1 Day in Glacier National Park Itinerary

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When exploring the outdoors, I encourage you to follow Leave No Trace Principles and be respectful of where you are so we can preserve these spaces for future generations. ♥️

This one-day itinerary for Glacier National Park covers what attractions you should visit when you have limited time.

While in my opinion you could spend an entire lifetime exploring Glacier, not all of us have the chance to do so! After growing up there, I’ve gone countless times and haven’t even gotten close to exploring the hundreds of miles of trails there–believe me, I’ve tried–but that doesn’t mean that you can’t see some of top things to do there in that amount of time.

However, narrowing down what to see when you have 1 day in Glacier National Park is a challenge. Along with this, Glacier National Park has a reservation system for 2024 that can make planning a bit more difficult. It may not seem worth the effort to only have one day to explore.

Don’t worry! I’ll help you narrow down the top things to see that you absolutely shouldn’t miss, as well as give you a clear plan for morning, afternoon, and late afternoon so all you have to do is follow this itinerary to catch the highlights. I guarantee you that it’s worth a little extra time and effort to plan for the “Crown of the Continent.”

In summary: This article will touch on the main things you should see in Glacier when you only have one day to visit, as well as in which order to optimize the amount of time you have.

Quick tip: Consider accommodations close to the park the night before you plan on visiting so you can get in early!

Can you see Glacier National Park in one day?

Yes. Don’t let your short amount of time keep you from visiting the park! While I definitely recommend a longer Glacier National Park itinerary if you can swing it, one day is enough to catch the major highlights and to get a feel for the park.

I guarantee you’ll want to come back after only one day in Glacier, though!

Glacier National Park itinerary for one day

This itinerary covers the highlights, as well as some of my personal recommendations so you can beat the crowds and enjoy the limited time you have there. Keep in mind that this is a pretty jam-packed day, so don’t expect to be out of the park until evening at the earliest.

Also keep in mind that this itinerary doesn’t touch the east side of the park. If you’re a hiker, that can be a big bummer because you are missing out on some of the best hikes like Iceberg Lake, Grinnell Glacier, and more.

Morning: Lake McDonald Lodge and Going-to-the-Sun Road

Rise and shine! It’s time to get up early (remember, it’s just for one day!). Because the park has reservations in 2024, that means you’ll either have to have a ticket or you will need to get the checkpoint on the west side before 6:00 am. I highly recommend doing this anyway, since you are much more likely to get experience everything on this itinerary if you do–those parking spaces will fill up fast!

We’re going to enter in just past West Glacier (make sure to have your parks pass handy) and set out toward Lake McDonald Lodge. It’s worth making a stop here to check out the rustic, Swiss-style architecture and to take a quick bathroom break.

Now you’re going to start to head up the main attraction of the park–Going-to-the-Sun Road. For many, this is the highlight of the entire park, and it definitely tops the list of the best things to do. The road is very windy and you are going to want to make several stops along the way, so take this as slow as you want. Since you have gotten to the park early, you’re not in a rush to finish it!

Quick tip: I always fold my side mirrors in before driving Going-to-the-Sun–it gives you a bit more space when dealing with other cars and tight turns!

I’d plan for at least an hour to get to Logan Pass if you want to enjoy the road and stop for photos, because you’re definitely going to want to. You’ll be seeing the stunning scenery of the park right at sunrise. Since you have a limited amount of time, it might be worth it to invest in an audio guide while driving the road since you can learn more about the historic value of it and what you’re seeing along the way.

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Early afternoon: Logan Pass and Hidden Lake Overlook and optional Highline Trail

Whew! You made it to Logan Pass. Since you have gotten there pretty early, you’re much more likely to find that coveted parking space you need to enjoy your early afternoon in the area. Before setting off on a hike, you can use the bathroom at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, which you might also want to check out a little later once it has opened up.

