Lake McDonald Kayaking with Kids: Everything you need to know
Lake McDonald kayaking is one of my favorite things to do at Glacier National Park, and I’m here to help you plan your outing with less stress and more confidence – from where to rent, what to expect, and how to prepare.
It might feel a little overwhelming, especially if you’ve never kayaked or visited the park before, but I can assure you it’s not very complicated – the rental process is simple and you don’t need to be overly coordinated or athletic to use the kayaks.
At the end of our three days in Glacier National Park, we spent a fantastic morning paddling around and loved every minute. Kayaking is a great activity for the whole family and a unique way to enjoy the park with your kids. Use this guide to learn everything you need to know about kayaking in Lake McDonald.
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LAKE MCDONALD KAYAKING QUICK TIPS:
• Early morning tends to be the calmest time on the water with less wind (typically).
• Bring water bottles, and even snacks, to enjoy during breaks. Just remember to bring back any trash.
• Wear long-sleeved sunshirts, hats, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.
• Water shoes or secure sandals are the best footwear.
• While you don’t have to have a vehicle reservation to access Apgar Village, you do have to pay the national park entrance fee ($35 for 7 days). If you have a 4th grader, get in for free!
When to Kayak
Lake McDonald is located in the western portion of Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana, and kayak, paddleboard, and boat rentals are usually available between mid to late May through mid to late September.
The water on the lake is calmest in the morning, so it is recommended that kayakers, especially beginners, go in the morning. Be aware that most rental companies will not refund you because of rain or cloudy weather, but will allow cancellations for unsafe conditions. Make sure to confirm with specific rental companies before planning to make sure you will be able to safely participate.
Rental Options
There are three main rental companies along the lake for you to choose from: Glacier Outfitters, Flathead Outdoors, and the Glacier Park Boat Company.
Glacier Outfitters
Located in Apgar Village, just a short walk from the lake is Glacier Outfitters. Here you can rent single, tandem, and child-size kayaks for your family. Other rental options include stand-up paddleboards, bikes (including kids’ bikes and trailers), fishing rods, baby backpack carriers, bear spray, coolers, and more.
We rented our kayaks from Glacier Outfitters and opted to get two tandem kayaks and one child kayak for our family of five for a total of $162 for two hours (July 2024).
We probably could have stuck with two tandems and had our five-year-old sit in the middle, but at the time of booking, I thought it would be too difficult to manage.
They provided us with life jackets, kayaks, and wheels to roll the kayaks to the shore, plus a dry bag if we needed it. It’s a little walk, but completely manageable for adults, and my 10-year-old was able to pull his kayak on his own.
The staff was friendly and helpful, and I wholeheartedly recommend renting with them based on our experience.
Flathead Outdoors
Flathead Outdoors is located slightly closer to the lake inside Eddie’s Cafe in Apgar Village. They offer single and tandem kayaks, but no child-sized options. You can also rent stand-up paddleboards or a small raft that would fit 2 adults and 2-3 children, as well as e-bikes with trailers.
Their website has a live inventory, which could be helpful for those last-minute rentals, and each rental includes life jackets and a dry bag.
Glacier Park Boat Company
There are several locations throughout the park for Glacier Park Boat Company, as they are the approved provider for boat tours within Glacier. They provide boat rentals, paddle board rentals, and kayak rentals behind the Lake McDonald Lodge.
Because their location is beyond the vehicle reservation entrance, renters are granted a vehicle reservation for Going-to-the-Sun Road with their rental or tour. This is a great option to look into if you missed the reservation window for your vehicle, but be aware that rentals and tours still fill up quickly.
Rental options here include tandem kayaks (no singles), paddleboards, rowboats (up to 4 people), and small motorboats.
Kayaking Lake McDonald with Kids
We enjoyed a perfect morning out on the lake. It was mid-July and the weather was clear, so the lake was calm and easy to navigate. Because we were beginners, we stayed within sight of the beach where we launched. While there were several other kayakers and paddle boarders on the water, we never felt crowded and easily moved to a quieter location.
In the shallows, the water was crystal clear and we could easily see the famous multicolored pebbles and rocks, and even some old footings for what looked like a pier.
My husband and 5-year-old took one kayak, I paddled with my 8-year-old daughter, and our 10-year-old son managed his kid kayak independently. They provided us with a tow rope for him just in case, but we didn’t need it.
