Glacier National Park: A Beautiful Montana Adventure with Fishing, Rafting and More

There are some places that are beautiful in pictures, and then there are places where you actually arrive and think, “Okay, apparently the pictures were underselling this.” Glacier National Park was definitely the second kind for me. I recently traveled to northwest Montana with Pursuit for a 4-night Glacier experience that combined outdoor adventures, beautiful scenery, comfortable accommodations, and plenty of good food. It was one of those trips where I kept looking around thinking that Montana really did not need to show off quite this much.

This trip is designed to showcase several different ways to experience Glacier National Park, Whitefish, and the surrounding northwest Montana region. Instead of spending every day hiking from sunrise to sunset, the itinerary mixed outdoor activities with sightseeing, meals, time to explore, and different lodging experiences.

Starting Our Montana Adventure in Whitefish

We flew into Kalispell and began our trip in Whitefish, where we stayed at Grouse Mountain Lodge. Whitefish is a great place to base yourself if you want to enjoy the town while still having access to Glacier National Park and the surrounding area.

My room at Grouse Mountain Lodge was phenomenal, especially for families. It was a two-story room with a master bedroom upstairs and a separate room off the master with two twin beds.

Downstairs, there was a living room, kitchenette, bathroom, and even a makeup area. It was an ideal setup for families because everyone had a little room to spread out instead of living on top of each other for the entire vacation. That may sound dramatic, but spend several days sharing one hotel room with your children and then come talk to me.

And as ridiculous as this may sound, I also need to mention the alarm clock. It was the Station A Nonstop Hotel Alarm Clock with Qi wireless charging, dual USB outlets, and a Bluetooth speaker, and it may genuinely be the best hotel alarm clock I have ever encountered. I realize this is not why most people travel to Montana, but I notice these things and I loved it so much I got one for my house!

Dinner at Logan’s Bar & Grill

Our first night, we had dinner at Logan’s Bar & Grill inside Grouse Mountain Lodge, and there were a couple of things that really stood out.

The Brussels sprouts were excellent, which is always a pleasant surprise because Brussels sprouts can go terribly wrong when someone decides that burning them within an inch of their lives somehow makes them sophisticated. For my entrée, I ordered the Cauliflower Tom Kha, which included curried cauliflower, bok choy, local mushrooms, tomato, coconut ginger broth, red chili pepper, and jasmine rice. The manager recommended it, and it was a great recommendation.

I also found out while I was there that they are planning to remodel the entire place, so it sounds like the restaurant and lodge experience will be getting an update in the near future.

Fly Fishing Near Glacier National Park

Tuesday started early. Quite early by vacation standards, although I suppose this is what happens when you agree to go fishing in Montana. Don’t worry, it’s worth it. As someone who loves her sleep, I rarely say such a thing!

We grabbed breakfast to go and headed toward West Glacier Village for an introduction to fly fishing with Glacier Anglers & Outfitters. The morning session was designed for beginners and included hands-on instruction in casting techniques, gear, and the basics of reading the water. We practiced on the company’s on-site ponds before putting those skills to use on moving water later in the day.

One thing I appreciated about the setup was that you did not need to already be a fly-fishing expert to participate. The experience was specifically designed to work for first-time anglers as well as people who already have some experience, like me.

After the introductory session, we had lunch at Freda’s in West Glacier Village before heading back out for a half-day fishing excursion. It’s a local joint with counter service, perfect for when you are in a hurry. Plus, they have super yummy milkshakes!

The guided trip took place along the Flathead River, just outside Glacier National Park, and gave us the chance to experience Montana’s waterways while surrounded by the scenery that makes this part of the country so spectacular. They take you out in 3-person boats so you are not having to walk back and forth across the river. This made everything way easier than the last time I fished in Montana. I ended up catching six or seven fish. Honestly, I was pretty impressed with myself.

If your family has someone who loves fishing and someone else who is merely willing to tolerate fishing because they were promised a vacation, this is worth considering. The guided format means you don’t have to arrive knowing what you’re doing, and the scenery certainly makes standing around near a river considerably more enjoyable.

A Dinner Worth Stopping for in Whitefish

After fishing, we headed back to Whitefish for dinner at Tupelo Grille. We started with the Southern Biscuits, which came with two housemade biscuits, Maldon salt, and honey butter. I love a good biscuit, so I have fairly high expectations when one arrives at my table. These exceeded those expectations. They were absolutely out-of-this-world good.

For my entrée, I ordered the fried green tomatoes. I love fried green tomatoes, but these were actually a little too fried for me. I think they would have worked better as an appetizer rather than a full entrée.

