Howdy Folks and Friends! You might have noticed we’ve been on a road trip for a couple of weeks now. If not, you must be new here and if so, welcome! Traveling from Texas to Montana sounds long but it’s really not. We like taking the back roads and checking out the small towns. If you want to see Part 1 of our road trip, click here. If you’d like to see Part 2, click here. Today I’m sharing my favorite place thus far and frankly I think it deserves it’s own post. So here’s the best way to navigate Glacier National Park in a day.
Best way to navigate Glacier National Park in a day
Golden Trees on Going To The Sun Road inside Glacier National Park
If you are like me and don’t care for camping you can have a fantastic day trip and enjoy the park as much as the hikers and campers if you have a plan. We only had one full day and wanted to make the most of it so here’s what we did. Start off by getting there as soon as it opens. Depending on the time of year, the car lines can get long and that’s no way to appreciate the great outdoors.
Entering Hidden Lake Overview Trail
Have plenty of gas in the car, waters and snacks. The snacks are for you, not the wildlife. And don’t expect to be in the car the entire day. You will want to get out and hike a bit. We began at the West Glacier entrance. As you enter the park (don’t forget to use your National Park Pass which will pay for itself after about 2 parks!) use the map they give you and head straight for the Going To The Sun Road toward Logan Pass. I say this because the road gets busy and parking is slim pickins at the top. You don’t want to spend your time getting up there and not find a parking spot.
Trail to Hidden Lake Overlook, Glacier National Park, MT
Here’s where you start hiking. Take your water and have comfy shoes. I don’t own hiking shoes by my Sketchers were fine for the day. But if you plan to hike more than a day, you must have good hiking shoes. Also, if you’re not acclimated to the elevation it will take a toll so beware. The Mister and Macy left me because I’m a slow hiker/walker which was their loss. They got to see the Hidden Lake Overlook but about half way up I got to see Big Horned Sheep!
Bear cub during October in Glacier National Park, MT
After you’ve done the hike and seen the Logan Pass Visitors Center (it was closed due to Corona Virus) you can keep going to the Saint Mary’s Visitors Center and see Saint Mary Lake but this is about navigating the park in a day so I recommend heading back down the road where you came from. Believe me, it won’t be a waste as the view from the other direction is still aaahhhmazing! You’ll want to stop at each pull-out section, get out of the car, take more photo’s and be overwhelmed by the beauty of God’s creation. We saw three bear cubs (no momma bear even though I know she was around somewhere), the Weeping Wall, the Triple Arches and the most beautiful trees and scenery I’ve ever seen.
Avalanche Creek in Trail of the Cedars inside Glacier National Park, MT
As you make your way back down the Going To The Sun Road, you’re next stop should be Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail. It’s mostly flat and has wood planks for a walking path. Each place we stopped was magnificent. The rushing waters of Avalanche Creek and waterfalls were a gorgeous teal color.
I could have spent my entire day inside the Cedar trees and been overjoyed. Some I think had to be at least 100 feet tall. We passed a make-shift stage with seating and I was wishing we could have had a church service there. So peaceful.
Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
Once you’ve done that continue your journey back down and stop at Lake McDonald. It’s another body with teal water. You can see from the photo below it’s like glass with its reflections. We couldn’t resist skipping rocks across it. I say we, but I couldn’t get the hang of it. Not sure how boys can skip it 7 or 8 times and I couldn’t get over 2 skips. #LifeMystery
Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
Well, that’s one full day and in my opinion, the best way to navigate Glacier National Park in a day. No matter what time of year you go, it is stunning. October was (to us) the perfect time of year to make the trip from Texas because where I live you don’t see a ton of gorgeous fall leaves on trees. As you plan your trip, you’ll want to make sure everything is still open. Some of the park and roads are closed during certain times of the year.
Avalanche Creek
It was a bucket list trip for sure and next time we plan to stay much longer. Not sure I’ll camp out though. The Mister keeps saying he wants to get a travel trailer/camper. He also says I can decorate the inside anyway I want but I’m not quite ready for that no matter how appealing it would be to decorate the inside of a trailer. 😉 I’m trying to talk him into summering in Montana and wintering in Navasota/Navasteamy. That sounds much more appealing.
