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Highly recommend the Guide Along app - GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide)

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Highly recommend the Guide Along app

The audio was great. So informative. It worked great. Tips on the best places to visit. Highly recommend.

Hi Daniel, thanks for sharing how much you enjoyed listening to our audio tour through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks - especially the tips on the best places to visit. We hope to join you on the road again soon.

Using the self-guided audio tour for the Going-to-the-Sun Road was wonderful! I highly recommend it👍

Hi Denise, thank you for taking the time to share how much you enjoyed our audio tour along the (incredible!) Going to the Sun Road. We're delighted to hear how much it added to your drive and hope to join you on the road again soon.

This tour is a cost effective, informative and entertaining option for a guided tour through the park. It works especially well for people who do not like to do group tours since you can go at your own pace and choose the things you want to see more or less of. The narrator also provides useful geography and historical information along the ride. If you purchase in advance and look through the provided resources the itenerary planner is also a nice bonus to save you a considerable amount of time searching the internet for suggestions on how to maximize your time in the parks. After I bought this tour I purchased the tours for Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons and it made my last minute trip planning an absolute breeze and allowed me more time to spend in the park as opposed to sitting back at camp planning the activities for the next day.

Hi Michael, thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review of your experience with our audio tour. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour so much that you bought our tours for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks! We hope to join you on many more road trips.

My husband and I were so happy with the audio tour. It was simple to use, the guide was enjoyable to listen to and his guidance proved to be very helpful.

Hi Sharon, Thanks for taking the time to share how much you and your husband both enjoyed our audio tour through Glacier National Park. We're delighted to hear that the directions and commentary was so helpful, and we hope to join you both on the road again soon.

Easy to install, very informative. Better than a guided tour because you can start and stop as you please. Best $12 ever spent.

Hi Nancy, thanks for taking the time to share how much you enjoyed listening to our audio tour through Glacier National Park! We're so glad that you enjoyed exploring the park at your own pace, and hope to join you on the road again soon.

The tour was very informative and worked extremely well with the drive we were on. We were able to enjoy it all day at our pace.

HI Richard, thanks for sharing how much you enjoyed touring Glacier National Park at your own pace with our audio tour. We're delighted to hear how informative you found the app, and hope to join you on another road trip soon.

Here's Why It's Worth The Incredibly Scenic Drive To Glacier National Park

For the declining glaciers, Glacier National Park has hardly lost a speck of its initial allure.

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Here’s why driving through glacier national park should be on your bucket list, planning a road trip to glacier national park these are the stops to make, here’s how to plan for a road trip to glacier national park.

With sweeping views and scenes that are hands-down one of the best anyone will ever come across in the United States, Glacier National Park is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country. From what’s arguably the largest concentration of glaciers in the United States—outside Alaska and Hawaii—to majestic mountain landscapes that would make one for a moment think he’s somewhere in Switzerland, one of Europe's most picturesque countries , there’s a reason Glacier National Park has been described as the "Crown of the Continent."

There are many ways to explore Glacier National Park. For instance, a good number of people find hiking an exciting way to explore the park’s more than one million acres. In this article, however, we reveal why road-tripping through the park is just as good, even better, especially for those who may not have the time to lace up for a hike.

Because of its massive size and diversity of landscapes, it should not come as a surprise that the United States is among the best road-trip countries in the world . And driving through the breathtaking Glacier National Park is one way to experience the country’s worryingly underappreciated magical beauty. One of the park’s major draws, of course, aside from the many glaciers from which it derives its name, is the jaw-dropping landscape that dots its vast expanse from end to end. It’s a landscape that features towering mountain peaks, cool, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests. On his first visit to the park, Franklin Roosevelt was so taken away by the park’s breathtaking beauty that he wished every American, “old and young,” were with him. “The great mountains,” he would remark , “the glaciers, the lakes, and the trees make me long to stay here for all the rest of the summer.”

And that’s without a mention of the many animals that a road-tripper can chance on. From mountain goats that are known to nimbly walk along 90-degree cliffs to grizzly bears that roam the park’s alpine meadows with lordly steps and with a poise worthy of medieval European emperors, driving through Glacier National Park is an experience of a lifetime. Of course, that means bear safety should be a top consideration when planning a trip to Glacier National Park. And then the roads. The descents, the ascents, the meanders—all delicious ingredients that make for a perfect road trip. And for history buffs, driving through many centuries of American history is something that will transport the mind to the nostalgic past and to many years before Colombus would finally set foot on the continent.

