Montana · the United States

Glacier (United States) — Whitefish; West Glacier

Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, with the Going-to-the-Sun Road, lakes with clear water and the glaciers along the border with Canada.

Rocky Mountains

In the photo: Saint Mary Lake, in Glacier National Park

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Glacier National Park is in northern Montana, next to the border with Canada, in a section of the Rocky Mountains carved by glaciers. Established in 1910, it and Waterton Lakes National Park on the Canadian side form the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park has layered sedimentary rock peaks in colorful bands, U-shaped valleys, more than 700 lakes and several dozen glaciers, which have been shrinking.

The Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the park from west to east, passing Lake McDonald and climbing rock walls to Logan Pass on the Continental Divide. On the east side, the Many Glacier valley has lakes at the foot of steep cliffs and trails that reach the glaciers. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears and black bears live in the park.

Whitefish, a lakeside town about 40 km from the west entrance, is the most complete base, with Glacier Park Airport (Kalispell) nearby, a ski resort and the railway that crosses the northern United States. West Glacier, at the west entrance, is a small service village for the park.

The main season is short: the high section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road usually opens only between late June and mid-July and closes in mid-October, and in summer the park often requires timed-entry reservations for cars in some areas.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Whitefish, West Glacier.

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The cities on this trip

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Where Glacier (United States) — Whitefish; West Glacier is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Glacier (United States) — Whitefish; West Glacier

✈ Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) · 19 km to Whitefish

Glacier Park Airport (FCA), in Kalispell, is about 20 km from Whitefish and 40 km from West Glacier. Whitefish station receives the long-distance train between Chicago and the Pacific, which also stops in West Glacier and on the park’s east side.

Suggested arrival point: Whitefish

Montana · Glacier (United States) — Whitefish; West Glacier Suggested arrival point

Whitefish

Montana town on the shore of Whitefish Lake, at the foot of Big Mountain, about 40 km from the west entrance of Glacier National Park. It grew up with the railroad, and the wooden station still receives the long-distance train. It has a ski area in winter, lakeside beaches in summer and Flathead Lake less than an hour away.

Montana · Glacier (United States) — Whitefish; West Glacier

West Glacier

Small village at the west entrance of Glacier National Park, on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, offering services for park visitors, a train station and rafting companies. A few minutes away are Apgar and Lake McDonald, where the Going-to-the-Sun Road begins.

The local experience

Things to do in Glacier (United States) — Whitefish; West Glacier

West Glacier · Montana · Scenic highway

Going-to-the-Sun Road

An approximately 80 km road that crosses Glacier National Park by Lake McDonald and Logan Pass, carved into rock walls. The high section opens only in summer.

Whitefish · Montana · Ski resort

Whitefish Mountain Resort

Ski area on Big Mountain, about 13 km from Whitefish, with views toward Glacier National Park; in summer the gondola, trails and mountain biking operate.

West Glacier · Montana · Lake

Lake McDonald

The park’s largest lake, a few minutes from the west entrance, with colorful stones on the bottom and shoreline and mountains in the background.

Whitefish · Montana · Lake

Whitefish Lake

A glacial lake about 11 km long next to town, with the municipal beach, boat and kayak trips and Big Mountain in the background.

See 3 more places in Glacier (United States) — Whitefish; West Glacier

Whitefish · Montana · Lake

Flathead Lake

The largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the continental United States, about 40 km from Whitefish, with cherry orchards and the village of Bigfork.

West Glacier · Montana · Mountain pass

Logan Pass

The highest point on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, on the Continental Divide at 2,026 meters, with trails to the Hidden Lake overlook and the Highline.

West Glacier · Montana · Glacial valley

Many Glacier

A valley on the east side of Glacier, with lakes at the base of steep walls and trails to Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From mid-July to early September, when the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open and the high trails are free of snow. June has waterfalls at their fullest, but parts of the road are often still closed. From December to March, Whitefish hosts the ski season.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three to five days: one for the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one or two for the east side at Many Glacier, and one for Whitefish and Flathead Lake.

Which city to stay in

Whitefish has the town center with the most lodging and restaurant options. West Glacier and Apgar, at the west entrance, are a few minutes from Lake McDonald. On the east side, the Many Glacier and St. Mary areas have lodging and campgrounds inside the park and nearby, which sell out months in advance.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Glacier (United States) — Whitefish; West Glacier

When is the Going-to-the-Sun Road open?

The high section, up to Logan Pass, usually opens between late June and mid-July depending on snow, and closes in mid-October. Lower sections remain open longer. Check current conditions on the park website.

Do I need a reservation to enter Glacier Park?

In summer, the park often requires timed-entry reservations for cars on the Going-to-the-Sun Road and in other areas, in addition to the park pass. Rules change each season: check the park website.

Do I need a car to see Glacier Park?

It helps a lot. In summer, there are park shuttles along the Going-to-the-Sun Road and historic red bus tours, but the east side and Whitefish are far apart. In the United States you drive on the right.

How many days should I allow for Glacier Park?

Three to five days: for the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the east side at Many Glacier and one day in Whitefish.

Do you need a visa to visit the United States?

Entry requirements for the United States depend on your nationality and travel documents: some countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, requiring prior electronic authorization, while others need a visa. Requirements can change: confirm before traveling.

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Glacier (United States) — Whitefish; West Glacier

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip