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Summer Activities

Visit Glacier National Park


With over 700 miles of trails, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and serene lakes, Glacier National Park offers adventures for everyone. The West Entrance to the park is a short 35-minute drive from North Forty Resort. To learn more about Glacier National Park and to plan your trip, visit the following websites: Glacier National Park and Glacier Park Foundation.

You will need a vehicle reservation in addition to your parks pass in several areas from June 13 – September 28, 2025. Vehicle reservations will be available on Recreation.gov through two types of booking windows; A portion of vehicle reservations will be available 120 days or approximately four months in advance on a daily rolling basis, beginning February 12th, 2025 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. Next day vehicle reservations will be available at 7 p.m. Mountain Time for next-day entry, starting June 12th, 2025 on a daily rolling basis.

Going-to-the-Sun Road (West Glacier) - 30 Minutes

Apgar Village will be accessible to visitors without a reservation. This includes Apgar Visitor Center and the free park shuttle. Lodging, camping (including front country developed campgrounds and wilderness camping permits), transportation, or commercial activity reservations originating in Apgar will no longer provide access beyond the Apgar reservation checkpoint just past the Apgar Campground turn off. A full list of which commercial lodging, and camping reservations providing access beyond Apgar can be found on the park website.


Vehicle reservations are required for east bound traffic on Going-to-the-Sun Road past the reservation checkpoint June 13th through September 28, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations for Going-to-the-Sun Road are good for one day only. 

Visitors without reservations will be detoured at the checkpoint and routed back through Apgar Village. The village is expected to experience heavy traffic and parking will be in high demand. 

Visitors will be able to access Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side beyond Rising Sun without a vehicle reservation. Visitors will also have access to the St. Mary Visitor Center and shuttle stop on the east side of Glacier National Park, as in 2024. 

North Fork - 1 Hour

Vehicle reservations are mandatory for the North Fork area from June 13th to September 28, 2025, between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Each reservation is valid for a single day.


St. Mary (East Glacier) - 2.5 Hours

There is no reservation necessary to enter the park at the St. Mary entrance. Due to extremely limited parking during construction in the Swiftcurrent area, the park will restrict personal vehicle access into Many Glacier and provide a temporary shuttle service for hikers to access Many Glacier and Swiftcurrent from July 1st to September 21st, 2025.

Booking A Reservation 

Each of the specified areas of the park will require a separate reservation. Vehicle reservations will be available on https://www.recreation.gov/, or the Recreation.gov mobile app. Visitors will need to set up an account on Recreation.gov to obtain reservations and are encouraged to do so prior to the day reservations open. The cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee. 

Visitors may also make a reservation through the Recreation.gov call center. Contacting the call center does not provide an advantage towards securing a reservation but provides an alternative for those who don’t have access to the internet or are not as familiar with technology. Call centers are open every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain Time and the processing fee remains $2. The following lines are available for callers:

  • Reservation line (Toll-Free) – (877) 444-6777 
  • Reservation line (International) – (606) 515-6777 
  • Reservation line (TDD) – (877) 833-6777 

Tips for making your reservation

  • Set a reminder for when you need to make your reservation.


  • Create your account in Recreation.gov ahead of time.


  • Get comfortable with the system. If you hover over your desired date, it will tell you what date the ticket will be released. 


  • Be logged in before 8am or 7pm if reserving the day before. We do recommend trying to make your reservation when your block opens, but if you miss this, you can try again the day before. 


  • Select your date and click request tickets at Exactly 8am. (You only need 1 ticket per vehicle).


  • If you do not get a ticket, but there are still tickets Available, keep trying!!!


  • Once the ticket(s) are in your cart, just remember to check out within the time allowed. 


  • If you don’t get at ticket, plan to try again at 7pm the day before, but also take into consideration the other options for visiting the park below!


  • Don’t worry! Lots of people enjoyed the park last year without a reservation! There are also tons of other very beautiful places to go hiking or for a scenic drive. Here are some options for visiting Glacier National Park without a ticketed entry reservation in 2024:



  • Enter the park before 6am or after 3pm. (Remember it gets light early and stay light out late here in Summer).