Related: 10 Best Places To Stay At Glacier National Park

Going-to-the-Sun Road. There are up to 25 stops one can make while road-tripping through Glacier National Park. However, no road trip through Glacier National Park can be complete without driving through the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Known to be one of the most celebrated civil engineering landmarks in the United States, Going-to-the-Sun Road combines breathtaking scenery and several heart-sinking twists that make this popular stretch dangerously exciting. For those wondering if Going-to-the-Sun Road is difficult , the answer is a resounding “yes.” For perspective, this is a distance of just about 50 miles, yet it takes a good driver a whopping two hours to complete. And during the course of those two hours, for the bends and cliffs, one may very well exhaust his adrenaline stores. But there are other stops.

Being the highest point on the road, Logan Pass is another stop where one will just have to pull up. From this popular high point, the panoramic views below and around look like a scene from a distant wonderland—far away from the U.S. For perspective, Logan is an outstanding 2,025 meters above sea level. Not as high as, say, Alaska’s Denali, North America's highest peak . Still, the high point opens out to one of the best views in the Western Hemisphere. The Jackson Glacier Overlook is another place to just pull up and grab an amazing view of a famous glacier. And then there’s Two Medicine, an amazingly picturesque terrain almost similar to Everest. If one still has time on his hands, Many Glacier has views that are nothing short of mind-blowing.

Related: Should You Plan a Hiking Tour of Glacier National Park During the Summer? Here Are the Perks

Carry bear spray. Glacier National Park is known for its many ebullient bears. And yes, visitors will need to get both a pass and a GTTSR ticket.

• How Much Is A Pass To The Glacier National Park? An entry ticket for a private vehicle is $25 and $35 for winter and summer, respectively.

Lastly, Gypsy Guide is an amazing app for a Glacier National Park self-guided tour that every visitor should consider downloading. That’s it. Centuries have sped by since Glacier National Park was christened the "Crown of the Continent." But for the declining glaciers, it has hardly lost a speck of its initial allure.

The 10 Best Glacier National Park Tours

By Mark Barnett

Montana has its fair share of impressive scenery and landscape by way of its national parks. Glacier National Park is one such region that allows you to escape into the vast expanse of the outdoors, away from crowds and cities.

It also puts you in the direct vicinity of over a million acres of forests, alpine lakes, rugged mountains, and wildflower meadows.

Glacier National Park was established in 1910 and contains somewhere in the region of 700 miles of well-maintained trails, which provide endless hiking and biking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Some of the best Glacier National Park Tours will allow you to cover some of the highlights, although the choice of things to do and see is broad.

Here you can explore the 26 remaining glaciers, or journey along the famous 50-mile ‘Going-to-the-Sun’ Road, which is built into the cliff sides of the Rocky Mountains and is a biking enthusiast’s dream.

The park also presents the adventurer with some mean rafting opportunities, and wildlife enthusiasts find themselves well catered for in this haven for grizzly bears and other native animals and birds in the wild, dense mountain forests.

So whether you visit the park to marvel at the scenery like the snow-capped peaks reflected in glassy lakes, or get involved in some serious physical pursuits, finding a tour to suit your itinerary will help you get the best of this vast landscape.

A visit to Glacier National Park is certainly something that leaves its mark on any adventurer –so let’s take a look at some of the best Glacier National Park Tours on offer.

10 Of The Best Tours In Glacier National Park

• Red Bus Tour
• 6-Day/5-Night Bike Tour
• Custom Guided Day Hike
• Half-Day Guided Rafting Trip
• Half-Day Nature Walk Tour
• Fly Fishing – Full Day Trip
• Overnight Fishing Trip with Camping
• Four-Day Backpacking Guided Tour
• Nature Walk and Float Experience Combination
• Raft and Bike Day Tour

1. Red Bus Tour

The famous red vintage buses that are a familiar sight in the park and also part of its heritage serve as an ideal way to get around and learn more about the locality. The buses have roll-back tops which allow full views of the surrounding scenery.

The guides on the buses are seasoned veterans with much to share. Obviously, the seats are not quite up to modern standards, but maybe this adds to the authenticity. The red buses facilitate 17 people, and the daily tours usually sell out quickly.

The Glacier Park Red Bus Tours are all-round trips and set off from both the east and west sides of the park. Trips from the east side cover features such as Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, Many Glacier Hotel, and Rising Sun Motor Inn inside the park, as well as some of St. Mary’s.

