GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

In Northwest Montana, where the Great Plains run up against the Rocky Mountain Front, the landscape abruptly shifts. There’s a sense of drama created by sudden relief between rolling grasslands and the craggy summits of limestone mountains. The Continental Divide arcs north to south through the park, marking the yin and yang of Montana: mountain and plain. Stories have been written across these lands by a bountiful diversity of plants, animals, and minerals. Roads and trails, cairns and waypoints show where human stories have taken place. What will yours be?

Trails are a quintessential part of Glacier Park. With more than 700 miles of backcountry trail and 65 campgrounds in this park, you can plan any type of day: travel to a lake, a historic chalet, a glacier, or a huckleberry patch. For those seeking a close, low-commitment activity, try Trail of the Cedars, a magical boardwalk through an ancient grove. Those with a hunger for deep wilderness might pick up a permit for overnight camping and scramble to remote summits. On the west side, you’ll find trails that travel up deep timbered valleys to alpine lakes, while on the east side, the trails that wind through the rocky alpine offer big views.

Those who like to get to know a place by its food will be delighted by the variety of dining atmospheres and menus around the park. At the western gate, the Belton Chalet is a historic railway hotel with a focus on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients. On the east side, the magnificent Many Glacier Hotel is an iconic Glacier destination with huge windows overlooking Swiftcurrent Lake and Mount Grinnell. The dining is as fine as the view, with bison, trout, and more on the menu at the Ptarmigan Dining Room. Up in Waterton, on the Canadian side of the international peace park, visit the Prince of Wales Hotel. It’s a long trek, but worth it for the mountain views, rich history, and elevated dining experience. In the Royal Stewart Dining Room, experience world-class service at Afternoon Tea. A daily tradition at the hotel, this fête features a variety of delectable sandwich squares and pastries along with quality teas.

The North Fork of the Flathead River forms Glacier’s western boundary, and the Middle Fork runs along its southern edge. Both rivers flow wild and free, untamed and undammed. Not only have they been listed as Wild & Scenic Rivers for more than 50 years, they inspired these wilderness protections in the first place. Anyone can find a stretch of river suited to their style, from the adventurous whitewater kayaker to a lazy-river floater. From kaleidoscope-cobbled streambeds to highcontrast confluences, these rivers are endlessly beautiful, with each bend more jaw-dropping than the next. Many of the valleys in the park also hold turquoise lakes, like the massive Lake McDonald and the glacial Grinnell Lake. Learn about the park’s geology, geography, history, and wildlife from the water with a scenic tour from the Glacier Park Boat Company, which has five docks across the park. Most days, the waters are too chilly to jump in, but if you’re ever there on a hot afternoon, there’s nothing more refreshing than Glacier’s waters!