EXPLORING GLACIER NATIONAL PARK IN MONTANA and DRIVING OVER THE U.S. BORDER INTO CANADA TO EXPLORE BANFF NATIONAL PARK
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This trip combines a few days in scenic Montana’s Glacier National Park with a road trip to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. After 4 nights in Montana, hit the road and cross the border into Canada. Be sure to bring your passports! Besides hiking, waterfalls, and spectacular glacial lakes, stop in Calgary to experience the view from the Calgary Tower. After exploring the area around Banff for a few days, return to Montana via the west side of Glacier National Park to fly out of Kalispell. We took this trip in late August, so it wasn’t quite as busy as mid-summer. Also keep in mind that Going to the Sun Road typically doesn’t open completely until around July 1st.
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Here is the general itinerary for the 9-day Glacier National Park and Banff National Park Vacation including approximate driving times. This road trip includes longer stays in two main areas, with not as much driving as other road trips we have taken. As always, before planning your trip, check the individual national park websites for the most current information about any closures within the parks. Learn what reservations are required for 2025 and how far ahead they can be obtained (we got reservations for Going to the Sun Road about 4 months out). Always carry extra water, emergency supplies, and a basic first aid kit for your road trip and while hiking. Download the National Park App and save Glacier National Park for offline use before you head out! If you purchase a Parks Canada permit in advance for Banff National Park, be sure to print a paper copy to display on your dashboard.
Day 1: Arrive in Kalispell, Montana (via Glacier Park International Airport); free day; dinner & shopping in Whitefish; overnight in Columbia Falls. (the airport is approximately 15 minutes from Columbia Falls)
Day 2: Enter the West entrance of Glacier National Park. Stop at the overlooks on your way to Logan Pass. Hike to Hidden Lake, and to St. Mary Falls, Virginia Falls. Overnight in Columbia Falls. (~20 minute drive to park entrance)
Day 3: Enter the West entrance of Glacier National Park. Morning Red Bus Tour or Highline Hike. Take the shuttle to Avalanche Lake and hike the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake. Overnight in Columbia Falls.
Day 4: Early departure to drive to the Many Glacier entrance of the park. (~2 ½ hours around the park). Boat tour at 9 a.m. from Many Glacier Lodge. Choose either the hike to Lower Grinnell Lake or Grinnell Glacier Hike. Return by boat to Many Glacier Lodge. Overnight in Babb.
Day 5: Drive from the Babb area to Canmore, Alberta, Canada. (~4 hours - this route crosses into Canada; passports are required at the border crossing). Optional stop in Calgary; visit the Calgary Tower (admission fee required). Dinner and overnight in Canmore.
Day 6: Banff National Park: Travel to Lake Louise Ski Resort to catch shuttle (advance reservations necessary). Spend time at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Return to the car, and travel Icefields Parkway as far as Peyto Lake. Short hike to Peyto Lake, return drive, stop at Bow Lake. Overnight in Canmore. (~50 minutes to drive from Canmore to shuttle parking; ~40 minute drive to Peyto Lake Overlook parking from Lake Louise Shuttle lot)
Day 7: Banff National Park: Hike Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots. Overnight in Canmore. (~35 minute drive from Canmore)
Day 8: Explore hiking options in Canmore (including Grassi Lakes hike); afternoon and dinner in downtown Banff with an optional stop to see Lake Minnewanka.
Day 9: Drive back to Montana, with another border crossing; we had a few family members leaving from Calgary who we dropped off along the way; overnight in Eureka, Montana (~4 hours from Calgary) (or continue closer to Glacier Park International Airport).
Day 1: Arrive in Kalispell, Montana (via Glacier Park International Airport); free day; dinner & shopping in Whitefish; overnight in Columbia Falls. (the airport is approximately 15 minutes from Columbia Falls)
Day 2: Enter the West entrance of Glacier National Park. Stop at the overlooks on your way to Logan Pass. Hike to Hidden Lake, and to St. Mary Falls, Virginia Falls. Overnight in Columbia Falls. (~20 minute drive to park entrance)
Day 3: Enter the West entrance of Glacier National Park. Morning Red Bus Tour or Highline Hike. Take the shuttle to Avalanche Lake and hike the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake. Overnight in Columbia Falls.