On the west side departure points tour participants can take in the Apgar Visitor Center, the Village Inn at Apgar and Lake McDonald Lodge.

2. 6-Day/5-Night Bike Tour

If you think that possibly the best way to get around any natural, outdoor expanse is by bicycle, then this could be for you. On this 6-day tour, you will get to ride along the cyclist’s dream, the ‘Going-to-the-Sun Road’ and you’ll soon realize why it is considered one of the most scenic roads in America.

It’s not purely saddle-work on this trip though and you’ll also get to do a little rafting along the scenic Flathead River, and indulge in a spot of trekking and a picnic by the shore of Two Medicine Lake .

Then there is a boat ride and hike to Grinnell Lake in the midst of Glacier National Park’s peaks. Along the way, you’ll get to learn something of the history and culture of the Blackfeet Nation from a couple of tribal elders. The trip also includes a few days in the western town of Whitefish , for yet more riding and rafting through the Flathead Valley.

3. Custom Guided Day Hike

If you prefer taking things in at a slower pace and think that going on foot is the best way to experience the park – then this one-day, custom hike is for you! This is a private tour for 1 to 5 provided by local guides and they can help you decide which route will best suit your requirements.

The guide can meet you at your hotel or camp if you are staying in Glacier National Park, and the day hikes usually cover 8 to 12 miles. This is flexible though and can be tailored to your hiking abilities and points of interest.

For instance, if you want to bring children on the hike the guides may put together 2 or 3 smaller hikes over a larger area, and can be easy, moderate, or advanced in difficulty according to your preferences.

4. Half-Day Guided Rafting Trip

This half-day rafting trip can be either a white water adventure or a scenic float, depending on which you prefer. The scenic float trips are available between May and mid-October, while the white water adventures usually occur between May and early September, according to the level of the rivers.

This is a private, guided rafting trip in Glacier that accommodates up to 8 people and allows you to paddle as part of the crew on the raft if you wish, as it winds its way along 9 different rapids.

Unless you would rather sit back and take in the scenery, as it stretches for 8 miles of picturesque viewing, that is. For the rafting experience, the difficulty is rated as easy or moderate, and is considered family-friendly.

The trips last for anything between 2 and 4 hours, according to the level of the river. Private transportation to and from the river is included, as is all necessary safety equipment, and guide services.

5. Half-Day Nature Walk Tour

This is a relatively easy-going, half-day trip in Glacier and is an ideal first introduction to the park for many visitors. You’ll participate in 2 short walks, each about 1 mile in distance, with minimal elevation.

The tour starts at around 9.30 am and culminates at 1.30 pm. Participants are driven into Glacier National Park via the West Glacier entrance, 1 mile from the guide’s office.

You’ll get to learn about outdoor ethics, as well as a bit of forest fire science and river ecology, and maybe even a spot of history of early settlers. Your local guide will lead you on an interpretive tour equipped with all the necessary transportation, snacks, equipment (and bear spray).

You’ll still need to bring a daypack to carry your own water bottle, camera/phone, binoculars, raincoat, fleece, a Glacier National Park Pass – and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Once in Glacier, you will walk about the 1-mile round trip through the glaciated Lake McDonald Valley with its resident beaver and moose. Then another drive covers the short distance to Glacier’s North Fork Valley, where you’ll stop at various scenic viewpoints, such as McGee Meadows and McDonald Creek.

Finally, you arrive at the North Fork of the Flathead River , from which you’ll take another short, easy walk, 1-mile round trip.

6. Fly Fishing – Full Day Trip

This is a day full of fly fishing that is suitable for any level. The trips usually run between June and September, depending on guide availability. You can fish on either the Middle Fork or North Fork of the Flathead River, on waters that are federally protected, and contain Rainbow and Brook trout.

The North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River normally become fishable towards the end of June, and this continues into autumn. The fishing is done from a dory and can accommodate 3 people, including your guide.

The local guides are highly knowledgeable and are happy to show you the ropes if necessary. The all-day trips include a delicious, locally sourced, organic lunch on the river. All equipment is provided unless you want to use your own.

7. Overnight Fishing Trip with Camping

These overnight or 2-3day fly fishing trips are centered on the scenic and remote North Fork of the Flathead River. This Glacier National Park river lies on the western border and contains native Westslope Cutthroat, Rainbow Trout, and Brook trout.

The guides are knowledgeable professionals, with a few handy tips to pass on if you don’t have much experience. This overnight trip includes camping riverside at night, and organic meals prepared from locally sourced ingredients are provided.

