Perfectly Packed One Day in Glacier National Park Itinerary for First-Timers

Looking to make the most of your day trip to Glacier National Park?

During my van life years, Glacier National Park was one of those places I planned to “swing through” and ended up reorganizing my entire route around. Thanks to the new timed entry reservations, I rolled into the park at 4 am, hoping the park rangers hadn’t yet manned the station, and it worked!

Watching the first light hit the peaks above Lake McDonald is a scene I ow have a million photos of. Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is only open for a short window each year due to snow, felt like driving through a high-alpine dreamscape.

Glacier is wild; if you only have one day to see it, make it count. This guide covers exactly how to do that, hitting the iconic stops, finding time for a trail or two, and soaking in everything that makes this park one of the most jaw-dropping places in the US.

Sample One Day in Glacier Itinerary

Glacier is big and rugged, and covering it in one day is no small task. I recommend staying longer if possible, but if you’re aiming to tackle the highlights in a single trip, this itinerary follows the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the St. Mary Entrance to the West Entrance.

The road typically opens fully by early July and closes in October, depending on snow. Check the status before you go.

🚗 Don’t want to drive yourself? Book this driving tour that will take you all around East Glacier & Two Medicine area.

Book This Tour

Can’t-Miss Destinations:

• Hidden Lake Overlook
• Logan Pass
• St. Mary & Virginia Falls
• Trail of the Cedars
• Avalanche Lake
• Lake McDonald
• Going-to-the-Sun Road itself

Traveling from East to West on Going-the-Sun Road

• Start your day at St. Mary Visitor Center to grab maps and check trail conditions before hitting the road.
• Stop for sunrise photos at the Wild Goose Island Overlook on St. Mary Lake.
• Hike from Sun Point to Virginia Falls, passing St. Mary and Baring Falls along the way.
• Pull over at Jackson Glacier Overlook for a rare roadside view of an actual glacier.
• Park at Logan Pass and hike to Hidden Lake Overlook for alpine views and a good chance of spotting mountain goats.
• Walk a short stretch of the Highline Trail from Logan Pass if you have time and aren’t afraid of heights.
• Take a quick photo break at Big Bend and drive past the cliffside Weeping Wall.
• Stretch your legs on the Trail of the Cedars, then continue up to Avalanche Lake for mountain views and waterfall-lined cliffs.
• End the day at Lake McDonald with a walk along the shore in Apgar Village.
• Optional: Spend a half-day rafting the nearby Flathead River.

Recommended Places to Stay Near Glacier

📍St. Mary, MT: St. Mary Village (closest to east entrance)
📍Whitefish, MT: Firebrand Hotel
📍Kalispell, MT: Glacier International Lodge (airport access)

Quick Facts to Visiting Glacier

Glacier National Park is home to over 700 miles of hiking trails, 26 named glaciers, and one of the most scenic drives in North America, Going-to-the-Sun Road, which crosses the Continental Divide at 6,646 feet. The park also straddles the US-Canada border and, together with Waterton Lakes in Alberta, forms the world’s first International Peace Park.

Things to Know Before You Go!

• Vehicle Reservations: In 2025, a timed entry vehicle reservation is required for Going-to-the-Sun Road (west side) and North Fork areas from 7 am to 3 pm. Access from the east side at St. Mary and Two Medicine does not require a reservation.
• Shuttle System Available: A free park shuttle runs between Apgar and Logan Pass with stops along the way.
• Parking Fills Early: Logan Pass and Avalanche trailheads often fill by 7:30–9 am in summer. Arrive early or plan to use the shuttle.
• No Fuel Inside the Park: Fill up in West Glacier, St. Mary, or Babb. There are no gas stations inside park boundaries.
• Going-to-the-Sun Road May Be Closed: The full road typically opens in late June or early July due to snowpack. Check status before your trip.
• Bear Spray Is Strongly Advised: Required on most trails; carry it and know how to use it.

What to Do in Glacier in One Day (East to West Itinerary)

If you only have one day to explore Glacier National Park, here’s a suggested itinerary that will take you from the park’s east side to the west. You can just as easily start from the other direction.

However, if even a section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed due to weather or construction, you will have to backtrack and make a major detour.

St. Mary Visitor Center

This is your starting point at Glacier’s east entrance. The St. Mary Visitor Center opens early in summer and is a practical place to check trail conditions or grab a shuttle schedule.

