Suggested Itinerary Sept. 16-22

Question

Looking for help planning a Sept. trip to GNP! My husband and I have secured 3 nights at West Glacier Village Cabins (Sept. 16, 17, 18) and 3 nights at Many Glacier Hotel( 19 20 21). We will be flying into Glacier International airport on the morning of the 16th. We are 65 years old and will do easy to moderate short hikes. Want to include 1 day (I'm thinking on the morning of the 19th) to drive the going to the sun road from west to east. Trying to hit all of the top sights. Want to include a boat tour... Where? Lake Mc Donald or Two Medicine? (I am leary of the Many Glacier Boat tour as you must do the short, but steep hike between lakes) We can add a day or two after Many Glacier Hotel stay...we will need to make our way back to airport. Any suggestions would be great.

Answer

It sounds like you have an exciting trip ahead to Glacier National Park, and with your planned itinerary, you’re sure to experience some of the most beautiful sights the park has to offer. Here’s a suggested itinerary with some ideas for hikes, boat tours, and other highlights to help you make the most of your time at both West Glacier and Many Glacier. Since you’re looking for easy to moderate hikes, I’ve focused on routes that are not too strenuous.

September 16 – Arrival at West Glacier Village Cabins

After arriving at Glacier International Airport, you can drive to West Glacier (about 30 minutes). Once settled in, consider a relaxing afternoon to acclimate to the area. There are some short, easy walks near the West Glacier area if you want to stretch your legs:

Lake McDonald Nature Trail: A simple, flat trail along the shore of Lake McDonald that offers great views and a chance to spot wildlife. It’s an easy walk with a relaxing atmosphere.
Apgar Village: Located near the entrance to the park, this is a great spot for a gentle walk along the lake or to enjoy the view from the shore.

Afterwards, you could enjoy dinner in West Glacier and rest up for the next day’s activities.

September 17 – Explore West Glacier Area

For today, consider a scenic drive and a short hike:

Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road (West to East, to Logan Pass): Take your time and drive up this iconic road. You can stop at the famous viewpoints like The Loop and Logan Pass. If you want a short, scenic hike, you can do the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, which is about 1.5 miles round trip and offers stunning views. It’s an easy-to-moderate hike but may have some elevation gain.
Boat Tour on Lake McDonald: If you have time in the afternoon, consider taking a boat tour on Lake McDonald. These boat tours are relatively relaxing and provide amazing views of the lake and surrounding mountains. This tour is also easier for those who want to enjoy the scenery without too much physical exertion.

September 18 – More Exploration and Scenic Views

For your final day at West Glacier, you can explore a few more of the park’s easy hikes or scenic spots:

Lake McDonald Shoreline Trail: This is a lovely, easy walk that goes along the shoreline of Lake McDonald, providing views of the surrounding mountains and forest.
St. Mary’s Falls Trail: A 1.2-mile round-trip hike that’s fairly easy, with a great payoff – a beautiful waterfall!
Logan Pass Visitor Center: If you haven’t made it to Logan Pass yet, it’s worth a visit for both its views and for a short, easy walk to the Hidden Lake Overlook or around the Visitor Center area.

September 19 – Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road & Travel to Many Glacier Hotel

On the morning of the 19th, it’s a great idea to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road from west to east. You’ll get to experience the stunning scenery of the road during the drive. If you haven’t done the Logan Pass Overlook Trail yet, this would be a great spot to stop for a short hike.

After you reach St. Mary’s, head north to Many Glacier Hotel (about 1.5 hours from Logan Pass). The drive offers fantastic views of the mountains and valleys.
Once you arrive at Many Glacier, take some time to explore the area around the hotel and enjoy the views.

September 20 – Boat Tour and Short Hikes in Many Glacier

While you’re in the Many Glacier area, you could take the boat tour on Swiftcurrent Lake. Since you’re concerned about the hike between the lakes, I’d recommend opting for the boat tour that stays on Swiftcurrent Lake rather than the longer tour that involves the hike. The scenery here is breathtaking.

Swiftcurrent Lake Boat Tour: This boat tour is one of the most scenic in the park and is a much shorter, more leisurely option. It offers fantastic views of the surrounding glaciers and mountains.
Fish Creek Trail: A relatively short, easy hike near Many Glacier Hotel. This trail is a good option if you want to experience the area’s natural beauty without a strenuous hike.

September 21 – Explore Many Glacier and Scenic Views

For today, consider another short hike and some relaxation:

Redrock Falls Trail: This easy 3-mile round trip trail is great for those who want to see beautiful waterfalls and enjoy the surroundings without too much effort.
Many Glacier Scenic Drive: If you haven’t done it yet, the drive through Many Glacier is incredibly scenic. Take your time to enjoy the views of the glaciers, lakes, and wildlife.

September 22 – Final Day and Departure

If you have extra time before your flight, you can consider some final short hikes or scenic drives around Many Glacier or the St. Mary’s area. Afterward, head back to Glacier International Airport for your return flight. The drive from Many Glacier to the airport is about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Additional Suggestions:

Consider adding a day at the end of your stay: If you’d like to explore more of the park or take some additional scenic drives, you can add a day or two after your stay at Many Glacier Hotel. You could also explore the town of Whitefish, which is a lovely place to relax and unwind after your park visit.

Overall, your itinerary looks well planned, and with a little flexibility, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of Glacier National Park at a leisurely pace. Have a wonderful trip!

Suggested Itinerary Sept. 16-22

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