Glacier with Kids: What to Do and How to Plan Your Trip

By Victoria Boissonade · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Glacier

Glacier National Park is a great family destination. Turquoise lakes, alpine meadows, and glaciers still visible from the road make an impression at any age. Kids as young as 3 or 4 can enjoy flat trails and lakeshores, while longer hikes become realistic around ages 6 or 7. Grizzly bears mean you'll need to follow a few simple rules, but good preparation makes them manageable. In short, Glacier is absolutely worth the trip with kids, as long as you arrive organized.

Why Visit Glacier with Kids

Glacier offers something rare: spectacular alpine scenery without the mountains overwhelming children. Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the park from east to west and takes you to Logan Pass (6,647 feet) by car or free shuttle, with high-country views that everyone can enjoy.

Wildlife is a major draw for families. Rocky Mountain goats frequent the area around Logan Pass and often come close to visitors. Columbian ground squirrels are everywhere around picnic areas. Deer are common around Apgar Village. Kids get to watch wildlife in the real world, not behind a zoo window.

The NPS Junior Ranger program is completely free. It gives your visit some structure and turns kids into active explorers instead of passive spectators.

Is Glacier Good for Kids? What Age Is Best?

Glacier National Park works for kids of all ages, with a few differences depending on how old they are.

Babies and toddlers ages 0 to 3 can ride in a carrier or use an all-terrain stroller on flat trails such as the Trail of the Cedars. At 6,647 feet, Logan Pass may require extra attention if your child isn't used to elevation. Regular hydration and frequent breaks are usually enough.

Kids ages 4 to 7 can handle short trails, about 0.8 to 3.1 miles round-trip, without difficulty. Running Eagle Falls and the Trail of the Cedars are reliable choices for this age group.

Kids 8 and up can take on Avalanche Lake (4.3 miles round-trip, 590 feet of elevation gain) and other moderate trails. Teens will find more challenging longer hikes in the Many Glacier area.

When to Visit Glacier with Kids

July and August are the easiest months for a family visit. Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open, the free shuttles are running, the Junior Ranger program is in full swing, and valley temperatures are comfortable (68–82°F on pleasant days).

In June, Going-to-the-Sun Road is subject to partial closures while crews clear snow. Logan Pass can still get snow through early July. September is beautiful, with fewer visitors and fall color just starting, but nighttime temperatures drop below 41°F, which makes camping with young children more complicated.

The July 4th and mid-August weekends are best avoided if crowds bother you. Parking lots at the main trailheads fill up by 7:30 a.m. Take the free shuttles or arrive before 8 a.m.

The Glacier seasonal calendar breaks down conditions month by month.

How Many Days Do You Need for a Family Trip?

Four to five full days is the ideal length for a family visit. This gives you time to slow down and keep a spare day for weather-related surprises.

One efficient plan is two days on the west side (Apgar Village, Lake McDonald, the Trail of the Cedars, and Going-to-the-Sun Road up to Logan Pass), one day in Two Medicine or Many Glacier, and one day in reserve. Kids often enjoy revisiting a place that made an impression on them. That's never time wasted.

With only three days, focus on the west side (Lake McDonald and Going-to-the-Sun Road), then add Running Eagle Falls if you're staying near Two Medicine. With a week, you can explore Bowman Lake or Kintla Lake, which see far fewer visitors.

The Glacier itinerary guide offers day-by-day outlines that you can adapt to your family's pace.

What to Do in Glacier with Kids: Our Picks

These are the experiences that really work with kids, starting with the easiest logistically.

Lake McDonald and Apgar Village. Lake McDonald is the park's largest lake, about 10 miles long, and its multicolored shoreline rocks keep little ones fascinated. Right on the water, Apgar Village has a snack bar, an NPS bookstore and gift shop, and kayak and pedal-boat rentals. You can easily spend half a day here.

Going-to-the-Sun Road by shuttle. The NPS runs free shuttles to the road's main stops from late June through mid-September. Taking the shuttle instead of driving gives kids room to look out the windows and saves you from hunting for parking. The Logan Pass stop offers high-country views and, depending on the time of day, mountain goats wandering through the parking lot.

Ranger programs. In July and August, rangers lead free wildlife and educational programs, usually about an hour long, that are designed for kids. Check the schedule posted at visitor centers when you first arrive in the park.

A boat ride on Lake McDonald. Historic wooden boats offer cruises from Apgar Boat Dock. The ride is a good length for kids' attention spans. Reservations are recommended during the busy season.

For the full list of things to do in Glacier, see the Glacier highlights guide.

Easy Family Hikes (Short, Little Elevation Gain, Stroller-Friendly)

Trail of the Cedars (starting point: Avalanche Creek trailhead). About 0.8 miles round-trip, completely flat, and built on a wooden boardwalk. You'll walk through an old-growth cedar forest beside the Avalanche Creek gorge and small rapids. It's accessible with an all-terrain stroller and is our top recommendation for families with young children.

Running Eagle Falls (Two Medicine area). Less than 0.9 miles round-trip and flat. The waterfall has two tiers. When water levels are low, water emerges halfway down the cliff, which fascinates kids. Children as young as 3 can walk it.

Hidden Lake Overlook (starting at the Logan Pass Visitor Center). 1.5 miles round-trip, with about 400 feet of elevation gain on boardwalk and open trail. You'll see Hidden Lake and the glaciers beyond it. Mountain goats often visit this area. Best for ages 6 or 7 and up.

Avalanche Lake. 4.3 miles round-trip, with 590 feet of elevation gain through the forest. The lake sits below rocky walls, with ribbons of glacier ice visible at the back of the cirque. It's the kind of destination kids remember for years. Best for ages 7 or 8 and up, and allow 2.5 to 3 hours round-trip.

