Top 5 West Glacier Day Trips: Montana Adventures Await
West Glacier, Montana, is almost like this gateway to one of the most gorgeous places in the United States: Glacier National Park. Very, very close to the park’s west entrance, West Glacier acts a bit like this spot, too, for day adventures that will fill your camera roll and memory bank. So, whether you love difficult hikes or a calming boat tour, the region surrounding West Glacier really provides opportunities that could appeal to you. Anyway, pack your bags, so grab your camera, that is, and let’s get to it — exploring these top 5 day trips. Alright, there’s quite a lot to see.
1. Exploring Lake McDonald: A must-see beauty
First on our list is this visit to Lake McDonald, that’s usually this largest lake inside Glacier National Park, anyway. The lake just is that, so pretty, with this backdrop of mountains and crystal-clear water. Honestly, the lake’s known a little bit for its colored pebbles. These are quite visible under the water’s surface.
So, too, there are various ways that one could enjoy the lake. Basically, there’s the simple scenic drive that goes along the Going-to-the-Sun Road near the lake’s shores to activities such as boat tours or even kayak rentals. And, as I was saying, you know, photograph opportunities just happen a little everywhere along the shoreline. That offers an opportunity for capturing images, you see. Or, maybe one might call the mountains reflecting in the water surface simply magnificent. In fact, several trails begin near Lake McDonald, and, for instance, the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake. Arguably, those trails actually allow less strenuous yet fulfilling hikes. Just, remember, it’s a very good idea to bring layers. Seemingly, it just is that the weather could actually shift rapidly at higher elevations, for instance.
Read our full review: Lake McDonald Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Lake McDonald Tours)
2. Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road: Scenic heaven
Next, we go with the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road, usually a 50-mile drive through the heart of Glacier National Park. Literally, opening typically in late June or early July — it depends on snow removal — this road is a bit like this essential experience when visiting the area. Well, be prepared to spend some time for viewpoints, photo stops, plus short walks along the route.
Oh, by the way, one actually famous stop is the Logan Pass Visitor Center, and the highest point accessible by vehicle on the road. You can find a bit like the hiking trails at Logan Pass that lead actually to places, so like Hidden Lake Overlook and the Highline Trail. Basically, those give the kind of views that’ll simply knock your socks off, maybe, actually. So, just a piece of advice if you have any interest at all; so begin your day super early to beat the crowds, as the parking at Logan Pass sometimes tends to be a bit that it fills up rapidly. You’re gonna want that view.
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3. Hiking to Avalanche Lake: Witness glacier majesty
Arguably, for hikers, anyway, this is really Avalanche Lake, and you get it through this Avalanche Creek Trail, offering an adventure a bit into Glacier’s backcountry, sort of. Actually, starting at the Trail of the Cedars, this approximately 4.5-mile round-trip hike basically takes you by the cedar forest and right after it goes up, that’s fairly gentle climb toward the lake.
Then, seemingly, the view opening up at Avalanche Lake is certainly breathtaking. Oh, so very, it seems so. And, there is this tall cliff walls out of which water is flowing — there is actually a waterfall, just actually making something like one of nature’s most fantastic amphitheaters that you may find actually anywhere. That seems fantastic. Also, arguably, the trail goes a bit through forest. In short, you may want to bring layers that might prepare, for instance, temperature swings. Plus, naturally, sturdy footwear helps greatly whenever dealing that might be slippery portions closer by at that lake end!
Read our full review: Avalanche Lake Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Avalanche Lake Tours)
4. Exploring Apgar Village: Quaint and charming
Alright, you’ll find that Apgar Village that gives a calm respite on that southern end of Lake McDonald. As a matter of fact, that area just comes up really convenient for tourists that are planning the routes or are already at that very beginning parts with this Going-to-the-Sun Road. Okay, that location of Apgar lets you easily see that beauty, even enjoy some little vacation atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the little shopping spots are really there and offer various locally hand-made products including arts and eats. On the other hand, those dining spots basically accommodate any visitor. And too, then it’s just great sitting alongside the lake! The area has boat tours plus kayaking or perhaps canoeing? Why not find how gorgeous Glacier happens at one’s rate?
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5. Rafting on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
Here we are. What should one go and make your day full-on that’s fun?! What do you say you make rafting out over by what seems like a very Middle Fork, and yes that will be found at one with a Flathead River. As a matter of fact that water source is making one by, as many do seem familiar; actually that’s marking most from a park perimeter, that seems really excellent. Plus getting right at one out on rafting actually means different kind of waters too; it might depend really regarding when anyone did decide at all over getting upon something; why that does then define one’s feel upon everything you ever raft!
Honestly these mild float types there often are and they’re actually the super choices when we just have smalls folks around; why do make things right by ones which want just something much chiller so; well but even anyone’s whitewater junking? So one wants their full days doing super adventures? Now there we may even consider really one those. In that case consider a guided trip there, actually helping for managing safely a river there which might then change.
Read our full review: Middle Fork Flathead River Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Middle Fork Flathead River Tours)
- Lake McDonald: It’s a can’t-miss place. Check it out, actually.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road: Anyway, it’s amazing, yet begin pretty early.
- Avalanche Lake: I am saying go ready when anyone would like simply hiking right, with gorgeous views there too!
- Apgar Village: To be honest simply explore if actually that what someone might feel wanting? What do you know, in that case go do explore locally?!
- Middle Fork, Flathead River: And when one would like really adventures rafting’s probably the great item; yes actually look forward on actually rafting there?
