additional charge to ride the shuttle, no tickets will be required, and transit stops will be clearly marked along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The shuttle system is being established to offer a travel option for visitors to avoid traffic and parking problems associated with rehabilitation of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The transit system will provide two-way service along Going-to-the-Sun Road between the Apgar Transit Center and St. Mary Visitor Center. Buses will run every 15 or 30 minutes dependent on location and time of day between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. from July 1 through Labor Day weekend. Visitors will be able to use a wide range of information at the Apgar Transit Center and St Mary Visitor Center to assist in understanding the full range of options to enjoy the park.

Current bus schedules will be posted at each shuttle stop, at each informational kiosk, available at visitor centers, and viewable on-line. For more information on the Shuttle see the park’s web site.

You can find additional Glacier National Park information by clicking on the links below. Enjoy all that Glacier has to offer!