Day 4: Early departure to drive to the Many Glacier entrance of the park. (~2 ½ hours around the park). Boat tour at 9 a.m. from Many Glacier Lodge. Choose either the hike to Lower Grinnell Lake or Grinnell Glacier Hike. Return by boat to Many Glacier Lodge. Overnight in Babb.
Day 5: Drive from the Babb area to Canmore, Alberta, Canada. (~4 hours - this route crosses into Canada; passports are required at the border crossing). Optional stop in Calgary; visit the Calgary Tower (admission fee required). Dinner and overnight in Canmore.
Day 6: Banff National Park: Travel to Lake Louise Ski Resort to catch shuttle (advance reservations necessary). Spend time at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Return to the car, and travel Icefields Parkway as far as Peyto Lake. Short hike to Peyto Lake, return drive, stop at Bow Lake. Overnight in Canmore. (~50 minutes to drive from Canmore to shuttle parking; ~40 minute drive to Peyto Lake Overlook parking from Lake Louise Shuttle lot)
Day 7: Banff National Park: Hike Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots. Overnight in Canmore. (~35 minute drive from Canmore)
Day 8: Explore hiking options in Canmore (including Grassi Lakes hike); afternoon and dinner in downtown Banff with an optional stop to see Lake Minnewanka.
Day 9: Drive back to Montana, with another border crossing; we had a few family members leaving from Calgary who we dropped off along the way; overnight in Eureka, Montana (~4 hours from Calgary) (or continue closer to Glacier Park International Airport).
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The trip began with our family flying in from various cities around the U.S. to the conveniently located Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell. You can’t beat the convenience of the airport for a visit to Glacier National Park. If you aren’t staying in the park, Columbia Falls and nearby Whitefish offer a variety of accommodation choices. With 6 adults on this trip, we chose a house rental, the Avocado Abode in Columbia Falls, through VRBO. The location made for an easy drive into the park, plus quick access to a grocery store and restaurants. If you rent a car, be sure to book well in advance, especially during the busy months of July and August. Keep in mind that driving from the west to the east side of the park (roughly 50 miles) can take at least two hours, plus additional time with stops along the way and peak season traffic.
We took Day 1 to relax and get organized for several full days in the park. This included a short drive to Whitefish to enjoy views of Whitefish Lake and dinner in town. There is no shortage of restaurants in both Columbia Falls and Whitefish, where we enjoyed dinner at the Craggy Range.
We took Day 1 to relax and get organized for several full days in the park. This included a short drive to Whitefish to enjoy views of Whitefish Lake and dinner in town. There is no shortage of restaurants in both Columbia Falls and Whitefish, where we enjoyed dinner at the Craggy Range.
Our first full day in the park began early, hopeful that we would find parking at Logan Pass. While we were lucky to grab a spot, during the peak season of July and August, the park shuttle is the best option; otherwise, you might get turned away from entering the parking lot. We spent time on the Hidden Lake nature trail, then stopped at the Logan Pass Visitor Center.
Find details of our 3-day Glacier National Park Itinerary
Catch an East Side shuttle to the St. Mary Falls trailhead, where you can hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls. The shuttle continues, with a transfer required to get to the St. Mary Visitor Center. Weather conditions such as snow or even heavy rains may prompt the temporary closure of parts of Going to the Sun Road for safety reasons. This happened several days before our late August arrival but fortunately for us, it was only for one day.
Day 3 starts early with arrival in the park at 6:45 a.m. to catch one of the hiker shuttles at the Apgar Visitor Center. The shuttle is the recommended way to get to the trailhead for the Highline Trail. The hike is not for those who fear heights, me included; however, the rest of my family was excited to hit the trail.
While they enjoyed the far-reaching views from the Highline Trail, I was relaxing on the iconic Red Bus Tour with nothing but blue sky views from the open top and a cozy wool blanket across my lap. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you aren’t comfortable driving on Going to the Sun Road and would prefer to sit back and enjoy the views. For the half-day tour (booked in advance), park at Lake McDonald Lodge and enjoy a warm drink in the uniquely decorated lobby. Then walk outside to see the early morning lake views. Seasonal tours are available from both sides of the park, ranging from half-day to full-day.
