Hiking in Glacier National Park

By Amanda May
Staff Writer
CanadianRockies.com
Montana’s Glacier National Park is a hiking paradise. With plenty of backcountry trails full of waterfalls, wildflowers and rugged mountain peaks, you’ll definitely want to bring your hiking boots and your camera here on your next Montana vacation!

This national park is in an unspoiled part of northwest Montana, full of wildlife in their natural settings. During your hike you may see elk, moose, mountain goats, marmot, grizzly bears or even wolverines!
The area was carved out by ancient glaciers and has some of the most distinctive peaks that the Rockies have to offer. And Montana’s famous big sky gets even bigger when mirrored in one of Glacier’s reflective high mountain lakes!
Fishing in Glacier National Park is fantastic, with multiple kinds of trout normally caught, as well as arctic grayling and whitefish. Hike to one of the snowmelt steams or high country lakes for an unforgettable drive or hike-in fishing trip!
Stay in nearby Whitefish, Columbia Falls or Kalispell, Montana for a place to put your feet up after a day of hiking. Area lodging ranges from affordable hotels to vacation rentals.
There are also a number of tour guide companies that can show you around the park. They will cater to your group’s interests and hiking ability level.
The park has over 700 miles of trails, providing years and years of options for hikers.
There are hikes to antique chalets, historic sites, scenic lookouts and more in the Many Glacier, Two Medicine, Lake McDonald, North Fork and Logan Pass regions of the park.
The Many Glacier Region borders the Waterton Lakes National Park and the Canadian Rockies at the north edge of the park.
The North Fork Region is a fantastic place to hike if you want to get away from it all. It is also a prime trout fishing area in Montana.
Logan Pass is probably the best-known region in Glacier. The hikes are very popular, and with good reason. Hiking here will get you to some of the most dramatic views of lush valleys and jagged peaks in the park.
West Glacier is another popular region. It has hikes at lower elevations and short, family friendly paths around Lake McDonald.
Two Medicine Region is in the southeast portion of the park. It is mostly overlooked by visitors despite the fact that it has some of the best wildlife viewing in the park. It also has some gorgeous lakes and secluded hikes.