After dinner, we popped into Clydesdale Creamery, which was absolutely adorable inside. They have ice cream and some really fun shakes, so naturally, it was a perfectly reasonable place to visit after dinner.

Exploring Glacier National Park

The following morning, we checked out of Grouse Mountain Lodge and headed toward Apgar Village and Glacier National Park.

This was the part of the trip where the scenery really started making it difficult to concentrate on anything else. Glacier National Park is known as the “Crown of the Continent,” and after spending time there, I understood why the nickname has stuck. The park encompasses more than one million acres, with alpine meadows, glacial lakes, rugged mountain peaks, and an impressive variety of landscapes.

Our itinerary included time to explore several areas of the park, including scenic viewpoints and opportunities for short walks. The exact stops were intentionally flexible because weather, traffic, and park conditions can affect what is possible on any given day.

That flexibility is something I would keep in mind if you’re planning your own Glacier National Park vacation. Don’t create an itinerary that assumes every single thing will happen exactly according to schedule. Nature did not receive a copy of your spreadsheet, and she is apparently not interested in cooperating with it.

We decided to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier’s iconic scenic route connecting the west and east sides of the park. The road passes through forests, glacial valleys, and mountain scenery, making it one of the major experiences associated with visiting Glacier.

Staying Near Glacier National Park

After exploring the park, we checked into West Glacier Cabins, located at the doorstep of Glacier National Park. The cabins feature full kitchens and outdoor living space and provide easy access to rafting, hiking, and West Glacier Village.

I liked the contrast between staying in Whitefish and then moving closer to the park. Grouse Mountain Lodge gave us access to Whitefish and made a comfortable base for the beginning of the trip, while the West Glacier cabins put us much closer to the park and the outdoor adventures that followed.

For families, this kind of lodging setup can be particularly appealing. Having a full kitchen and more residential-style space can make a longer stay easier, especially when everyone does not want to eat every single meal in a restaurant. Sometimes the best vacation amenity is simply having somewhere to put snacks.

That evening, we headed to Apgar Village for dinner and experienced the Apgar Lookout Suites. The suites are designed for families and small groups and feature full kitchens, fireplaces, and modern mountain-inspired interiors. Their location near Lake McDonald also provides convenient access to hiking trails, boating, and Going-to-the-Sun Road.

That evening, we spent time in Apgar Village and ordered pizza from Glacier National Pizza. One of the things I thought was particularly convenient was that they delivered our dinner into the park at Apgar Village.

After a full day of exploring, the ability to have pizza delivered instead of loading everyone back into the car and figuring out where to eat was a beautiful thing. Sometimes the most luxurious part of a vacation isn’t a fancy restaurant. Sometimes it’s pizza showing up where you are.

Rafting the Flathead River

The next morning, it was time to raft the Flathead River with Glacier Raft Company. Because of the water temperature, we started the day wearing wetsuits and booties. The company checks the water temperature every day, and if the temperature is below a certain point, guests are required to wear wetsuits.

They also had fleece layers available with a rain-style jacket that could be worn over them. I started out wearing both the wetsuit and fleece, but by lunchtime, it had warmed up enough that I ditched the fleece.

The lesson here is simple: layers are important in Glacier. You may start the day bundled up and be peeling off layers later in the afternoon. Montana weather likes to keep you guessing.

Our raft guide was named Spoons, and yes, that nickname has a story. He got the name because he plays the spoons.

Near the end of our rafting trip, he played for us, and he was incredibly good. I have now officially added “professional rafting guide who unexpectedly plays the spoons” to my list of things I did not know I needed from a vacation.

The Rafting Lunch Was Way Better Than Expected

When the rafts stopped for lunch, I expected something relatively simple. Maybe a sandwich. Possibly a granola bar if someone was feeling generous. Instead, the crew set up an entire lunch.

We started with guacamole, salsa, and chips while the crew got the grills going. They grilled chicken and burgers, and there were all the fixings to go along with them. I had a chicken burger, and it was delicious. We finished lunch with cookies, because apparently rafting is hungry work and no one was interested in letting us leave that riverbank without being properly fed.

The whole experience was a lot of fun, and I loved seeing the Montana scenery from the water. Glacier Raft Company offers trips for first-timers as well as more experienced rafters, so you don’t need to be some sort of whitewater expert to enjoy the experience.

Dinner at Eddie’s Mercantile

After rafting, we had some time to explore West Glacier Village before dinner at Eddie’s Mercantile. The restaurant was super casual, which I liked. After spending the day rafting, I was definitely not looking for a place where I needed to put on anything remotely fancy.

