Glacier National Park
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 the younger set are offered at Glacier's visitor centers. Check with ranger staff for information about how to become a Junior Ranger—there's a new activity booklet this year. Waterton's Heritage Center also offers kids' programs, and loans out kids' backpacks that are filled with games and nature journals.
Go Fishing
Fish for trout, whitefish and grayling. Rent boats and fishing gear at Lake McDonald, Apgar, Many Glacier, Cameron Lake and St. Mary Lake at Rising Sun. Pick up a copy of the park fishing regulations at a visitor center or entrance station.
Take a Hike
Ranging in length from 0.25-mile to two miles, self-guiding trails are perfect for families. Let your child be the tour guide who leads the way and reads the exhibits. Nature trails in Glacier include Trail of the Cedars near Avalanche Campground, Huckleberry Mountain north of Apgar on Camas Road, Sun Point along St. Mary Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook at Logan Pass and Swiftcurrent Lake at Many Glacier. In Waterton, there are Linnet Lake, Red Rock Canyon, Bear's Hump and Lower Bertha Falls trails.
Glacier's Lake McDonald or Waterton's Emerald Bay are great places to swim on a hot, sunny day. Swimming (under parental supervision), rock-skipping and exploring are never-ending children's pastimes along these shores.
Go on a Ranger-led Tour
Take advantage of naturalist-led day programs and evening campfire talks, which are offered June through September. Pick up a schedule at a visitors center or from a park ranger.
Take a Boat Tour
The Glacier Park Boat Company offers guided tours from several locations within the park. Kids will love this method of seeing the sites—it's more fun than sitting in the car.
Learn about Local Customs and Cultures
Stop at the Apgar visitors center to see the education cabin, which has exhibits designed especially for kids. You can also check out a "Ranger Naturalist" backpack at the visitor centers. These packs are filled with a variety of tools and have suggested activities. Teach children about American Indians at the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, east of the park, and go to the Museum of the Plains Indian.
Give Peace a Chance
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park highlights the long friendship between the United States and Canada. Discuss the concept of an International Peace Park with your kids. Talk about peace among the nations of the world and how the park is symbolic of this.
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.
