For me, Grinnell Lake gets 4.5 stars. The ONLY REASON why I didn't give it 5 stars is because when…read moreI visited in the afternoon, the magnificent backdrop was set against the sun....and admiring this setting against the sun prevented me from capturing the perfect photos. This was quite frustrating! I had read and heard wonderful reviews about this place...the lake and the hike to get here in general. Unfortunately, when I arrived about 3pm, you could pretty much say the sun was a huge obstacle and quite a hindrance on my memories from here. Ultimately, I had to wait for clouds and or move myself to different spots to avoid the sun's beams. Regardless.....everything about this hike was pretty good. Grinnell Lake is located in the more secluded section of the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. When I visited last month, I had to wait in a line of cars just to gain access to Many Glacier. Because this popular part of Glacier NP is quite small in circumference....park rangers were only permitting a limited amount of visitors. Wow, that was quite annoying. Fortunately for me, since I planned my itinerary ahead of time, I was spending the evening here in Many Glacier and told the park ranger that I was sleeping the night at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, (which was the actual truth)...so he allowed me to pass. The trail for Grinnell Lake starts right next door on the grounds of Many Glacier Hotel. You can park wherever...on the side of the streets or in the parking lot. If you have a free moment, absolutely venture inside Many Glacier Hotel and along the grounds as the hotel exudes a rustic/European style - Swiss chalet - certainly lending itself to the heart of this outdoorsy - natural - setting along Josephine Lake. For Grinnell Lake, look for signs for the Swiftcurrent Lake Loop Trail. Here is where you want to go. It's situated towards the rear of Many Glacier Hotel. Ask someone inside the lodge if you need assistance finding the trailhead. From the Swiftcurrent Foot Trail, Grinnell Lake is 3.4 miles EACH WAY! Yes...that's almost 7 miles round trip! And, you could venture further towards Grinnell Glacier....another fantastically recommended trail, but....to Grinnell Glacier, it's 5.9 miles EACH WAY, - and for me....this was too far and took too much time out of the day. Also, it's mentioned in your park's map guide that Grinnell Glacier is a STRENUOUS TRAIL....where - as just hiking to Grinnell Lake is a moderately navigated passageway. Upon trekking beside Josephine Lake making my way towards Grinnell Lake, there were plenty of photo opportunities as the lake was quite picturesque, especially when the sun was at my back. Past Josephine Lake, the surroundings were just alright. Please understand though, this trail is great for those looking to get away and immerse themselves in the back country woods. You can find an easier way to arrive at Grinnell Lake by taking a boat towards the other end of Josephine Lake, getting out and then trekking the remaining distance on. For me, I was okay simply hiking as I didn't want to pay a fee and then wait for a boat to launch. Finally coming upon Grinnell Lake, yes...the hike was worth it. The calm waters here were immaculate. Absolutely perfect....colorful blue/green and turquoise. Along with the majestic and scenic background....you're confronted with a lush green mountain carved away with a running waterfall centered in the heart of it all. This spot and panoramic view was worth it all! All the time spent hiking and traversing my way, coming here made for witnessing this grand view. I was totally impressed! Yeah...leisurely, unobtrusively sitting down and appreciating this landscape is the reason why you come here. I spent a good 45 minutes just relaxing, taking photos and reflecting on how beautiful this place was. And like I mentioned earlier, had it not been for the sun in my way, Grinnell Lake absolutely would have been 5 stars. Lol....so when all is said and done....I HAVE TO RECOMMEND TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS....HIKE TO GRINNELL LAKE IN THE MORNING!!! And although from here, it's only a couple more miles along towards Grinnell Glacier (which was highly recommended), I was satisfied that I had explored enough and ventured back towards the Many Glacier Lodge. In all, I spent about 4 - 5 hours hiking over to Grinnell Lake. If you're spending time in this Many Glacier section of Glacier National Park, Grinnell Lake is quite the highlight and should not be missed.

Without a doubt, one of the most breathtaking national parks we've ever visited! Glacier National…read morePark completely exceeded our expectations and gave us some of the most unforgettable experiences. There was something incredible around every corner: Wildlife: We were lucky enough to see grizzly bears, black bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, birds, and so much more. Seeing these animals in their natural habitat was truly special. Glaciers & mountain views: Ancient glaciers surrounded by towering peaks, dramatic landscapes, and endless mountain views it honestly felt unreal. Turquoise lakes: The crystal-clear, turquoise waters looked almost too perfect to be real. Every lake felt like a postcard. Boat rides: A peaceful way to take in the beauty of the park, surrounded by glacier-fed waters and stunning mountain scenery. Hiking: Every trail we explored was worth it! Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake, Running Eagle Falls, and more each one offered something completely different and beautiful. Wildflowers: Colorful wildflowers and bear grass were everywhere, adding even more beauty to an already incredible landscape. Huckleberry ice cream: And of course, you can't visit Glacier without trying huckleberry ice cream! Such a fun and delicious Glacier tradition. From the wildlife and glaciers to the turquoise lakes, scenic drives, hikes, and peaceful boat rides, Glacier National Park truly has it all. We left with so many beautiful memories and a camera roll full of pictures we'll be looking at for a long time. Absolutely unforgettable and 100% worth the trip!

