Start from 33 curated places around Glacier National Park, MT, then choose the recommendations that fit your guests.
Restaurants & cafés
Russell's Fireside Dining Room at Lake McDonald Lodge
The main dining room inside the 1913 Swiss-chalet Lake McDonald Lodge, serving American and regional fare under hunting-lodge timbers and Native craftwork. You come as much for the historic room and lakeside setting as the food, which leans farm-to-table comfort. Reserve and time it around the lodge's fireplace lounge.
Belton Grill Dining Room & Tap Room
The restaurant at the restored 1910 Belton Chalet just outside the west entrance, doing locally sourced game, trout, and seasonal plates in a historic railroad-hotel setting. It is the most polished sit-down dinner near West Glacier and a notch above the in-park concessions. Tap room for a casual drink, dining room for a real meal.
Trails & outdoors
Highline Trail
The park's signature alpine traverse, running from Logan Pass along the Garden Wall with near-constant views thousands of feet above the valley. The opening stretch hugs a cliff with a cable handhold, then it rolls through wildflower meadows toward Granite Park Chalet. Often done one-way with the shuttle, it is the hike people plan whole trips around.
Avalanche Lake Trail
The west side's most beloved moderate hike, climbing gently through old-growth cedar and along a gorge to a lake ringed by waterfalls pouring off the cliffs. At about 4.5 miles round trip with modest gain, it is the sweet spot of effort and payoff. It starts from the Trail of the Cedars boardwalk.
Things to do
Red Bus Tours
Guided tours in the park's restored 1930s red touring buses, with roll-back canvas tops and driver-guides (the 'jammers') narrating the history and geology. Riding them is a piece of living park heritage, not just transport, and it takes the stress of the road and parking off your plate. Routes range from a few hours to a full Going-to-the-Sun crossing.
Glacier Park Boat Company
A family-run operation since 1938 offering guided scenic boat tours on Lake McDonald, Swiftcurrent and Josephine lakes at Many Glacier, St. Mary Lake, and Two Medicine. The historic wooden launches double as a shortcut to backcountry trailheads. A low-effort way to get out on the water and learn the lay of the peaks.
Landmarks & sights
Going-to-the-Sun Road
The 50-mile engineering marvel that bisects the park, climbing from lake level over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass past hanging valleys, waterfalls, and sheer cliffs. Driving it is the single defining Glacier experience, not a means to an end. Plan a full day, since every pullout is a reason to stop.
Lake McDonald
The park's largest lake, 10 miles long on the west side, famous for the multicolored 'rainbow rocks' visible through its clear shallows. The historic Lake McDonald Lodge sits on its shore and boat tours launch from the dock. Easiest big-water access in the park and a classic sunrise reflection spot.