Enjoy the scenery at Waterton Lakes and Glacier National Parks (53087477694) — Glacier National Park
Photo: GlacierNPS · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Free travel itinerary template · 2 days

Glacier National Park 2-Day Itinerary

Lake McDonald to Avalanche; Going-to-the-Sun Road eastbound. Confirm current entry / road reservation rules, vehicle size limits and shuttles. The itinerary crosses the park on the open Going-to-the-Sun Road; it does not use the remote North Fork roads.

Curated from official tourism guides · Researched 2026-11-10Sources & notes

The stops are drawn from the guides below; daily order, times and durations are our suggested adaptation. Available map pins are approximate, not provider-verified; missing coordinates remain unset. Prices are left unknown; check tickets, opening hours and transport before booking.

  • Access / base: West Glacier for Lake McDonald; stage near St Mary before the east-side day. Gateway travel and flights are outside the park sightseeing days.
  • Season: Summer road season only; Going-to-the-Sun Road opening depends on snow.
  • Confirm current entry / road reservation rules, vehicle size limits and shuttles. The itinerary crosses the park on the open Going-to-the-Sun Road; it does not use the remote North Fork roads.
  • Check current NPS alerts, roads, reservations, permits, trail closures and transport at https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm and the linked park guides before choosing dates. A park pass does not include timed entry, a tour, ferry, flight, campsite or concession ticket.
  • The sequence is an editable planning suggestion, not a live timetable or turn-by-turn navigation. Visit blocks include time to explore and rest; traffic, queues, weather, accessibility and booked departures may require a shorter day. Bring an offline official map and arrange return transport.
  • Available approximate map pins are adapted from https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Glacier_National_Park, revision 4411541, Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0. Missing pins are left blank; confirm the real trailhead / landing with NPS or your operator.

Glacier National Park itinerary: 2 days at a glance

Every stop and suggested time, day by day

Review the original daily plan before editing below. Times and durations are suggested planning blocks; dining stops are not reservations. Your personal edits appear in the editor and downloads.

Day 1: Lake McDonald to Avalanche

  • Lake McDonald shore · 60 min
  • Food, water and route transfer break · 60 min
  • Trail of the Cedars · 60 min
  • Transfer to the next park stop · 30 min
  • Avalanche Lake Trail · 240 min

Day 2: Going-to-the-Sun Road eastbound

  • Logan Pass overlooks · 90 min
  • Food, water and route transfer break · 60 min
  • Jackson Glacier Overlook · 45 min
  • Transfer to the next park stop · 30 min
  • St Mary Falls Trail · 180 min

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Day 1
  • 08:0060m
    Lake McDonald shore, Glacier National Park, MontanaMap

    Official park source: https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm. Access reviewed 2026-11-10; recheck before travel. No verified map pin is supplied. Use the official park map to locate the trailhead, viewpoint or operator-agreed landing.

  • 09:0060m
    Glacier National ParkMap

    Editable allowance, not a measured travel time or included service. Follow the described district sequence and verify current driving, shuttle or trail connections. Bring food where no services operate.

  • 10:0060m
    Trail of the Cedars, Glacier National Park, MontanaMap

    Official park source: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/visiting-loganpass-2026.htm. Access reviewed 2026-11-10; recheck before travel. No verified map pin is supplied. Use the official park map to locate the trailhead, viewpoint or operator-agreed landing.

  • 11:0030m
    Glacier National ParkMap

    Editable allowance, not a measured travel time or included service. Follow the described district sequence and verify current driving, shuttle or trail connections. Bring food where no services operate.

  • 11:30240m
    Avalanche Lake Trail, Glacier National Park, MontanaMap

    Moderate full walk only with an open trail and suitable fitness; carry bear spray where permitted and know its use. Official park source: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/visiting-loganpass-2026.htm. Access reviewed 2026-11-10; recheck before travel. No verified map pin is supplied. Use the official park map to locate the trailhead, viewpoint or operator-agreed landing.

Day 2
  • 08:0090m
    Logan Pass overlooks, Glacier National Park, MontanaMap

    Parking is limited; use a confirmed transport plan. Hidden Lake is an optional separate walk, not automatically included. Official park source: https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm. Access reviewed 2026-11-10; recheck before travel. No verified map pin is supplied. Use the official park map to locate the trailhead, viewpoint or operator-agreed landing.

  • 09:3060m
    Glacier National ParkMap

    Editable allowance, not a measured travel time or included service. Follow the described district sequence and verify current driving, shuttle or trail connections. Bring food where no services operate.

  • 10:3045m
    Jackson Glacier Overlook, Glacier National Park, MontanaMap

    Official park source: https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm. Access reviewed 2026-11-10; recheck before travel. No verified map pin is supplied. Use the official park map to locate the trailhead, viewpoint or operator-agreed landing.

  • 11:1530m
    Glacier National ParkMap

    Editable allowance, not a measured travel time or included service. Follow the described district sequence and verify current driving, shuttle or trail connections. Bring food where no services operate.

  • 11:45180m
    St Mary Falls Trail, Glacier National Park, MontanaMap

    Confirm the actual trailhead and open bridge sections; allow additional drive time to the east exit. Official park source: https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm. Access reviewed 2026-11-10; recheck before travel. No verified map pin is supplied. Use the official park map to locate the trailhead, viewpoint or operator-agreed landing.

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