Our family’s picks for Glacier National Park’s top 5 family-friendly activities. Note: this post contains affiliate links.
Glacier… What a gem! We fell in love with National Parks here – and for good reason! It’s great for kids, there is a lot to see, and it is always changing! We spent a full 5 days in the park, because Glacier National Park is a large park with a lot to do. So, what are the can’t miss spots to visit? Below is our list of Glacier National Park top 5 family-friendly activities. These are the sights we believe you shouldn’t leave the park without seeing.
Glacier National Park Top 5 Family-Friendly Activities
5. Lake McDonald
While you can’t miss this lake when you visit, you should without a doubt stop at Lake McDonald Lodge and enjoy the beauty of this spot! The historic lodge was built in 1913 so it was neat to look around inside. We ate at Russell’s Fireside Dining Room when we stopped, which had a nice view of the lake and quite a few organic and locally sourced items on the menu. While it wasn’t incredible, the food was good and it was likely the best restaurant within the park itself.
The scenery at Lake McDonald is amazing, and if you are entering from the west this is the first place your jaw drops. We enjoyed skipping rocks into the water and walking along the shore in front of the lodge as we waited for the restaurant to open. We also drove the dirt road that branches off Going to the Sun Road and doubles back to the west. It gave a different perspective and at the time would have been passable in a car.
4. Virginia Falls
While this is one of our favorite hikes, I do understand that since we were there a wildfire went through this area. That being said, the falls are and always will be beautiful, even if the natural fire process has impacted the hike out to it. This is a medium length hike (around 3.2 miles roundtrip) but you get the bonus of seeing St. Mary Falls along the way and you walk along the river so you get to enjoy the sights and sounds along the way, including other mini waterfalls.
Parking is limited, so get there early! The biggest reward was feeling the spray from the waterfall at the end of the hike. On a hot day, it cooled us all off and the kids loved the feeling of the the mist rushing over them. Wearing Keens or waterproof hiking boots are a great idea for hiking this trail.
3. Logan Pass & the Hidden Lake Nature Trail
Yes, get here early…really early. Or, be patient when it comes to parking…really patient. Best suggestion would be to make it a priority to get here first thing in the morning to take this beautiful walk. We did manage to find Hidden Lake, and didn’t even need a map 
When we were there we couldn’t walk down to the lake itself because of bear activity (don’t forget your bear spray), but we saw so much wildlife on the walk to the overlook that you are all but guaranteed to see something! Lots of mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and marmots were all around us!
2. Avalanche Lake & Trail of the Cedars
If you are up for the hike to Avalanche Lake (4.5 miles roundtrip), the rewards are worth it. However, if you just want a shorter hike (0.7 mile loop), the walk along the Trail of the Cedars is simply beautiful and if the kids are restless, it will give you the chance to stretch your legs and for them to get exposed to the beauty of Glacier.
Parking is more plentiful here, and since many do the Trail of the Cedars and don’t make the full hike to Avalanche lake, parking spots open up more often but it is still a good idea to get here early or go later in the day. On a warm day, the shade and moisture is a relief!
A side tip – there are a lot of good sticks here to use as hiking sticks. The kids loved searching for a good hiking stick to use for the remainder of the time that we were in the park. We said a sad goodbye to our sticks when we left, but the kids were glad to share!
1. Many Glacier
For many, this is an off-the-main-route area that is ignored. Don’t do it! It was a highlight of our trip and we chose to ride the boat at Many Glacier that took us out across both Swiftcurrent Lake as well as Lake Josephine. The scenery was beautiful and the perspective from the boat was worth it. It is an easy and fun time, and you can pair it with a hike to Grinnell Lake and even Grinnell Glacier.
We did hike to Grinnell Lake and sadly missed a mother and baby moose by just a few minutes! Some people come and stay at the lodge here, and I will just say, you don’t stay there for the luxury accommodations…. For the view, however, there are few places that can beat it!
And that does it — that’s our picks for Glacier National Park’s top 5 family-friendly activities! Now head on out and get exploring!
Read more about some of these hikes in this post.
Been to Glacier National Park? Let us know in the comments what your favorite spots were.
We would love to go back again before the kids graduate, it’s still one of our favorite National Parks.
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