Plan Your Trip to Glacier National Park (2026)

Glacier National Park is the place I know best. I was born and raised just outside of the park, and have spent years exploring it across seasons, hiking its trails, overnighting in accommodations, working with local guides, and learning all its logistics.

This page is designed to be a one-stop resource for planning your Glacier National Park trip in 2026. Instead of piecing together information from dozens of blogs, forums, and videos, you’ll find everything important to know that I’ve created here.

This page is an one-stop-shop for your travel planning, where you can find the best videos, guides, packing recommendations, hiking advice, and trusted places to stay, all in one place.

Bookmark this page and return to it as you plan. I’ll keep it updated with the most important information for the 2026 season.

What to Know Before Traveling to Glacier National Park in 2026

First things first, watch this video. There are several important things to understand about visiting Glacier, especially during peak season. Park access, entry requirements, road openings, weather variability, and crowd patterns can all significantly affect your experience.

I cover these overarching topics in the video below, which provides a comprehensive overview for planning a Glacier National Park trip in 2026.

What to Pack for Glacier National Park

Glacier’s weather, wildlife, and terrain make thoughtful packing especially important. The items listed here are the ones I personally use and recommend for most trips to the park.

This section includes affiliate links so you can purchase gear and passes in advance.

America the Beautiful National Parks Pass
If you plan to visit Glacier or multiple national parks, this pass typically pays for itself quickly. Purchasing it ahead of time can save time at park entrances. Get your pass by clicking here.

Digital Park Pass
Glacier continues to expand digital pass use, making park entry more streamlined. Get your digital National Parks Pass by clicking here.

Bear Spray
Bear spray is essential in Glacier National Park. I explain what it is, when to use it, and how to carry it properly in the video linked below. You can either purchase bear spray ahead of time or rent it locally if traveling by air. Click here to order the bear spray I take on hikes in bear country. Click here to rent bear spray locally.

@jeffhyer
Heading into bear country? Let’s talk bear spray: what it is, how to use it, and why it’s one of the most important tools you can carry in places like Glacier National Park. First things first: bear spray is NOT something you spray on yourself. It’s a powerful deterrent designed to stop a charging bear in an emergency. In this video, I discuss bear encounters here in Glacier and explain exactly how bear spray can save lives — both yours and the bear’s. Thanks to @Counter Assault for always being clipped on my chest strap on every trail hike! They make the only bear spray with a 40-foot range, giving you more distance and more time when it matters most. In this video, I also demo how to use a practice canister (with an inert canister for training). Practicing ahead of time is so valuable, it helps you build confidence, muscle memory, and ensures you’re ready if a real situation ever happens. If you’re hiking, camping, or adventuring in bear country, carrying bear spray is not optional, it’s essential. Bears are incredible animals, but they are powerful and unpredictable. Having spray on your hip and knowing how to use it means you’re prepared for anything. Stay safe, respect wildlife, and always be ready when you head into the wild. You can find bear spray links on my gear storefront if you’re interested to order some (link in bio). #BearSafety #CounterAssault #GlacierNationalPark #BearSpray #WildernessSafety
♬ original sound – Jeff Hyer

My Standard Glacier Packing List

These are items I bring on nearly every trip to Glacier. You can find all of these items and more on my hiking gear storefront. If you’re interested in my backpacking gear for overnight hiking trips, you can find my complete gear list on my backpacking storefront.

Hiking shoes for shorter or less technical hikes
Hiking boots for longer or more rugged terrain
Trekking poles
Day hiking backpack
LARQ water bottle (self-cleaning)
Bear spray with holster
Rain jacket
Athletic layers
Durable hiking socks
Suunto Vertical 2 for GPS navigation, elevation data, and activity tracking

Watch: my hiking gear breakdown. In this video, I share my complete gear list for day hikes and longer treks, offering a full breakdown of everything I bring on the trail. From essential clothing and lightweight gear to safety tools, snacks, and optional comfort items, I cover it all to help you hike smarter and more confidently. Whether you’re new to hiking or a seasoned trail-goer, this detailed walkthrough offers practical insights into the gear I rely on for enjoyable and efficient hikes.