Day 3 starts early with arrival in the park at 6:45 a.m. to catch one of the hiker shuttles at the Apgar Visitor Center. The shuttle is the recommended way to get to the trailhead for the Highline Trail. The hike is not for those who fear heights, me included; however, the rest of my family was excited to hit the trail.
While they enjoyed the far-reaching views from the Highline Trail, I was relaxing on the iconic Red Bus Tour with nothing but blue sky views from the open top and a cozy wool blanket across my lap. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you aren’t comfortable driving on Going to the Sun Road and would prefer to sit back and enjoy the views. For the half-day tour (booked in advance), park at Lake McDonald Lodge and enjoy a warm drink in the uniquely decorated lobby. Then walk outside to see the early morning lake views. Seasonal tours are available from both sides of the park, ranging from half-day to full-day.
At mid-day, we reunited at the shuttle stop at Avalanche Creek (note that cell service is spotty so be sure to have a backup plan). From here, choose the shorter Trail of the Cedars boardwalk or the longer hike to Avalanche Lake. Along the way, stop to admire the rushing creek, and enjoy spectacular views when you reach Avalanche Lake. If you are heading back to Columbia Falls or Whitefish, stop at the Huckleberry Patch for a sweet treat. The huckleberry milkshakes and ice cream are a perfect reward after a long day of hiking.
With the amount of driving to get from one side of the park to the other, we did a great deal of pre-planning for this trip. That included purchasing tickets for the 9 a.m. Many Glacier boat tour for Day 4. From our rental in Columbia Falls, travel time was around 2 hours and 30 minutes whether we drove through the park or around. A decision was made to take the outside route, and, although we ran into light fog, we found it overall to be less stressful. We packed our bags, knowing we were continuing to Canada the next day, and left around 5:30 a.m. On the plus side, with the early departure we saw a mother bear and two cubs safely cross the road close to the East Glacier Entrance.
In the Many Glacier area, you can’t go wrong with taking the boat tour. Take the strenuous hike to Grinnell Glacier, the shorter hike to Lower Grinnell Lake, or just a ride to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Enjoy the mountain landscape as you skim over Switftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, with a short hike in between. Take in the view of Salamander Glacier. Even with the boat ride, the hike to Grinnell Glacier is still over 7 miles, including an elevation gain. This strenuous hike can take 4-5 hours, so I opted for the shorter hike to the lower lake with a group of folks from the boat and then enjoyed relaxing on the deck at the Many Glacier Hotel, waiting for the rest of my family to return.
With the amount of driving to get from one side of the park to the other, we did a great deal of pre-planning for this trip. That included purchasing tickets for the 9 a.m. Many Glacier boat tour for Day 4. From our rental in Columbia Falls, travel time was around 2 hours and 30 minutes whether we drove through the park or around. A decision was made to take the outside route, and, although we ran into light fog, we found it overall to be less stressful. We packed our bags, knowing we were continuing to Canada the next day, and left around 5:30 a.m. On the plus side, with the early departure we saw a mother bear and two cubs safely cross the road close to the East Glacier Entrance.
In the Many Glacier area, you can’t go wrong with taking the boat tour. Take the strenuous hike to Grinnell Glacier, the shorter hike to Lower Grinnell Lake, or just a ride to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Enjoy the mountain landscape as you skim over Switftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, with a short hike in between. Take in the view of Salamander Glacier. Even with the boat ride, the hike to Grinnell Glacier is still over 7 miles, including an elevation gain. This strenuous hike can take 4-5 hours, so I opted for the shorter hike to the lower lake with a group of folks from the boat and then enjoyed relaxing on the deck at the Many Glacier Hotel, waiting for the rest of my family to return.
Tip: Download the National Park Service app and save Glacier National Park for offline use. Screenshot important information such as the shuttle schedule.
