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Glacier National Park
The geologic history of Glacier National Park is read in the numerous exposed layers of Precambrian sedimentary formations. These extremely well preserved sediments date back to over 1 billion years. Subsequent sculpting by massive bodies of ice has transformed this area into a dramatic example of glacial landforms. Today, several small alpine glaciers of relatively recent origin dot the mountains. Due to its geographic location and geologic history, Glacier National Park contains a particularly rich biological diversity of plant and animal species. This combination of spectacular scenery, diverse flora and fauna, and relative isolation from major population centers have combined to make Glacier National Park the center of one of the largest and most intact ecosystems in North America. Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, were joined together by the governments of Canada and the United States in 1932 as Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the first park of its kind in the world. Both parks have been designated Biosphere Reserves. In December 1995, they were jointly designated the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage Site. Use the menu below to quickly access information on this park:
Visitation In 1997, 1,708,887 visitors came to Glacier National Park. Visitation in Glacier National Park, like many mountain parks in the west, follows seasonal weather patterns. Although open year-round, long, cold winters restrict the bulk of visitor use to June, July, August, and September. Many visitors are increasingly finding the "off season" (fall, winter and spring) a rewarding time to visit. Less crowded conditions and increased opportunities for wildlife sightings are just a few of the benefits of a visit during the other months of the year. Location Northwestern Montana on the U.S./Canadian border. Address Glacier National Park Telephone (406) 888-7800 voice Operating Hours & Seasons Glacier National Park is open year-round. Most park services and facilities are available from late May through September. In late fall, winter, and spring, very limited services are available in the park. Surrounding communities provide complete services year-round. Climate & Recommended Clothing Glacier's weather is as varied as its landscape. In the valleys daytime temperatures can exceed 90°F. Up slope, in areas above the tree line, it is frequently 10°F to 15°F cooler. Strong winds predominate on the east side of the park. Overnight lows throughout the park can drop to near 20°F, and snow can fall anytime. In August 1992, a foot of snow fell on the northeastern corner of Glacier. Prepare for a variety of weather conditions and pack accordingly. You may start the day in a T-shirt and shorts and need a parka by evening. Dress in layers. Summer rainfall averages around 2-3 inches per month. Directions Access from the east or west is via U.S. Highway 2. Transportation To Park Access to the park is primarily by private vehicles. Amtrak does stop at both East Glacier and Belton (West Glacier). Check schedules and times with Amtrak or your travel agent. The nearest airports are in Kalispell and Great Falls. Rental cars are available at the airports and in the communities surrounding the park.
In addition to private automobiles, tours and scheduled transportation are offered on historic red buses between park lodges as well as East Glacier, West Glacier, St. Mary, and Waterton (in Canada). Call Glacier Park, Inc. at (602) 207-6000 for information and reservations. Glacier Park Boat Company offers boat transportation to the Grinnell Glacier and Piegan Pass trails in the Many Glacier Valley and the trails to Upper Two Medicine Lake, No Name Lake, and Dawson Pass in the Two Medicine Valley. Entrance Fees As part of the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program instituted by Congress in 1996, entrance fees are collected year-round, 80 percent of which stay in the park. In Glacier, these new fees will allow closed campgrounds to reopen, improve accessibility at park facilities, and improve park wayside exhibits, trail maintenance, and re-vegetation efforts. Fees are as follows: $5 - single person entry into Glacier National Park by foot, bicycle, or motorcycle for seven days. $10 - single vehicle entry valid at Glacier National Park for seven days. $20 - Glacier National Park pass valid at Glacier National Park for 1 year from month of purchase. Golden Eagle Passport The Golden Eagle Passport is an entrance pass to any national park, monument, historical site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee. It is a great convenience for those who plan on visiting several different areas that charge special fees. It is valid for one year from the purchase date. A Golden Eagle Passport may be purchased for $50 at any National Park Service entrance fee area or by mail. To order by mail, send check or money order (no cash, please) to: National Park Service Where entry is by private vehicle, the Golden Eagle Passport will admit the passholder as well as any passengers. Where entry by private vehicle is not possible, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents. The Golden Eagle Passport will not reduce use fees, such as those for camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or cave tours. It covers entrance fees only. Golden Age Passport The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass for those United States residents 62 years or older. These may be purchased at any National Park Service entrance fee area for a one-time processing fee of $10. The Golden Age Passport cannot be purchased by mail or telephone. Proof of age and citizenship or permanent residence must be shown at the time of purchase. The Golden Age Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. When entrance is not via private vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder as well as children, spouse, and parents. The Golden Age Pass grants a 50% discount to the holder on any federal use fees charged for things such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or tours. It does not, however, reduce the price of special recreation permit fees or fees for concessions. Golden Access Passport The Golden Access Passport is a free entrance pass to any national park, monument, historic site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge for those who are blind or permanently disabled. The Golden Access passport may be obtained at any National Park Service entrance fee area. Proof of a medically determined disability and eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law is necessary at purchase. The Golden Access Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. Where entrance is not by vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents. The Golden Access Passport also provides a 50% discount on any federal use fees charged for services and facilities. It does not cover special recreation permit fees or fees charged for concessions. All passes described above are non-transferable. Commercial tour vehicle fees often change without notice. Operators should contact the park at (406) 888-7800 for specific information on rates.
