Glacier National Park Backpacking Guide

With more than 700 miles of backcountry trails traversing lush alpine meadows, glacier-carved peaks, deep valleys, and moss-fringed cirques cradling stunning azure lakes, Glacier National Park is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is physically and mentally demanding. The trails to some of the best views in the park are rarely easy, but the rewards will surely be worth it.

Backpackers could spend five continuous summers in Glacier and still fail to explore all the sights this place has to offer. Beyond the pure physical beauty of the park, the density of extraordinary wildlife draws people from around the world to its trails. The all-star list of American wildlife includes bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black and grizzly bear, bobcat, gray wolf, cougar, coyote, elk, moose, bison, and the Canadian lynx – to name a few. If you head into the backcountry in Glacier, chances are high you’ll have some pretty unforgettable wildlife sightings.

As you begin preparations for your backcountry trip to Glacier, you may find the planning process – most notably the permit process – to be complex and, at times, exhausting. In this guide, we hope to provide you with all the details you’ll need to plan an exciting, safe, and memorable trip to one of our favorite national parks.

If you’re looking for information on day hiking in Glacier, check out our 10 Best Day Hikes in Glacier National Park post.

Best Time to Travel

Although conditions vary year to year, in general the best time to visit Glacier is from late July to late September. Backpacking season in Glacier is relatively short due to the fact that snow lingers on most high elevation trails well into July and can fall again by late September. Mid-August gives you your best shot at completing most backcountry trails, though you will be contending with some of the heaviest crowds. In some years, you can hike lower level trails as early as mid-July and well into mid-October. It should be noted, however, that it can also snow any month of the year in Glacier. So this is one place where you need to be prepared.

Backcountry use declines after Labor Day, making September a less competitive time to secure walk-up permits, while the weather is still great for backpacking most years. September temps are generally mild (highs 60’s), though you’ll want to pack a warmer sleeping bag (+15 rather than a +30) for chillier nighttime temps. Shuttle transports get trickier, and at the end of September, staff starts to remove 25 seasonal bridges. Although there are some downsides to backpacking in September in Glacier, it remains one of our favorite times to be on the trail.

How to Get there (Air, train, car)

Air

Located in the northwest corner of Montana, the closest airport is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) located in Kalispell, MT. It’s a 30 minute drive from the airport to the Apgar entrance of Glacier National Park.

Great Falls, 200 miles southeast, and Missoula, 150 miles south are more direct flights from many U.S. cities, but most likely require renting a car.

Backpackers coming in from Waterton Lakes National Park in southern Alberta have a few other options. For them, the closest airport is 80 miles to the northeast in Lethbridge, Alberta. The limited flight schedule usually means it’s more convenient (and cheaper) to fly into Calgary, 165 miles north of Waterton.

Train

Although it can be just as costly and possibly take longer than flying or driving, many people enjoy traveling to Glacier by train. Amtrak’s Empire Builder, which runs east-west from Chicago to Seattle, makes stops in East Glacier, West Glacier and Whitefish. If you’re arriving in East Glacier, you can hop on The East Side Shuttle, which runs from Glacier Park Lodge to St. Mary’s and costs $15 each way. Once at St. Mary’s, you can easily connect with the park’s free shuttle service, which runs the length of the Going-to-the-Sun road. If you’re arriving in Whitefish, the Glacier Express Shuttle runs from Whitefish to Apgar. If arriving in West Glacier, Xanterra also offers a West Side Shuttle from the train station to the Lake McDonald Lodge for $10.

Car

If you’re driving to Glacier, the easiest ways to reach the park are from U.S. 2 and U.S. 89, depending on the direction you’re coming from. It’s often convenient to have a car when backpacking, however we found ourselves happily using the free shuttle service most of the time (more on that below). Also, many roads within Glacier National Park are seasonal. Check Road Status to see what’s open.

Getting Around – Shuttle Services

Free Park Shuttle

A comprehensive system of shuttles makes transport to trails fairly easy during peak tourism season. Once you pay the national park entrance fee, you get free and unlimited access to the Park Shuttle System.

