The Best Itinerary for One Day in Glacier National Park with Kids
If you only have one day in Glacier National Park with kids, you need an itinerary that can give you the highlights of the park without too much driving time. This itinerary will help you experience Glacier National Park by driving part of Going to the Sun Road and hiking some of the best easy trails in Glacier.
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There is so much to see in Glacier, that it can be overwhelming to plan when you only have one day. I’ve visited Glacier National Park almost every year of my life, so I can help you hit the highlights!
One Day in Glacier National Park Itinerary:
If you have one day in Glacier National Park, you’ll probably want to stick to one side of the park so you don’t end up spending your entire day in the car. The east side of Glacier National Park (Many Glacier is my favorite!) is absolutely STUNNING, but a little more difficult to access because of longer driving times.
For a one day Glacier itinerary, my recommendation is to explore West Glacier and Going to the Sun Road (part of it). And that’s what this itinerary will focus on!
If you are exploring East Glacier, check out our guide to the 7 Best Things to do in Many Glacier with Kids!
How to Get There: The West Glacier Entrance
The West Glacier entrance of the park is located just outside of Columbia Falls, Montana which is also close to Kalispell. This entrance will be the closest for this itineraries activities. Other entrances of the park would be a significantly longer drive to West Glacier and Going to the Sun Road.
Stop #1 – Going to the Sun Road
Navigating Going to the Sun Road:
There is a LOT to squeeze in if you only have one day in Glacier National Park. I would highly recommend getting an early start to the day if you can. Trying to find parking on Going to the Sun Road mid day (or even after 9 AM) you might have trouble. I would try to get to the trailhead by 7 or 8 AM if you can.
The shuttle is a great option if you want to get on an off and not worry about finding parking. They are FREE, and come every 15 to 30 minutes. They run from 7AM to 7PM every day of the week. I love using the shuttle system, it takes a lot of stress out of traveling Going to the Sun Road.
TIP: For 2026, there will likely be a 3 hour limit on parking at Logan Pass (the top of Going to the Sun Road). If you plan on doing a long day hike, I would recommend taking the shuttle. For more information you can read our Complete Guide to Glacier National Park with Kids.
Things to do on Going to the Sun Road:
Stop #1: Hike to Avalanche Lake/Trail of the Cedars
Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars are both classic Glacier National Park hiking trails. This trailhead parking can be extremely busy because they are some of the most popular trails in the park. Make sure to get there early if you’re visiting in peak season and driving your own car.
Avalanche Lake is generally touted as a family friendly hike – which it can be. But it’s a bit long, for kids! So keep that in mind if you have toddlers with you,
Both hikes are really family friendly, and can be combined. However, if you aren’t up for the full Avalanche Lake hike, you can just do the Trail of the Cedars which is stroller friendly and has some fun interpretive signs so you can learn about the trees.
Avalanche Lake:
Distance: 5.9 miles
Elevation: 757 feet
Stroller friendly? No
Trail of the Cedars:
Distance: 0.9 miles
Elevation: 49 feet
Stroller friendly? Yes!
Stop #2: Exploring Viewpoints Along GTS Road
Your Going to the Sun Road trip is going to be filled with beautiful viewpoints and incredible places to pull over. One of the amazing things about driving this road is stopping wherever you please! Some of the highlights along the way (other than the ENTIRE drive!) are below.
- McDonald Falls
- Weeping Wall (seasonal)
- The Loop
- Heaven’s Peak Viewpoint
TIP: This road can be narrow, so if you’re getting distracted by the beautiful scenery, make sure to pull over instead of driving off the edge of the road. OR, you can also take a Red Bus Tour if you want to just enjoy the scenery without driving.
ANOTHER TIP: Going to the Sun Road doesn’t usually open until late June or early July. Depending on the snow from the previous year, you usually won’t be able to access the road in the Spring. Make sure to read more Glacier National Park tips.
Stop #3: Logan Pass Visitor Center:
Logan Pass is the top of Going to the Sun Road! You can make a quick stop at the Logan Pass Visitor Center (but it’s fairly small). The real star of the show at Logan Pass is the views, the possibilities to see animals, and the hiking.
Stop #4: Hike to Hidden Lake Overlook:
It’s time for your next family friendly hike, the Hidden Lake Overlook! This hike has EPIC mountain views and if you can only do one hike today, I would choose this one.
*I don’t have pictures of this hike yet, but I have done it and it’s a great hike with kids! Personally, I would choose this over Avalanche Lake since it’s shorter and has more epic views.
Hidden Lake Overlook:
Distance: 2.7 miles
Elevation: 551 feet
Stroller friendly? No
Stop #5: Lake McDonald Lodge
As you make your way back down Going to the Sun Road, you can stop at the historic and beautiful Lake McDonald Lodge. It’s modeled after a Swiss Chalet and has a really unique log structure interior. This is a great stop for you if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, love National Park lodges, or want one of the best views of Lake McDonald.
There are souvenir shops here, but I would recommend waiting until you get back to Apgar to look for souvenirs because you’ll have better and cheaper options.
If you’re looking to get inspired for your Glacier National Park trip – check out our 10 Best Books About Glacier National Park (for kids and adults!)
Stop #6: Explore Apgar
After your Going to the Sun Road adventure, head back to Apgar! Apgar is a cute little town on the shores of Lake McDonald with a restaurant, souvenir shops, ice cream, and lodging. It’s a bit touristy, but is the best town near Glacier and I love stopping here every time we visit.
There’s nothing better than eating huckleberry ice cream while you look out on the famous Lake McDonald. There are several places to grab ice cream along the main street in Apgar.
There is also a restaurant with drink options in Apgar if you’re looking for dinner before you leave the park. To be honest, the food isn’t spectacular, but they do have chicken strips and other menu items that the kids will like.
If you have a little extra time, you can rent paddleboards or kayaks to play on the lake. A scenic boat cruise of Lake McDonald is also an option and leaves from the Lake McDonald Lodge. There are tons of other fun things to do in West Glacier if you have more time!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can You See Glacier National Park in One Day?
You can see some of the highlights of Glacier National Park in one day. However, Glacier National Park is a HUGE National Park – so in order to get a better feel for the park and do some of the best hikes, you’ll want to spend longer.
I’ve visited Glacier probably close to 30 times and I still feel like I have so much of the park to explore!
How Long Do You Need in Glacier National Park?
I would recommend planning for at least 4-5 days in the park if you can make it work. But if you only have one day in Glacier, you can still see some amazing things.
Where to Stay For This One Day Itinerary?
For this one day itinerary, you will be best off staying in Apgar, Fish Creek, or West Glacier. There are several options depending on what type of lodging you are interested in. But you’ll want to make sure you are close to the day’s activities so you don’t waste too much extra time in the car.
Camping in West Glacier:
We’ve stayed in both Apgar and Fish Creek. Apgar is the most popular, and is easier access to the shops and restaurants in Apgar. Fish Creek is a little quieter and you can access some of the less popular viewpoints along Lake McDonald. You will be happy either spot you camp!
- Apgar Campground
- Fish Creek Campground
Vacation Rentals in West Glacier:
There are a surprising amount of vacation rentals inside the park. If you are able to snag one of these for your group, it can be an easy and convenient way to stay inside the park.
- Adorable Lakefront Cabin
- Cozy Lake McDonald Cabin (sleeps 6)
- Sleeps 12, just outside the park
- More budget friendly house just outside the park
Lodge & Hotel Options:
Glacier is our absolute favorite National Park. This one day itinerary for Glacier will definitely leave you wanting more, but it’ll give you a taste of these epic mountain views, beautiful lakes, and majestic wildlife.
