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GLACIER NATIONAL PARK ACTIVITIES

Canoes on dock in Glacier National Park - Glacier National Park Activities

THINGS TO DO IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Hiking, wildlife watching, scenic drives, and more

More than 3 million people come to Glacier National Park every year. But this wilderness paradise is vast, so you don't need to worry about finding unbeaten paths:

745 miles of maintained hiking trails

1 million acres

175 named mountains

762 lakes

563 streams

200 named waterfalls

25 named glaciers

With all that beauty, below is a quick rundown of some of the activities you're sure to love.

Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus), Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is prime mountain goat habitat and the day I hiked the trail, this one miraculously appeared. He was kind enough to stand motionless for several moments allowing me to capture him and this spectacular view of Hidden Lake near Logan Pass, Montana.

HIKING IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Chart your path away from the crowds on one of 700 trails inside Glacier National Park. Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Glacier National Park for good reason.

Countless clear mountain lakes, Continental Divide traverses, waterfalls, creeks, and mountain peaks await you.

And you'll find several major trailheads within a 30-minute drive of Essex. Popular destinations include:

The Two Medicine Region (home to multiple waterfalls)

Avalanche Lake near Lake MacDonald

The Highline Trail at Logan Pass

Don’t forget to take the short trip across the river from the Izaak Walton Inn to check out the Walton Ranger Station, where dozens of miles of trails originate.

Going to the sun rd HalfwayHotel web

GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD

The Going-to-the-Sun Road is an "engineering marvel" winding around mountainsides, crossing the Continental Divide and cresting Logan Pass at 6,646 feet. This 50-mile road treats visitors to some of the most stunning scenery in northwest Montana.

While driving the Going-To-The Sun Road, be sure to check out some of the major points of interest listed below:

Lake McDonald

Trail of the Cedars / Avalanche Lake

Heaven’s Peak

Birdwoman Falls

Garden Wall and the Weeping all

Clements Mountain

Mount Jackson

Rising Sun

St. Mary Lake

Lake McDonald Beach - Glacier National Park Activities

LAKE MCDONALD BEACH

Only 20 miles from the Izaak Walton Inn, you'll find Lake McDonald with its idyllic pebble beach that stretches for miles.

You won't want to miss out on the dramatic mountain scenery or any of the following activities:

Rent bikes, boats, or paddleboards to explore the mountainous lake.

Swim or kick back on the beach with a good book.

Explore historic Apgar Village just inside the West Entrance to Glacier National Park. It's a great place to find gifts and supplies or sample local foods.

Take a historic Red Bus Tour or catch an interpretive lecture by park rangers.

No trip to Glacier is complete without stopping in Apgar Village.

Polebridge- Glacier National Park Activities

POLEBRIDGE

Polebridge is one of the Park’s best kept secrets.  Located on the sparsely populated western flank, Polebrige is the center of the Flathead’s North Fork Valley.

Glacier National Park’s geologic past is on display across this wide and varied landscape.

Visit the famous bakery and historic mercantile and restaurant in Polebridge

See spectacular glacier lakes inside Glacier at Bowman Lake

Hike to Kintla and Quartz Lakes for pristine vistas

The Izaak Walton Inn is perfectly positioned to see both the east and west sides of Glacier Park. Be sure to plan a day in the North Fork while visiting.