This trip is ideal from July onwards until early September, depending on guide availability, and is best suited to no more than 2 people.

8. Four-Day Backpacking Guided Tour

If you fancy indulging in what the guides consider the perfect amount of time for a Glacier Park backpacking trek – then check out this 4-day affair. This is a moderately difficult trek that usually begins on Saturdays between May and September.

The minimum age is suggested as 15 for this trip, and you will need to pay park entrance fees yourself. You can rent equipment if required including sleeping bags and tents.

You’ll see parts of the park on this trek that many visitors are completely unaware of, as you pass through subalpine and alpine meadows among the Glaciers’ towering peaks. The guide will highlight many points of interest, and be on the lookout for wildlife.

You’ll get to camp in the Glacier’s backcountry campgrounds, many of which are close to lakes or streams, in case you fancy a spot of fishing and or swimming.

Mileage covers around 5-12 miles per day, and elevation gain and loss I around 500 to 800 feet, unless hiking over a pass when it could be more than double that. The guides prepare all meals from locally sourced and organic ingredients, and groups of 7 can be accommodated.

9. Nature Walk and Float Experience Combination

This is a split combo tour that is relatively easy and family-friendly. The half-day trip is an ideal introduction to the park, as you can learn about the nature and ecosystem as well as getting involved in a nice and laid-back water experience. So you can get 2 different perspectives in one trip!

The nature section involves 2 short, easy walks in Glacier National Park – both about one mile – and it takes just over 3 hours to complete.

After this relaxing morning walk, you get to enjoy a 2 hour long, scenic float on the Flathead River. A lunch break of about 1.5 hours is included before the float, then it’s on to the river.

10. Raft and Bike Day Tour

This full-day tour is another combination, this time involving a raft and a bicycle. You get to raft Glacier’s border river in the morning, then in the afternoon, you explore on 2 wheels, with both lunch and dinner included.

The river winds through 8 miles of the John F. Stevens Canyon, and the rapids are class II and III, which means a fun white water rafting adventure! It is considered moderate difficulty, but no experience is necessary.

This tour is usually available between May and late June, and occurs between the hours of 10:15 am – 7:30 pm, starting from the operator’s office where you meet the guide. First, you’ll get kitted out with the necessary safety equipment, and helmets and life jackets are mandatory.

Related Articles

• 13 of The Best Tours in Montana; See The Top Sights & Attractions
• The Best Things To Do in Yellowstone
• Where To Stay In Glacier National Park, Montana

About The Author

Mark Barnett

Mark Philip is a writer and lifestyle enthusiast from the Midlands in the U.K. With a background in martial arts and fitness, Mark headed out to Bangkok, Thailand where he now lives and works. Mark has authored e-books, articles, and blogs across a wide range of topics for commercial, educational, factual, lifestyle and leisure-based purposes.

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Guided Family Tours in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is on the bucket list of so many but how many of them don’t mark it off? Kudos for you for making it happen! Now who wants to check the box but not get the most out of it? NO ONE!! Guided tours in Glacier National Park are a great way to not only see the scenery but also learn things about what you are seeing. Not just Glacier National Park itself but Montana is full of history and our guides take pride in knowing and sharing knowledge about what makes our area and our state so great. Also, letting someone else do the driving or do the heavy lifting?! SAY LESS! Now that’s what we call a true VACATION! 

• Glacier Guides: Guided Nature Tours Glacier National Park
• The GNP FAMOUS Red Bus Tour: Bus Tours Glacier National Park

Wild River Adventures: Whitewater Rafting Tours Glacier National Park

Glacier institute’s junior ranger program: kids tours glacier national park, montana’s last best outfitters: horseback riding tours glacier national park.

• Glacier Park Boat Company: Scenic Boat Tours Glacier National Park 

Glacier Guides & Montana Raft: Guided Nature Tours Glacier National Park

Glacier Guides and Montana Raft offer a multitude of trips that cover all things Glacier while you are visiting. Raft, hike, fish or bike they have it ALL! Don’t take on those trails alone. Their guided hiking trips are offered for all skill and thrill levels. They do simple nature walks and even offer custom backpack trips and multi-day trips if you are interested. They are a plethora of knowledge from the peaks to the valleys, wildlife and history of Glacier and our foliage and wildlife. They are the swiss army knife for the outdoors. Offering a multitude of other experiences while you are in the area too. Want to rent bikes? Glacier Guides and Montana Raft. Want to raft? Glacier Guides and Montana Raft. Wanna fish? Glacier Guides and Montana Raft. Wanna explore on your own? Glacier Guides and Montana Raft are your gear rental gurus as well! 