Below is a 30 second video of our time driving on Going To The Sun Road inside Glacier National Park. Seriously friends, I wish I were still there. Can you tell I’m a fall-leaf-changing kinda girl? Take me back!
Absolutely stunning pictures!! Isn’t Mother Nature just spectacular??
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by!!
Take care!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Author
It was such a beautiful trip I am still thinking about it everyday. Have a great week.
I think Glacier is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is funny how the pictures don’t capture the teal/blue water. I’m glad you got to go!
Author
I thought the same thing about the water. It’s just so gorgeous! I’m glad we got to go as well. I seriously want a house there! Fingers crossed. Better cross my toes too. 😉
Such beauty in your pictures!!! I want to go to a church service in the trees too!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Author
My cell phone photos do not do it justice! It is one tranquil and stunning place.
Cindy,
Wow, these photos are just stunning! Such a beautiful post.
Author
Thank you Rachel. I feel my cell phone photos do not do it justice. It’s magnificent this time of year.
This place is amazing! Definitely going on my bucket list for places to visit up north. Thanks so much for sharing all the gorgeous pictures of your adventures on your trip!
Author
My pleasure Michelle! We are definitely going back again someday and spending way more time there.
Ohmigosh! The trees, the wildlife, the stunning views! I can certainly see why this was your favorite. Those are some great tips that you give in there too, Cindy. Great travel guide. As usual, thanks for taking us along.
Author
Thanks. Just like Disney is the happiest place on earth, I think GNP is on up there in beauty and peacefulness. Although I could name so many other gorgeous places. Ashville, NC comes to mind. I am obviously drawn to large deep green trees! LOL
Hi Cindy,
This sounds like an amazing trip! I just checked out the park passes!
We are talking about a NE (northeast, not Nebraska) trip next fall with friends.
Where did your trip start? I remember you posted it but spacing out now ;0) Did you start at Grand Canyon?
laura
Author
Thank you Laura. It was amazing. We started from home in Texas and headed slightly north but mostly west to New Mexico first. There are so many things to do in the U.S. I think you could spend a life time traveling around and not see it all.
I’ve loved all these travel posts so much, Cindy! It feels like we’re right in the car leaf-peeping with you. As a 6th generation Floridian I completely appreciate all the foliage, wildlife and hiking trails because it’s all green, blue, and sandy here 🙂 So excited you guys have been able to make special memories this year. It’s so important! Safe travels and big hugs, CoCo
Author
I remember spending a lot of time with my Aunt and Uncle in West Palm Beach and loved it. It wasn’t until our kids were older that we took a trip to Destin, Grayton and Seaside that I was amazed at the beautiful sugary white sand. I love Florida! And who doesn’t love Disney World but seeing the turning leaves and snow tipped Noble Fur trees gets me every time. I could literally sit and waste my day next to a rushing river all day everyday.
Oh Cindy, your photos are just gorgeous. It looks like an amazing trip and that’s my husbands dream, to visit the National Parks. We have a midsize pickup camper and just the two of us. Believe me, campers are fine how they come, (Mostly) We bought ours new so I was fine with it, except for changing out the bed quilt. I like your idea of heading north for the summers!
Author
Thanks so much Debra. I’d like to visit more National Parks as well. We have a ton of them! A couple of years ago we stayed in a nice camper. I say nice because I felt it was decked out with a king size bed, kitchen, etc. But the bathroom was so tiny I just couldn’t like it. Recently a friend said they make campers with large bathrooms now. That one thing could change my mind. Maybe.
Beautiful scenery! I love the changing leaves. Did anyone else notice the woman’s face in the rock beside Avalanche Creek? It seemed to jump out at me as soon as I looked at the picture. I usually can’t see images like that when everyone else sees them!
Author
I had to go back and look but I see it! You’re the only one that has mentioned it. I usually see weird stuff all the time. One time in South Dakota we were by a stream and I saw a piece of bark that looked exactly like a momma elephant and her baby. Everyone kept saying sure, I see it but I could tell they didn’t or they would have been more excited about it. I need to find that picture. Thanks for popping over Rachel!