Mapped by April

Glacier National Park is nicknamed the “Crown of the Continent,” and it completely lives up to the hype. The pictures you may have seen of those turquoise glacial lakes? They’re real. And there’s wildlife around every corner.

But if you are planning a trip here, especially with a large group, the logistics can be a beast. I recently organized a week-long trip to Glacier for a group of 14 friends. From navigating flights to splitting a massive luxury Airbnb and tackling the park’s notoriously strict traffic rules, here is exactly how we pulled off the perfect group getaway to West Glacier. Now, the hikes I will go over in this two part blog are *not* just for groups! So be sure to check them out if you’re trying to figure out what you’d like to do on your family trip to Glacier NP!

✈️ Group Logistics: Flights, Lodging, & Getting Around

Flying into Kalispell

We flew into Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, which is a super convenient 45-minute to 1-hour drive from the park entrances. We rented a car in advance and it was ready for us at the airport.

• Pro-Tip: Booking a week-long stay often yields much cheaper airfare than shorter weekend flights!

The Ultimate Group Airbnb in Whitefish

With 14 people, finding a place that feels comfortable and spacious is tough. We hit the absolute jackpot with our mountain vacation home located on Wood Run Drive in Whitefish, Montana.

Whitefish is an incredible mountain town full of awesome shops, local breweries, and restaurants (like Sweet Peaks Ice Cream and Jersey Boys Pizza). Staying here gave us a fantastic home base complete with a hot tub and a massive kitchen for meal prepping group trail lunches.

🛑 The Park Rules: The Daily Pass Nightmare

When we went, Glacier required a rolling vehicle reservation system for roads like Going-to-the-Sun Road and Many Glacier. We literally had to log onto Recreation.gov at 8:00 AM months in advance, day after day, to secure passes for every single car in our group. It was a massive pain. Worth it for sure but such a pain!

🚨 Mapped by April 2026 Update: If you are planning a trip for this summer, I have great news: Glacier has officially suspended vehicle reservations for 2026! You no longer need to fight for a morning QR code. However, because capacity is limited, park rangers will now temporarily close valley entrances if they get gridlocked. More importantly, Logan Pass now has a strict 3-hour parking limit to keep cars rotating. The lesson remains the same: Set that alarm and get to the park early AF!

Day 0: Arrival, Bears, and Prep

Once we touched down at FCA, we knocked out three crucial steps before heading to the house:

1. Rent Bear Spray at the Airport: Yes, you can rent it right at the airport and return it before you fly out! This is non-negotiable, Glacier is active grizzly territory.
2. Groceries in Kalispell: We stopped at the grocery store to stock up on a mountain of snacks and sandwich supplies. Making your own lunches is essential since food options inside the park are sparse.
3. Pack Night Before: Pack your trail lunches the night before so you can grab-and-go in the dark. With how early you need to be up, you will not be interested in making food in the morning.
4. Cell service and walkie talkies — There is basically no cell service in the park. If you are coordinating with multiple people in different cars, I highly recommend looking into walkie talkies. We were lucky enough to have one for each car, so we were able to stay in touch with the cars and update on parking.

Day 1: West Glacier & The Magical Avalanche Lake

We kicked off our first official park day on the west side. Crucial Rule: Parking in Glacier is almost impossible after 8:00 AM, so we woke up early to guarantee a spot.

The Itinerary:

• 9:30 AM Kayaking: We started our morning by renting kayaks right on Lake McDonald at Apgar Village. Paddling on that crystal-clear, pebble-bottom water with the mountains in the background was the perfect introduction to Montana. There are many kayak rental places and I believe we just booked with whatever group had the best price, so shop around!

• The Hike: Avalanche Lake Trail (4.5 miles round-trip): This is one of the most popular hikes on the west side for a reason. It winds through the breathtaking Trail of the Cedars before opening up to a spectacular, pristine glacial lake fed by waterfalls cascading down massive rock walls.

• April’s Trail Advice: Allow about 2–3 hours. Once you get to the lake, there are plenty of fallen logs to sit on. Bring a small picnic, a towel, and some water shoes so you can chill by the water and soak in the views.

Day 2: Scaling Logan Pass & Chasing Hidden Lakes

Our second day took us high up along the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass, the highest drivable point in the park.

The Itinerary:

• The Overlook Hike: Hidden Lake Trail (5 miles round-trip): This trail kicks off right behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center. It climbs through beautiful alpine meadows with panoramic views of the Continental Divide. The first half of the trail is boardwalk and fairly easy to navigate. If you aren’t up for the full 5 miles down to the lakeshore, the initial overlook offers equally mind-blowing views. Keep your eyes peeled, this is prime territory for spotting mountain goats!
  • It’s important to note that even though this hike is 5 miles, the descent to hidden lake and return is a lot on the knees. If you have trekking poles, I recommend brining them! It is a steep climb, and in the sun it is pretty brutal. Make sure you pack lots of water!

• April’s Star Tip: If you have the stamina, stay in the park until dark. Because Glacier is a designated Dark Sky Park, the stargazing at Logan Pass is entirely worth the late night.

🗺️ Planning your own epic route? Check out my custom Glacier National Park Google Map to see exactly where these trailheads, lookouts, and Whitefish restaurants are located!

📸 All photos used in this post are taken by me and should not be reused.

Next Up…

In Part 2, we are heading over to the rugged East Side of the park for a trail ride through Cracker Flats, and the grueling, legendary 12-mile Highline Trail. Stay tuned!