Best Things to Do in Glacier National Park, MT With Kids
Glacier's family day includes driving Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass, a historic Red Bus Tour, a boat cruise on Lake McDonald or in the Many Glacier area, the easy Trail of the Cedars / Avalanche Lake hike, and the Junior Ranger program based at Apgar Village.
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1Area photo: Robert M. Russell / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Going-to-the-Sun Road (Logan Pass)
One of the most dramatic drives in the entire National Park system, climbing to 6,646-foot Logan Pass with glacier and mountain views the whole way. Most of the experience works from the car, with short walks at the pass for those who want to stretch.
Watch out: Requires a timed-entry vehicle reservation for the corridor in peak season (roughly July–early September) — book well ahead. Narrow, cliffside switchbacks can unsettle nervous drivers; the Red Bus Tour is a good alternative if that's a concern.
2Area photo: Robert M. Russell / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Red Bus Tour
The park's iconic 1930s open-top touring buses, driven by narrator-guides who handle Going-to-the-Sun Road's switchbacks so parents can actually look at the scenery instead of the road.
Watch out: Open-top means sun and wind exposure the whole trip — layers and sunscreen matter even on a cool morning. Longer routes run 6–8 hours, which can be a lot for young kids; ask about shorter options.
3Area photo: Robert M. Russell / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Lake McDonald / Many Glacier Boat Cruise
Historic wooden boats run calm, scenic hour-long cruises on Lake McDonald or in the Many Glacier area — a low-effort way to see mountain and glacier scenery from the water, good for kids not up for a big hike that day.
Watch out: Weather-dependent and can be cancelled for wind; build flexibility into your schedule. Limited daily departures — book ahead in peak season.
4Area photo: Robert M. Russell / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Trail of the Cedars & Avalanche Lake Hike
The Trail of the Cedars is a flat, wheelchair- and stroller-accessible boardwalk loop through old-growth cedar forest, and it connects to the Avalanche Lake trail — a moderate 4-mile round trip with a genuinely stunning alpine lake payoff for kids with more hiking stamina.
Watch out: The boardwalk alone is easy for anyone, but the full lake trail has real elevation gain and rocky sections — know which one you're committing to before you start. Parking at the trailhead fills very early in summer.
5Area photo: Robert M. Russell / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)Apgar Village & Junior Ranger Program
The visitor hub near the west entrance, with a free Junior Ranger booklet program that gives kids a structured reason to pay attention across hikes, drives, and ranger talks throughout the visit.
Watch out: It's a small village, not a destination on its own — plan it as a start/end-of-day stop rather than a standalone outing. Ranger talk schedules vary by season; check the visitor center board.
Frequently asked
Do we need a reservation to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road?
Yes, during peak season (roughly July through early September) the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor requires a timed-entry vehicle reservation booked in advance, separate from park entrance fees.
Is Glacier National Park good for young kids?
Yes for the easier stops — Trail of the Cedars, Apgar Village, and the boat cruises all work well for young kids. Save the longer backcountry hikes for when kids are older and have more stamina.
What is the best way to see Going-to-the-Sun Road without driving it yourself?
The Red Bus Tour, using the park's historic 1930s touring buses with a narrator-driver, is the classic option and lets parents enjoy the scenery instead of navigating switchbacks.
When is the best time to visit Glacier with kids?
July through early September has the most services open and Going-to-the-Sun Road fully accessible, but it's also the most crowded and requires the vehicle reservation. Shoulder-season visits are quieter but some high-elevation roads and trails may still be snow-covered.
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