Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park (part of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park)
Glacier National Park encompasses a region of mountains in the northwest corner of Montana that abuts Waterton Lakes National Park in southwestern Alberta. Glacier's pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, spectacular lakes, and 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker's paradise. Discover what awaits you and relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, transportation, and stories of Native Americans.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Michael O. HolmPhone Number: 406-888-7800
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $10; Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $15; Glacier National Park Annual Pass: $35
Sights: Great Northern Railway; Marias Pass; Going-to-the-Sun Road
Important Dates
Established as Park: May 11, 1910By The Numbers
Acres: 1,013,570.00Highest Point: Mount Cleveland (10466 feet)
Annual Visitation: 1,964,399 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :48.760710 / -113.661990 (map it)
State: MT
Nearby Big City: East Glacier Park, MT
Gateway Communities: West Glacier, MT; Coram, MT; Martin City, MT; Hungry Horse, MT; Babb, MT; Columbia Falls, MT
Nearby Airports: Glacier Park International Airport (FCA); Great Falls International Airport (GTF); Missoula International Airport (MSO)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Aspen Woods
Jeanne Hatch
Grinnell Lake
Pete Hoffman
Hidden Lake
Michael Woodruff
View More Glacier Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Throughout the year, you can enjoy numerous park activities and programs. Be sure to check park newspapers for current programs and schedules. SPRING, SUMMER AND FALL Park Programs Glacier: Free ev ... read more.
American Indians Today The American Indian tribes of Montana and Alberta actively maintain their ancient cultures and traditions while finding ways to keep in step with today's society. The Blackfeet Nation in Montana bord ... read more.
At Your Fingertips General information   Glacier (406) 888-7800 http://www.nps.gov/glac   Waterton (403) 859-5133 http://www.pc.gc.ca/waterton Emergencies   Glacier ... read more.
Bears Bears are usually predictable, but each has an individual temperament. Knowledge of bear behavior can reduce your chance of an unpleasant encounter. Before you hit the trail, stop in at a visitor cen ... read more.
Camping Glacier has two types of auto campgrounds, Class A (accessed by paved road, running potable water, flush toilets and offering waste disposal) Class B (accessed by gravel road, outdoor toilet facilit ... read more.
Camping in the Park All campgrounds are operated on a first-come, first-served basis except Glacier's Fish Creek and St. Mary campgrounds which accept advance reservations; please call (877) 444-6777 or visit the webs ... read more.
Continental Divide Trail The construction of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is one of the most significant conservation initiatives ever undertaken. Designated by Congress in 1978, a focused effort to complete the trail ... read more.
First Superintendent One notable person to visit the Waterton Lakes area was John George "Kootenai" Brown. Born in Ireland in 1839, Brown served with the British Army in India before coming to North America. Well-spoken ... read more.
Glacier Shuttle Starting in July 2007, park visitors will be able to access many destinations along the Going-to-the-Sun Road while enjoying the spectacular scenery by riding on one of the Glacier's environmentally- ... read more.
Going to the Sun Road The Going-to-the-Sun Road is truly an engineering marvel. One of the most beautiful pieces of mountain road in the world, it meanders through the heart of the Glacier National Park, up the steep slop ... read more.
Highlights Established: Glacier National Park was created in 1910. Waterton Lakes National Park was first called Waterton Lakes Forest Park when it was created in 1895. Land Area: Glacier is comprised of 1,60 ... read more.
History From prehistoric days to the present, the area's claim to fame has been its beauty and its trade routes. The American Indians knew the region's passes and trails and used them to journey from one h ... read more.
Huckleberries Huckleberry Finn is a popular character in American literature and the namesake of the favorite fruit of the northern Rocky Mountains. The wild blue huckleberry (Vaccinium sp.) grows on both sides of ... read more.
If You Only Have a Day Glacier and Waterton's mountains and valleys can be daunting at first glimpse: How can you ever get a feel for such an immense place with only a day at your disposal? In fact, there are many park won ... read more.
In A Nutshell Glacier and Waterton Lakes national parks are open daily, year-round. Glacier's visitor services, including hotels, tours and restaurants, are available from late May through September. Most Waterton ... read more.
Just For Kids Glacier and Waterton are teeming with activities for children of all ages. Here are some ideas to make their time in the parks even more memorable. Become a Junior Ranger Several programs aimed at th ... read more.
Leave No Trace Leave No Trace is a national program that promotes and inspires responsible outdoor recreation and stewardship of America's public lands. The National Park Service is a cooperating partner in this pr ... read more.
Lodging & Dining LODGING Architects took the mountains' majesty to heart when they designed the historic hotels and lodges in Glacier and Waterton Lakes national parks. Glacier Park, Inc. (GPI) owns and operates Pr ... read more.
Montana's American Indians Consider taking a guided tour of a reservation to learn more about Montana's American Indians. For example, tours offered by Blackfeet Historical Tours go to old bison jumps, the sites of old camps ... read more.
Oh, Ranger! On my first visit to Glacier, I was amazed by the wild character of the park. I read wayside exhibits along the road, studied the guides, and then lived vicariously through Glacier's website when I r ... read more.
Recent News
- Birthday Bash Planned for Park in 2010 August 20, 2008, 12:03 pm
- Glacier Park: The Next Century August 18, 2008, 4:20 pm
- Fewer Visit Glacier National Park August 18, 2008, 3:03 pm
- Montana road runs through God's country July 29, 2008, 11:41 am
- Park Visitor Centers Named to National Register of Historic Places July 28, 2008, 12:07 pm
- Going-to-the-Sun 75th Anniversary Celebration Draws 6,000 People to Park July 7, 2008, 10:37 am
- Groups Seek Probe into Proposed Coal Mining June 30, 2008, 10:27 am
Glacier In Depth
News from the Parks
Gettysburg Address to Return for Visitor Center Grand Opening
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