If you have more time, there are other hikes in the Many Glacier Valley and places to look for wildlife. Redrock and Fishercap Lakes are known to be good for moose spotting. After you leave the park, spend the night in Babb, not far from the Many Glacier exit.
Hit the road the next morning for the roughly 4-hour drive across the border to Canmore. After crossing the border, make a pit stop at Tim Horton’s for coffee, donuts, and breakfast sandwiches. Next stop Calgary, for a trip to the top of the Calgary Tower. Completed in 1968, a gas-fired cauldron was added in 1987 for the Winter Olympic Games. Admission is required to take the elevator to the observation level, where you can step out onto the glass floor and look down to the street. Walk down the street when you leave for a view from the ground. From Calgary, it's a little over an hour to drive to Canmore. Good to know: there is a convenient airport shuttle we used to get one of our kids from Canmore to the airport. Our rental was right off the Bow Valley Trail with a grocery store just minutes away, and walking trails to explore the town.
We chose Canmore over Banff, mainly because a vacation rental for 6 of us for 4 nights was considerably cheaper. We loved the small-town vibes, mountain views, walking paths to the downtown area, and assortment of restaurants, including popular BeaverTails with its Canadian pastry. It added extra driving time to places like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, but we felt it was worth it. There are also public transportation options between Canmore and Banff if that appeals to you.
Hit the road the next morning for the roughly 4-hour drive across the border to Canmore. After crossing the border, make a pit stop at Tim Horton’s for coffee, donuts, and breakfast sandwiches. Next stop Calgary, for a trip to the top of the Calgary Tower. Completed in 1968, a gas-fired cauldron was added in 1987 for the Winter Olympic Games. Admission is required to take the elevator to the observation level, where you can step out onto the glass floor and look down to the street. Walk down the street when you leave for a view from the ground. From Calgary, it's a little over an hour to drive to Canmore. Good to know: there is a convenient airport shuttle we used to get one of our kids from Canmore to the airport. Our rental was right off the Bow Valley Trail with a grocery store just minutes away, and walking trails to explore the town.
We chose Canmore over Banff, mainly because a vacation rental for 6 of us for 4 nights was considerably cheaper. We loved the small-town vibes, mountain views, walking paths to the downtown area, and assortment of restaurants, including popular BeaverTails with its Canadian pastry. It added extra driving time to places like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, but we felt it was worth it. There are also public transportation options between Canmore and Banff if that appeals to you.
Day 6 is lake day! Get ready for jaw-dropping views as you explore Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. They truly are as beautiful as the photos on social media portray them. For 2025, visitors should plan to reserve shuttle tickets in advance through Parks Canada, Roam Public Transit, or find a private tour to reach Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. It took about 50 minutes to drive from Canmore to the shuttle parking area, where we boarded a shuttle to Lake Louise.
It’s hard to describe how stunning these lakes are when you first see them. Depending on the time of day, the reflection of the sun tints the color of the water to make it even more spectacular. We visited just after Labor Day in early September, and it was still quite crowded. Just a short walk on the trail around Lake Louise will take you away from the larger crowds to enjoy peaceful views. There are other hikes including the Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike, that will give you a higher vantage point. It’s hard to leave, but at some point, board the connecting shuttle to Moraine Lake. There, you will be greeted with another gorgeous glacial lake with a color unlike any I had ever seen. Head up to the rockpile for the best view. Splurge on canoe rentals on either lake for the bucket list experience.
It’s hard to describe how stunning these lakes are when you first see them. Depending on the time of day, the reflection of the sun tints the color of the water to make it even more spectacular. We visited just after Labor Day in early September, and it was still quite crowded. Just a short walk on the trail around Lake Louise will take you away from the larger crowds to enjoy peaceful views. There are other hikes including the Lake Agnes Teahouse Hike, that will give you a higher vantage point. It’s hard to leave, but at some point, board the connecting shuttle to Moraine Lake. There, you will be greeted with another gorgeous glacial lake with a color unlike any I had ever seen. Head up to the rockpile for the best view. Splurge on canoe rentals on either lake for the bucket list experience.
