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
- Groups Seek Probe into Proposed Coal Mining June 30, 2008, 10:27 am
- Glacier National Park Fighting Greenhouse Gas June 26, 2008, 10:25 am
- Gary Moses Honored with 2008 Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award May 14, 2008, 2:12 pm
- Conservation Group Probes Avalanche Prevention Plan May 8, 2008, 7:26 pm
- Summer in Montana’s Spectacular National Parks May 7, 2008, 1:31 pm
- Winterkeeper’s tale written in solitude April 29, 2008, 6:09 pm
- Glacier National Park offers nature close at hand April 28, 2008, 2:56 pm
Glacier In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