Park rangers at the Apgar, Logan Pass, and St. Mary visitor centers and the Many Glacier Ranger Station are on duty throughout the summer months to answer questions and provide information. The Apgar and St. Mary visitor centers provide gateway orientation for park visitors. Both have large relief maps of the park and exhibits relating to the geologic history and biological diversity found throughout the park. The St. Mary Visitor Center has an introductory slide program that is shown throughout the day. The Logan Pass Visitor Center houses a new alpine ecology exhibit installed in 1993. Displays enlighten park visitors to conditions encountered by plants and animals in the one-third of Glacier National Park that is above tree line. Staff at the Many Glacier Ranger Station provide visitors with hiking and trail information as well as general information about the park. At all four locations, the Glacier Natural History Association operates bookstores that carry a wide variety of publications and maps designed to make your visit more enjoyable and informative. Online visitors will find additional information about Glacier National Park and the surrounding area available at our Website Visitor Center. Wayside Exhibits along most park roads highlight specific features of interest to the park visitor. Lost and Found Report or drop off items at any visitor center. Call (406) 888-7800 or write: Glacier National Park, Attention: Lost and Found, West Glacier, MT 59936. Service Stations Contact a ranger or warden if your car breaks down on a park road or call the parks main number (406) 888-7800. Complex repairs can be made in East Glacier at St. Mary, and in Coram, 8 miles west of West Glacier. Trails Hiking opportunities abound in Glacier National Park. Over 700 miles of trails invite visitors to get out of the car and experience Glacier close-up. Roads For visitors who wish to drive through the park, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is an experience to remember. Bisecting the heart of Glacier, this 50-mile road follows the shores of the park's two largest lakes and hugs the cliffs below the Continental Divide as it traverses Logan Pass. Numerous scenic turnouts and wayside exhibits allow travelers to stop and enjoy the park at their own pace. Size restrictions are in effect on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Vehicles longer than 21 feet or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are prohibited on the steepest sections of the road. Guided tours are available (see transportation section). Other roads access different sections of the park. On the east side of the park, roads lead into the Two Medicine and Many Glacier valleys. These areas contain spectacular scenery and offer excellent hiking opportunities. Both are generally less crowded than other locations. The North Fork area on the west side of the park is approached by one of two dirt roads. Both dirt roads are narrow and the driving is slow. Large or towed vehicles should use extreme caution. The North Fork was the scene of fires in both 1988 and 1994. The contrast between older forests and recently created meadows highlights this remote section of Glacier National Park. Two of the smaller and more primitive campgrounds, Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake are located here. Programs & Activities Park rangers conduct naturalist activities at St. Mary, Apgar, Logan Pass, Many Glacier, Goat Haunt, and Two Medicine. A complete schedule of programs is listed in the parks "Nature with a Naturalist" publication. Activities include evening slide programs, guided hikes, boat tours, junior ranger programs, and all-day hikes. For information on field seminars given by the Glacier Institute of Kalispell, MT call (406) 755-1211. Lodging & Camping Facilities Lodges and hotels are located throughout the park.
