17 Fun Things to Do in Glacier National Park with Kids
You’ve decided to take a family trip to Glacier, but now you are wondering…are there actually any things to do in Glacier National Park with kids?
You may worry that there isn’t enough variety or that there are only long and difficult hikes that are too much for little legs. But after spending three amazing days in Glacier with my kids ages 10, 8, and 5, I can assure you, there are so many family-friendly activities for you and your kids to enjoy.
From easy, but stunning hikes like Trail of the Cedars to more adventurous activities like taking kayaks out on Lake McDonald, there is plenty to do in Glacier with kids from toddlers to teens.
Check out my list of what you can do as a family and start planning your trip today!
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1. Kid-friendly Hikes
Whether you are avid hikers or just want an easy walk, there are several hiking options within the park. I broke down some recommended hikes based on the region of the park you will be visiting. Always be prepared for changing weather and carry bear spray in Glacier.
Going-to-the-Sun Road Hikes
The ever-popular Going-to-the-Sun Road is not only a fantastic way to see the park but is also the access point for many hikes. The following are listed from west to east along the road.
Trail of the Cedars (Easy)
Less than a mile and worth every step. About half of the trail is on a boardwalk and the dirt portion is pretty compact, so you should be able to bring a stroller if needed. Parking can be tricky, so just be patient and circle around the Avalanche Creek Picnic Area or overflow parking just to the northeast of the trailhead. Highly recommended for pretty much any visitor.
Avalanche Lake (Hard)
This is rated moderate to most, but if you are hiking with little ones I consider this a hard hike simply because of the length of 5+ miles. Avalanche Lake includes Trail of the Cedars, and while it is a slog on the way back, it is worth every step.
Hidden Lake Overlook (Moderate)
Located behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center, this is a fun hike where you might see mountain goats and other wildlife along the path. The first 1/3 of the hike is lots of stairs, so take breaks if needed. The trail is under 3 miles round trip.
Sun Point Nature Trail (Easy)
One of the best lookout hikes around. Easy to access, but there is some walking and it is not stroller-friendly. It’s about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot and there are exposed cliffs at the viewpoint of Saint Mary Lake, so keep an eye on young ones.
Many Glacier Hikes with Kids
Swiftcurrent Nature Trail (Easy)
This 2.6-mile loop trail gives great views of Swiftcurrent Lake and is stroller-friendly. As of September 2024, part of the loop was closed so you would have to turn around instead of completing the loop.
Fishercap Lake (Easy)
A popular destination to spot moose (but not guaranteed!) and less than a mile round trip. Definitely worth a quick stop, or extend it and visit Redrock Falls (info below)
Red Rock Falls (Moderate)
I rated this moderate, simply because it can be long for younger kids or families who don’t hike much. You will get a chance to spot Redrock Lake as you near the aptly named Red Rock Falls. Be prepared with a change of clothing and/or shoes as kids are most likely going to want to get wet.
Apikuni Falls (Moderate)
While the hike is less than two miles, it is quite a steep climb to get to the falls. Be prepared to do some rock scrambling at the end. Enjoy the refreshing mist from the falls as a reward for your hard work.
Two Medicine Hikes for Families
Two Medicine is in the southeastern portion of the park, is less visited, and does not require a vehicle reservation to enter, making it a great choice for those who may not be able to access Many Glacier or Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Running Eagle Falls (Easy)
Another short and sweet hike that is stroller-friendly. The parking lot isn’t large, but like most lots in the park, just keep looping until something opens up. If the water level is high, there may even be a double waterfall!
Aster Falls (Moderate)
This 2.6-mile hike starts a little steep, but levels out for most of the time. See if you can spot a moose, but the surrounding views are worth the trek, even if you don’t encounter wildlife. Those who want to keep going can continue to Rockwell Falls, but it will add 4 miles (total) to the hike.
Paradise Point (Easy)
This hike originates in the same lot as Aster Falls and can be an easy add-on to that hike, or a shorter alternative (1.4 miles) for tired families. Bring water shoes and a towel and let the kids wade in the water and play.
Twin Falls (Easy)
Take a boat ride across Two Medicine Lake (additional charge per person) and enjoy this 2-mile round-trip hike to two waterfalls. You can extend this hike to about 5 miles round trip total and continue to Upper Two Medicine Lake as well.
Guided Hikes
Glacier Guides offers several different family hiking options with a designated guide. Tours range from half-day nature hikes to multi-day backpacking trips. So no matter your activity level, there is a guided hike for you. Guided hikes are beneficial because they take a lot of the stress of planning off your shoulders, and have the added benefit of an area expert to teach and lead you throughout the outing.
There are also ranger-led hikes throughout the season at Glacier that are free. Check with the visitor center or the calendar online to see if there will be one that works for your family.