The shuttle operates as a hop-on hop-off two-way service along Going-to-the-Sun Road between the Apgar Visitor Center and St. Mary Visitor Center. The shuttle runs on the west side from the Apgar Visitor Center to Logan Pass every 15-30 minutes. On the east side the shuttle runs from Logan Pass to St. Mary’s Center. If you are planning on riding the full Going-to-the-Sun Road, you’ll have to switch shuttles at Logan Pass. 

There’s room for 12 or 16 passengers on the smaller shuttles and 20 + on the larger ones. All seats are first come, first serve, and at times packed. If the shuttle is full, you’ll have to wait for the next one. There is also limited pack storage on the buses especially when every seat is full, so you’ll likely need to set your pack in an aisle or on your lap. 

You should also be aware of the potential for transit delays. Going-to-the-Sun Road is often under reconstruction/rehabilitation in areas and construction delays are inevitable.

Also, plan to park your car at a shuttle hub parking lot instead of other locations where parking is limited. The East hub is St. Mary Visitor Center and the West hub is Apgar Visitor Center. Be aware that parking is competitive throughout the park, particularly at Logan Pass Visitor Center. During peak season many parking lots are full by mid-morning.

Glacier National Park Lodges Hiker’s Shuttle

This fee-based hiker’s shuttle between the St. Mary Visitor Center and Many Glacier Hotel/Swiftcurrent Motor Inn (operates from June 8 through September 18), connects to the National Park Service (NPS) free Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle system, and like that shuttle service is first come, first served—no advance reservations. Times vary depending on the free National Park Service Shuttle, but it typically takes about 45-50 minute to get from Many Glacier/SwiftCurrent Motor Inn to St. Mary Visitor Center.

It also has a west side shuttle that requires reservations. Contact Xanterra’s customer service agent at 855-733-4522 for seasonal shuttle times and to book a reservation.

Waterton – Chief Mountain Shuttle

If you plan on hiking in the Belly River region, starting or finishing your hike at Goat Haunt, you may consider using this shuttle service for an interesting way to begin/end your hike in Canada. The best way to do this is to park a car at the Belly River Trailhead and backpack to Goat Haunt. From here, you can take the water shuttle to Waterton Townsite and then use the Chief Mt. Connector to get an easy shuttle back to the US border, which is a very short walk from the Belly River Trailhead. If traveling between Goat Haunt and Waterton, you’ll need to bring your passport. 

Trip Planning

Glacier National Park’s website offers this insider take on planning: “In the broadest sense, Glacier’s backcountry comes in two flavors—east and west, roughly split along the Continental Divide. Each trail on a respective side offers a similar “feel.” West side trails start at around 3,200 feet in elevation, are more heavily forested, and offer the greatest solitude. East of the divide, trails start at around 5,000 feet and the terrain is more sparsely vegetated, creating more open vistas and attracting more crowds.” In other words, if you want solitude and lower level views, go west. If you want alpine trekking with glaciers and summit views, go east

A good place to start is to consider how many days you want to be on the trail, how far you want to go, how much water and food you’ll need to carry, and what your objectives are. Do you prefer high alpine hiking or forested trails with occasional views? Are seeing glaciers an important consideration? Or is your top priority to have opportunities to view wildlife (from afar)? All of these thing can help you refine and square up your itinerary. A very helpful tool as you begin your planning process are is the backcountry campground, trailhead, and area information map provided by GNP.

Wildlife concerns (ranging from aggressive bears to birthing goats) regularly result in trail closures. The park will list trail closures at every permitting office, so you need to be flexible with your plans. We recommend always building an extra day into your planning/itinerary.

Backcountry Camping Permits

The park has 65 backcountry campgrounds with 208 campsites. Permits, at $7 per person, per night, are required for all backcountry camping in Glacier. A backcountry permit is required for all overnight camping, and must be in your possession while in the backcountry. They are valid only for the dates, locations, and party size specified. There are numerous backcountry rangers throughout the park who will be checking your permits, so don’t even think about heading out without a permit. 

During the peak summer season (Mid-July to end of August), backcountry campsites are very competitive. With half of the reservations given in advance, the other half are set aside for walk-in campers. That said, nailing an advance reservation makes life a whole lot easier. Below is the process for both.

Advance Reservations

Advanced online reservations begin March 1 for groups of 9-12 people and March 15 for 1-8 individuals. Glacier uses an online reservation system. They don’t accept applications via email, phone, fax, or in person. Beginning in 2019, Glacier will be processing advance reservation applications in a randomly sequenced order, rather than the first come, first serve frenzy that happens on March 1st or March 15th every year.