Glacier National Park Lodges: Famous Red Bus Tours Glacier National Park

What are those odd red cars you keep seeing in Glacier? Those are the FAMOUS Red Jammer Busses that have been cruising and helping people get the most out of their time in Glacier since the 1930’s! There are various Red Bus Tours offered on both the West and East sides of Glacier National Park. You will need to book this ahead as these tours fill up quickly! This guided tour will give you all the history and inside scoop you are looking for! These buses are such a historic staple in Glacier National Park you won’t wanna miss it. And if the weather is nice and you can really get the full experience as the top can roll back and you can get the full bird’s eye view. Sit back, relax and enjoy the views!

Visit our Transportation in Glacier blog post to learn more about all modes of exploring GNP.

Although this too is a guided adventure it takes a group effort to get you all down the middle fork of the Flathead River. But trust me, it’s a fun one! You and your crew will have the trip of a lifetime with our friends at Wild River Adventures on their West Glacier whitewater rafting trips . Grab a paddle and enjoy a half day with these river rats! Splash through jaws or bone crusher or take the more mellow (still just as fun scenic route) but they have all the wet n’ wild fun you are looking for! I would say rafting is a MUST do while you are here!

This is a great program to keep kids invested and interesting while you explore Glacier. You start the journey to Jr. Ranger by picking up a booklet at any of the visitor’s centers or ranger stations within Glacier. Complete the steps of the booklet while you are in Glacier and turn it in to earn your Jr. Ranger badge! This program is so much fun and kids really enjoy it. Headed to other parks? Most do a Jr. Ranger program so make sure you do your research so your kiddo can be a well rounded Jr. Ranger!

Saddle up and explore Montana with Swan Mountain Outfitters. They are your go-to experts for horsebacking in Glacier. They offer a variety of trips from 1 hour trips to full day adventures both in Glacier National Park and Swan Lake area. These wranglers are ready to take you on a guided trip of a lifetime! Make sure you book early as saddles are limited!

Glacier Park Boat Company: Scenic Boat Tours Glacier National Park

Set sail on board of one of the many famous wooden boats that have been offering scenic tours in Glacier since 1938! They offer tours from multiple locations within Glacier all equally as beautiful. Glacier Park Boat Company has 6 historic wooden boats that are ready for you and your crew. This is a wonderful way to spend a few hours on the beautiful waters of Glacier. Make sure you take your cameras and BON VOYAGE!

Guided tours are a great way to spend quality time with your travel group while you are here. You not only get the most out of the experience but also everyone can sit back and enjoy! Another great way to spend some time while you visit Glacier and the Flathead Valley is harnessing up and hangin’ in the trees with us here at Glacier Highline. We do not offer guided trips but our guides are very knowledgeable and are there to help you along the way as you need. Pick and choose your path and test your skills on the ropes, we have fun for all ages and even great areas for spectators while you are up there. Spend a few hours at our treetop adventure park near Glacier National Park with all of our on-site activities ( ropes course , inflatable obstacle course, giant inflatable water slide and more), soak up some sun poolside or even just pop in for a coffee or a bite at the Tower Grill and Coffee Shop ! We at Glacier Highline are  FULL of FAMILY FUN! See ya there!

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Montana minor league baseball team in dispute with National Park Service over arrowhead logo

Amy Beth Hanson

Associated Press

HELENA, Mont. – A minor league baseball team in Montana is calling out the U.S. Department of Interior for “unwarranted and relentless” trademark claims in a battle over the use of an arrowhead logo.

The Glacier Range Riders in Kalispell, Montana — members of a Major League Baseball partner league — applied for several trademarks and logomarks for the team that began playing in 2022. The logos include a mountain goat wearing a park ranger hat, a bear riding in a red bus like the Glacier National Park tour buses and an arrowhead with the letters “RR” in it.

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The Interior Department opposes the use of the arrowhead logo. The agency filed a protest with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which rejected arguments that the baseball team's arrowhead logo would be confused with the park service's and create a false association between the two.

The federal agency then filed a letter of opposition last June, creating a legal case that team owners say will be costly to defend. A final hearing is tentatively scheduled for next year, team spokesperson Alexa Belcastro said.

The park service complaint notes that when the team revealed its logos it acknowledged that Glacier National Park was its inspiration.

