Glacier National Park

Getting around Glacier NP

Shuttles and tour buses

Getting around the different parts of Glacier National Park is easiest by car, although some shuttles and tour buses do run inside the park, particularly on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Shuttles can be relatively expensive ($8 for each major segment of the routes, whichconnect the Belton Chalet to St. Mary's Visitor Center and even cross the border to enter Waterton National Park in Canada, where they terminate at the famous Prince of Wales Hotel. Red tour buses called Jammers (so named after the old practice of jamming the gears in place to climb steep hills) are much more expensive but a beloved fixture of the park to many tourists. They have now been modernized to run on natural gas. Visitors without cars should acquaint themselves well with the shuttle schedules before setting out as they run infrequently and often fill up fast.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is also a viable way to travel among destinations along Going-to-the-Sun Road, but be sure to thumb vehicles down from a turn out or shuttle stop so that they can safely pull over to pick you up.

By bicycle

Bicycles are permitted on Going-to-the-Sun Road, and though the ride may be beautiful and rewarding, bikers should be advised that the elevation gain makes the route strenuous and many segments are along steep cliffs without shoulders. Some portions of Going-to-the-Sun Road are closed to cyclists during high-traffic hours of the day for this reason. Bicycles are not allowed on trails.

By foot

With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier Park is best enjoyed through hiking. A good waterproof topographic trail map of Glacier National Park and Waterton National Park is available from National Geographic, complete with GPS checkpoints. Major trailheads are located at the Swiftcurrent Motor Lodge, Logan's Pass, and at the Lake McDonald Lodge. Trails range from short, handicap-accessible paths to 8-12 mile day hikes to long extended backpacking trails. If you plan to camp at backcountry sites, reservations will be necessary (see Backcountry section). Popular trails include:

• Trail of the Cedars (0.7 miles) - handicapped-accessible, partially paved and partially a boardwalk. Beautiful views of old-growth forest and Avalanche Gorge. Trailhead at Avalanche Creek Campground on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
• Garden Wall portion of the Highline Trail (11.6 miles) - day-hike accessible even to beginners. Trail follows the Garden Wall, a striking ridge along the continental divide. Views of subalpine meadows and alpine tundra as you skirt the dramatic face of the Garden Wall itself. Trailhead at Logan's Pass Visitor's Center. The Granite Park Chalet, a no-frills historic chalet which sells food and water to hikers (and provides potable water to guests with reservations), is located along the trail at mile 7.6. The trail ends at the Loop, from where you can take a shuttle back to Logan's Pass.
• The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (3,100 miles) - the least well-maintained of the triumvirate of National Scenic Trails (along with the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail), the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail runs from Waterton in Canada to Marias Pass on the southern edge of Glacier National Park before continuing south all the way to Mexico. The trail includes a variety of terrain within the park and can be accomplished in about ten days, depending on the backpacker's speed.

For visitors intending to hike extensively in Glacier National Park, the Falcon Guide Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks (ISBN 1-56044-718-4) is a comprehensive and invaluable guide, offering trail distances and thorough descriptions.

Note that during the winter, some trails and roads will be closed due to snow, and in the summer a one-way system may be in operation at busy times.

See Read for maps and other material to help you plan your trip.

Rental car

Dollar Rent-a-Car has pick-up and drop-off at all all the major train stations, and the Kalispell airport. There's no one-way fee, if for example, you arrive by train and leave by plane. All of the Dollar Rent-a-Car locations around Kalispell, Whitefish, and Glacier Park are run by the same franchise. Some aren't fully staffed and have a key drop. If you demand full-service, Avis has several staffed locations, but it's more expensive. Always check before taking rental cars into Canada, but most companies will allow. Also, inquire in advance if you plan on driving on unpaved roads and what the company's towing policy is.

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