Here is how to spend one to three days in Glacier, built from the hikes and activities the National Park Service lists and the time it says each takes. Short on time? Do Day 1. Times are for the activity itself; add time for driving, parking and shuttles between stops, and swap anything that is closed or out of season.
Day 1
About 2 hours of listed activity time, plus stops with no listed time.
Start at St. Mary Visitor Center for maps, current trail conditions and ranger advice.
Morning
- Visit One of Glacier's Historic Lodges (1 to 3 hours). Step inside one of the historic lodges and pretend you are a traveler on the Great Northern Railway in the 1910s. (best in summer)
Afternoon
- Beavers (time not listed). The North American beaver is the second largest rodent in the world behind the Capybara of South America. (best in spring, summer, fall)
- Wolverines (time not listed). A mid-sized carnivore in the weasel family, the wolverine is active throughout the year in cold, snowy environments to which it is well-adapted.
- Mountain Goats (time not listed). The mountain goat is one of the park's most inconic creatures.
Day 2
About 6 hours of listed activity time.
Morning
- Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road (3 to 8 hours). A drive across this engineering marvel has been a quintessential part of any trip to Glacier since the 1930s. (permit or reservation needed; dogs OK; best in summer)
Afternoon
- Attend One of Glacier's Evening Programs (30 to 60 minutes). Evening programs are a chance for rangers to help visitors find amazing meaning in specific park resources. (best in summer)
Day 3
About 4 hours of listed activity time, plus stops with no listed time.
Morning
- Take a Half-Day Hike in Glacier (3 to 5 hours). Glacier is a hiker’s paradise. (best in spring, summer, fall)
Afternoon
- Red Foxes (time not listed). Red foxes are found throughout the northern hemisphere.
Make it work
- When to go: June to September. See the best time to visit.
- Where to stay: 13 campgrounds and 5 lodges in the park; see camping and lodging.
- Before you go: check today’s alerts and read know before you go. More ideas: all things to do.
Today at Glacier
LiveLoading the forecast…
Checking park alerts…
Alerts: National Park Service, checked hourly. Forecast: National Weather Service, for St. Mary Visitor Center. Always confirm on the official park site before you set out.
Sources
- National Park Service: things to do in Glacier National Park (Data API, public domain)
Last checked 1 November 2026.