Range riders protected the Flathead National Forest Reserve from poachers, wildfires and timber thieves before Glacier National Park was formed.

“The brand is really inspired by the founding of the national park service, the golden age when it was just getting started at the turn of the 20th century,” Jason Klein, partner with the sports marketing firm Brandiose, said when the logos were revealed. “What I love about this is that no other brand in all of sports has adopted the national parks as an inspiration."

The park service logo is an arrowhead enclosing a sequoia tree, a snow-capped mountain landscape, bison and the phrase “National Park Service.”

“The only commonality between the Glacier Range Riders and NPS’s logos is the generic arrowhead shape,” the team said in a statement last week. “NPS has no exclusive legal rights to the shape, and it is used by countless other organizations across the nation.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke of western Montana questioned Interior Secretary Deb Haaland last week about the agency's legal action against the Range Riders, noting that other agencies, tribes and teams — including the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs — use an arrowhead in their logos, patches and flags.

Haaland said she was not aware of the action against the Range Riders, and she could not comment on ongoing litigation.

Zinke served as Interior Secretary under former President Donald Trump until he resigned in late 2018 amid ethics investigations.

“It is unfortunate that someone in the federal government is using their position of authority and resources to pursue this action that is neither for the good or the will of the people,” Chris Kelly, president of the Glacier Range Riders, said in a statement. “The arrowhead represents the strength and resilience of this land. We will fight for our ability to use it in our branding to bring together our communities, as well as the ability for it to be freely accessible to other organizations.”

The Glacier Range Riders begin the 2024 season with a home game on May 21 against the Oakland Bs, which also play in the Pioneer League.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

A beginners guide to visiting Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

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Among North America‘s best-known national parks, Glacier Bay is a bit of an outlier.

Unlike Yellowstone or Yosemite, you can’t visit Glacier Bay on a road trip. There are no roads leading into the park, and the only way to reach it is by small plane, boat or ship.

There’s also little infrastructure within the park. It does have a visitor center and lodge, located at its very edge. But its biggest attractions — its giant tidewater glaciers — are viewable only from the deck of a vessel. At its essence, Glacier Bay is a giant, fjordlike body of water lined with snowcapped mountains, forests and glaciers, and it’s best seen from the water.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

It is for this reason that a large percentage of Glacier Bay’s nearly 700,000 visitors a year arrive on a cruise ship. Indeed, you could almost call Glacier Bay a cruise ship park.

Only by arriving by cruise vessel (or another boat, including the park tour boat) can you fully experience the park by traveling up the 65-mile-long waterway to a glacier and back.

Even so, you’ll only see a small portion of the park. Established as a national monument in 1925 and elevated to national park status in 1980, Glacier Bay covers more than 5,200 square miles — an area about the size of Connecticut. That makes it nearly as big as Yellowstone and Yosemite combined — though much of this area is relatively inaccessible.

As a longtime travel writer specializing in cruising, I’ve been to Glacier Bay many times, and it’s one of my favorite places in Alaska. Its glaciers are its star attractions, for sure. But it also offers spectacular mountain scenery, wildlife and — for those who make an effort to come for a multinight stay — wonderful hiking, kayaking and other outdoorsy pursuits.

Related: How to find the right Alaska cruise for you

Getting to Glacier Bay

As noted above, most of Glacier Bay’s visitors arrive by cruise ship. The typical cruise that includes a visit to Glacier Bay is a seven-night Alaska voyage out of Vancouver, British Columbia, or Seattle that also includes stops at the Alaskan towns of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. The visit to Glacier Bay fills just one day of the seven-night trip.

Two major lines with historic ties to the park — Princess Cruises and Holland America — offer the most sailings with a visit to Glacier Bay. The National Park Service allows just two ships a day into the park, and arrivals are governed by a permitting system that gives preference to lines that operated in the park before the permitting system began.

Norwegian Cruise Line , Seabourn , Cunard Line  and Viking also have ships that visit the park, as do small-ship operators UnCruise Adventures , Alaskan Dream Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions and American Cruise Lines .

A trip on a cruise ship isn’t the only way to get into Glacier Bay. Would-be visitors can also fly or take a ferry to Gustavus, a tiny town (population 642) on the edge of the park near the access point for a tour boat that travels into the park daily. Dubbed Baranof Wind and operated by park concessionaire Aramark, the tour boat departs from Bartlett Cove, which is just inside the park boundary and the home to the park’s visitor center.