2. Going-to-the-Sun Road
Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the most scenic and inspiring drives in the United States. At 50 miles long it connects the east and west sides of the park with amazing views with little effort. There are a few options to choose from to enjoy this road:
Drive yourself
The road is open to personal vehicles from mid-summer (Late June or July usually) to the 3rd Monday in October (weather permitting). However, from May 24th – September 8 you will be required to have a vehicle reservation to enter the road if you are traveling from west (Apgar/Lake McDonald) to east between 6 am and 3 pm. Those entering from the east (St. Mary’s) do NOT need a vehicle reservation.
While only 50 miles, it takes about 2 hours to travel it one way, so plan accordingly and take it slow. There are also height, length, and width restrictions for vehicles that may impact your access.
Glacier National Park Shuttle
If you are unable to secure a vehicle reservation, can’t take your vehicle on the road, or don’t want to deal with managing the road, parking, and other drivers consider taking the free National Park shuttle. There are several stops and they run frequently, just note that with kids there are no restrooms on the shuttles and they can fill up quickly so be prepared to wait at popular stops.
Sun Tours
With half-day and full-day options, Sun Tours is owned by a local member of the Blackfeet tribe and has run in Glacier since 1993. You can grab a half-day tour from either St. Mary or Apgar or a full-day tour from Glacier Peaks Hotel and Glacier Park Lodge. Children 5 and under ride for free with a paying adult.
Red Bus Tour
Another option is the Red Bus Tours which offer a variety of driving tours through the park. Their vintage, roll-back top buses can carry 16 passengers and are a great choice for those who want to experience the famous road but don’t need the flexibility of a car or shuttle. They make several stops, depending on the tour, so you should have a chance to stretch your legs a few times.
3. Ride Bikes
Before opening to cars, Going-to-the-Sun Road is open to cyclists only from about late April/early May through the official opening of the road, usually mid-June to early July. You can still bike Going-to-the-Sun Road once it is open to vehicles, but cycling between Logan Pass and Apgar is closed from 3 pm to 6 pm because of road congestion.
Other trails throughout the park include the Apgar Bike Trail, Fish Creek Bike Trail, Inside North Fork Road, and a few others.
4. Glacier Park Boat Company Tours
There are over 700 lakes in the park, and while you can explore many of them, only five offer boat tours: Lake McDonald, Swiftcurrent and Lake Josephine (Many Glacier Tour), St. Mary, and Two Medicine. The tours vary in length and price, but are all great options for families who want a relaxing and unique view of the park. They are very popular, so make reservations as early as you can (sometimes 10 months in advance for peak season).
5. Fishing
You can fish in many locations throughout Glacier, but there are differing seasons for various locations that you can learn more about on the National Park Service website. A license is not required, and you can rent fishing gear in Apgar Village.
If you are new to fishing or want a refresher, consider a one-hour fly fishing lesson to get your feet wet before fishing in the park.
6. Kayaking/SUP
One of our favorite activities in Glacier was spending a morning on the lake kayaking with our kids. You can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards at various locations within or near the park, or bring your own. Just note, that there are regulations and required inspections of watercraft you bring into the park.
7. Stargazing
Glacier and its sister park Waterton Lakes have been designated as International Dark Sky Parks. You don’t have to make much effort to catch an incredible night sky if the weather is clear. When camping at Fish Creek, our nightly midnight runs to the bathroom were worth the effort for the incredible sky views.
8. Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding is available for those ages seven and up within the park at Apgar, Lake McDonald, and Many Glacier. Beginning and advanced rides are available at varying lengths and costs. Be aware that there are height and weight requirements.
There are other tours outside the park as well in West Glacier that might be a better fit for your family.
9. Pick Huckleberries
I am not a plant or berry expert, but for those more confident in their plant identification you are allowed to pick up to a quart of huckleberries per person per day in Glacier. Check with rangers to make sure you are following the rules and to help you find out where berry patches might be. Peak season is mid to late summer, but be aware that bears love these berries too!
10. Wade in the Lake and Skip Rocks
Every evening we would walk down to Lake McDonald near our campsite and play in the water. It was one of the highlights of the trip because we could simply just enjoy the beauty around us and be together. The kids loved seeing how many skips they could get from throwing a rock and searching through all the colorful rocks.
If you get a chance, try and take some time near one of the 700 lakes in Glacier and just relax. Be aware of bugs and consider bringing a camp chair to sit on while the kids play – we encountered some excited ants on our nightly excursions. I also recommend having some sandals or water shoes for everyone to wear. They can keep them on while wading or easily take them on and off without dealing with wet socks or soggy sneakers.