Regardless of size, expect to pay, in addition to the campsite fee, a processing fee and application fee for each advance reservation request you submit. Currently, the fee is $40 ($10 administrative fee + $30 fulfilled trip request fee) for each application submitted.

If the backcountry office is unable to award an advance reservation itinerary based on the scope of your trip, the $30 fulfilled trip request fee will be refunded. It typically takes a month before you hear back. Remember there’s always potential to change your reservation in person, pending availability. Keep in mind that there is a limit of 16 miles per day you can hike with advance reservations. Hikers wanting to do longer mileage can only get campsite permits through the walk-in process.

Walk-in Permits

If you’re unable to secure an advance reservation, it’s still worth it to take a chance on a walk-permit. If you’re flexible with dates and locations, you can almost always piece together a great trip. Fees for walk-in reservations are $7 per night, per person.

For walk-in permits, arrive early the day before you want to start of your trip. The backcountry permitting locations open at 7 am every morning, however we recommend getting to the permitting office well before they open because competition is quite high during peak season and there will most definitely be a line prior to them opening the doors.

The availability of backcountry campsites will be set everyday at 4:30 pm for the following day. You’ll want to visit the What’s available tonight? page on the Glacier Backcountry Site to make a plan for your trip to the permitting office the next morning. Have a Plan A, B, and C written down to increase your chances of getting a permit. 

Permitting Locations

According to NPS, there are 5 different locations where you can obtain a walk-in backcountry permit, some more busy than others. Generally, all backcountry permitting office open at 7 am, but we recommend checking with each office as this can change from season to season. The Waterton Lakes National Parks Visitor Center had issued permits in the past, but due to catastrophic fires in 2017 and the subsequent destruction of the Waterton Visitor Centre, Waterton Lakes National Park will not be issuing backcountry permits for Glacier National Park in 2018. This could change in the future, so check back for updates. Below are the permitting offices in GNP:

• APGAR BACKCOUNTRY PERMIT CENTER – Open daily from May 1 to October 31. Note: This is not in the Apgar Visitor Center (a common mistake). Instead, it’s right next door to Glacier Outfitter’s in Apgar Village.

• ST. MARY VISITOR CENTER – Open daily from late-May to mid-September

• MANY GLACIER RANGER STATION – Open daily from late-May to mid-September

• TWO MEDICINE RANGER STATION – Open daily from late-May to mid-September

• POLEBRIDGE RANGER STATION– Open daily from early-June to mid-September

Best Backpacking Routes

Glaciers backcountry has it all—waterfalls, meadows, vast valleys, high ridges and summits, and lakes the color of sky on a clear day. Deciding where to go will always be the conundrum, but truthfully, you can’t go wrong in Glacier. Below we’ll highlight our five favorite trips, varying in difficulty and distance. 

Bowman-Kintla Loop

• Distance: 47.5 miles

• Days needed: 3-5

• Trailhead:Bowman Lake or Boulder Pass Trail (Kintla Lake)

• Starting elevation: 3,558 ft

• Elevation gain: 6,958 ft

• Elevation loss: 6,461 ft

The Bowman-Kintla trip is a horseshoe-shaped route which travels between stunning Bowman and Kintla Lakes, traversing over Boulder Pass, Hole in the Wall and Brown Pass before dipping back down the valley to a stunning lake. Logistics can be tricky in the less-visited northwest corner of the park. You’ll need to arrange a car shuttle or plan to hitch in order to complete this trip. Many people avoid these logistics by doing on out-and-back from either Kintla or Bowman Lakes. 

Stoney Indian Pass Trail

• Distance: 26.6 miles (one way) Chief Mountain Customs to Goat Haunt

• Days needed: 3-4

• Trailhead:Belly River Trailhead

With its diversity of scenic beauty—waterfalls, lakes, breathtaking peaks—the best place to start this hike is at Chief Mountain Customs Trailhead (ending at Goat Haunt instead of starting in Waterton National Park in Canada). The reason? It’s downhill all the way once you’ve reached the pass. But there’s another even better reason to start at Chief Mountain Customs: The best and most stunning views on this trail are right in your line of vision, instead of behind you. 

