Travel Free with points and Miles
October 26, 2025
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Want to travel but not sure how you can afford it? Learn how to turn your everyday spending into free flights and hotel stays with points and miles.
Glacier National Park
Itinerary & Tips to create an Unforgettable Family Adventure
If your family loves breathtaking scenery, unforgettable hikes, and outdoor adventure, Glacier National Park is undoubtedly the perfect summer getaway. With towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and endless opportunities to explore, it’s one of the most spectacular destinations in the country. For the best experience, plan your visit between July and September, when the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road is typically fully open and Glacier is at its absolute finest.
Before You Go: Book Flights, Rental Car & Accommodations
Accommodations: Kalispell, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls are all excellent places to stay when visiting Glacier National Park. Whitefish offers the most dining and shopping, Columbia Falls provides a convenient location close to the park, and Kalispell often has the widest selection of accommodations and some of the best overall value.
Budget-Friendly Tip: Book a hotel, vacation rental, or cabin with a kitchen. Preparing breakfast, packing lunches, and enjoying a few dinners in can significantly reduce food costs—leaving more room in your budget for Glacier’s unforgettable adventures.
Hiking in Glacier National Park
- Start early! Parking fills up quickly, especially at Logan Pass.
- Be sure to bring bear spray, keep it accessible at all times, and know how to use it if needed.
- Make noise while hiking to help avoid surprising bears.
- Bring bug spray and wear protective clothing, especially in Many Glacier, where biting flies can be a problem.
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Merrell is a brand our family has had great luck with.
- Before heading out, know your family’s hiking abilities and pay close attention to trail difficulty ratings—they are generally accurate for the average hiker.
- Pack plenty of snacks for the kids, and make sure each hiker has a filtered water bottle.
- Hiking poles can be helpful for hikers of any age or ability.
- Most importantly, make it fun for the kids! Hiking can get boring quickly, so research your trails ahead of time to learn what you might see and consider creating a scavenger hunt.
Family Favorites: Hidden Lake Overlook, St. Mary’s Falls, and the Highline trail (the first couple miles of this trail was all that was needed and the views were absolutely stunning)
Family Favorites: Grinnell Lake (there is an optional boat shuttle that can be used and would reduce the hike by about 3 miles)
Food: Grocery Stores & Restaurants
Groceries: Our family has found that one of the easiest ways to save money while traveling is by preparing as many meals as possible ourselves. Whenever we can, we choose accommodations with a kitchen so we can enjoy breakfast, pack lunches and snacks, and even make dinner on some evenings. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of convenient grocery stores throughout the West Glacier area, making it easy to stock up for your stay.
Restaurants: If staying in the Kalispel, Columbia Falls or Whitefish area, you will have many options for food choices. Within Glacier NP however, there are 2 restaurants that we would recommend: Russell’s Fireside Dining Room for the beautiful view, and Jammer Joe’s Grill for good pizza.
Excursions Around Glacier National Park
Wild River Adventures
Our family highly recommends Wild River Adventures for whitewater rafting in Glacier National Park. Wild River Adventures was a fantastic experience from start to finish. The staff was friendly, professional, and extremely knowledgeable, making the whole trip feel both safe and enjoyable. The guides did a great job sharing local insight while keeping things relaxed and fun. The scenery was absolutely beautiful, and everything was well organized and smooth. It was a great family-friendly adventure and a highlight of our time in Montana.
Swan Mountain Outfitters
Our family highly recommends Swan Mountain Outfitters. This was a great experience for our family and a perfect way to enjoy Glacier National Park on horseback. The staff was friendly, organized, and made everyone feel comfortable right from the start. The wranglers were knowledgeable and shared interesting local facts along the trail, which made the ride feel more personal and engaging. The horses were well cared for and easy to ride, even for beginners. The scenery through the forest and along the trails was beautiful and peaceful. Overall, it was a fun, family-friendly adventure and a highlight of our time near West Glacier.
Flathead Lake Charters
Our family highly recommends Flathead Lake Charters. Flathead Lake Charters offers a fantastic, classic Montana fishing experience on the beautiful waters of Flathead Lake. The guides are professional, knowledgeable, and do a great job helping both beginners and experienced anglers feel comfortable and successful on the water. Everything is well organized, from booking to the time on the boat, and the trips are relaxed yet engaging. The scenery is stunning, and the overall experience is a great mix of fishing, local insight, and enjoying one of Montana’s most iconic lakes.
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Planning a Montana getaway? 👉 Click the link below to read our full guide and see exactly what to expect when visiting.
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