Just past the visitor center is the trailhead for the Hidden Lake Overlook. In my opinion, this hike offers the best bang for your buck, especially if you aren’t someone who hits the trail regularly. Not only is it just beautiful, but it’s fairly accessible with a boardwalk for a big chunk of the way. I’ve also seen many a mountain goat and even spotted a grizzly one time from far away, so you’re likely to get your wildlife fix here too.

For reference, the hike is 2.7 miles with only 551 feet of elevation gain, so it’s perfect for kids or those who would prefer more of a stroll than a workout. I also recommend packing your lunch for your day in the park to enjoy at the overlook if you can. You’ll likely be hungry at this point after such an early morning, and a sandwich hits the spot right about now.

Quick tip: Remember to pack any wrappers, peels, and other items that you bring with you and Leave No Trace. It’s very common for wildlife, especially chipmunks, to steal your food and become a little too comfortable around humans!

After you have returned to Logan Pass, you can check out the now-open visitor center or do a sampling of the Highline Trail. If you are afraid of heights, you might want to skip this one, but for incredible views and photography, it’s hard to beat. You can also do as much as you would like before turning back, making it ideal if you’re already pretty tired.

Late afternoon: Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake Hike

Let’s head back down Going-to-the-Sun Road. You’ll start to notice the crowds of people coming in around this time, so you might have to fight a bit for that spot at the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake parking lot. The good thing is that the first wave of hikers are likely finishing up their morning adventure so you should be able to snag a spot if you’re patient.

Once you’ve parked, you’re going to start on the Trail of the Cedars. This is one of my personal favorites because it is so incredibly peaceful. I guarantee you that you will be shocked by how blue the water in Avalanche Lake Gorge is. If you are exhausted from previous hikes earlier on in the day, you can just do this loop at around one mile instead of taking on Avalanche too.

However, if you are up for another trek and you have the energy to do so, you’ll find the Avalanche Lake hike trailhead along Trail of the Cedars. You’ll notice that the trail starts heading uphill, and you’re unlikely to miss it since it should be pretty busy.

Quick tip: There is a bathroom located not far from the trailhead on the Trail of the Cedars. I recommend using this one rather than the pit toilet closer to the lake.

The trail is not too tough–expect around 757 feet of elevation gain and 5.9 miles. Take your time and enjoy the forest you’ll be walking through for the first section of the hike. I’ve seen foxes and deer along here, so don’t be surprised if you see some wildlife even with so many people hiking with you.

Once you reach the end of the hike, you’ll be treated to some amazing views. No rush to head back down–sit on a bench and enjoy the scenery, take your photos, and scan the lakeshore for any wildlife heading to the lake to grab a drink.

Evening: Apgar Village and sunset on Lake McDonald

After you’ve enjoyed your time at Avalanche Lake and have worked your way back down to your car, you are going to head back to the West Entrance and stop at Apgar Village. No doubt you’re probably pretty hungry, so depending on your hunger levels, I recommend grabbing a bite at Eddie’s Cafe (see if you can grab some of their outdoor seating) or a scoop of huckleberry ice cream to round out your day.

Sunset is my favorite time to capture Lake McDonald, and if you are searching for the best photography spots in Glacier, there is a reason why people love to head here. Depending on how quickly you’ve breezed through 1 day in Glacier National Park, you might have to hang here for a while since the sun sets pretty late this time of year. I promise it’s worth it–those pinks and oranges are awe-inspiring.

1 day in Glacier National Park FAQs

Here are some common questions I often get from those looking to spend only one day in Glacier National Park.

Conclusion

1 day in Glacier National Park? No problem–you now have the itinerary you need to make the most of your time there and to see the main attractions. I’ve tried to help you avoid the crowds as well so you can get those parking spaces and have as much of a seamless experience as possible.

Of course, these are just suggestions, and you should feel free to revise the itinerary as you see fit. Some of my most memorable times in the park have been when I explored without an agenda and was open to what adventures came my way.

Have any questions about one day in Glacier and what you should do? Let me know in the comments!