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alpine starter trip

Glacier, Going-to-the-Sun

Hanging valleys, glacial lakes, grizzly country. Five nights east-side and west-side.

MT 5 nights tent couple summit views, wildlife, solitude

Pick your dates

We'll match this trip's vibe against live campsite, trail, fire and weather data and return a real itinerary you can save.

What the trip looks like

Day 1, west side base

Roll in to Apgar or Fish Creek, sunset at Lake McDonald.

Camp
Apgar or Fish Creek on the west side.
Trails
  • Trail of the Cedars (1 mi loop)
  • Apgar Lookout (7.2 mi RT)
Activities
lake setup, sunset paddle, bear hang

Day 2, Avalanche Lake

Drive Going-to-the-Sun a short way, hike to Avalanche Lake, afternoon rest at camp.

Camp
Same site.
Trails
  • Avalanche Lake (5.9 mi RT)
  • Hidden Lake Overlook (2.7 mi RT)
Activities
waterfall hike, alpine lake swim, wildlife scan

Day 3, drive the Sun

Going-to-the-Sun road over Logan Pass, drop down to St. Mary's on the east side, relocate camp.

Camp
St. Mary or Rising Sun on the east side.
Trails
  • Logan Pass to Hidden Lake (2.7 mi RT)
  • St. Mary Falls (1.6 mi RT)
Activities
scenic drive, pass-top hike, camp relocation

Day 4, Many Glacier

Drive to Many Glacier, hike Grinnell Glacier or Iceberg Lake, dinner at the Many Glacier Hotel deck.

Camp
Stay east side.
Trails
  • Grinnell Glacier (11 mi RT)
  • Iceberg Lake (9.7 mi RT)
Activities
big-day hike, alpine lake, hotel dinner

Day 5, head home

Two Medicine for a short final hike, then drive home.

Camp
Pack out morning.
Trails
  • Running Eagle Falls (0.6 mi RT)
  • Aster Park overlook (3.6 mi RT)
Activities
short hike, lunch on the shore, drive home

Day-by-day notes are curated starting points. Once you pick dates, Ranger pulls live availability, current trail conditions, active fire perimeters near the route, and a 7-day forecast at your anchor.

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