Learning Activities:
11. Junior Ranger
Available at any visitor center, the Junior Ranger booklets are free to get and there are two versions – one for older kids and one for pre-readers. Each park has its own unique books and requirements, but all are manageable and can even be done in one day if that is all the time you have. Make sure to return to a visitor center when your book is complete to take the junior ranger oath and earn your free badge. Fun fact: ANYONE can be a junior ranger – even adults!
12. Visitor Centers
Be aware that the visitor centers are only open seasonally, usually mid-May through mid-October. Each visitor center has helpful rangers and employees, bathrooms, water fountains, shuttle pick-up, parking, exhibits, and a gift shop.
There are three visitor centers in Glacier – one on the west side (Apgar), one on the east side (St. Mary), and one in the middle of Going-to-the-Sun Road (Logan Pass).
Apgar Visitor Center
This is the place to stop if you are entering the park from the west side. Beyond the typical amenities, Apgar Visitor Center is a short walk to Apgar Village where you can rent kayaks, grab a bite to eat at Eddie’s Cafe, or sit along the shore of Lake McDonald. Apgar Village also has the Apgar Nature Center, open 10 am to 4 pm during the summer, where kids can have hands-on learning experiences.
Logan Pass Visitor Center
The Logan Pass Visitor Center is the highest in the park and is 6,646 feet above sea level. It’s a popular stop and you may need to circle around for parking, but don’t give up! Venture behind the visitor center to see if rangers are set up with exhibits and pop into the center to check out any indoor exhibits. It is only open during the summer months and may close periodically throughout the summer if Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed.
St. Mary Visitor Center
This is your visitor center if you will be entering Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east or if you want to stop at a visitor center when exploring Many Glacier or Two Medicine as well. This is also a great location to learn about local Native American history and culture.
13. Tree Key
Glacier has created this fun Tree Key to help visitors identify the trees around them. Print a copy off before starting your visit, and use it to keep kids entertained and learning while on hikes.
14. Be the Guide
To get your kids invested in the trip, have them be the tour guides! Let them pick one destination or hike on your itinerary that they can learn more about and then teach the rest of the group when you get there. Kids love being the expert and showing off what they know, and it creates a greater connection to the location.
Check out these books for kids to help them learn more about Glacier:
Outside the Park:
15. Float a river
Montana’s scenery is unparalleled, and experiencing it from the water takes it to a whole other level. While little ones may not like the thrills of white water rafting, a scenic float is a perfect way to spend a few hours near Glacier.
Kids will love trying to spot wildlife and the sense of adventure, and adults will love being able to relax and let nature entertain for a little bit.
16. Adventure Activities
With older children, or the especially brave, you can participate in several adventure activities near Glacier with your kids.
Glacier Highline Adventure Park
Located less than 15 minutes from the West Entrance of Glacier is Glacier Highline Adventure Park. Here families can choose from ziplining, a ropes course, rock climbing, an inflatable obstacle course, and more. While some activities have height and weight restrictions, the inflatables are open to all so families with a range of ages can find something that interests each kid. They also have a restaurant on site so you don’t have to leave to fill hungry stomachs.
Glacier Zipline
Located in Columbia Falls, this is a great activity option if you are staying in the area and want some excitement outside the park. This is perfect for those who specifically want to experience ziplining, as you don’t simply glide down one zipline but a total of seven ziplines. For those who just want a quick experience, they also offer a single zipline experience. Kids participate as long as they are 6 years old and weigh at least 50 pounds.
Whitefish Mountain Resort
If you choose to stay further out in Whitefish or Kalispell, a day at Whitefish Mountain Resort is a great choice for families wanting to stay active. Here you can participate in similar activities as previously mentioned like ziplining and a ropes course, plus other unique features like an alpine slide, scenic chair lifts, and Spider Monkey Mountain – a climbing tower with a slide just for little ones.
Glacier Tourbase – ATVs
While you can drive ATVs on trails or off-road within Glacier, there are plenty of options outside the park. Glacier Tourbase offers rental packages, including ATVs you can drive on Going-to-the-Sun Road at sunset for a different way to explore the famous road. Helmets, walkie-talkies, and a GPS locator are included to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable experience
When choosing to go off-road outside the park, they will also provide trail maps and directions to help you get the most out of your experience.
17. West Glacier Village
Enjoy a half day in West Glacier starting with a round of mini golf. Then take some time to explore the shops like the West Glacier Gift Shop and Huckleberry Hut, followed by lunch or dinner at Glacier National Pizza or Freda’s.
Conclusion
Clearly, Glacier National Park is good for kids and very family-friendly. It is a magical place, and while it can feel crowded or congested at times, there are so many options to find your own quiet piece of paradise and spend some quality time with your family.
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Happy travels!