Arriving at Kalispell Arpt-what to do that day

Question

My family (husband and 21 year-old twins) arrive at Kalispell airport on Wednesday July 23 at around 11am. We are staying the first 2 nights at the Summit Mountain Lodge. We are doing the Many Glacier boat tour and some hiking on day 2. Our boat reservation is at 2pm so we will probably do some of the Grinnell Glacier hike but not all of it since the boat tour is so late. Then on day 3 we will be doing GTTS road from east to west to our condo in Columbia Falls for the next 3 nights. I am wondering what we should do on the first day that we arrive. I can't get a reservation to enter GTTS on any of the days we are there so I was thinking that we either have lunch in Kalispell, Whitefish or Columbia Falls (TBD) and hang out until 3pm and enter at Agpar. Then go to Lake McDonald or something on that side and then drive to the Summit Mountain Lodge in time for dinner. Or we could go ahead and drive over to Two Medicines area and do a hike there and then back to the Lodge. Thoughts? Recommendations?

Day 4 and 5 will probably be spent at Whitefish Mountain Resort doing the gondola ride, alpine slide and zip line and then whitewater rafting or ATV tour. That is still to be determined, but since we can't get a GTTS reservation we will be spending most of the time outside Glacier.

Answer

Your plan for the first day sounds good, but I would recommend a few small tweaks to make the most out of your time in the area. Since you’ll be arriving around 11 am and the boat tour is at 2 pm, you’ll have some time to explore the area without rushing too much.

Here are a few options to consider:

Lunch in Kalispell, Whitefish, or Columbia Falls: These are all great options, and each town has a different vibe. Kalispell is a little larger with more dining options, but Whitefish has more of a resort town feel, and Columbia Falls is quaint and less touristy. If you want a laid-back lunch and some time to explore, Whitefish is a good choice.
Grinnell Glacier Hike: Since your boat tour is at 2 pm, you could hike part of the Grinnell Glacier Trail to get a taste of the Glacier National Park. The trail to the viewpoint is about 3.5 miles one way, and you can turn back when you feel you’ve done enough. This would give you a small hike and beautiful views while ensuring you make it back in time for the boat tour.
Visit Lake McDonald: After your boat tour, you could head to Lake McDonald, which is a lovely place to walk around and enjoy the scenery. The area around the lake has several short, easy hikes like the Trail of the Cedars, which is a relaxing, low-effort walk through the forest.
Two Medicine Area: If you want to explore the eastern side of the park and enjoy a hike, the Two Medicine area is beautiful and less crowded. However, it’s about a 45-minute drive from Summit Mountain Lodge, so you might be pressed for time. If you’re up for it, you could do a short hike like the Twin Falls Trail, which is just under 2 miles, or the longer Dawson-Pitamakan Trail for more adventure. You’d have to account for driving time and ensure you’re back to the lodge in time for dinner.

Since you’re already going to be doing the GTTSR and hiking in Glacier, I think spending your first day with a relaxing exploration of Lake McDonald and the nearby areas would be a perfect introduction to the park without feeling rushed. You can always come back to explore Two Medicine on another day if you have extra time later.

For Days 4 and 5: Whitefish Mountain Resort sounds like a great option for some family fun with the gondola, alpine slide, and ziplining. Additionally, whitewater rafting and an ATV tour are exciting activities that would be perfect for your group. These activities will be a great complement to your Glacier adventure. If you find that the weather is really nice, the Resort also offers some beautiful views and hiking opportunities, so you could get a bit more nature without venturing back into Glacier.

Enjoy your trip, and no matter what you decide, Glacier National Park and the surrounding areas will offer you plenty of natural beauty and outdoor adventures!