Top 10 Things To Do in Glacier National Park

After visiting this National Park every summer of my life, and even signing up to work there for about $1.88 an hour (because I love it THAT much), I can echo what many others will preach: It's a travesty to only spend a day in this park. But if you routinely thwart wise advice, here’s how to best utilize one day in the only park left in the Lower 48 where you can see a few remnants of the Ice Age…Glacier National Park.

#1 Lake McDonald

Head into Apgar and wander through the visitor’s center. There, you can plan your visit and stops. Even if you only have a day in the park, you can do it justice -- but start early! The gates open at 8 am in Summer. Head down to Lake McDonald -- a crystalline, still body of water, with mountain peaks reflecting from above. Take your pics and hop back in the car, because you have some territory to cover!

#2 Avalanche/Trail of Cedars

Not far from Apgar, this .7 mile loop (wheelchair accessible) takes you through a moody, deep forest and rounds out at an amazing cascade of the river, with hues of blue and green you've never seen this far from the Caribbean. (Hit the campground’s restroom before you load up the car -- you won’t have many options for bathroom breaks until you make it to the top.)

#3 Going-to-the-Sun Road

Head on up the Going-to-the-Sun Road, named for a Blackfoot Indian god who came to help his people and then disappeared into the sun. Take time to pull off frequently in designated parking areas to check out the view of waterfalls and valleys, rapidly becoming lower than you are, and Great Divide peaks swiftly getting closer and closer. Keep eyes and ears open to spot wildlife, from bald eagles to wolves to bears. Here and there you can still find patches of snow even in summer -- and with the massive snowfall Montana received over the winter, this highway isn’t even expected to be plowed until early July in 2011, so it's likely you can take a break for a snowball fight.

#4 Hidden Lake

Prepare to wait for a parking spot at the wildly popular Logan Pass. There’s no food offered here, so hopefully you packed a picnic. This is a great place eat lunch, looking from one side of the Great Divide to the other. Search for the wooly, white mountain goats -- a popular icon of the park. Last year, we saw a whole family of them! After lunch, climb the steps for the 3-mile hike to the viewpoint for Hidden Lake. It’s worth the trek but it can be busy.

#5 The Highline Trail

If crowds bug you like they do me, head across the road to the beginning of the Highline Trail, instead of going to Hidden Lake. You can hike a portion of it, and turn around when you tire of it or run short on time. (For intrepid planners, reserve a night at the Granite Park Chalet in March/April; hike the seven miles in one day, spend the night, and the next day hike out or over the saddle/Divide and into Swiftcurrent Valley. If this is your plan, utilize the park’s bus system, rather than trying to park and hitchhike your way back).

#6 Saint Mary Lake

This is my second favorite view in the entire park. When you see the turn-off for Wild Goose Island and the camera symbol, you know you’ve arrived. At sunrise, it’s a marvel. At high noon, it’s still special, with massive peaks plummeting down into the water; you see this shot in almost every Montana calendar, and you’ll soon know why.

#7 Swiftcurrent Lake

This is my FAVORITE part of the entire park. There are a ton of hikes you can do from here. Rent canoes and kayaks and see this waterway from the surface--something my kids want to do every time we go. Or pay for two ferry rides that make a hike to Grinnell Lake especially easy. And watch for grizzlies—they favor this part of the park, especially the hill to the north.

#8 Grinnell Lake

Hike into Grinnell Lake for a fabulous view of the falls, but be sure to bring your mosquito spray. This is a nice spot to begin a much longer hike if you have extra time. You can start the 7-mile loop from here to the glacier itself and take in an amazing view of the lake from high up. But if time is a’ wastin’ and you can’t spend the night in East Glacier, head back to the ferry launch to wait for the next ride.

#9 Huckleberry Ice Cream

Inside historic Many Glacier Lodge (where you’ll wish you were staying, even if you can’t), grab a scoop of huckleberry ice cream (unique to this region) for sustenance. Then take a bathroom break and hit the road, either heading back over the Going-to-the-Sun, or shave off 30-60 minutes by taking the highway around the eastern and southern edge of the park. While it’s not quite as picturesque, you can see different parts of the park, and you’ll be back to the West entrance sooner.

(Before you go, are you SURE you don’t want to stay in East Glacier for the night? The St. Mary Lodge and Resort is another great place to spend the night, even offering teepees for a kitschy, memorable stay. No? Okay, then, head on West…)

#10 Belton Chalet

Grab dinner at Belton Chalet Gourmet at a reasonable price, after a long, hard day of touring. It's kid-friendly, historical, and has a nice wine list. It's also within view of the West entrance of Glacier. Need I say more?

(So NOW are you wishing you could stay? Check out Belton's cottages, which were built at the turn of the century and renovated recently. You’ll wake up, still in heaven.)

They start to take Glacier reservations for lodging, camping and chalet overnights in March. If you’re wise, just give in and plan on 3-7 days in the park (and chase reservations early!). If not, remember I told you so when you have to tear yourself away!

Have you been to Glacier National Park? What was your favorite stop? Please comment below!

Photos: Lisa Bergren