Where to start?! This has been a bucket list item for some time and not sure why I ever waited…read more If this is on your list GO NOW it does not disappoint!! Solo visit so easy to get up early and beat the crowds through Going to the Sun Road and Logan Pass parking drama. Perks: wildlife still out and about, easy parking to be had along the road and all lots, not a lot of crowds for optimum photo catching. Cooler on those hot days! Cons: no services open or available so have to have everything you need planned out until things open (normally 8 or 9 o'clock). I will have to venture back to grab a stamp for my NPS passport. I could spend a year here and still be excited to go and see more or hike another trail. It is a beautiful and pristine park to respectfully enjoy. I used the general store at Rising Sun mid morning to grab a few gift and snack items as well as refill water (bottle filler inside or purchase drinks of choice). Has just about anything you need there for purchase along with bathroom and showers. I can't speak for the park service visitor centers at Apgar nor Logan Pass as I didn't use as they were not open when I entered (save restroom at Logan). Logan Pass has free parking for 3 hours if you can get a spot. You do have to use the kiosk to out in plate data which provides time stamp and place on dash. Of note, there is a lot of places where you are driving by sheer cliffs with falling rock hazards with tight areas. Be mindful of the speed limits when reducing to 25 as they are normally around these tight areas or people congested areas. Also be courteous, there are plenty of pull off areas if you prefer to go slow, pull off and let others proceed smartly. Whether you are a hiker for the trails or a boater to grab one of the rentals to take out on the lake there is plenty to do here. Items book well in advance so book early and come enjoy one amazing National Park!!

Magnificent natural beauty. Lakes, streams, and mountains of majesty surrounding a valley. Bike…read moretrails, picnic areas, and scenic turn offs abound. Came through yesterday, and admission was free. Saw there's a golf course as well. Small town of Waterton with a RV campground, stores and restaurants.

A great park with variety and views right where the Canadian Rockies hit the plains. Good hikes…read moreavailable of all kinds. I was surprised to see a substantial town essentially inside a national park, but it does provide a convenient mix of services including decent restaurants. Especially after the intense crowds of Glacier, this felt like a relief, though you still won't find solitude on the popular trails.

Blackfeet Outfitters is simply the best way to experience Montana life. Offering hunting, fishing,…read moreand jeep tours, this outfitter is the tops in exploring the backcountry of the Blackfeet Reservation near Babb. Words of warning: activities with Algers, your wonderful guide, are not for the tame, but those with an adventurous spirit seeking some guidance from a backcountry expert. This is not safari, just time spent enjoying being alive in a beautiful place. My boyfriend and I chose to do a Jeep Tour with Blackfeet Outfits. Normally, I don't splurge on things I deem to be "touristy," as I hail from a resort town myself and am fairly comfortable outdoors. But, it was September, high bear season, a last minute trip and yadayadayada, so a jeep tour sounded safer. I am SO glad I didn't miss out on the Jeep Tour experience! Other than tranquil Glacier National Park, the time spent with Algers of Blackfeet Outfitters was the highlight of our Montana Excursion. I'm already looking forward to going back next year for fly-fishing, and renting one of the awesome cabins on the property. I saw some mixed reviews online of his lodging. I'm not sure where that stems from, although I assume it's because Babb isn't as glamorous as staying in the Park itself. It is however way more comfortable and a short drive to the Many Glaciers entrance of GNP. For those with RVs, he also has 17 hook ups on site. Best time ever.

Had a great fishing trip it was a great time. The fishing was good but the sight seeing was amazing.read more

You'd be hard pressed to say anything about GTSR aside from "unmatched views of beautiful meadows,…read moremassive mountains, gorgeous valleys, and the occasional waterfall." The road is only open 3-4 months out of the year in summer once the snow has been cleared and it can become closed again if it snows late in the season (that happened this year in 2025), so bear that in mind when planning your trip. That said, it is absolutely worth at least one trip in everyone's life as far as I'm concerned to make the drive along this famous road. It is absolutely stunning, every lookout point is an incredible photo op, and even the visitor centers are in the most stunning, picturesque locations so even if you can't hike any tough trails, you can see some absolutely incredible parts of this park without even leaving the car (although would strongly recommend getting out for hikes if you are physically able - you miss a lot of other grandeur if you don't ). If very afraid of heights be aware the road is kinda narrow and the drop offs can look kinda steep. But there are barriers all along the road, rest assured about that. Overall - this is without a doubt one of the most beautiful drives and parks I've ever been in, period. STRONGLY rec a visit.

Definitely a highlight of any trip to Glacier National Park. The cool thing is you can do it…read moreseveral times and it will likely yield different views each time. We did it three times over 4 days and saw different things each time. Between 7am to 3pm you must have a timed entry reservation. The parking spots fill up fast so you might need to go several times just so you can head to where you want to go first thing. Then hit less popular areas after. Or don't drive and take the shuttles.