The Glacier hiking guide lists all the trails with difficulty levels and elevation gain.

The Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger program is a National Park Service tradition, and Glacier does it well. Pick up a free activity booklet at one of the park's visitor centers (Apgar, St. Mary, Logan Pass, Two Medicine, or Many Glacier), complete the activities as you explore (wildlife observation, glacier puzzles, sketching, and Leave No Trace rules), then meet with a ranger to be sworn in and receive the official metal badge.

The booklets are tailored by age: a simplified version for kids under 8, a standard version for ages 8 to 12, and a more demanding one for teens.

Here's our practical advice: pick up the booklet at your first stop in the park. Once kids know they have activities to complete, they look at the landscape differently. It also gives long days some structure, and the final badge is a real reward.

Keeping Kids Safe

Grizzly and black bears. Glacier National Park is home to both species. Go over these rules before you enter the park.

• Travel in groups of at least four on trails. Problematic encounters are far less common with larger groups.
• Make noise in areas with dense vegetation so bears know you're there.
• Carry bear spray (a capsaicin spray, at least 7.6 fluid ounces) where you can reach it quickly, on your belt rather than at the bottom of your pack. Expect to pay about $40–$50 per canister at a local store. Show the adults how to use it before you set out.
• If you encounter a bear, don't run. Stay calm, speak quietly, and back away slowly. If the bear charges, use the spray at close range. If a grizzly makes contact, lie face down with your hands clasped over the back of your neck.

Explain these rules to kids before you leave, calmly and without making them scary. Children 6 and older can understand and follow the instructions.

Mountain thunderstorms. Storms often develop at higher elevations in the early afternoon. Start exposed hikes early, before 9 a.m., and begin descending as soon as you hear thunder, even if it's far away.

Sun exposure. Elevation intensifies UV exposure. Bring SPF 50+ sunscreen, a brimmed hat, and sunglasses for everyone, especially on cloudy days.

Stream water. Water from the park's lakes and rivers isn't safe to drink without treatment. Carry 0.5 liters of water per person per hour of hiking, or bring a filter.

Water's edge. Glacier's rivers have strong currents even in midsummer. Keep a close eye on children, especially around Avalanche Creek.

The park's visitor centers (Apgar, St. Mary, and Many Glacier) post updated seasonal alerts.

Where to Stay with Kids (In and Around the Park)

Inside the park, NPS campgrounds offer the most immersive experience. Apgar, on the Lake McDonald side, and Fish Creek, near the west entrance, are the most convenient for families with young children. Every site has a picnic table and a bear box for storing food. Reserve through Recreation.gov. July and August sites disappear within minutes when reservations open, usually six months ahead.

For more comfort, West Glacier, 1.2 miles from the west entrance, has cabins, cottages, and motels. Whitefish, 22 miles west, offers a wider range of hotels, restaurants, and stores.

The Glacier lodging guide compares campgrounds, lodges, and options outside the park, along with seasonal prices and availability.

Meals and Breaks with Kids

Food options inside the park are limited. Apgar Village has a snack bar with burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream. Lake McDonald Lodge has a restaurant with a historic setting and American food, and reservations are recommended during the busy season. At Logan Pass, you'll find only a beverage counter.

Our recommendation is to pack meals for hiking days. Supermarkets in Whitefish or Kalispell make it easy to stock up the day before. Always use the campgrounds' bear boxes for anything with a scent, including food, toothpaste, and sunscreen.

There are plenty of well-placed picnic areas. Sprague Creek, on the shore of Lake McDonald, Two Medicine, and St. Mary are among the nicest.

The Glacier dining guide lists options by area.

Family Budget

Park entry costs $35 per vehicle and is valid for seven days, no matter how many passengers are inside. Children under 15 enter all NPS sites free. The park shuttles are free as well.

If you'll visit two or more national parks during the year, the America the Beautiful pass costs $80 and pays for itself. It covers every NPS site for 12 months for the entire vehicle.

Plan for these expenses: bear spray, about $40–$50 per canister and essential to have before you enter the park; lodging, which varies the most; and paid activities such as boat rides on Lake McDonald.

For entrance fees and annual passes, see the national parks fees and passes page.

What to Pair with Glacier When Traveling with Kids

Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada) lies directly to the north. Glacier and Waterton together make up Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. Crossing the border takes only a few minutes. Kids can get a Canadian passport stamp, which is almost guaranteed to delight them. Allow an extra day.

Yellowstone National Park is about an 8- to 9-hour drive south on US-89. The distance is real, but the two parks make a memorable combination: Glacier's glaciers and lakes on one side, Yellowstone's geysers and colorful hot springs on the other. A one- to two-week road trip gives you enough time to enjoy both comfortably.

Flathead Lake, 31 miles south of the west entrance, is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes west of the Mississippi. Sandy beaches, swimming, and boat rentals make it a good recovery day for families after several days of hiking.

Our Regions and Road Trips sections offer ideas for combining these destinations.

Glacier with Kids: Is It Worth It?

Without hesitation. Glacier National Park brings together some of the most impressive alpine scenery in the United States, trails for every age, a well-established Junior Ranger program, and wildlife you can watch in the real world. The park requires serious preparation in two specific areas: peak-season logistics, including campground reservations six months ahead and using shuttles to avoid full parking lots, and bear safety, including bear spray and group rules to review before entering the park. Once those are handled, the visit goes remarkably smoothly. It's the kind of park kids still remember years later.

Frequently Asked Questions