During the summer tourist season, Alaska Airlines offers daily service to Gustavus Airport (GST) from Juneau International Airport (JNU), 48 miles to the southeast. An air taxi company, Alaska Seaplanes, offers small-plane flights to Gustavus from Juneau year-round. Ferry service to Gustavus is through the Alaska Marine Highway System, which sends a ferry to the town regularly from Juneau.

The two main airlines that fly to Juneau are Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Park visitors also can arrive at the park by private or chartered boat.

Related: How to get to Alaska with points and miles  

While Glacier Bay is open year-round, visitor services are extremely limited outside of the summer season, and nearly everybody who visits comes between May and September.

Most cruises that include a stop in Glacier Bay take place between April and September, and the Glacier Bay tour boat only runs in the summer months. The park’s visitor center and only lodge (Glacier Bay Lodge), which share a building, also are open only in the summer.

Summer is the most pleasant time to be in Glacier Bay, temperature-wise. But even at the height of summer, it can be chilly, with temperatures topping out between 50 and 60 degrees during daylight hours. Rain is also common, with the area around Gustavus getting around 70 inches a year.

April, May and June are often the driest months. September and October tend to be the wettest. The bottom line is that, even at midsummer, you should be prepared for any sort of weather. Pack good rain gear, waterproof boots, wool or fleece layers and a warm hat and gloves.

No matter when you go, there’s no fee to enter Glacier Bay, which is unusual for national parks. Nor are there fees for camping or boating permits. So you can leave your national park annual pass at home.

Related: Best time to cruise Alaska

What to see and do

As the name suggests, Glacier Bay is a park all about glaciers. It’s home to more than 1,000 of them, and seeing a glacier up close is the big draw for most visitors.

Specifically, tourists come to view one of the park’s seven-ish giant tidewater glaciers, which flow down from the mountains to the water. I say seven-ish as the park’s rangers in the past couple of years have noted that some of the tidewater glaciers have melted back so much that they may not be interacting with the ocean water anymore. That’s the definition of a tidewater glacier. The park rangers these days like to say there are “no more than seven” of the tidewater glaciers now, maybe fewer.

The reduction in the number of tidewater glaciers at the park is an ongoing trend. When I wrote an earlier version of this guide a few years ago, the number of tidewater glaciers at the park was nine.

Whatever the exact number, for those visiting Glacier Bay by cruise ship, the experience will revolve heavily around a stop at one of these glaciers to watch giant chunks of ice crash down from its face — a magnificent show.

Cruise ships arrive in the park for the better part of a day, and the experience goes beyond a stop at one of the park’s glaciers. Sightings of puffins, harbor seals, Steller sea lions and even the occasional humpback whale or brown bear are part of the allure — all while traveling by water through an immense, glacier-carved landscape.

If you come on a big cruise ship, you’ll be doing your Glacier Bay viewing from the deck of your vessel. Big cruise ships in Glacier Bay never dock, and nobody gets off them. Still, you’ll get the full National Park Service experience. Park rangers and often a local Huna Tlingit cultural guide will board the vessel for the day to offer presentations and shipwide commentary over loudspeakers, lead activities for kids and answer questions.

Some small cruise vessels that spend the night in Glacier Bay do allow passengers to disembark.

For those visitors who travel by plane or ferry to Gustavus, more options are available. In addition to taking the Glacier Bay Day Tour up the bay on the park tour boat ($262.44 per adult; $137.11 for children ages 3 to 12), visitors will find opportunities to hike, kayak and camp.

The day tour on the park tour boat includes stops at two glaciers — Margerie and Grand Pacific. Each towers nearly 250 feet above the ocean and stretches another 100 feet beneath the water. The ice that calves from their faces is, on average, 200 years old.

Hiking trails within the park near Gustavus range from the 1-mile Forest Trail, which offers a leisurely meander through a lush forest, to the 8-mile-long Bartlett Lake Trail, a rugged trek to a tranquil lake. Most visitors head down one of the trails on their own, but for those looking for interpretation, park rangers based at Bartlett Cove offer a daily guided forest loop walk (at 1:30 p.m., as of the publication of this story).

Kayak rentals are available at Bartlett Cove, where the park service visitor center is located, for both day trips around the area and multiday outings deep into the park. Kayakers can go off on their own or sign up for a guided tour.

Birdwatching also is a popular activity in Glacier Bay. The park’s diverse habitat allows for a wide variety of species (at last count, 281), including rainforest species such as the American three-toed woodpecker and neotropical migrant warblers, thrushes and other songbirds. There also are island and cliff seabird colonies of gulls, guillemots, puffins and cormorants.

