Glacier National Park is a nature lover’s paradise with crystal-clear lakes, snow-capped peaks, and breathtaking views. My family and I decided to take a road trip from Kansas City to explore this beautiful place on points.

We used Hilton points to stay at Homewood Suites in Kalispell, which turned out to be a great choice. Our room had a separate bedroom and a full kitchen. There is a Target directly behind the Homewood Suites, so it was easy access for groceries.

Tip! When booking Hilton stays, I like to book early to get the lowest points per night possible. I also like to book 4 nights and get the 5th night free, which helps even out the steep points per night cost. When searching, I like to mark that my nights are flexible to see if a different date choice is going to save me points.

Other Lodging Options:

Inside the Park, you can book Lake McDonald Lodge with Chase Ultimate Rewards through the Chase Travel℠, but you will have to plan ahead. Availability fills up quickly!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Marriott Points: Kalispell, MT (Glacier National Park): The Spring Hills Suites and TownePlace Suites are great options, with rooms starting at 40,000 points per night.

Kayaking: One of the highlights of our trip was paddling on Lake McDonald. We brought our inflatable kayaks from home, and it was an incredible experience. The water was so clear and calm, and the surrounding mountains made for a stunning backdrop. It was also a great way to see Glacier from the water. Be sure to get your permit from the ranger station across the road before putting in. You can also rent kayaks here at a really reasonable price.

West Glacier Hikes: We went on some fantastic hikes during our stay. Two other favorites were The Trail of the Cedars (1 mile RT) and Avalanche Lake (6 miles RT), which offered thick forests, clear blue water, and an even more gorgeous backdrop when you get to Avalanche Lake. We also enjoyed hiking the Johns Lake loop (1.9 RT). If we go back when our kids are much older, we want to hike Highline Trail.

East Glacier Hikes: We also took the Two Medicine Lake boat tour on a beautifully restored boat, followed by a hike on the other side. We saw so many mother moose and their calves and learned about the history of the Blackfeet Tribe. Then, we hiked back on Pray Lake Trail. While in this area, we hiked a few trails, and our favorites were Aster Falls (2.8 miles RT) and Twin Falls (2.3 miles RT).

We wrapped up our trip with a night of car camping at St. Mary’s Campground, which my kids loved. It was a great way to get that in-nature experience and appreciate the beauty of the park. If you plan to camp in Glacier, pay attention to the bear safety guidelines before you go to comply and help keep the campgrounds safe.

Another adventure we had during our time in Kalispell was kayaking across Flathead Lake to look for wildlife on the island. It was a cool experience, but it turned out to be a big paddle and took longer than we thought it would. Nonetheless, it was an exciting way to explore the area.

Overall, our trip to Glacier National Park was memorable. We got to explore the park’s stunning natural beauty, challenge ourselves on hikes, and enjoy some exciting water activities. Glacier National Park should be on your must-visit list if you’re planning a trip to Montana.

Cards that made this trip possible:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

We had been traveling extensively this summer, and I needed to offset some of the experience costs, so I used my Capital One Mile to be reimbursed for a few of our TRAVEL-coded expenses.