The logistics of this hike will take some pre-planning, but can be a fun way to end a backpacking trip. If you end your trip at Goat Haunt, you can take the water shuttle to the Waterton Townsite and then use the Chief Mt. Connector to get an easy shuttle back to the US border at Chief Mountain, which is a very short walk from the Belly River Trailhead. If traveling between Goat Haunt and Waterton, you’ll need to bring your passport. 

Gunsight Pass Trail

• Mileage: 20 miles

• Days Needed: 2-3

• Trailhead:Jackson Glacier Overlook

This spectacular trail begins with a descent into the Reynolds Creek Valley, then evens out as you traverse alongside St. Mary River. Eventually, you’ll begin a gradual climb uphill after a footbridge approaching Gunsight Lake. The climb to Gunsight pass is stunning with views of Lake Ellen Wilson across the valley. As you cross over the second and highest pass – Lincoln Pass – you’ll begin your long descent through the 2017 burn area, passing through the Sperry Chalet area as you head down to Lake McDonald. 

Park a car or take the shuttle to the Lake McDonald Lodge, and catch the shuttle up to Logan Pass.At Logan Pass, grab another shuttle down the other side toward St. Mary (east). Step off at the Jackson Glacier Turnout, and begin your hike there. You’ll end up back at Lake McDonald Lodge. 

North Circle Loop

• Mileage: 52 miles, can vary depending on itinerary

• Days Needed: 5-7

• Trailhead:Iceberg-Ptarmigan Trailhead (Many Glacier area)

Although there are several variations of this trip, the North Circle Loop we discuss begins and ends in the Many Glacier area. If heading in a counterclockwise direction you’ll first head north on the Ptarmigan Trail, eventually heading west towards Stoney Indian Pass, and Fifty Mountain Trail before heading south on part of the CDT. You’ll stay on the CDT until you reach the Granite Park Chalet and then swing east on the Swiftcurrent Trail towards Many Glacier. If you want to add for miles (and beauty!), you can do a lollipop loop and add a trip along the Highline Trail. The best way to do this would be to begin and end your hike at the Highline Trailhead at Logan Pass.

Another option is to complete this loop and then head north towards Goat Haunt. If you’re planing on continuing on to Waterton from Goat Haunt, don’t forget your passport.

It’s important to note that backcountry travel in this part of the park is one of the most sought-after itineraries. Furthermore, you’ll need patience as you encounter many day hikers heading toward the ptarmigan tunnel, which provides passage to the other side of the Ptarmigan Wall. But once through backpackers emerge to sweeping vistas of glacial carved valleys, pristine lakes and dense forests, and, more important, relative solitude.
 

Dawson-Pitamakin Loop (Rising Wolf Mountain Loop)

• Mileage: 19 miles

• Days Needed: 2-3

• Trailhead: North Shore/Pray Lake

For spectacular views, fewer people, and a higher likelihood that you’ll see some grizzlies, we recommend checking out one of the best trips in the Two Medicine area of Glacier. For this hike, skip the boat that cuts a few miles off the hike and start hiking as soon as the sun starts rising. We recommend traveling this loop in a clockwise direction.

At No Name Lake, take the short detour off the main trail to the lake. Depending on your itinerary, you can camp here or get water before hiking through Bighorn Basin up to Dawson Pass. That’s also your last chance for water for the next 5 miles until descending Pitamakan Pass. Make sure to load up on water again at Oldman Lake or camp there for the night, then enjoy the long downhill back. It’s also possible to do this loop as a long day hike, but know your own limitations before venturing out.

glacier can’t miss sights

Going-to-the-Sun Road

Going-to-the-Sun Road is a spectacular 50-mile, paved two-lane highway bisecting Glacier National Park from west to east and spanning the width of the park, crossing the Continental Divide at 6,646-foot-high Logan Pass. It takes, on average, 2 hours to travel the full length of the road. A great way to experience it is to use the parks hop on-hop off free shuttle.

GTTSR (as it’s often abbreviated) is a serpentine lesson in geological, ecological, and human history. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places and is listed as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, and travels through almost every type of terrain in the park, from forestland to glacial lakes to windswept alpine passes. Park transit users and motorists have many opportunities for views along the well-designed and built road. See the map below for all stop along the free shuttle that runs the length of the GTTSR.