Thirteen campgrounds provide just under 1,000 sites within Glacier National Park. Most campgrounds are operated on a first-come, first-served basis. Fish Creek and St. Mary campgrounds may be reserved ahead of time through the National Park Service Reservations System by calling (800) 365-CAMP. Campgrounds often fill before noon in July and August; plan to arrive early. A number of campsites are held for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists until 9 p.m. Food & Supplies Groceries and gifts are available at:
Food service is available at:
Other Concession Facilities Interpretive van tours highlighting the Blackfoot culture originate from East Glacier and the St. Mary Lodge. Call Sun Tours at: 1-800-SUN-9220 for information and reservations. Guided horseback trips are available at Many Glacier, Lake McDonald, and West Glacier. Call in summer (406) 732-4203, in winter (888) 684-2338. Glacier Park Boat Company offers scenic launch tours and boat rentals in several locations around the park. Guided backpacking and day hiking trips are available through the Glacier Wilderness Guides. Public showers are available at Many Glacier and Rising Sun. Accessibility A full listing of accessible facilities and programs is available by mail or at park visitor centers and entrance stations. The Apgar and St. Mary Visitor Centers are fully accessible. The Trail of the Cedars is a wheelchair accessible nature trail through a mature cedar/hemlock forest. Recommended Activities & Park Use Glacier National Park offers a wide variety of recreational activities including camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and sightseeing. Glacier National Park's rich biological diversity and geologic history make this an outstanding location for research and educational activities. Reservations & Permits Lodges fill up quickly and reservations are strongly advised. Camping Most campgrounds are operated on a first-come, first-served basis. Fish Creek and St. Mary campgrounds may be reserved ahead of time through the National Park Service Reservations System by calling (800) 365-CAMP. Backcountry use permits are required for backcountry camping. Reservations for backcountry campsites may be made in advance. To obtain a backcountry permit reservation packet, write to: Backcountry Permits Photography Any photography for commercial purposes requires a permit. Special Programs Blackfoot, Salish, and Kootenai tribal members present special campfire talks on native life and culture at locations throughout the park. The St. Mary Visitor Center hosts weekly native dance troupes during July and August. Adjacent Visitor Attractions Blackfoot Indian Reservation - Museum of the Plains Indian Glacier National Park lies just west of the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. The Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning features fascinating exhibits and Native American handicrafts as sales items. The museum is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from June through September. The People's Center and Native Ed-Venture, for the preservation of Kootenai and Salish culture, are located south of Glacier National Park near Pablo, Montana. The center provides educational opportunities, interpretive tours, a museum collection, and a gift shop. Call 1-406-883-5344 for more information. Hiking There are more than 700 miles of trail that provide many outstanding opportunities for both short hikes and extended backpacking trips. Hikers need to assume individual responsibility for planning their trips and hiking safely. Before setting out on your hike, stop by a park visitor center to obtain needed warnings and recommendations. You will increase your odds of a safe hike, decrease your disturbance to park wildlife, and lessen cumulative damage to resources. Visitor center bookstores carry a complete line of trail guides, topographic maps and field guides to aid the hiker. Publications are also available by mail. Call the Glacier Natural History Association at (406) 888-5756, to request a catalog. Refer to the Regulations & Safety section for more information. Nature Trails Five self-guided walks interpret trailside features with brochures and signs. The Trail of the Cedars, Huckleberry Mountain, Hidden Lake, Sun Point, and Swiftcurrent Nature Trails encourage hikers to experience Glacier National Park at their own pace. The Trail of the Cedars is wheelchair accessible. Day Hikes Good day hikes are plentiful. Visitor center staff will be happy to assist you with your choices and provide free maps of popular trails in park. Maps to four of the more popular hiking areas are available online as well.
Overnight Trips Hikers planning to camp overnight in Glacier's backcountry must stop at a visitor center or ranger station and obtain a backcountry permit. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis no more than 24 hours in advance of your trip. Advance Reservation Policies for Backcountry Use Permits In 1997, Glacier implemented its first-ever advance reservation system for Backcountry Use Permits. Advance reservations may be requested through both a mail-in and walk-in system. The following information and policies apply to advance reservations: Mail In:
Walk-in:
Large Groups The national "Leave No Trace" program strongly encourages keeping group size small. This also increases your chances of obtaining your preferred itinerary. Typically, it is very difficult for large groups to obtain an adequate number of campsites. Because there are times where large groups cannot be broken up, we will accommodate a limited number of advance reservations for large groups, based on the following criteria:
Your Chances The park will make every effort to confirm advance reservation applications. Please keep in mind that Glacier's backcountry is extremely popular, and there is competition for many campgrounds, particularly during July and August. Your chances will be based on campground status and campsite availability, and it is entirely possible that your first choice itinerary may not be available. It is strongly encouraged to develop a second choice itinerary that may explore some of the less popular areas of the park. Advance Reservation Itinerary Changes Changes to confirmed advance reservations will not be accepted via phone. You have the following options:
