Glacier National Park — Attraction in West Glacier

I have nothing but positive things to say about my solo trip to Glacier. Ladies, if you are intimidated by going alone, I promise that you will have a great time and you won’t be alone for long because there will be many people there. I encountered many solo hikers on the trails who partnered up because we were all scared of bears (as we should be!) Before you spend an exorbitant amount of money on bear spray, check with hotels in the perimeter of the park, either east or west side. You cannot fly with bear spray so oftentimes people will leave their purchased bear spray at the hotel they stayed at and the hotel staff will pass it along to whoever asks for it. I got my bear spray for free from my hostel in Canmore and traveled with it on my road trip into Glacier. If you are coming in August, chances are that it will be pretty dry instead of muddy. You could get away with wearing your Teva and Chaco instead of shoving your poor feet into those hiking shoes. Parking is a nightmare at Logan Pass, so wake up super early and arrive by 6:30 AM at the latest. If you are coming from the Apgar west side, entering the park before 6 AM will also allow you to circumvent the required vehicle reservation system in effect 6 AM to 3 PM every day. With that said, I had a really chill experience hiking Hidden Lake when I arrived at Logan Pass at 4 PM and snagged a spot in the parking lot. I ran out of time to hike the full Highline trail, but from the mile I hiked, it would be so worth the 4 AM rise and shine. Talk to a park ranger! I spent a good 20 minute with the Logan Pass’s ranger and I learned a lot about bear safety and which trails to hike. Also learned that The Loop trail is very bad because it is either a straight up or straight down hike with full sun exposure and views of a former wildfire area. Best to hike to the chalet then back if you are braving the 12+ mile to Highline trail. I hate rain and storms with a burning passion, and I think I might be changing my mind on them after visiting Glacier. Getting to see the clouds settle into the valley and encompass the mountains was so pretty. It was a majestic view, and I dare say that all the other visitors who parked their cars to witness the clouds settling in would agree with me. However, it was not very fun when I had to drive more than two hours to get back to my camp because the more direct route toward west glacier was blocked by fallen trees from the high wind. Expect a lot of driving inside the park. To get anywhere relevant from either end, you are facing a 1 to 2 hours of driving on a one lane winding mountainous road. Know that everyone else is trying to enjoy their (very) expensive trip to Glacier too, and if you could offer up patience on that winding going to the sun road, you are saving yourself and others a lot of unnecessary stress and temper tantrums. I am really thankful for the national park service for maintaining this park so well. All the trails I have hiked have been thoughtfully laid out and carefully created. Glacier might be going head to head with Bryce for the spot of the top national park that I’ve been to, and that’s an...

Avalanche Lake: 9.1/10 Was a short trail that was moderately difficult, and it was mostly secluded to forests and streams with a small window of good mountain views around the middle of the trail. The lake boasted elegant blue-green colored water surrounded by towering mountains with waterfalls down the side. There was also an impressive amount of greenery dotting throughout the lakes scenery.

Iceberg Lake: 9.7/10 Was a moderate trail in both difficulty and length but had incredible views of mountains, waterfalls, and alpine meadows. There was lots of wildlife, as we were lucky to spot grizzlies, moose, and mountain goats. The lake itself was gorgeous, with big towering rock faces and incredibly blue water. What made it especially unique was the many icebergs floating in the lake.

Grinnell Glacier: 9.4/10 Was a quite strenuous and lengthy trail, but the views made it well worth it. There were three teal colored lakes, and we were able to view them from eye level, above, and afar. We also had a close-up up encounter with a mountain goat, which turned out to be the only animal we would see on the trail. At the top of the trail, we were able to witness Grinnells glacier lake, which was a milky blue color, and featured the coldest water out of the three lakes we had visited. Unfortunately, there were a lot of people on the trail as this is the second most popular hike in Glacier National park and on our descent, we were hit with a thunderstorm hence making the finish quite undesirable.

Swiftcurrent Pass: 9.5/10 This was a long trail going up to 16 miles and took over nine hours of our day to finish; however, it was well worth it, with multiple different types of scenery including forests, lakes, and mountains, and made a great view over the entire many glacier valley. We saw over four lakes, spotted two grizzlies, and had multiple ground squirrel and deer encounters. The latter half of the hike was extremely steep and narrow, and we hiked mostly next to the cliff edge. After we got to, it was mostly secluded to forests and streams with a small window of good mountain views around the middle of the trail. The lake boasted elegant blue-green colored water surrounded by towering mountains with waterfalls down the side. There was also an impressive amount of greenery dotting throughout the lakes.

These were the main highlights of my trip, and this is by far my favorite...

It's beautiful everyone should go at least once in there life.

Glacier National Park Review

Glacier National Park, nestled in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, is a breathtaking testament to nature’s grandeur. Spanning over a million acres, it’s a paradise for adventurers and serenity-seekers alike, earning its nickname, the “Crown of the Continent.” My recent visit left me awestruck by its pristine landscapes and diverse ecosystems.

The park’s highlight is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile engineering marvel winding through towering peaks, alpine meadows, and turquoise lakes. Driving it feels like entering a postcard, with stops like Logan Pass offering panoramic views and access to trails like Hidden Lake Overlook. Hiking here is unparalleled—over 700 miles of trails cater to all levels. The Grinnell Glacier trail, though strenuous, rewards with jaw-dropping views of glaciers that, sadly, are receding due to climate change.

Wildlife abounds; I spotted grizzly bears (from a safe distance), mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. Rangers emphasize bear safety, so carry bear spray and stay alert. Lakes like Many Glacier and Lake McDonald dazzle with crystal-clear waters, perfect for kayaking or simply soaking in the scenery. The historic lodges, like Many Glacier Hotel, add rustic charm, though booking early is essential.

Summer is peak season, with mild weather but crowded trails. I visited in late June 2025, and while busy, the park’s vastness absorbed the crowds. A vehicle reservation system helps manage traffic, so plan ahead. Winter transforms the park into a snowshoeing and skiing haven, though access is limited.

The only downside? Cell service is spotty, but that’s a blessing for disconnecting. Facilities are well-maintained, but food options are limited, so pack snacks. Glacier’s raw beauty and ecological significance make it a must-visit, urging us to protect its fragile wonders for future...