See a Glacier

Warming temperatures are rapidly reducing the size of many the nation’s glaciers since 1966, according to comparisons released by the US Geological Survey (USGS) and Portland State University. Some have lost as much as 85% of their expanse over the past 50 years, with Glacier national park set to lose all of its eponymous ice formations within the next few decades. Of the 150 glaciers that existed in Glacier National Park in the late 19th century, only 26 remain. See these three: Grinnell , Salamander (once part of Grinnell; separated due to melting) and Jackson. There is a spectacular day hike to get up close to the Grinnell and Salamander Glaciers that’s a can’t-miss trip. You can view Jackson Glacier from the GTTSR, but there are also trails you can explore that will bring you closer into view.

Lake McDonald

We recommend setting aside some time in your itinerary to take in the biggest lake in the park – Lake McDonald. There are a number of ways to experience it. The GTTSR winds alongside it for miles, offering plenty of places to stop and stick a toe in it. The best place to see the whole thing is from Apgar Village. The eponymous Lake McDonald Lodge offers parking, restaurants, trails, and boating. With plenty of flatwater days in summer and fall consider taking a self-guided tour on a paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or rowboat. They also have small 10 hp motorboats offering tours of the lower portion of the lake.

Lodging, Eating, & Supplies

Looking for a reward beer or meal after all your adventuring? The parks offers plenty of options in the core of the park. Lodging options include everything from cabins, backcountry chalets and inexpensive motel to rooms in historic grand hotels. Do keep in mind that during peak season restaurants often have long waits and rooms book up fast, especially during July and August. There are camp stores and limited restaurants in the east and west hubs of the park for stocking up on backpacking food supplies, though options are somewhat limited. 

For more information on all the services available inside Glacier, visit the NPS Eating and Sleeping page.

Bears & other wildlife

Glacier is home to a wide range of wildlife, including elk, bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goats, deer, wolves, wolverines, mountain lions, coyotes as well as black and grizzly bears. Most people who visit Glacier National Park have bears on the mind and for good reason. Glacier is home to a thriving and healthy population of both Grizzly and Black Bears. When we visited the park in 2018, we were lucky enough to see a total of 12 grizzly bears over a two week period (they were all very peaceful encounters).

Before you begin your trip, it’s important to learn some basics about hiking in bear country. Learn about ways to avoid an interaction. Have a plan for what to do if you encounter a bear. Learn how to carry and store food and scented items. Know how to recognize recent bear activity. Learn how to use bear spray effectively. All this will help ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip in bear country. Below are some quick tips:

• Stay at least 100 yards away from bears (especially mama bears and their cubs)

• Let a bear know you’re there by clapping, making noise, singing, etc

• Avoid hiking solo – best to be in a small group

• Carry bear spray, have it in an easily accessible location, and know how to use it.

• Use proper food storage (see below for specific in Glacier)

Even though the danger of a bear attack is incredibly low, you should always be prepared for bear encounters and know how to properly handle the situation. Learn more about bears and what to do if you encounter one here. 

Food Storage

You’ve probably head the phrase, “a fed bear is a dead bear” and this is a very true statement. When hiking in bear habitat, it’s imperative that you use proper food storage practices to protect your food from bears for your safety, as well as the bear’s. Food-conditioned bears are captured and relocated or executed after having sought and obtained human, or non-natural foods, destroyed property or displayed aggressive, non-defensive behavior towards humans. Please learn about bears before you head to Glacier to minimize this outcome. If you are heading into the backcountry, Glacier requires every person to watch a short video reviewing necessary information on bears and food storage. 

Each backcountry campsite in Glacier will have either a bear box or communal bear pole to hang your food and all scented items (toiletries, garbage, etc). If heading into the backcountry, you’ll need to bring at least 25 feet of rope, a food storage bag, and a carabiner in order to hang your food. Glacier National Park asks that when you arrive to your backcountry campsite, the first thing you do is go is to the food storage area to hang your food in order to ensure that campsites remain free of food or scented items.

Keep your campsite clean and free of food and trash. Regulations require that all edibles, food containers (empty or not), cookware (clean or not), and trash be secure by suspending from any NPS designated food hanging device or in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) approved bear resistant container when not in use, day or night.

