WEST GLACIER HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Family Trails and Campfire Nights beneath Glacier’s Snowy Ridges
A 6-day, family-friendly guided program that combines day hikes along Going-to-the-Sun Highway vistas, a Lake McDonald boat tour, and evenings around the campfire — a practical guide for parents planning a multi-day Glacier National Park experience.
Family Trails and Campfire Nights beneath Glacier’s Snowy Ridges.
Explore Glacier National Park’s pristine forests, rugged mountains, thundering waterfalls, and spectacular lakes with your family on a guided, six-day outing based out of West Glacier. Guides lead hikes to well-known trailheads, evenings are spent in camp in the Lake McDonald Valley, and park programming for kids brings the region’s wildlife and human history into sharper focus.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Lakes, Waterfalls and Alpine Vistas
This family trip threads together Glacier’s signature water and mountain scenery: cascading falls en route to Avalanche Lake, wide views around Logan Pass, and shoreline panoramas at St. Mary Lake and Lake McDonald.
Trailheads along the Going-to-the-Sun Highway
Guides shuttle families to trailheads along the park’s famed Going-to-the-Sun Highway, layering short to moderate hikes with roadside overlooks to make the most of Glacier’s sweeping corridors.
Campfires, Ranger Talks and Lake McDonald Nights
Evenings center on camp life in the Lake McDonald Valley: setting up camp, shared campfires with s’mores, and kid-friendly ranger talks at the Apgar Lake campground that highlight local ecosystems and history.
What the day feels like
What the six days feel like
Each day balances purposeful hikes and interpretive moments: arrive at Apgar, establish camp and gather for the first campfire; follow waterfalls to Avalanche Lake; spend a day absorbing the high-country views at Logan Pass; cross to the east side for hikes around St. Mary Lake; take a boat tour on Lake McDonald for a different perspective of the ranges; then break camp and depart. Throughout, guides deliver kid-friendly education about Glacier’s wildlife, geology, and human stories.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should check in before booking.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Evenings are spent at camp in the Lake McDonald Valley with shared campfires and group routines; the trip includes setting up and breaking down camp across the six days.
Days combine guided hikes to trailheads reached via the Going-to-the-Sun Highway, interpretive stops, and a scheduled boat tour of Lake McDonald.
Kid-friendly ranger talks are part of the itinerary at the Apgar Lake campground to introduce wildlife, history, and ecosystems.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the trip?
The program runs six days.
Where do we meet?
Meet at the Apgar Visitors Center in Glacier National Park.
What are the core activities?
Guided family hikes to iconic trailheads, a boat tour of Lake McDonald, campfire evenings, and ranger talks at Apgar Lake campground.
Is this suitable for children?
Yes — the trip is advertised as appropriate for all ages and includes kid-friendly programming.
How large are the groups?
Groups are limited to up to 12 people.