The Best and Worst of Glacier National Park
A compilation from our trips to the park.


As I continue to make what I hope are annual pilgrimages to Glacier, this page will continue to evolve over time based on my own personal experiences.

Best Day Hikes

  • Though it can really only be accessed after spending a night in the backcountry, Helen Lake stands out in my mind. A relatively easy 9-mile walk from ELF with no elevation gain to speak of. Take a fishing rod and try your luck at Elizabeth Lake on the way back.
  • Crowded on some days, the chance to meet Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep up close and personal makes Hidden Lake a must-do. The scenery is gravy.
  • Take the Highline Trail from Logan Pass to the Granite Park Chalet, or do a few mile out and back. Hugging the mountainside on the narrow trail is exciting. Looking down at the Grinnell Glacier is even better.
  • Avalanche Lake is not to be missed. Minimal elevation gain with a huge payoff at the end. Easy enough for the entire family and grandma.
  • The Cyclone lookout tower up in the north fork was an easy hour-long climb. Great views of the north fork---even when blanketed in a smoky haze.

Worst Day Hike

  • The jaunt to John's Lake was riddles with horse shit and piss for the first half. Skip it and get a treat at Lake McDonald Lodge instead.

Best Backcountry Campsites

  • Though we didn't stay here, I would have loved to camp at Stoney Indian Lake. Unprotected from the elements, the views were magnificent looking back towards Waterton River valley.
  • Lake Francis was a spectacular setting. The beach was great and the sunset even better.
  • The site with the best mountain views was Cosley Lake. Complete with your own private beach, this one was our favorite as it allowed us to look back towards Stoney Indian Pass.
  • If you want seclusion and beauty, check out Helen Lake. Tremendous views all around you at this cirque lake.
  • We had a prime site at Sperry complete with a perfect view of Lake McDonald from 3500' above the lake.
  • With easy access to both the lake and the Belly River, Elizabeth Lake Foot (ELF) had it all: Great fishing, food lockers and multiple day hike opportunities.
  • Our site at Noname Lake was nice because we had a small stream running mere feet from our tent, though the lake was about 150 yards from the tent pads.
  • Lake Ellen Wilson provides great views back towards Gunsight Pass and probably the most unique food prep area in the park.

Worst Backcountry Campsite

  • No contest...Mokowanis Junction. Not only was the water source away from the campsite, but the only views you got were from your tent, cowering from the mosquitoes.

Best Front Country Campground

  • Of the five we either stayed at or drove through, Sprague Creek was the best. Easy access to the Sun Road, West Glacier, Apgar Village and even Polebridge. Get there early and grab a site on Lake McDonald.
  • Two Medicine was not crowded when we were in the park and quiet.
  • Some would say St. Mary is dive. I would agree, but it's the location, stupid. Very handy as a base for exploring the park's east side, Park Cafe and all of your basic services a mere 3 minute drive away.
  • Some would also say that a KOA is not a real campground. They might be right but the West Glacier KOA had large tent sites in the woods---with ample space between sites. Add clean shower facilities and this turns out to be a great campground to stay at after a few nights in the backcountry.

Best Views

  • By far the toughest choice to make, but the 3 miles between Dawson and Pitamakan Passes comes out on top. Breathtaking.
  • If not for the overcast skies, Stoney Indian Pass might have made the top spot.
  • Lincoln Peak provided a look down at lake Ellen Wilson, Lincoln Lake and Lake McDonald. Awesome
  • Swiftcurrent Pass. Glaciers, cirques and a string of lakes.
  • The best non-pass view had to be from the beach at Cosley Lake looking back towards Stoney Indian Pass.
  • Gunsight Pass. Look to the west over Lake Ellen wilson, to the east at Gunsight lake

Best Restaurant

  • The Northern Lights Saloon and Cafe in Polebridge wins, but not by much. Not only was the food special, but the ambiance almost surreal. Try the Porkloin.
  • The Park Cafe in St. Mary was a close second and woth the wait for a table. Buy a T-shirt and some pie.
  • When in East Glacier, try to hit Serrano's for some delicious mexican food. Wash it all down with an ice cold Moose Drool
  • Two Sisters in Babb served ordinary food but the atmosphere was the friendliest we've encountered to date. Yumi even gives their burgers an "A+" and she generally dislikes burgers.
  • The Craggy Range Bar & Grill in Whitefish. Varied menu, interesting restrooms.