Watch: my backpacking/backcountry camping gear breakdown. In this video, I go deeper and share my complete gear list for multi-day backcountry trips and overnight adventures. I break down everything I bring into the wilderness, including shelter and tents, sleep systems, cooking equipment, clothing layers, food storage, safety and navigation tools, and the small comfort items that make extended trips more enjoyable. This in-depth walkthrough is designed to help you understand how to build a reliable, efficient backcountry setup, whether you’re planning your first overnight or refining a system you already use.

Where to Stay Near Glacier National Park

Lodging choice plays a major role in how your trip unfolds, particularly when it comes to drive times, access to trailheads, and early starts. Below are places I have stayed, recommend, or know well through firsthand experience and local connections.

The options range from mid range to luxury and include locations both inside the park and in nearby gateway communities.

Mid-Range (Cabins, Hotels)
• Glacier Park Lodge
• Paddle Ridge
• Village Inn at Apgar
• St. Mary Village
• Lake McDonald Lodge
• Cedar Creek Lodge
• Lake Five Resort

High-End (Hotels, Lodges)
• Many Glacier Hotel
• Wonderstone at Glacier
• Clydesdale Outpost
• Lodge at Whitefish Lake
• Belton Chalet

Guided Tours and Experiences

For visitors interested in guided hikes, day trips, or multi day experiences, Glacier offers a wide range of excellent options. Guided experiences can provide added safety, deeper context, and access to areas that may feel intimidating to navigate alone.

I work with trusted partner operators offering guided day hikes, group excursions, multi-day trips, and private tours. You can find all Glacier National Park tours by clicking here.

Browse Guided Tours and Experiences in Glacier:

Avalanche Lake Hike: Hike to the iconic Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park on an unforgettable and educational journey to one of the park’s top destinations! The Avalanche Lake Guided Day Hike offers breathtaking mountain views and the chance to visit one of the most famous lakes in Glacier National Park. This trip is perfect for families or anyone interested in learning more about the park in an active setting.

This 8-hour experience starts with a scenic drive to the park and along a portion of Going-to-the-Sun Road, past the stunning shores of Lake McDonald, following by an out-and-back hike on one of the most popular trails in the park.

You won’t have to worry about transport or parking. This is a very busy area and the tours have designated parking areas. Depending on where you’re staying, pick up and drop-off at your accommodations can be arranged upon request.

Overall this is a great way to understand Glacier and not have to worry about logistics.

Going-To-The-Sun-Road Day Tour: Prepare for an unforgettable adventure through the Going-to-the-Sun Road Guided Day Tour. Lasting 8 hours from Columbia Falls, you’ll find yourself transported to a world with outstanding views of dramatic glacial valleys, towering mountains, and crystal-clear lakes. See the highlights of Glacier National Park such as Lake McDonald, Logan Pass, and the St. Mary Valley all while in a small-group tour with a passionate and educational guide.

Watch: Are Guided Glacier Tours Worth It? In this video, I reveal the benefits of guided hikes & tours you might not know about, and recommend the best excursions I’ve been on.

Watch: Horseback Riding in Glacier National Park. In this video, I take you along for a casual vlog in Many Glacier, where we go on a special horseback riding trip to Lake Josephine. See what this experience is like by watching this video. You can book this tour yourself by clicking here.

Hiking Recommendations

Glacier National Park has hiking opportunities for all experience levels, from short scenic walks to challenging full day routes. Rather than overwhelm you with written lists, I explain my recommendations clearly in video format and show you what the trails are like.

Watch: Best Hikes in Glacier National Park, Ranked Easy to Difficult. This video breaks down top hikes so you can choose trails that match your fitness level, available time, and comfort.

Watch: For those specifically interested in Glacier’s most well known hike, watch this video all about the Highline Trail. This video is meant to be a planning and logistics guide for this hike in particular. This video covers routing, timing, shuttle considerations, difficulty, and what to expect on the trail.

Watch: Up for a challenging day hike? Watch this video to learn about the Pitamakan-Dawson Loop, one of the longest but most rewarding hikes in Glacier! Located in the Two Medicine sector of the park.