  • Drive hwy 2 to the east side of the park and drive the going to the sun road from east to west.


  • Park at Apgar village and take the free shuttle along the going to the sun road. (Apgar village will likely be busy, so plan accordingly).


  • Book a tour/activity along the GTSR in the park. Verify in the Valid Service Reservations in the Going-to-the-Sun-Road Corridor on the GNP website. You can also book tours with Whitefish Outfitters in the park as well as a few other non-park guide services. Just make sure to confirm with anyone that you book with that you don’t need the ticket. 

  • ALWAYS check the park’s website for updates, weather, trail/road closures, and read through their information carefully before planning your trip! We try to provide helpful resources, but please verify information with the Glacier National Park website. 

  • General: Information Reservation System: Make a Reservation 


WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT

Whitefish Mountain is the ideal spot for a day of fun in the sun with the family! Enjoy a variety of activities, including the high ropes course, alpine slide, hiking trails, a scenic ride on the chair lift, mountain biking, and zip lining.



GOLFING IN THE FLATHEAD VALLEY

Looking to tee off during your summer getaway? The Flathead Valley is a golfer's paradise with fantastic courses like Meadow Lake, Buffalo Hills, Whitefish Golf Course, and Northern Pines. For a bit of a drive but one of the top 100 course in the country and #1 rated in Montana  you can book a tee time at Wilderness Club.

There are new exhibitions at the National Museum every month. Check out what's on when you're in town.

HIKING

When you think about hiking in Northwest Montana, you likely think of Glacier National Park! GNP is breathtaking, but there are lots of other places to hike as well with spectacular views, rushing water, peaceful woods, and so much more! 

Whitefish Trails: 42 miles of trails through beautiful woods with 12 trailheads around the valley. For bikers, hikers, and horseback riding!

Big Mountain: With tons of hiking trails, gorgeous views of the valley, a restaurant at the top, and the option to take the ski lift up or down, Big Mountain has something for everyone. 

Herron Park: A moderate rated hike with 4 well marked trails totaling in a 7.6 mile loop located in Kalispell, MT

Jewel Basin: In the Flathead National Forest, Jewel Basin includes 15,349 acres with 35 miles of trails and 27 lakes. One of the local favorites for hiking, backpacking, and camping!

Swan Mountain Range: The Swan Mountains have so much to offer. Jewel Basin is a favorite, but there are many other hikes in this area!

There are also quite a few other trails in the Flathead National Forest, State Parks, and along highway 2 toward Essex (a number of these are technically in Glacier National Park, but you do not have to go into the park to get to them). You might check out All Trails which is an App you can use to locate hikes, understand difficulty, and look at reviews from other people.

Kuhn’s Wildlife Management Area: Located on Farm to Market Road, this area is great for both hiking and mountain biking.

Kootenai National Forest: West of town, towards Libby, the Kootenai National Forest offers a variety of hiking trails, probably the most popular being Kootenai Falls.

BIKING

There are so many places to bike in the area! Whether you are a seasoned mountain or road biker or just looking to get some exercise and see some beautiful country, there is a trail for you! Here are some links to help you plan your next excursion. 


Big Mountain: Whitefish Bike Park offers 30 miles of trails, including a 10 mile cross country network and 22 downhill trails serviced by 2 chair lifts. 

Herron Park: Located in Kalispell off of Foyes lake road. 

WhitefishTrails System: Spencer Mountain is a popular part of the Whitefish Trails System for mountain bikers.

Glacier National Park: The best time to bike the Going to the Sun Road is in Spring before it opens to Vehicles! Bring or rent a bike or e-bike and experience the GTTSR in a whole new way. 

Rails to Trails: Check out the link for a map of the rails to trails system. 

Whitefish Lake: 22 mile scenic out and back around Whitefish Lake.