The one thing I would do differently? Bring mosquito spray. The bugs were bothering me while we were there, and I was kicking myself for not having any with me.

For dinner, I ordered the Fiesta Bowl with chicken, steamed rice, corn and pinto bean salsa, cheddar jack, Southwest ranch, salsa, and lime. Then, because I apparently had not consumed enough food throughout the day, I ordered the Huckleberry Peach Pie for dessert. It was delicious, although I honestly couldn’t taste the peaches at all. It was definitely more huckleberry-forward, which I suppose should not have surprised me considering where we were.

Our Final Breakfast at Sunflower Cafe & BBQ

Before leaving Montana, we had breakfast at Sunflower Cafe & BBQ, and I have to say, I ended the trip on a high note.

I ordered a Bloody Mary because apparently I have decided that vacation breakfasts should occasionally include cocktails. I stand by that decision. For food, I had the Thai Breakfast Bowl, one of the restaurant’s house favorites. It had Thai-spiced ground pork caramelized with ginger, chiles, and Thai basil, topped with two fried eggs, scallions, and cilantro and served over rice.

It was delicious and definitely not your standard hotel breakfast. After several days of eating incredible food in Montana, it felt like the perfect final meal before heading home.

What to Pack for Glacier National Park in June

If you’re planning a June trip to Glacier National Park, don’t make the mistake of assuming summer automatically means warm and predictable weather. Daily average temperatures were predicted around 71°F in Whitefish and West Glacier Village during this time of year, but conditions can change throughout the day and rain is common. We got lucky: no rain and just warm days.

Layers are your friend. I would plan on bringing a waterproof rain jacket or shell, waterproof hiking shoes or boots, comfortable walking shoes, a warm sweater or fleece, warm base layers, T-shirts, sunglasses, sunscreen, a small daypack, a reusable water bottle, and bug spray.

For fishing, bring sunglasses, shoes that can get wet, sun protection, a raincoat if needed, a water bottle, and a waterproof phone case. For rafting, make sure your shoes stay securely on your feet and bring a dry change of clothes for afterward.

One other thing you need to know before heading into Glacier National Park is that cell service can be limited or unavailable in portions of the park and along some activity routes. Download your maps, boarding passes, and other important travel information before you head out. Trust me, “I thought there would be Wi-Fi” is not a great navigation strategy.

Is Glacier National Park Good for Families?

I think Glacier can be an excellent family destination, particularly if you build the trip around different activity levels instead of assuming everyone wants to spend five days hiking.

What I liked about this Pursuit itinerary was the variety. There was fly fishing, rafting, scenic exploration, dining, shopping, time in Whitefish, and opportunities to simply enjoy the surroundings. That makes it easier to create a trip that works for a family with different interests.

You also don’t have to be an experienced outdoor adventurer to enjoy the area. The fishing introduction was designed for beginners, and the rafting company offers trips for first-timers as well as more experienced rafters. The park itself also provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery without turning every day into a marathon.

My Final Thoughts on This Glacier National Park Trip

This trip was such a good reminder that a visit to Glacier National Park can be about much more than simply driving through the park, taking a few photos, and checking it off your list.

Over a few days, I caught six or seven fish while fly fishing, rafted the Flathead River with a guide named Spoons who turned out to be ridiculously talented at playing the spoons, explored some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen, and ate my way through northwest Montana one great meal at a time.

I loved having the chance to experience both Whitefish and West Glacier because they each gave the trip something different. Whitefish gave us a comfortable place to start the trip, great restaurants, and that fantastic family-friendly room at Grouse Mountain Lodge. Moving closer to Glacier National Park gave us more time to experience the park, Apgar Village, the Flathead River, and the incredible scenery that makes this part of Montana so special.

What I think made this trip work so well was the variety. We weren’t hiking all day, every day, which is probably good because eventually someone would have had to carry me. Instead, we mixed outdoor adventures with sightseeing, good food, downtime, and plenty of opportunities to simply enjoy where we were.

If you’re planning a trip to Glacier National Park, I would encourage you to look beyond simply spending every minute inside the park. Spend some time in Whitefish. Get out on the water if you can. Try fly fishing, even if you’ve never held a fly rod before. Go rafting. Eat the biscuits at Tupelo Grille. Order something with huckleberries, because it would honestly be rude to Montana if you didn’t.

Most importantly, give yourself enough time to slow down and enjoy it all. Glacier National Park is one of those places where the scenery makes you want to keep stopping, staring, and taking just one more picture. Even though you already have approximately 4,000 photos that all look suspiciously similar once you get home.