While it’s hard to leave the dramatic views, next up is a drive up the Icefields Parkway with more stunning lake and mountain views. From the shuttle lot, it only took about 40 minutes to reach the Peyto Lake trailhead, our stopping point on the parkway. With more time, you can check out the seasonal Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk, or continue on to Jasper. The town was hard hit by wildfires in late summer 2024 so we did not visit. It’s definitely on our list for a return trip to Canada.
From the large parking lot at Peyto Lake, the loop trail is roughly 1.5 miles. Worth it for the views of this beautiful turquoise lake from the observation deck. There are other pull-offs and lake views on the return trip towards Banff, including a small lot at Bow Lake with viewing points at the lake level. After the return drive to Canmore, enjoy dinner and a local brew at one of many restaurants in downtown Canmore, like the Grizzly Paw Pub.
With so many hiking options around Banff National Park, take Day 7 to pick one or two that meet your interest and skill level. My family decided to tackle the Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots hike (about a 35-minute drive to the trailhead), clocking in around 7 miles roundtrip. I stayed back and enjoyed a leisurely morning strolling the streets of Canmore in search of street art.
With so many hiking options around Banff National Park, take Day 7 to pick one or two that meet your interest and skill level. My family decided to tackle the Johnston Canyon to Ink Pots hike (about a 35-minute drive to the trailhead), clocking in around 7 miles roundtrip. I stayed back and enjoyed a leisurely morning strolling the streets of Canmore in search of street art.
For the last day of outdoor activities, choose a hike in Banff National Park, or closer to Canmore. You could even spend the day in Yoho National Park. We opted to hike to nearby Grassi Lakes, taking the easier Grassi Lakes Upper Trail on the way up and the Grassi Lakes Trail on the way down. The Grassi Lakes Trail was rocky and steep, with steps and water on parts of the trail. I found it easier to handle on the way down with hiking poles, but many hikers online prefer taking the trails in the reverse order. Enjoy beautiful views of the lakes and a waterfall from the Grassi Lakes Trail. Be sure to go online ahead of time to get a Kananaskis Conservation Pass for day use.
Spend the afternoon strolling the streets of downtown Banff. Park at the large train station public parking area (free with a maximum of 9 hours) and take a short walk to the downtown area. Keep in mind that a Parks Canada Pass is required when you enter the park on the Trans-Canada Highway, and needs to be displayed on your dashboard. Enjoy a variety of shops, including the Spirit of Christmas, a massive, year round Christmas store. Grab dinner along Banff Avenue—we enjoyed dinner and the outdoor seating at Park Distillery Restaurant + Bar.
Day 9 begins the drive back to Montana. We split up, with our kids flying out of Calgary, while my husband and I drove the rental car back to Kalispell, Montana. An optional stop on the way to Calgary—especially for animal lovers—is the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. Take a tour to learn more about the work at the sanctuary. We thought it was an interesting detour!
Continue the drive to the border, with a stop in scenic Fernie for dinner (food options are limited just across the border in Montana). We enjoyed dinner on the outside patio at the Bridge Bistro. Spend the night at the Riverstone Family Lodge in Eureka, a little over an hour from the airport, or drive all the way to Kalispell.
Plan to arrive at the airport early. Even though the airport is small, it took longer than expected to get through security with everyone arriving at once.
Day 9 begins the drive back to Montana. We split up, with our kids flying out of Calgary, while my husband and I drove the rental car back to Kalispell, Montana. An optional stop on the way to Calgary—especially for animal lovers—is the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. Take a tour to learn more about the work at the sanctuary. We thought it was an interesting detour!
Continue the drive to the border, with a stop in scenic Fernie for dinner (food options are limited just across the border in Montana). We enjoyed dinner on the outside patio at the Bridge Bistro. Spend the night at the Riverstone Family Lodge in Eureka, a little over an hour from the airport, or drive all the way to Kalispell.
Plan to arrive at the airport early. Even though the airport is small, it took longer than expected to get through security with everyone arriving at once.
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3-Day Glacier National Park Itinerary
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Iconic Red Bus Tour
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Views from the Highline Trail
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Huckleberry Ice Cream
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Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
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Lake Louise, Banff NP
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Moraine Lake, Banff NP
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Mural in Canmore
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