*** Check out the rental and guided tour links below for more rides, routes, terrain, and difficulty information. 


BIKE RENTALS, LESSONS, and GUIDED TOURS

Glacier Cyclery: Mountain Bikes, Hybrids, Cruisers, Kids Bikes, and Accessories

Whitefish Outfitters: E- Bikes, Guided Cycling Adventures, Clinics, Lessons

Sportsman Skihaus: Basic Bikes, Fatbikes, Kids Bikes

Whitefish Bike Retreat: Guided Tours, Lessons, Clinics, and other Activities

Great Northern Cycle: Bike Rentals

Glacier Outfitters: Bike Rentals for Going to The Sun Road

Montana E-Bikes: E-Bike Rentals for Going to The Sun Road and other areas!

HORSEBACK RIDING IN THE FLATHEAD VALLEY

Horseback Riding is one of the most fun ways to explore the Flathead Valley, Mountains, and surrounding areas!

Artemis Acres: Offers trials rides in Kalispell with views of Flathead Lake

Swan Mountain Outfitters: Glacier National Park trail rides, both in West Glacier and Many Glacier. Also offers Llama Trekking!

Bar W Guest Ranch: Ranch in Whitefish offering trail rides

Snowy Springs Outfitters: Offers day rides and guided pack trips, located in Essex, MT

FLY FISHINg, lake fishing & RODEO

Ever read the book or watched the movie A River Runs through it? There is a reason why folks come to visit the state of Montana to fish the most pristine trout rivers in the world. Book a guided fly fishing trip through Larry's Fly & Supply or Glacier Anglers to get a true Montana outdoor experience. 

 

If fly fishing sounds like too much work, let the guides at Big Sky Fishing Charters take you out on the lake and see if you can catch the notorious Flathead Lake Monster. You might come up empty handed with that catch, but you will be guaranteed to haul in some other monsters on one of their many charter boats.


Looking to immerse yourself in the authentic Montana experience? Then grab your boots, don a cowboy hat, and make your way to a local rodeo! Just a short drive from the North Forty Resort, the Blue Moon bar hosts the Brash Rodeo every Thursday from early June through late August, featuring local talent showcasing their skills for both cash prizes and cowboy pride. Get your tickets in advance or show up early because it will be standing room only to watch the broncs and bulls give the cowboys a ride for their money.

WATERSPORTS

We are surrounded by some awesome lakes and rivers! 

Whitefish Lake: About a 10 minute drive. City Beach and State Park both have good swimming.

Whitefish River: Float the river from downtown Whitefish and take out just 3 minutes from the resort!

Flathead Lake: About a 30 minute drive to Somers Boat Launch, largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, rentals swimming areas, boat tours, guided fishing and so much more.

Tally Lake: About a 30 minute drive, deepest lake in Montana, swimming area, usually rentals in summer.

Flathead River: Can be great for floating late July and August. (Always use caution).

WATER SPORT RENTALS IN WHITEFISH: 

Whitefish Marine: Motorized Boat Rentals.

Marina at Whitefish Lake Lodge: Sport Boats, Cruising Boats, Jet Skis, SUPS, and Kayaks

Whitefish Lake State Park: Typically Kayaks and Paddleboards for rent.

Whitefish Lake City Beach: Kayaks, SUPs, chairs, river tubes, and more!

Whitefish Outfitters: Kayaks, SUPs, chairs, river tubes, and more!

Sportsman Ski Haus: SUPs, Inflatable Kayaks, Packrafts, Demo Canoes


Flathead Lake also offers a variety of rentals and swimming areas. In Bigfork you can jump from cliffs into the lake while visiting Wayfarers State Park or go to Sommers Beach State Park and walk the sandy beach while enjoying the expansive views of Flathead Lake.



WHITE WATER RAFTING

The Flathead River is great for White Water Rafting! Here are some guides that would be happy to take you our on the river! All are located up near the West Entrance to Glacier National Park. 

Glacier Raft Company

Great Northern Whitewater Rafting

Glacier Guides and Montana Raft

Wild River Adventures


Other activities

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