Glacier National Park with Kids: A Family Explorer Guide

Glacier National Park is one of the most spectacular places on Earth — and one of the most underrated destinations for families.  Glacier is the kind of park that makes children fall permanently in love with wild places.

Engage your kids in outdoor exploration with Nature Explorer Club's Glacier National Park Activity Book.

Top 10 Must-See Stops for Families

1. Going-to-the-Sun Road — One of the most spectacular drives in North America. The 50-mile road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (6,646 feet), passing through ancient cedar forests, alongside turquoise lakes, and above sheer alpine cliffs. Drive it slowly, stop at every pullout, and keep binoculars ready for mountain goats and bighorn sheep on the cliffs above.

2. Logan Pass — The highest point on Going-to-the-Sun Road, with a visitor center, boardwalk through alpine meadows, and some of the most reliable mountain goat sightings in the park. The Hidden Lake Overlook trail (1.5 miles round trip) begins here and offers panoramic views across the divide.

3. Avalanche Lake — A 4.5-mile round trip hike through old-growth cedar and hemlock forest to a glacier-carved lake with cascading waterfalls. One of the most family-friendly trails in the park and one of the most beautiful.

4. Trail of the Cedars — A flat, paved 0.7-mile boardwalk loop through an ancient red cedar and hemlock forest. The trees here are hundreds of years old and the forest floor is covered in ferns and mosses. Accessible for all ages including strollers.

5. Lake McDonald — The largest lake in the park, with famously colorful rounded stones on its clear shallow shore. Kids are captivated by the red, green, and blue stones — each one telling a story of a different rock type carried by ancient glaciers.

6. Many Glacier Valley — The park's premier wildlife viewing area in the northeast. Grizzly bears, moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats are regularly spotted from the road and trails. The Many Glacier Hotel sits right at the lake edge with dramatic mountain views.

7. Grinnell Glacier — A moderately strenuous 11-mile round trip hike to one of the park's remaining named glaciers. For families with older children, it is one of the most rewarding hikes in any national park. A boat shuttle option shortens the hike significantly.

8. St. Mary Falls — A 1.6-mile round trip trail to a stunning double waterfall. The trail continues to Virginia Falls (2.9 miles round trip total) for an even more dramatic cascade. Manageable for most children.

9. Running Eagle Falls — A short 0.6-mile round trip walk to a unique two-level waterfall. In spring, water pours over both tiers. In summer, the upper section dries and the lower tier emerges from inside the rock itself — a geological wonder kids find unforgettable.

10. Iceberg Lake — A stunning 9.7-mile round trip hike to a lake that retains floating icebergs even in summer due to its north-facing bowl. For fit families with older children willing to put in the miles, it is one of the park's most extraordinary destinations.

Make the Adventure Real The Glacier National Park Activity Book turns your visit into a hands-on mission for ages 7–12 — with a wildlife tracker, fun facts, drawing pages, games, and puzzles. Shop the Book

Family Tips for Exploring Glacier

• Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road early. The road requires a vehicle reservation from late May through mid-September. Book at recreation.gov well in advance. Traffic peaks midday — drive it before 10 a.m. for the best experience.

• Carry bear spray on every trail. Glacier has one of the highest grizzly bear densities in the lower 48 states. Bear spray is required for all backcountry hiking and strongly recommended on all trails. Know how to use it before you go.

• Start with Trail of the Cedars for young kids. The flat, paved boardwalk through old-growth forest is magical for children of all ages and connects to the Avalanche Lake trailhead for older hikers in the group.

• Visit Many Glacier Valley for wildlife. Drive the Many Glacier Road slowly at dawn and dusk. Keep binoculars ready. This valley delivers some of the most reliable grizzly bear sightings in the park.

• Pack for all weather. Glacier's mountain weather changes rapidly even in summer. Layers, rain gear, and sun protection are all essential on the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions: Glacier National Park with Kids

Do you need a reservation to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road?

Yes — from late May through mid-September, vehicles over 21 feet require a vehicle reservation to drive the most scenic central section of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Reservations open at recreation.gov and sell out quickly. The road is also accessible by free shuttle during reservation season, which stops at all major trailheads and viewpoints.

Is Glacier National Park safe for kids with grizzly bears present?

Yes — Glacier is very safe for families who follow basic guidelines. Hike in groups of three or more, make noise on the trail, carry bear spray and know how to use it, and never approach wildlife. Grizzly bear attacks are extremely rare and almost always involve surprising a bear at close range. The vast majority of Glacier visitors — including many families with young children — never have a dangerous encounter.

When is the best time to visit Glacier with kids?

July and August offer the best conditions for families — Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open, wildflowers are blooming across the alpine meadows, and all trails and facilities are accessible. Late June can mean lingering snow on high trails. September brings fall colors and thinner crowds but some facilities begin closing. The park receives heavy snow from October through May.

What is the best easy hike at Glacier for young children?

Trail of the Cedars (0.7 miles, flat paved boardwalk) is the best option for very young children — ancient cedar trees, a rushing gorge, and a mossy forest floor that feels like a fairy tale. For slightly older children, the Hidden Lake Overlook trail from Logan Pass (1.5 miles round trip) offers mountain goat sightings and panoramic alpine views on a well-maintained boardwalk.

Can you see the glaciers from the road at Glacier National Park?

Yes — Jackson Glacier is visible from a pullout on Going-to-the-Sun Road near the Sun Point parking area, making it one of the most accessible named glaciers in the park. Grinnell Glacier requires an 11-mile round trip hike but a boat shuttle option shortens the walking distance significantly. The visitor center at Logan Pass has exhibits explaining glacier formation and retreat.

Turn Your Visit Into a Real Nature Adventure

Our Glacier National Park Activity Book is a 40+ page guided nature journal for ages 7 to 12 — with a wildlife field log, spotlights on mountain goats and grizzly bears, nature puzzles, and an explorer's journal for recording every discovery.

Recommended for ages 7-12. For the full guided experience, explore our Glacier National Park Activity Book.