Glacier National Park with Kids: Short Hikes and Long Road Days

Yes, for families who accept a slow pace and some planning. The scenery rewards short walks, and the park is large enough that no single day needs to be packed. Bears, cold water, altitude and long drives are the real limits.

• Toddlers and pre-schoolers (1 to 4): manageable with a carrier. Stick to the lake shore at Apgar and the flat Trail of the Cedars, and keep drives short.
• Primary-school age (5 to 10): the best fit. Walks of about one to three miles, waterfalls and wildlife spotting fit their stamina.
• Pre-teens and teens (11 and up): good for longer walks of four to six miles, with a snack plan and layers.

Most families fly into Kalispell and drive to the west entrance, about 30 to 40 minutes from the airport area. Others drive in from Montana’s south, which is much longer: the Bozeman to Glacier National Park route guide covers the road, season limits and closures. Inside the park, Going-to-the-Sun Road is a slow, narrow mountain route that runs west to east, and it can take much longer than the distance suggests.

The park has introduced vehicle reservations or timed entry for busy periods in recent years, so check the National Park Service site for current rules before you book. Cell coverage is patchy, so download maps and tickets first.

July and August are the main season: the full length of Going-to-the-Sun Road is typically open from around late June or early July until mid-October, depending on snow. Higher trails can keep snow into July. Early September has fewer crowds and cooler mornings. Spring and late autumn are quiet, but many services and roads are closed. Afternoon storms and smoke from wildfires can affect July and August plans, so keep a backup day.

For Glacier National Park with kids, whatever the month, weather changes quickly in the mountains. Bring a warm layer, a rain jacket and a hat for every child, even on a warm morning.

1. Lake McDonald and Apgar

At the west entrance, the lake has a pebble shore, calm water for wading and views of the mountains. It is the best arrival-day stop and the easiest reset. Length and stamina: flat and as short as you like. The water is very cold, so wading is enough. Check for rental bikes and boats in season.

2. Trail of the Cedars

A short loop of about 0.7 miles, mostly boardwalk, through old cedar and hemlock forest. Length and stamina: flat and mostly suited to strollers, so good for all ages. Allow 30 to 45 minutes, and use it as the warm-up before a longer walk.

3. Avalanche Lake

This is a classic family hike, starting from the Trail of the Cedars area. It is about 4.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of several hundred feet, ending at a lake with waterfalls on the far side. Length and stamina: best for ages six and up, allowing three hours with a long snack stop. Start early to find parking. It is also a trail where bears occur, so see the safety note below.

4. Hidden Lake Overlook at Logan Pass

From the visitor centre at Logan Pass, a boardwalk and trail climb about 1.3 miles each way to a view over the lake. Length and stamina: about 2.7 miles round trip, with a climb at altitude, suited to ages six and up. Parking at Logan Pass fills very early, so arrive first thing or choose a different stop. Mountain goats and marmots are common, and snow can remain on the path into July.

5. St. Mary Falls

On the east side, a trail of about 1.6 miles round trip leads through burned forest to a waterfall, with a nearby second waterfall for those who wish to keep going. Length and stamina: manageable for children from about five, with a short descent that becomes the return climb. It is a good midday walk on a day with a long drive.

6. Running Eagle Falls

In the Two Medicine area, a short trail of under a mile leads to a waterfall that flows over and through a rock face, depending on the season. Length and stamina: easy, suited to ages three and up. Check road access to Two Medicine, as it is a detour from Going-to-the-Sun Road.

7. Swiftcurrent Lake in Many Glacier

A lake-edge path of about 2.5 miles circles the lake, with mountains reflected in the water and chances to see wildlife. Length and stamina: flat and suitable for ages four and up, and it can be shortened to a quarter loop. Many Glacier is a long drive from the west side, so treat it as a separate day.

1. Day 1, arrival. Apgar and Lake McDonald, early dinner. Swap: a short drive and a hotel pool.
2. Day 2, west side. Trail of the Cedars, then Avalanche Lake if energy holds, with a rest block in the middle. Tired-day fallback: only the boardwalk and the lake shore.
3. Day 3, the road day. Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass, with a short walk and a picnic. Drop: Hidden Lake if the car park is full.
4. Day 4, east side. St. Mary Falls and Many Glacier, with a long rest in the afternoon.

• West Glacier and Apgar: closest to the main attractions, with easy access and short drives. Best for ages two to ten.
• Columbia Falls and Whitefish: more choice and larger towns, about 30 to 60 minutes from the west entrance. Good for families who want more restaurants and shops.
• East side (St. Mary and Many Glacier): remote and scenic, with limited choice and early booking. Suits one-night add-ons for older children.

Lodges inside the park book out many months ahead, so reserve early and check the current policies.

• Restrooms: visitor centres and main trailheads have them, but they can be far apart. Use the one at every stop.
• Snacks: pack your own, and keep food sealed in the car, as the park has strict rules on food storage.
• Meals: picnic by the lake at lunch, and have dinner in a nearby town or lodge, booked ahead in peak season.
• Rest: an hour in the car or at a lake shore beats a final hike at the end of the day.

If the weather is wet or smoky, spend the morning at a visitor centre, in the Apgar area or in Whitefish, and leave long drives for a clear day. If children are tired, a lake shore and a picnic are enough. Do not push a walk if a child is cold or a storm is building. Carry spare clothes and avoid ridge lines during thunderstorms.

Glacier has grizzly and black bears. Hike in a group, make noise, keep children close and carry bear spray where rules and training allow, and keep it within reach, not in a pack. Follow park rules on food and ask a ranger about current closures. I would not hike with a young child on a trail with a recent bear warning.

• Long, exposed trails with big climbs, such as the high ridge routes, for children under about ten.
• Trying to drive the whole of Going-to-the-Sun Road and back in a day with young children.
• Back-to-back hikes. One main walk per day is enough.

How many days do you need in Glacier with kids?

Three to four days is comfortable, with one day on the west side, one on Going-to-the-Sun Road and one on the east side. Two days works if you stay on the west. A rest day helps more than another stop.

What are the best easy hikes in Glacier for kids?

Trail of the Cedars, the lake shore at Apgar, Running Eagle Falls and St. Mary Falls are the easiest. Avalanche Lake and Hidden Lake suit ages six and up. Pick one walk a day and check for closures.

Are there bears at Glacier, and is it safe with children?

Yes, and the park is widely visited by families with simple precautions. Stay in a group, make noise, keep children close, carry bear spray and follow storage rules. Ask rangers about current trail warnings.

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

The full road is usually open from about late June or early July until mid-October, depending on snow and clearing work. Dates change each year, and vehicle reservation rules can apply, so check the National Park Service site before you travel.

Is Glacier worth visiting with young children?

Yes, if you keep distances short and accept slow days. It is less suited to families who want a fast tour of several sights. See the Wikivoyage Glacier guide, the Wikipedia article and the United States travel guide.