50 Best Trails in Glacier National Park - Great for hike planning

This is an update based on youtube comments. If you're new to the park, this video describes each of the park's areas including, Lake McDonald and North Fork including, Polebridge, Logan Pass and St. Mary, Many Glacier, Two Medicine and Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. Trail lengths and maps are included as well as east and difficult ratings. I also mention which trails are my favorites.
0:00 Start / Park Overview
03:09 Lake McDonald Area
06:58 St. Mary and Logan Pass
21:32 Many Glacier- My favorite part of the park
45:20 Two Medicine Area and East Glacier
52:05 North Fork and Goat Haunt
56:22 Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada
01:01:22 Sample Itinerary and Trip Plan for a 1 week stay
Excuse the typo about an hour in.

[@laurieknapp5264]

Thanks so much for the videos! If I happen to run into you while I’m at Glacier this summer, I want to shake your hand and buy you a beer. Most helpful resource I’ve found, because the trail guides and websites for GNP are really hard to sort out if you’re new to it all.

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks! Nice to hear this video helps folks- it doesn't get a lot of views for some reason. I hope I get to go this year, but Everything in the park is booked solid. FYI, the park in the last few days the park announced there is a special Ticket required to drive into the park. There is lots of construction in and around the park this year and they want to reduce thru traffic. Check with the web site for details. BTW- I was there in October and made a video showing off the Sun Road at peak Fall. Also, I'm currently editing the 2021 version of my Hiker's national park video.

[@GeraldMabry1970]

This is by far the best produced hiking video about Glacier, it has enhanced my visit 10 fold! You sir, are a god.

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks. it was a lot of work

[@marsenstudio2208]

Thank you much!!! Heading out in the morning to complete our MT adventure of a lifetime!

[@TheWestisBig]

thanks

[@markpag1117]

The West is Big is literally my favorite hiking youtuber. His videos are are informative and very well produced. Thanks for your vids TWIB!

[@TheWestisBig]

You’re welcome. Btw- I hope “TWIB!” becomes a thing. This is the third time I’ve seen it used

[@stevehogg3296]

Watched your video because I miss hiking which is not going to happen this year. My son and I did the Pitimaken Pass / Dawson Pass loop in 2016. With a couple of add ons, it was 20 miles. We left early in the morning and were back by mid afternoon. It's beyond words but if you had to choose one - spectacular. It's a lifetime experience.

[@disgruntl3dv3t]

My family and I will be moving to Montana soon. Thank you for these wonderful videos!

[@TheWestisBig]

thanks!! lucky family

[@LittleOrla]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@TheWestisBig]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MarkH163]

Great video! Always enjoy your Glacier NP videos and they are so well done! Would like to make it out there this year, see how things go. Thanks again!

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks! I’m hoping to get there in Sept.

[@nancyw.4515]

Great video. You put a lot of work and passion into it. I have been to Glacier twice before the pandemic and i hope to get back this summer. Campgrounds are booked. Highline trail, ptarmigan and iceberg, grinnell glacier, siyeh pass, Dawson pass, all extremely beautiful hikes. Would like to do Pitamakan pass and swiftcurrent lookout this time. What do you think about the dragons tail? Have you done it? One suggestion: try Gunsight lake again, in good weather and hike a bit further. I made it about half way up to the pass. The color of the lake changes from the moment you go higher. The scenery, just amazing. This hike surprised me in a positive way. Glacier has become one of my favourite Parks in your beautiful country. I will definitely look at your other videos. Again, great job. I loved it.

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks ! Yes Glacier is my fave park and I've been to most of them. BTW- please subscribe. Sounds like a big time itinerary- you must be in great shape. I've never done the Dragons tail. Weather and conditions do play a big role on how good a trail is- including the overcrowding issue.

[@dwightdimartino9679]

We are planning our first trip to Glacier this summer and your videos are wonderful your guidance much appreciated! Thank you 🙏

[@hort1horton332]

Thanks for the great guide! I'm going for my first time, via bike, from July 4th to the 10th. If anyone's going to be there, let me know! Looking for hiking buddies :)

[@TheWestisBig]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matthewzanetos9316]

Just watched your first glacier video yesterday! Love your videos! Your videos have helped me so much while planning my trip!

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks! That's why I make them

[@jeffreyxxx6176]

NIce job as always. Keep up the good work!!

[@TheWestisBig]

thanks

[@VuNguyen-nu4iw]

Great vidoe! thanks so much for sharing

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks

[@StarrDaniel]

Great video! Can’t wait to go on some hikes!

[@TheWestisBig]

Us too!

