Overview
Experience Glacier National Park’s pristine forests, rugged mountains, thundering waterfalls, and spectacular lakes with your family. Glacier contains hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Our guides will help your family explore some of these spectacular trails. We’ll travel to trailheads along the famous Going to the Sun Highway, stopping to take in the scenic vistas that make this national park an American icon. Spend the evenings around the campfire with your family, enjoying s’mores in the Lake McDonald Valley. Learn more about the history, wildlife, and ecosystems of the Northern Rockies and Glacier National Park with informative, kid-friendly Ranger talks at the Apgar Lake campground. Share the wonders of Glacier with the whole family!
Sample Itinerary
Expand All FieldsDay 1: Welcome to Glacier National Park! Set up camp and share your first campfire.
The trip officially starts in the afternoon at Apgar Visitors Center in beautiful Glacier National Park. Set up camp and get to know your guides over a tasty dinner. In the evening, share expectations for the upcoming days while enjoying s'mores by the fire.
Day 2: Pass cascading waterfalls as you trek to Avalanche Lake.
After a hearty breakfast and great coffee, head to the Trail of Cedars and Avalanche Lake trailhead. Hike through a grove of 500-700 year old western cedars. After lunch, continue hiking to Avalanche Lake where you will be greeted by waterfalls cascading down the hillside. Arrive back at camp in the evening for dinner and camp games.
Day 3: Surround yourself with stunning vistas as you hike the Logan Pass area.
Spend the day at Logan Pass, the 6,646 foot backbone of Glacier National Park. As the crown of the continent, Glacier is home to the headwaters for streams that flow into the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and Hudson Bay. Whether it's the short but stunning walk to Hidden Lake or a trek along the Garden Wall, hiking opportunities and beautiful vistas abound!
Day 4: Enjoy breathtaking hikes on the east side of the park at St. Mary Lake.
Get an early start and head toward the open and expansive eastern part of Glacier National Park in St. Mary Valley. Hike to the St. Mary and Virginia waterfalls for a picnic lunch and then explore along the pebble shores of St. Mary Lake for exquisite views of the surrounding mountains. Watch for wildlife along your hikes - marmots, pikas, and bears all make their homes here.
Day 5: See the mountains from a new perspective on a boat tour of Lake McDonald.
Our final day of exploring may begin with a boat tour on Lake McDonald. See the mountains, glaciers, and forests from the vantage point of the water. Travel up the Going to the Sun road for a hike before returning to camp for a final dinner. Spend one last evening looking for shooting stars.
Day 6: Break down camp before saying farewell to your trip mates.
Enjoy a final breakfast and then break down camp. If time allows, participate in one last hike near Apgar Campground or stop by the Visitors Center to pick up a souvenir.
Dates & Fees
| 2025 Dates | Fee | Registration |
|---|---|---|
What to Expect
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: Glacier National Park offers a wide range of hiking route options from very easy to difficult. Come prepared for easy to moderately difficult day hikes, which will involve distances between 1 and 5 miles.
Read more »Frequently Asked Questions:
Where do we meet?
Transportation
This trip begins at 3:30 PM at a campground either in or near Glacier National Park. The trip ends at 12:00 PM in the same location. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip. Booking a Flight? We recommend flying in to the Kalispell City Airport before noon on the day of your trip, and flying out no earlier than 4:00 PM on the last day of the trip.
Want to Ride With Us?
We typically provide transportation for this trip from the following places (make your selection when you register):
- Kalispell, MT Hampton Inn FEE: $0 (No charge)
What is the minimum age for kids on your family trips?
There is no minimum age requirement to participate on a WI family trip. We require participants to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times when on water for safety. The smallest PFD we provide for children requires a minimum weight of 30 pounds. A family with a child smaller than this weight limit would need to provide their own PFD or would be unable to participate on the trip. For family paddling trips, children should be able to sit comfortably in a canoe or kayak for 1+ hour at a time. This should guide whether or not a child would be a good fit on any particular trip.
Do you have any additional health restrictions on trail?
In addition to following CDC guidelines, we work with a team of community and health experts to help guide our safety measures on and off the trail. Find a complete list of steps we are taking to provide you the safest experience here: https://www.wildernessinquiry.org/covid19/
Is there a discount on family trips?
Yes. All youth participants under the age of 18 pay 25% less than the adult rate on all family trips.
Would my teenager enjoy a family trip with Wilderness Inquiry?
There are typically both teens and younger children on our family trips. We often offer a variety of activities so that participants of all ages have an enjoyable trip!
I have a child with a disability. Would a family trip be appropriate for them?
Yes. All of our trips strive to integrate persons with and without disabilities, including children on our family trips. Call us at 612-676-9400 if you have questions. Otherwise, you can register for a family trip, and we'll call you when we receive your information.
Will age-appropriate activities be offered for children on a family trip?
Yes. Your trip leaders will offer age-appropriate activities for children at different points throughout the trip. Our staff love kids and are great at making sure your whole family has a great time.