Bugs

Depending on where you are in the park and time of year, insects run the gamut from present and only biting the susceptible to outright vicious. Mosquitoes, horseflies and black flies are present in the park in early summer but level off later in the season as sitting water dissipates. Hiking later in the season is often bug-free. Use a combination of permethrin on your clothing and bring a small bottle of DEET or Picaridin for exposed skin to provide full protection. 

Water

If you are heading into the backcountry, you’ll need to filter or purify your water to ensure it’s safe to drink. Giardia is a persistent parasite found throughout the park’s lakes and streams. It can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea. You’ll want to avoid this by treating your water.

In general, water is plentiful along many of the routes in Glacier and is easily accessible from lakes and streams. There are some exceptions to this and it’s always important to look at a map and know where your water sources are located. We carried the SteriPen Ultra for all our trips and were happy with its performance. Two other good lightweight options are the Sawyer Squeeze and Aquamira Drops or Pills. More information and options are available at our Best Backpacking Water Filters page.

Leave No Trace

Many of Glacier’s backcountry camping regulations are based on Leave No Trace (LNT) outdoor ethics. LNT tells us that by concentrating impacts, including eating, sleeping, and human waste disposal, we prevent degradation of a broader area. Concentrating impacts essentially creates small pockets of impact and leaves nearly pristine conditions over larger areas.

Passports

Goat Haunt is a U.S.Class B Port of Entry and you will not be allowed to pass through the Goat Haunt Ranger Station without proper documentation, whether you start or end at your backpacking trip in Canada or the United States. You’ll need a valid (and current) passport to take the Waterton Lake Tour Boat in or out of Goat Haunt, Montana. There will be U.S. Customs Agents at the ranger station to make sure you have it, as well as an agent when you arrive to Waterton. If you don’t have the proper documentation, be prepared to head back the direction you came. There is no wiggle room on this.

To learn more about crossing the border during your trip, visit the NPS website addressing details. To learn about ferries in Goat Haunt, visit this website.

Maps & Guidebooks

There are a lot of books on hiking in Glacier National Park, but here are some of our favorites, including some topographical maps we found helpful.

• Hiking Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks – We used this guidebook to plan many of our multi-day backpacking trips in Glacier. This book offers excellent backcountry detail for 59 backcountry hikes in Glacier and Waterton. Each has a line graph showing elevation and distance. Each also has a map of general topographic information.

• National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map- Glacier and Waterton Lakes Natl. Parks – We used these detailed topographical maps for all our backcountry travel in GNP. Compared to other Nat Geo maps, this map didn’t have trail mileage listed, so be sure to write them in prior to your trip.

• The Comprehensive Guide to Day Hikes in Glacier National Park – The first person to hike all of Glacier’s 700+ miles in one summer, this guide to day hikes is comprehensive. This map guide was laid out to help you decide which trails to explore using distance, slope difficulty and the hike/author’s recommendations. Many of these can be strung together to create backpacking trips.

• Moon Glacier National Park Travel Guide – This travel guide is thorough and detailed, providing a vast amount of information on itineraries, hikes, maps, transportation, lodging, campsites, etc. It covers the gamut.

• The 10 Best Hikes in Montana’s Glacier National Park: The Greatest Hikes on Earth Series by Team At 10Adventures and Richard Campbell

• Glacier NPS website – A great resource for planning your trip. They also offer free downloadable maps here.

Backpacking Gear

We prefer lightweight backpacking because it’s more comfortable and it allows us to cover more ground with less effort. For recommendations on our favorite lightweight backpacking equipment, check out the CleverHiker Gear Guide and Top Picks page.

What To Pack

TENT: We used the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3tent on our trips to keep our weight to a minimum and comfort to a maximum. The Copper Spur is one of the top picks on our best lightweight backpacking tents list. 

BACKPACK: We used HMG Southwest 2400 backpacks on all our hikes in Glacier. They’re lightweight, convenient, nearly waterproof, and make our list of the best lightweight backpacking packs. 

SLEEPING BAG: We used the Enlightened Equipment Revelation 10° quilts while backpacking in Glacier with nighttime temps in the lower 50’s. They’re lightweight, warm, and make our list of the best backpacking sleeping bags.

