We wanted to share some of the best scenic photos of Glacier National Park. We took these pictures when we traveled to Glacier National Park a few years ago.
Nestled in the breathtaking wilderness of Montana, Glacier National Park beckons with its majestic beauty and unparalleled scenery. From huge peaks crowned with icy glaciers to lush valleys adorned with vibrant wildflowers, every corner of Glacier National Park seemed to offer a picture-perfect vista.
As we explored its trails and tranquil lakeshores, we couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the sheer view of nature unfurling before our eyes.
Each photograph we captured serves as a cherished memento of our unforgettable adventures in this pristine wilderness, a testament to the timeless allure of Glacier National Park.
The picture above was probably the best picture of the entire trip to Glacier National Park. It looks like it should be a postcard.
Below are random scenic pictures from Going To The Sun Road, Two Medicine, Lake McDonald, and more.
Here’s a picture of a long horned sheep we saw on the side of the road while in Glacier National Park. We thought it was a ram but the locals quickly told us it was actually a long horned sheep.
As you can see from the pictures above, Glacier National Park is breathtakingly beautiful. If you ever get the opportunity to visit Glacier National Park you really should do it. Our trip there wasn’t nearly long enough.
We got to see some of the main attractions but it was only a small percentage of Glacier National Park as a whole. To give you an idea what I mean, there are 762 lakes in Glacier National Park.
It’s like a living time capsule. The park’s diverse eco-system has remained mostly unchanged since the Lewis and Clark expedition. There are few places in the U.S. where that is the case.
Things To Do at Glacier National Park
- If you ever go, I recommend doing a bus tour and also renting a car so you can explore wherever you want. Historic “Red Jammer” bus tours are a must, and they’re a convenient way to explore the park while reducing traffic congestion.
- Take a vintage boat ride on a wooden boat at Two Medicine. Explore the crystal clear lakes.
- Go horseback riding. There are many horseback riding options available. They will even bring the horses to you if you are staying at Glacier Park Lodge. Our family of four went horseback riding and found ourselves amongst beautiful wildflowers with a scenic mountain backdrop. We had never done anything like that before and it was a memory we will never forget, not to mention we made an incredible wall canvas from one of the pictures.
- Explore the three main lodges. The historic lodges themselves are a worthy attraction. We stayed at Glacier Park Lodge, but Lake McDonald Lodge and Many Glacier Hotel are also worth visiting.
- Hike the trails. There are endless trails to explore. Just make sure you take bear spray with you. It can be rented or bought. We rented bear spray and even though we didn’t have to use it, it made us feel much safer. We actually saw a large brown bear on one of the trails. We also encountered two moose along the same trail.
- Whether you drive, take a tour, or drive, just make sure you visit Going To The Sun Road. You will see views that nowhere else in the world can compare to. You will also see waterfalls, go through tunnels, etc. Going To The Sun Road is an absolute MUST.
- Go camping. Glacier National Park offers 13 campgrounds with over 1000 sites to choose from. If you are adventurous consider backpacking and backcountry camping.
- Check out some ranger led programs. The rangers have a wealth of knowledge and there are many activities you can schedule with them.
- Go fishing. You don’t need to have a fishing license to fish at Glacier National Park, but there are some limits and rules you need to be aware of. They vary for each body of water, so make sure you look up the info for whichever area you will be fishing in.
- If you want to truly experience the brilliance of nature at Glacier National Park you can go river camping.
- If you happen to be there in the Winter months you can go cross-country skiing. However, I would not recommend being there in the Winter.
Fun Facts About Glacier National Park
- Currently 26 glaciers remain at Glacier National Park. Some of the more famous ones are Grinnell Glacier, Blackfoot Glacier, Jackson Glacier, Harrison Glacier, Piegan Glacier, Sperry Glacier, and Appeki Glacier. Harrison Glacier is the largest remaining glacier in the park.
- Glacier forms half of Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada, creating the world’s first international peace park.
- The movie “The Shining” featured Going To The Sun Road.
- The Blackfeet Tribe inhabited the land of Glacier National Park for thousands of years.
- Triple Divide Peak in Glacier National Park sends water to three different oceans – the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic.
- Glacier National Park is home to 71 mammal species and 276 bird species.
- Lake McDonald is the largest lake at Glacier National Park. It is surprisingly deep at 464 feet deep.
The History of Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. Archaelogoical evidence suggests that Native American tribes like the Flathead and Kootenai, Blackfeet, and Shoshone were the first inhabitants of the Glacier area, arriving about 10,000 years ago. The Blackfeet lived on the Eastern slopes and used the park for hunting and shelter.
While Lewis and Clark didn’t quite reach the area in 1806, it didn’t take long after that before explorers and settlers began arriving. Homesteaders settled in the valley areas, but around the turn of the 20th century a new appreciation fo the scenic beauty of the area emerged.
Visionaries like George Bird Grinell saw the need to protect such a unique environment. Grinnell campaigned for national park status. In 1900, the area became a Forest Preserve although mining and homesteading were still allowed. So Grinnell pushed for stronger protections.
On May 11, 1910, President Taft signed a bill officially designating Glacier as the 10th National Park in the United States.
The Great Northern Railway seized on the opportunity and built grand hotels and chalets to attract tourists. They drew in tourists with the slogan “See America First”. In 1932, the iconic Going-To-The-Sun Road was completed which forever changed how visitors could experience the amazing park.