While we had a 2-hour rental, we were probably on the lake for only an hour. My five-year-old started to lose interest, and we were all feeling a bit tired. This was the last main activity after a full 3 days in Glacier, and it was one of the moments I will remember most about our trip.
Kids can absolutely join you out on the water. I do NOT recommend it for infants, and you will need to consider if your toddler will follow the rules of not standing up and moving around and will safely wear the life jacket. Remember that Flathead Outdoors offers inflatable rafts that can fit a family of 5. This may be a better route with younger children, especially if you have two adults.
If you feel like kayaking isn’t a good fit for your family at this stage, consider having a relaxing morning on the shore of the lake with snacks, rock throwing, and splashing. While swimming is allowed at Lake McDonald, just be aware that the water can be chilly. The temperature didn’t seem to bother my kids who ended up splashing around each night before bed.
Other Things to Do at Lake McDonald
If you want to keep the party at the lake going or decide kayaking isn’t for you, here are a few other options of things to do nearby:
Fishing
While Lake McDonald is not the best fishing spot in the park, if you are looking more for the experience than catching much, you can simply fish along the shore, away from other people. You do not need a fishing license at Lake McDonald, but you do want to review the park guidelines. If you are serious about mastering the art of fly fishing, consider this 1-hour fly fishing lesson in nearby West Glacier.
Hiking and Biking
The Rocky Point trailhead is a quick drive from Apgar Village and a short hike (2 miles round trip) that most families can easily enjoy. Here you can get great views along the lake without having to access Going-to-the-Sun Road.
If you do have access along Going-to-the-Sun Road or want to take the free shuttle, you can also try Johns Lake Loop (2 miles, partially closed in 2024) which is located about 1.5-2 miles north of the Lake McDonald Lodge. If you travel a little further up the road, you can access the very popular Trail of the Cedars (.9 miles) and Avalanche Lake (5+ miles) hikes as well.
The Apgar Bike Path is also accessible from Apgar Village and extends to West Glacier. You can walk or bike along the path, just be sure to be aware of others on the trail.
No matter where you choose to hike or bike, always carry bear spray and be bear aware.
Boat Tour
The Glacier Park Boat Company not only rents kayaks, SUPs, and boats, but also offers boat tours of Lake McDonald as well as Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Two Medicine. The Lake McDonald boat tour is one hour long and open to all ages.
FAQ
Can I Bring My Own Kayak to Lake McDonald?
Yes, you can bring your own kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and some boats. However, in order to use them, you will need to get an Aquatic Invasive Species inspection. For Lake McDonald, you can get your watercraft inspected at the station located across the street from the Apgar Boat Dock. You are also required to have a life jacket or personal flotation device for each person using the boat.
Where can I park at Lake McDonald?
There are a limited number of parking spots in Apgar Village. Since it is so close to the visitor center, you can try to snag a spot, but if there aren’t any you can drive over the Apgar Visitor Center Parking lot and walk about 10 minutes to the rental locations using the Apgar Bike Path.
If you are launching near Lake McDonald Lodge, you can park there and walk down to the dock via a set of stairs. The rental office for Glacier Boat Company is located by the dock.
If you are looking for a quiet spot, consider parking at the Fish Creek Picnic Area on the southwest side of the lake. While it is not a large parking lot, it is less visited than Apgar Village or Lake McDonald Lodge. It has no rental services or amenities except a picnic table and pit toilet.
Can you take rocks from Lake McDonald?
Admire the rainbow rocks, and even skip them across the lake, but don’t take any home – it is against the law to take things from National Parks. Remember to Leave No Trace!
Conclusion
Lake McDonald is the perfect spot for kayaking in Glacier National Park. You can access it without a vehicle reservation, the price point is reasonable, and you get the freedom to explore without the crowds once you’re on the water. It was one of the highlights of our trip – and summer.
My biggest piece of advice for any trip is to start planning with some kind of purpose in mind – something that can still be accomplished even with bad weather, sickness, or closures. Focus on that goal and you’ll come home satisfied and content, even if things didn’t go your way.
If you’re ready to plan your Glacier National Park vacation but don’t know where to start, consider joining the Family Travel Framework – a comprehensive DIY travel planning course that will walk you through all the steps you need to take to plan your next family vacation with less stress and more confidence.
Happy Travels!