You’ll want to top off anything you forgot, as the east side of the park has fewer services once you’re inside. Parking is easier early in the morning, and cell service can be spotty once you get deeper into the park.

Wild Goose Island Overlook

Just a few minutes up the road from the visitor center, Wild Goose Island is one of Glacier’s most photographed viewpoints.

The overlook faces west across St. Mary Lake, with a tiny pine-covered island rising from the center of the water and jagged peaks behind it. It’s especially striking in the early morning light. This stop is quick. There’s a small parking area right off the road, but well worth it for sunrise.

Sun Point to Virginia Falls Hike

• Distance: ~3.6 miles roundtrip (out-and-back)
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

From Sun Point Nature Trailhead, you can link together a trio of waterfalls in a single hike: Baring Falls, St. Mary Falls, and Virginia Falls. Baring Falls comes first and is the smallest, followed by the popular and photogenic St. Mary Falls. Continue to Virginia Falls, which drops 50 feet over a jagged cliff and has several side trails for closer views.

Parking is often easier at Sun Point than at the St. Mary Falls trailhead, and the longer route adds more lake views. If you’re short on time, skip Baring and just do the out-and-back to Virginia from the main trailhead.

Jackson Glacier Overlook

As you continue west, Jackson Glacier Overlook is the best (and easiest) place in the park to spot a glacier from the road. The glacier is shrinking (and may not exist in a few decades), but you’ll still get a clear view of it tucked into the mountains across the valley.

There’s no hike here, just a roadside pullout with signage explaining the glacier’s retreat and a short walk to a better viewpoint if the main platform is crowded. This is also a nice break in the drive before the climb to Logan Pass.

Logan Pass and Hidden Lake Overlook

• Distance: 2.8 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Moderate

At 6,646 feet, Logan Pass is the highest point on Going-to-the-Sun Road and often the busiest. Parking fills by mid-morning in summer, so aim to arrive before 9 am if you want a spot.

The main trail to Hidden Lake Overlook starts behind the visitor center and climbs gradually through the Highline Alpine Meadow, a prime spot for wildflowers in July and early August. The boardwalk turns into a gravel trail with stairs, eventually leading to an overlook with a wide view of Hidden Lake and Bearhat Mountain.

Mountain goats are often seen near the trail, and those cute little marmots skipping around are almost guaranteed.

Highline Trail (Optional Partial Hike)

• Distance: 2 to 4 miles (Otherwise 11.8 miles one way full hike)
• Difficulty: Moderate with narrow ledges early on

Directly across the road from Logan Pass, the Highline Trail starts with a narrow ledge section carved into the cliff. It’s not the hardest hike compared to some, but a hand cable if you’re uncomfortable with heights. Even going a mile or two in gives you incredible views of the Garden Wall and distant valleys below.

The full trail runs all the way to The Loop (11.8 miles one way), but for a one-day visit, stick to a short out-and-back. It’s quieter than Hidden Lake and a good option if you want a second hike but don’t have time to commit to the full route.

Big Bend Overlook & Weeping Wall

As you descend from Logan Pass, pull over briefly at Big Bend Overlook, a wide curve in the road that opens up to views of the valley below and cliffs above.

A little farther on, you’ll pass the Weeping Wall, where water runs right across the cliff and onto the road, which is especially active in early summer. It’s most active in late spring and early summer when snowmelt is high.

These two roadside stops don’t require hiking, but they break up the descent nicely.

Trail of the Cedars & Avalanche Lake

• Trail of the Cedars Loop: 1 mile (fully accessible)
• Avalanche Lake Hike: 4.6 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Moderate

On the west side of the park, stop at Avalanche Creek to walk the Trail of the Cedars, a flat loop that winds through an old-growth forest of hemlocks and cedars. The trail passes over the waters of Avalanche Gorge, where a narrow chasm channels glacier runoff through deep red rock.

If you’re up for more, continue to Avalanche Lake, a popular hike that starts with rushing water and ends at a glacial lake ringed by cliffs and waterfalls.

This is one of my favorite lakes that I’ve seen in the country. Several waterfalls tumble down the back wall of the cirque, especially dramatic in early summer.

Lake McDonald and Apgar Village

The last major stop of the day is Lake McDonald, the park’s largest lake, known for its crystal-clear water and multicolored pebbles. There are several pullouts along the road, but Apgar Village at the west end has the most amenities.