SLEEPING PAD: We used the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite and the Sea to Summit UltraLight Insulated Matsleeping pad on this trip. They’re both light, comfortable, warm, and make our list of the best backpacking sleeping pads.

COOKING SYSTEM: We used the BRS Stove along with our Snow Peak Mini Solo Cookset and Snow Peak Folding Spoon on these trips, all of which make our top picks gear list and best lightweight stove list. 

WATER PURIFIER: We used a SteriPen Ultra as our main purification method for these trips. Check out our best water purifiers list for our other top recommendations.

SHOES OR BOOTS: We wore the Saucony Peregrine 8’s and Brooks Cascadia 13’s on this trail and they were both excellent. If you prefer boots, make sure they’re lightweight and break them in really well before your trip. Here’s why we prefer hiking in trail running shoes: 5 Reasons to Ditch Your Hiking Boots. Also, here’s our top picks for the Best Backpacking Footwear. 

HEADLAMP: A small headlamp like the Petzl Actik is an affordable, bright, and lightweight option.

FOOD: When heading into the backcountry in GNP, you’ll have to carry all your food. Check out our Best Lightweight Backpacking Food Guide and our Best Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals for some of our go-to recommendations.

FOOD STORAGE: Each backcountry campsite in Glacier will have either a bear box or communal bear pole to hang your food and all scented items (toiletries, garbage, etc). If heading into the backcountry, you’ll need to bring at least 25 feet of rope, a food storage bag, and a carabiner in order to hang your food.

BEAR SPRAY: Glacier National Park won’t let you travel into the backcountry without carrying bear spray. We recommend Counter Assault Bear Deterrent Spray. Learn about bear safety and, most importantly, how to use bear spray for the rare case you need to use it.

CLOTHING:

Here are some of our favorite hiking/backpacking clothing items from our Top Gear list. 

• 1 Rain jacket shell – Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow/Rab Kinetic Plus

• 1 Pair of rain pants (check weather) – Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic

• 1 Down jacket – Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody

• 1 Fleece jacket – Extra warmth under your down jacket that will be warmer when damp and better to hike in.

• 1 Pair hiking pants – (we love PrAna Zion Stretch) or running tights

• 1 Pair hiking shorts – Nike dri fit running shorts

• 1-2 Hiking t-shirts – Nike dri fit t-shirts

• 1 Long-sleeve shirt – Nike dri fit quarter zip

• 1-3 Pair underwear – ExOfficio boxer briefs or or ExOfficio women’s briefs

• 2-3 Pair socks (add thin sock liners if using boots) – Balega running socks for warm weather & SmartWool mountaineer socks for snow.

• 1 Pair long john bottoms – long john top optional for nighttime use.

• 1 Warm hat

• 1 Sun hat

• 1 Pair gloves or mittens

MAP &COMPASS:We hiked with the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map- Glacier and Waterton Lakes Natl. Parks and found it to be a good resource (be sure to add in mileage though). In addition, we always hike with a compass and a downloaded GPS app on our phone, like Gaia GPS.

FIRST AID KIT: Always bring a small personalized first aid kit. We use the Ultralight .7 Kit and add extras, like painkillers and personal medications.

SUN PROTECTION: Sunglasses (polarized recommended), sunscreen, and spf lip balm are an absolute must on any backcountry trip, especially this one.

POCKET KNIFE: We brought along a small Swiss Army Knife, which came in handy here and there.

OTHER ITEMS:

• SMALL TOWEL: Nano pack towel is great.

• CASH and ID

• PERMITS

• PERSONAL TOILETRIES

• HAND SANITIZER: Always apply after using a bathroom and before eating.

• WET WIPES: These can be useful for cleaning up after hiking.

• INSECT REPELLANT: At higher elevations insects weren’t a problem for us at all. For lower elevations, a 1oz bottle of DEET or Picaridin will do the trick.

• CAMERA: The Sony RX100 is our go-to camera for lightweight backpacking.

More glacier photos

Final Thoughts

Glacier is without a doubt one of the most spectacular national parks in the United States. We hope this guide helps you plan an awesome, safe, and memorable adventure. As always, please leave us a comment below if you have any recommendations, questions, or suggestions.

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