In addition, daily cultural activities are available at Xunaa Shuka Hit (the tribal house) in Bartlett Cove. Unveiled in 2016, this is the first permanent Huna Tlingit clan house since the original Huna Tlingit villages of the area were destroyed by a glacier over 250 years ago. Located within a short walking distance of Glacier Bay Lodge, it offers the chance to learn firsthand about Huna Tlingit history, culture and life from tribal elders. Visitors can also experience dance performances and native foods and see historical photographs. Hand-carved totem poles tell the Huna Tlingit story.

A National Park Service visitor center is located on the second level of Glacier Bay Lodge. Park rangers are available much of the day to answer questions, and films on the park are available for watching in the visitor center’s auditorium. A ranger program is presented in the auditorium each evening.

Visitors also can get an overview of Glacier Bay’s mountains, ice and water from a flightseeing tour out of Gustavus or even the Alaskan towns of Yakutat or Haines.

Where to stay

If you’re arriving at Glacier Bay on a cruise, you don’t have to worry about a place to stay. You’ll be spending the night on your ship.

Those planning to visit the park by way of Gustavus will find several places to bed down. Many visitors stay at the 48-room Glacier Bay Lodge , which is within the park about 10 miles from the town (rooms from $270.40 a night). Cozy and rustic, the lodge is nestled among Sitka spruce on the shores of Bartlett Cove, which also is home to the park’s headquarters and the jumping-off point for daily tours on the park boat. Glacier Bay Lodge is the only lodging within the park.

Back in Gustavus, you’ll find a handful of small inns, guesthouses and bed-and-breakfasts. They include the 14-room Bear Track Inn (from $495 per person per day, including meals and ground transportation) and the five-room and five-cabin Glacier Bay Country Inn ($319 per person per day, including meals and ground transportation). Gustavus is not a big place; some venues here offer just a few rooms.

You also may face a bit of sticker shock when seeing the rates for lodging in Gustavus. In many cases, this is driven by the fact that the properties operate on a semi-all-inclusive basis, with all meals and transportation from the airport included in the base price.

Unfortunately for points and miles devotees, there are no points hotels in Gustavus. You can find a few points hotels back in Juneau, such as the Four Points by Sheraton Juneau (rooms in the summer start at $389, or 50,000 points) and a trio of Wyndham Rewards -affiliated properties (a Ramada, Travelodge and Super 8).

The park also maintains a free, walk-in campground in a rainforest setting at Bartlett Cove. Available on a first-come, first-served basis, it offers bear-proof food storage caches, composting toilets, a fire pit on the beach and a small warming shelter. Firewood is provided.

That said, most camping in Glacier Bay takes place in the wilderness. The park offers more than 700 linear miles of shorelines, beaches and islands open to camping. Campers can arrange for the park’s tour boat to drop them off at one of several designated locations within the park and pick them up days later.

Campers must register upon arrival at the Visitor Information Station near the Bartlett Cove dock. Campers can call 907-697-2627 prior to arrival to inquire about space availability at the campground at Bartlett Cove.

Related: How to use points and miles to stay near national parks  

Where to eat

Again, if you’re arriving by cruise ship, you’ll be eating on board your vessel.

If you’re staying in the Gustavus area, you’ll probably be eating at the lodge or inn where you’re staying or at another one of the lodging properties in town. The town is so small that its dining establishments generally are tied to its lodging outlets. They’re also only open in the summer.

Many of the lodging options offer a “full board” plan that includes three meals each day. Be warned that a la carte pricing at eateries can be high in the Gustavus area, as is true in many places in Alaska. This partly has to do with the high cost of getting supplies to remote parts of the state.

For those staying at Glacier Bay Lodge, the in-house restaurant, the Fairweather Dining Room , is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner for both lodge guests and outsiders. The dinner menu includes local Alaska salmon and halibut. Lunch brings burgers and sandwiches (including a halibut sandwich).

Also open to guests and outsiders is the restaurant at Glacier Bay Country Inn. It serves Alaskan cuisine, such as salmon, typically offered en croute with a green peppercorn sauce.

Bottom line

A visit to Glacier Bay is one of the iconic experiences of a trip to Alaska, and something you should try to do at least once in your life — if only to see the giant calving glaciers. For most visitors, experiencing the park will involve a voyage on a cruise ship that brings just a day in the park. But for those who want to explore deeper in the park, there are ways to do that, too.

Planning a cruise to Alaska or elsewhere? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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