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I lived and worked in Glacier National Park for months, so I’ve explored just about every corner of it, and I get asked all the time what to do with only a couple of days. This is exactly what I’d tell a friend. There’s a version for non-hikers and a version for hikers, and both cover the west side, Going-to-the-Sun Road and the east side in just 2 days.
More Glacier itineraries: 2 days · 3 days · 5 days · 7 days
- Day 1: West side: Lake McDonald and Apgar (hikers add Avalanche Lake)
- Day 2: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass, St. Mary and Many Glacier (hikers do Hidden Lake)
- Stay: Night 1 at Lake McDonald Lodge; night 2 at Many Glacier Hotel or St. Mary
- You need: A car. Going-to-the-Sun Road is the heart of this trip. There’s no real public transportation around Glacier, and the park shuttle only runs along Going-to-the-Sun Road in summer, so having a car is really the only way to get around. 🚗 Book your rental car here
Before you go: check the season
Before you plan anything, check what time of year you’re coming. If you’re not visiting mid-season, some things may still be closed or snowed in. The ones to watch are Going-to-the-Sun Road (especially Logan Pass), some of the east side hikes around St. Mary, and Many Glacier. In my opinion, early September is the best time to come: you get beautiful fall colors, you usually miss the smoky and rainy stretches, and most things are still open. Here’s my month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Glacier.
Always check the NPS road and trail status page and the current shuttle and parking rules before you go, because Glacier changes things almost every year.
How I check trail conditions: Before every hike, I look the trail up on AllTrails and read the most recent reviews. People comment about whether there’s snow or ice, how the trail is holding up and what they recommend, so I know what to expect before I go.
2-day Glacier itinerary for non-hikers
Day 1: Lake McDonald and Apgar Village
Come in on the west side and spend the day at Lake McDonald. Kayak, paddleboard or swim. Get food at Eddie’s Cafe in Apgar, then go to the gift shop next door for ice cream. End the day by stopping at all the different pullouts along Lake McDonald as you head toward Going-to-the-Sun Road. Stay on the west side, like Lake McDonald Lodge, and have dinner there.
Day 2: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass and Many Glacier
Have breakfast at your hotel, then leave early and head up Going-to-the-Sun Road. If it’s your first time driving it, here’s what Going-to-the-Sun Road is really like to drive, from someone who’s done it about 30 times. At Logan Pass, check out the visitor center and walk the boardwalk toward the Hidden Lake Overlook if you’re up for it. It’s about 2.8 miles round trip with a little elevation, mostly stairs, so it’s not too bad. Or walk a mile or so of the Highline Trail. You’ll probably see animals at Logan Pass, especially mountain goats.
Continue down Going-to-the-Sun Road to St. Mary for lunch at the Snowgoose Grille, or grab a sandwich at Curly Bear or food from the grocery store if you don’t feel like eating out. The Snowgoose Grille is basically open from 6:30am to 10pm in peak season, so it’s a good place to get food if you’re hungry after a hike nearby. You can see all the places to eat at St. Mary here. Then head to Many Glacier, check out Many Glacier Hotel, hang out for a bit and explore the area. Have dinner at the hotel.
Where to stay on night 2
- Many Glacier Hotel if you want to wake up somewhere stunning (check availability)
- St. Mary, which is usually a little cheaper (St. Mary Village)
- Browning or East Glacier: look at hotels or Airbnbs here, which will probably be cheaper than staying in the park
Leaving after day 2?
If you have to leave at the end of day 2, you can drive Going-to-the-Sun Road back to the west side (about 2 hours from St. Mary), but check when sunset is first. You don’t want to drive that road in the dark, it gets a little scary. Otherwise, go around on US-2 to get to the airport or wherever you’re headed (also about 2 hours from St. Mary to West Glacier).
2-day Glacier itinerary for hikers
Day 1: Avalanche Lake and Lake McDonald
Start on the west side and hike Avalanche Lake. This is the well-known west side hike that everyone does: about 5 to 6 miles round trip with a bit of elevation, and very pretty. Pack a lunch or some snacks. Parking is very limited, so get there early to try for a spot, or just wait for someone heading back to their car and ask if you can take their spot. That’s what I always do, and it always works out.