If time allows, rent a kayak or grab a bite at the café. The lake is calmest in the early evening, and the sunset here can be beautiful when the sky lights up over the mountains.

Where to Stay

For short-term travelers looking to make the most of one or two days in the park, West Glacier is the most convenient home base. It’s right at the entrance to the Going-to-the-Sun Road, close to Apgar Village and Lake McDonald, and gives you early access to beat the crowds.

If you’re choosing where to stay near Glacier, West Glacier is the most practical for its proximity to park entrances, shuttles, and trailheads. Whitefish is bigger but adds 35–40 minutes of driving. St. Mary on the east side is better for Many Glacier access but less developed for short stays unless you’re already coming from that direction.

Campgrounds in Glacier National Park

Places to Visit with More Time

Other Things to Do in Glacier

• Grinnell Glacier Hike – One of the most iconic hikes in the park, this trail in Many Glacier climbs to a turquoise glacier-fed lake.
• Iceberg Lake Trail – A high-alpine hike that ends at a lake often filled with floating ice, even in summer.
• Two Medicine Valley – A quieter section of the park with lakeside hikes, fewer crowds, and the option to take a scenic boat tour across Two Medicine Lake.
• Bowman Lake – A more remote and peaceful part of the park reached via rough roads.
• Waterton Lakes National Park – On the Canadian side of the border, this sister park to Glacier has lakeside views and the famous Prince of Wales Hotel.
• Swiftcurrent Pass Trail – A strenuous climb in Many Glacier with sweeping mountain views and a high chance of spotting moose in the lower valley.
• Rafting on the Flathead River – Try going for a half-day and full-day trip just outside the park’s west entrance.

Day Trips Near Glacier (Within ~3 Hours)

• Whitefish, MT (40 min) – A mountain town with great restaurants, boutique shops, and a small ski resort that’s active in summer, too.
• Flathead Lake (1.5 hrs) – One of the largest natural freshwater lakes west of the Mississippi.
• Polebridge & Bowman Lake (1.5–2 hrs) – A quirky, off-the-grid outpost with a famous bakery and rugged access to one of Glacier’s most peaceful lakes.
• Waterton Lakes, Alberta (2.5 hrs) – Cross the border into Canada to explore this peaceful park extension with scenic boat tours and charming town views (passport required).

Is 1 Day Enough for Glacier

One day in Glacier is enough to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road and stop at major highlights like Logan Pass, Hidden Lake Overlook, and Avalanche Lake. You’ll see alpine meadows, glacial valleys, and one of the most scenic drives in North America, but it’ll be fast-paced.

If you have more time, you can slow down to explore longer hikes like Grinnell Glacier, spend a night at Many Glacier or Two Medicine, or take a guided rafting trip. The park is enormous and wild, so even three days feels short.

Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park

The best time to visit Glacier is mid-July through early September when the Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open and most trails are snow-free.

Wildflowers peak in late July, wildlife is active, and visitor services (like shuttles and boat tours) are running at full capacity. Expect crowds, so start very early.

Spring and fall bring fewer people and golden light, but snow lingers at high elevations through June, and the full road may not open until July. October is peaceful, but many lodges, roads, and services are closed during the season.

Winter is beautiful and stark, but access is limited to the park’s edges.

How to Get to Glacier National Park

Most travelers arrive at Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) near Kalispell, MT, about 30 minutes from the park’s west entrance. Rental cars are essential as there’s no public transportation into the park, and shuttle services only run inside during summer.

If driving, Highway 2 runs along the southern edge of the park and connects West Glacier to East Glacier and beyond. Amtrak’s Empire Builder line also stops at West Glacier and East Glacier Park, offering a scenic alternative if you’re arriving from Seattle or Chicago.

Final Thoughts: Day Trip to Glacier

From standing on the Hidden Lake Overlook to watching the light shift over Lake McDonald, this one-day itinerary gives you a full taste of Glacier’s alpine terrain, waterfalls, and iconic roads.

And if you’re passing through beautiful Montana or northern Idaho, don’t miss my other guides to add even more to your trip.

Cat Xu

 | Website

Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.

• Only a Few People Get to Do National Park Experiences Each Day—Here’s How to Be One of Them
• 17 Places in Montana so Beautiful, You’ll Wonder Why You Haven’t Visited Yet
• Hollywood Can’t Get Enough of These 8 National Parks (And It’s Easy to See Why)
• This Great Lakes State Quietly Has Some of the Most Jaw-Dropping Scenery in the US