[@michaelw1987]

This was so well done sir I really appreciate it. Me and a few buddies will be heading out to glacier in late May this year and this was incredibly helpful. Any specific advice for spring time? We’re hoping the going to the sun road will open up early this year but if not we’re prepared to rent some bikes and see what we can. Thank you again

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks! It's unlikely the Sun Road will be open in May. They have a lot more snow than usual this year. Check Snowtel Flattop mountain for details The good news is it won't be crowded. FYI- many trails will be closed as well. Check the Park's trail status page for up to date details.

[@soniamariadefigueiredofern8971]

This trip is for expart in montain climbing!, but to watch in vídeos for me is nice!🙂 Heloisa

[@TheWestisBig]

Glad you like them even though you're not hiker. The trails are not all difficult.

[@soniamariadefigueiredofern8971]

I apreciated your courage and of them in the trips!! Greats adventures with some scared, but with union in the group everything goes well Congratulations for excelents records! I enjoyed very much 👏👏👏 Heloisa, from BRAZIL

[@soniamariadefigueiredofern8971]

The structure is really nice too, it is very important like know the place and climate very well , with the map and good health check up, and of course a good advisor as you are! Congratulations again! Heloisa

[@TheWestisBig]

Thank you Heloisa, I hope to visit your country one day maybe for an F1 Race. Thanks for watching.

[@soniamariadefigueiredofern8971]

@@TheWestisBig Will be welcome! Just wait for a save travel condition and enjoy a lot ! It's a great event you want to visit , but enjoy the places where nature is apreciated here!!! Thank you for enjoy my country!!!🙏🙂 I really apreciate very much my country even through i love to travel and meet others , in first USA, for personal reasons and for apreciate many places of your country!!!🙂 Hugs, Heloisa

[@derbywinner5423]

Do you think early October is too late to visit the park? I had been watching your videos and I want to thank you for your help and information of it. 👍

[@TheWestisBig]

I’ve always wanted to go there at that time, the trees should be close to full color by then. The shuttles and other transport are not generally available then. Also, the Park Lodges are closed around then. Weather could close the sun road. But for photography I think it would be great!! Trails Uncrowded too. Bear activity might be high. It seems like a great time to go if you don’t need too many park services.

[@derbywinner5423]

The West is Big! Travel Guides thank you for your help

[@soniamariadefigueiredofern8971]

❤🌠🌠Wonderful!!HELÔ

[@lindagrant3232]

Only a small part of the outside North Fork road is paved. The pastries and stuffed hot sandwiches at the Merc are wonderful. Although you should always check beforehand, I never had trouble taking bear spray into Canada, but they do not allow mace products.

[@TheWestisBig]

Interesting, you were able to bring your pepper spray in. Each time after I mention mine they made me leave it and the border crossing.

[@lindagrant3232]

Maybe they have changed in the 5 years since I worked in GNP. But each of the 7 years I was there I crossed into Canada to hike and always had bear spray. As long as it was one of the recognized brands they were fine. They did not allow the ones intended for humans like the small self defense mace containers. But I did check what was allowed before going since they might change the rules at any time!

[@lindagrant3232]

Memoradum d19-13-2, at #20, says bear spray is allowed if it meets their criteria (Canada Border Services Agency). Maybe it would help if you had a copy. It may apply just for auto travel and you cannot leave it in Canada.

[@TheWestisBig]

Interesting and great, the Swiftcurrent camp store must have started stocking spray that was approved by Canada. I'm working on the 2020 update and I will include this info.

[@kayzeaza]

1:01:25 I think you mean ‘know your limits’ not ‘no your limits’ anyway great video and great information!!

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks for letting me know where this error is- and for being nice about it. Others haven’t been and didnt tell me where it was. Once i deleted the wrong upload of the video. now i can delete and replace. thanks

[@CheckThisOut77]

Give us info on: You. Age, shape, do you do workouts to prepare.

[@heidipeterson8582]

I tried to print the five maps but that option was not available. Can you give me a hint on what maps are the best?

[@TheWestisBig]

www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/hikingthetrails.htm download the pdf s and then print them

[@jamiealdrich439]

I Love St Marty Lake

[@TheWestisBig]

It’s St. Mary

[@lillianlee940]

Hello dear, i am a outdoor products seller, could i ask you to make video for our products?I can sponsor you our products for free.

[@TheWestisBig]

What type of products would like me to make videos about? Leave you email address and let's talk.

[@lillianlee940]

@@TheWestisBig [e-mail] . Thank you for your reply and this is my email address.Let's talk there.