Then go to Lake McDonald to swim, kayak or paddle. Finish the night with dinner at Eddie’s and ice cream from next door. Don’t miss it, it’s good ice cream, especially after a hike.
Day 2: The full Hidden Lake hike from Logan Pass
Eat breakfast at your hotel, pack a lunch and head up to Logan Pass. Hike to Hidden Lake itself, not just the overlook. It’s about 5.4 miles round trip and so worth it. Take a swim and eat your sandwich by the lake. You’ll probably see animals, especially mountain goats. The trail past the overlook sometimes closes for bear activity, so check the NPS status page that morning.
Where to park for Hidden Lake
When I worked here in 2026, Logan Pass had a 3-hour parking limit. That doesn’t leave much time if you want to relax at Hidden Lake, so I always parked at a pullout about a quarter mile east of Logan Pass (toward St. Mary) to avoid the time limit. It fits about 10 to 15 cars, there was no time limit there in 2026, and there’s usually at least one spot open (just know how to parallel park). The coordinates are 48.69725, -113.71096.
If it’s full, there are other spots along the road as you keep driving. Plenty of people hitch a ride here, or you can use the shuttle. I personally like having my own car to explore.
This is what I did in 2026. Parking rules at Logan Pass may change in following years, so always follow posted signs and check the NPS site before you go.
How I got Logan Pass shuttle tickets in 2026
I almost never used the shuttle unless it was the most convenient option for a long hike starting at Logan Pass. When I did, here’s exactly what I did:
- The night before, I made sure I was logged into my Recreation.gov account with the shuttle ticket page already loaded.
- At 7 p.m. on the dot, I watched for the next day’s tickets to open and clicked the time slot I wanted. Sometimes my slot was gone immediately, so I picked the next best time for me.
- Tickets cost $1. After you pay, you get a QR code, and they just scan it on your phone screen when you board.
- They said they check national park passes, but nobody ever checked mine. You still need a valid park entrance pass to be in the park, so don’t skip it.
This is how it worked for me in 2026. The shuttle system may change in 2027 or following years, so always check the NPS shuttle page and Recreation.gov before your trip.
After the hike, drive down to St. Mary and grab a snack, because you’ll probably be hungry: the Snowgoose Grille, a sandwich or ice cream at Curly Bear, or something from the grocery store. Then head to Many Glacier to see the view at the hotel and have dinner there. For places to stay, see the non-hiker version above.
One more thing: carry bear spray on every hike, even short ones, and know how to use it. The NPS bear safety page is worth a read before your trip.
Have more time?
If you can stay longer, my 3-day Glacier itinerary adds Two Medicine or Grinnell Glacier, and my 5-day itinerary adds Waterton and Bowman Lake. Not sure where to base yourself? Read my guide to where to stay in Glacier National Park.
Want to stay nearby instead? Compare places to stay
If you don’t want to stay at the lodges I mentioned (or they’re booked for your dates), there are plenty of hotels, cabins and vacation rentals just outside the park. Use these maps to compare live prices and pick a spot close to where you’ll be exploring each day.
West Glacier and Lake McDonald area
St. Mary and Many Glacier area
2-day Glacier itinerary FAQ
Is 2 days enough for Glacier National Park?
Two days is enough to see the highlights: Lake McDonald, Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass and a taste of Many Glacier. If you’re a big hiker, I’d recommend at least 5 days to really get the most out of the park.
What should I not miss with only 2 days in Glacier?
Driving Going-to-the-Sun Road and stopping at Logan Pass. If you hike, do the full Hidden Lake hike. If you don’t, at least walk part of the boardwalk toward the Hidden Lake Overlook.
Is Going-to-the-Sun Road open?
The full road usually opens in late June or early July and the alpine section closes in mid-October, so this itinerary works best in peak summer and early fall. Check the NPS status page before you go.