Our ability to consider changes at the time of permit issuance will be influenced by campsite availability and the level of activity in the permit issuing station. During peak visitation hours, such requests may be given a low priority. Refund & Cancellation Polices A full refund of your advance reservation application fee will be provided only under the following circumstances: Your initial advance reservation application is unsuccessful because of campsite availability. In the event that your plans change and you cannot visit Glacier to use your advance reservation, you are encouraged to call and cancel your trip. While a refund will not be provided, your call will allow other visitors to enjoy the campsites that had been reserved for your use. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR RESERVATION REQUEST PRIOR TO APRIL 15. Requests received prior to April 15 or with a postmark prior to April 15 will be returned to the sender. Backcountry Management in Glacier More than 95 percent of Glacier's 1 million plus acres are proposed to be added to the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is the policy of the National Park Service that proposed areas be managed under the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964, and other National Park Service policies, in order to maintain wilderness characteristics and values until Congress acts. The fundamental tenets of the Wilderness Act that are most noticeable to visitors are: Prohibition of motorized equipment and mechanized transport in the backcountry (except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area). Retention of the lands primeval character and influence without permanent improvements (except for authorized NPS administrative facilities essential to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area and its historic structures). During summer season (May 1 to November 20), backcountry travelers using the trail corridors are required to camp in designated campgrounds. This policy was justified by recreation ecology research, which indicated that in popular areas, low-to-moderate levels of visitor use create high levels of resource impact. This policy has allowed Glacier to limit widespread impacts along the trail corridors by concentrating use and impacts in designated campgrounds where they are carefully managed. You will find no maintained trails and few administrative facilities in Glacier's pristine, off-trail areas. These vast areas offer greater solitude and wilderness challenge, but are extremely rugged, with much more severe inherent risks and infrequent backcountry ranger patrols. While travel off-trail is permissible, it is recommended only for very experienced, skilled backcountry travelers. Know and Respect Park Regulations Park regulations are intended to protect natural and cultural resources and visitor experiences and to ensure visitor safety. It is your responsibility to know and respect these regulations. If you are unsure about the legality of a particular activity, please ask first. Stewardship of park lands depends as much on attitude and awareness as on rules and regulations. It is the policy of the National Park Service to apply the lowest level of law enforcement necessary to gain compliance. However, there are situations where offenses may result in the issuance of a violation notice, which is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or six months in jail.
Lewis Overthrust Fault The Lewis Overthrust of Glacier provides scientists insight about the massive dynamics of geologic processes that are going on today in other mountainous parts of the world, such as the Andes and the Himalayas. Because of the high degree of preservation of the original rock characteristics, the recent glacial sculpting of the rocks and the access by roads and trails, this major geologic structure in Glacier National Park is available for study by scientists from around the world. The Lewis Overthrust began 170 million years ago, when a collision of the earth's crust plates elevated numerous mountain chains and formed the ancestral Rocky Mountains. Ever-increasing stresses near the end of this great event shoved a huge rock wedge, several miles thick and several hundred miles wide, eastward more than 50 miles. Large masses of relatively stronger rocks were pushed over softer and more easily deformed rocks. Erosion stripped away the upper part of the original rock wedge and exposed the rocks and structures visible in the park today. Rarely have rocks of such ancient age been thrust over rocks that are so much younger. The overlying Proterozoic rocks are over 1,500 million years older than the underlying Cretaceous age rocks. Of particular scenic and geologic note is Chief Mountain, a spectacular monolith towering above the prairie along the eastern margin of Waterton/Glacier National Park. Chief Mountain is an isolated remnant of the eastern edge of the upper plate of the Lewis Overthrust - a feature known as a klippen, ranking with the Matterhorn as an example of this structural and erosional phenomenon. Proterozoic Sedimentary Rocks Most of the rocks exposed in the park are sedimentary rocks of the Proterozoic Age, which were deposited from 1,600 to 800 million years ago. Rocks of that age in other parts of the world have been greatly altered by mountain-building processes and would no longer exhibit their original characteristics. The Proterozoic rocks of Waterton-Glacier are unique in that they have preserved the subtle features of sedimentation such as ripple marks, mud cracks, salt-crystal casts, raindrop impressions, oolites, six species of fossil algae, mudchip breccias, and many other bedding characteristics. These Proterozoic sedimentary rocks, while outcropping over an area extending from southern Montana to southern British Columbia, are most impressively exposed in Glacier National Park. Due to the extreme relief and unexcelled exposures, more than 2,100 meters of stratigraphic thickness is exposed to scientific examination. These