This place was really cool and I would recommend going. I went when it was raining and apparently…read morethat means that the waterfalls look better so I guess you should go when it's raining. Or at least that's what they said. If you're there on a busier day I would recommend going early cuz the parking was pretty minimal. Honestly a must visit at Glacier National Park

Sacred Dancing Cascade Falls is a magical West Glacier waterfall. You can access this waterfall…read moreeasily from a footbridge spanning McDonald Creek. Even though there were more rapids and cascades further upstream of this falls, I wanted to check out why the local Native-Americans revere this particular waterfall. Sacred Dancing Cascade Falls is accessible to the eyes from the road. Looking up from the Red Tour Bus, you can gaze up the mountain and see several streaming walls of water. After pulling off the road into a large parking lot, it is a quick walk to the footbridge over the Creek, and after a hike, you will be close enough to where a great view of the cascade can be found, For the local indigenous peoples, this Sacred Waterfall is a spiritual holy place. The mists that rise from the base of the waterfall are thought to connect heaven and earth. They are also thought to be a conduit of our earthly prayers to the Great Creator and where the First Man & First Woman were created by the Moon Transformer. A local tribe member once explained the importance of the Falls by saying the waterfall is a symbol to them of "the cycle of water which renews us for it is the cycle of life." The Sacred Falls is a glorious thing to experience. When you get closer up, seeing the smooth layers of rock scrubbed down by years of powerful water tumbling over it is thrilling. Sacred Dancing Cascade Fall makes you realize the incredible force of water and why the Indians are right to revere such a place as this.

We had a beautiful day & the park didn't disappoint. We wandered around the gift shops in…read moreWatertown, used the clean restroom, purchased Starbucks & admired the magnificent lake & scenery. In 1932 Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada was combined with the Glacier National Park in Montana, U.S forming the world's first International Peace Park. It's situated on the border between both countries and offering outstanding scenery, the park is exceptionally rich in plant and mammal species as well as prairie, forest, and alpine & glacial features.

This is such a beautiful park! There is a lot of wildlife, no I'm not just talking about the…read moretourists. Deer walk right by you and if you are not careful you might just have an up close and personal experience with a bear. Got to see a bear walk across the street right in front of our car. So ensure to have your cameras always readily available or you'll miss your photo opportunity and end up with pictures of a bear's backside like I did. Make sure to stay safe but enjoy the trails and nature and take in all of the sights!

This is such a nice dog park. There is a large open grassy space for play and a shaded area with…read morebenches to sit. There is a paved walk around the grassy area as well so dogs and pet parents alike can get their steps in. The park does have a very tiny "small dog area" if needed, but our small dog was happy out playing with the big boys. The days we visited were very warm and many of the dogs were enjoying a dip in the pond area. There is plenty of parking and restrooms and it seems like the park is still under construction and there will be more to come.

Such a treat having a park for our fur babies! The features and walking path is nice! Plenty of…read moreroom to roam!

After a day of long strenuous hikes I wanted to end it with a nice and easy hike. I came here at…read morearound 8pm on a Saturday and there were lots of parking spots in the small parking lot. This trail is closer to the St. Mary entrance of the park but if you're driving through the entirety of the Going-to-the-Sun Road you'll stop by this trailhead. The trail to the St. Mary waterfall is only about 1 mile from the parking lot and there's no elevation at all which makes for a very easy hike. From the St. Mary waterfall you can continue on to the Virginia Falls but I chose not to as the sun was going down and I didn't want to be out on a hike by myself in the near darkness, but the hike to Virginia Falls is not that much further or harder.

A fairly easy hike through the woods that's filled with burned wood (i think) and then opens up to…read morea bridge overlooking the St. Mary's Falls. We were looking for something quick as the weather was rainy and this was a nice hike to do. You can make it longer by continuing on to the next two falls but we decided to skip that. Ample parking around this hike too.

Babb, Montana A…read moresurprising gem between Glacier NP & Waterton NP off of I-89 a stone toss from the US-Canada Border Station. There is minimal written description but the area is Blackfoot Nation and it's sad to see how man-made/manifest destiny borders created a sovereign separation for the the Blackfoot First Nation. The Natives should be able to visit their cousins and friends without going through all the customs crap. The site is still an interesting historical landmark considering the artifacts appear to be constructed by scrap metal. The artistic flair is hard to digest as robust, metallic structures are meant for buildings rather than people or ideas but what the heck do i know? Access/Roads: A Paved. Parking: A The lot is small but the traffic is low. Distance: F Far from many things. Calgary, Alberta - 260 KM (160 miles). Los Angeles, California - 1,400 miles Costs: A Free Nearby Attractions: Glacier National Park (US) Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada) Close your eyes and you will zoom on by. This region of the continent is desolate so might as well maximize the "once in a lifetime" opportunity. If you are local then this is irrelevant but for us who travel from different time zones then swing by cause... What the heck you out here anyways? And when would anyone ever come back? Safe travelings. Photo Gallery: https://www.facebook.com/SiRTurbo/media_set?set=a.10157279855937324&type=3&uploaded=11 IG: @cigarcpa www.cleeshyun.com