features, in addition to their chemical characteristics, make the Proterozoic sediments of Glacier and Waterton National Parks unique for studying the physical and chemical conditions that existed on the earth over a billion years ago. The recent glacial carving of these rocks has left them unusually fresh and beautifully exposed. Such information is of great importance to scientists in understanding the stability or changes of the earth's climates through geologic time. Stromatolites Several of the sedimentary rock layers described above contain fossils called stromatolites. They were colonial organisms of blue-green algae that lived in warm shallow seas marginal to ancient lands. Six species representing three genera of stromatolites are preserved in the ancient sediments of the park. Because of the high degree of preservation of the rocks in which these fossils occur, the stromatolites of Glacier National Park contain incredible detail. Paleontologists from around the world come to Glacier National Park to study these fossils because of their preservation and diversity. These fossils provide information concerning the physical and chemical conditions on the earth for a time period spanning approximately 800 million years. A professional geologist for the United States Geological Survey recently compared the ancient rocks and fossils of Waterton/Glacier to the rare book section of the world's geological library. How Glaciers Form The mountains in Glacier National Park have all been shaped by alpine glaciation. A glacier forms when more snow falls each winter than melts in the summer. The accumulation of snow above, compacts the layers below into ice. Ice near the surface of the glacier is often hard and brittle but, due to the pressure of ice above, the ice near the bottom of the glacier becomes flexible. This flexible layer allows the ice to move. Depending on the amount of ice, the angle of the mountainside, and the pull of gravity, the ice may start to move downhill. Once this mass of snow and ice begins to move, it is called a glacier. Glaciers Past and Present The glaciers in Glacier National Park today are all geologically new, having formed in the last few thousand years. Currenty, all the glaciers in the park are shrinking. More snow melts each summer than accumulates each winter. As the climate changed over the last two million years, glaciers formed and melted away several times. Geologists theorize that about 20,000 years ago the climate became cooler and/or wetter. This allowed for the formation of huge glaciers that filled the valleys with thousands of feet of ice. Imagine the valleys of Glacier National Park filled with ice, and just the tops of the highest peaks sticking out. These giant rivers of ice sculpted the mountains and valleys into their present form. Today's glaciers are carving the mountains as well. Although smaller, they work in the same way as the large glaciers of the past, and teach us about Glacier National Park's geologic history. Sculpting the Land As the ice moves, it plucks rock and debris from the sides and bottom of the valleys. Rocks falling on the glacier from above mix with the glacial ice as well. Over long periods of time, the sandpaper-like quality of the moving ice scours and reshapes the land into broad U-shaped valleys, sharp peaks, and basins. Massive ancient glaciers grinding over the bedrock below produced the spectacular landforms seen today. Glacial Landforms The park is filled with features unique to alpine glaciers. Horns, cirques, artes, hanging valleys, and moraines are all landforms given special names because they were produced by the action of alpine glaciers. Horns - A horn is a steep mountain peak caused by several glaciers carving different sides of the same mountain. Mt. Reynolds at Logan Pass is a good example of a horn. Cirques - A cirque is a large bowl formed at the head of a glacier. Often as the ice melts away, a small lake forms in the depression gouged by the glacier. Avalanche, Iceberg, and Gunsight are all excellent examples of cirque lakes. Artes - An arte (French for fish-bone) forms when two glaciers work on opposite sides of the same wall, leaving a long narrow ridge. One of Glacier National Parks more prominent features, the Garden Wall, is an arte separating the Lake McDonald Valley from the Many Glacier Valley. Hanging Valleys - As large glaciers scoured the main valleys, tributary glaciers left behind small valleys high up on the mountainsides. Frequently, hanging valleys have waterfalls cascading out of their mouths into the valleys below. Birdwoman Falls, seen from the Going-to-the-Sun Road, plummets from a hanging valley on Mount Oberlin. Moraines - Moraines form at the sides and front of a glacier. In a glacier there is always a flow of ice from the head to the toe. This conveyor belt like flow brings with it the rock and debris trapped in the ice. As it reaches the sides or front and the ice melts, this trapped material is released and forms large piles. Moraines from the present glaciers are visible as mounds of rock and gravel along the sides and front of the ice. Plants soon colonize this new soil. Forests and meadows cover many ancient moraines making them harder to spot.
Lodges and inns located throughout Glacier National Park provide a range of accommodations. Visitors may chose from rooms in historic grand hotels dating back to the early 1900s, modern motel-type accommodations or rustic cabins. Reservations Information Reservations are strongly encouraged. Rooms book-up fast, especially for the peak months of July and August. The Village Inn Motel, Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, and the Many Glacier Hotel are operated by Glacier Park, Inc., contact them directly for information and reservations. They can be reached at: Glacier Park, Inc. For reservations at the Apgar Village Lodge, call: Apgar Village Lodge Granite Park Chalet offers hikers the opportunity to stay overnight in the backcountry "inside." Contact Glacier Wilderness guides for reservations and information. Glacier Wilderness Guides Return to National Parks Directory
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