Glacier National Park is one of those places that does not feel real when you are standing in it. Crystal-clear lakes with water so transparent you can see rainbow-colored stones ten feet below the surface. Mountains that rise straight from the shoreline. Wildlife around every corner. And almost no cell service, which turns out to be one of its best features.

Our family drove from Kansas City to explore Glacier on points and it remains one of our favorite family trips. Here is everything we did and how you can do it for nearly free.

How to Book Lodging at Glacier National Park on Points

Glacier is a plan-ahead park. The in-park lodging portfolio is operated by two concessionaires and lodging fills up nearly a year in advance. Families are caught off guard by this every single summer. The habit to build: the moment you pick Glacier for summer, set a reminder for the 12-month booking window and grab your room the day it opens.

Staying in Kalispell on Hilton Points

We used Hilton points to stay at the Homewood Suites in Kalispell, which was a great choice for families. Our room had a separate bedroom and a full kitchen. There is a Target directly behind the property which made grocery runs easy. When booking any Hilton stay on points, look for four-night stays and take advantage of the fifth night free benefit — it offsets the points cost significantly. Marking your nights as flexible in the search also helps you find lower points rates.

Other Marriott options near Kalispell: Glacier Park Collection by Pursuit operates properties at the park boundary and in nearby towns. The SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites in Kalispell are both bookable on Marriott Bonvoy points starting around 40,000 points per night and are solid family options.

Staying in Kalispell on Marriott Points

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.

Another Move: Staying Inside the Park on Points

This is what I would do differently if we went back. Glacier National Park Lodges, operated by Xanterra, manages Many Glacier Hotel, Lake McDonald Lodge, Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins, and Village Inn at Apgar. These properties are bookable through a flexible travel portal using points — meaning the same flexible points you earn on everyday spending can cover a night inside one of the most beautiful national parks in America.

Lake McDonald Lodge is located 10 miles inside Glacier’s west entrance on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, nestled on the shores of the largest lake inside the park. Built in 1913, this historic lodge has a picturesque location on the eastern shore of Lake McDonald with 82 guest rooms split between the three-story main lodge, a row of cabins, Snyder Hall, and the Cobb House.

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn puts you at the gateway to Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake Trails and is significantly more affordable than Many Glacier Hotel just down the road.

Rising Sun Motor Inn and Cabins is conveniently located near St. Mary Lake, surrounded by peaks.

In a park that covers over a million acres, where you sleep changes your entire experience. Staying inside the park means you are out at dawn when the wildlife is moving and the light on the mountains is extraordinary — not driving 45 minutes from Kalispell.

Kayaking Lake McDonald

One of the highlights of the entire trip. Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park and offers guests a picturesque setting and iconic location. The water is so clear and calm you can see the famous rainbow-colored stones ten feet below your kayak and the mountains come straight down to the shoreline on every side.

We brought our own inflatable kayaks from home. Before putting in, get your permit from the ranger station across the road — it is quick and easy. You can also rent kayaks directly at the lake at a very reasonable price through Glacier Park Boats.

Budget a full morning on the lake. You will not want to leave.

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Glacier National Park Boat Tours: What to Know for Families

Glacier Park Boat Company is the only company authorized to offer boat tours in Glacier and has been navigating these lakes since 1938. The tour boats were all built between 1927 and 1970 and each one has its own character and charm. Children under 4 ride free on every tour and prices start at $20.85 for adults. Book in advance at reserve.glacierparkboats.com — these sell out.

Lake McDonald Boat Tour

The classic. The Lake McDonald tour is the only wheelchair-accessible tour and the only one with an evening departure at 7:00 PM. The historic wooden boat glides across the park’s largest lake with the lodge and the mountains as your backdrop. Perfect for families with younger kids.

Two Medicine Lake Boat Tour — Our Favorite

Two Medicine is the least expensive tour at $20.85 for adults and the best value for families. Climb aboard the Sinopah, built in 1926 and the oldest wooden boat in the fleet. As you cruise across Two Medicine Lake you will be treated to breathtaking views of Sinopah and Rising Wolf Mountains while your guide shares stories about the cultural significance of the Blackfeet tribal history in the area.

The guided hike from Two Medicine goes to Twin Falls — a cool double waterfall with pools you can dip your feet in, an easy 1.8 miles round trip from the boat. This is one of the best family activities in the entire park. We saw mother moose and their calves and the hike back on Pray Lake Trail is beautiful. Do not skip this one.

Many Glacier Boat Tour — Best Wildlife Viewing

Many Glacier visits two lakes — Swiftcurrent and Josephine — and has the best wildlife viewing of any tour. Grizzlies, moose, and mountain goats are frequently spotted. Your journey begins at the historic Many Glacier Hotel nestled on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake. The optional guided hike to Grinnell Lake is 1.8 miles round trip from the boat and leads to stunning turquoise water fed by glacier meltwater. Note that Many Glacier requires a steep 0.2-mile portage walk between the two lakes so factor that in if you have very young children.

St. Mary Lake Boat Tour

Dramatic and glacier-carved, this tour leaves from the Rising Sun Boat Dock and offers some of the most striking eastern-side scenery in the park. The optional hike to St. Mary Falls is available in July and August.

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Family-Friendly Hikes in Glacier National Park

West Side — near Lake McDonald Lodge

Trail of the Cedars — 1 mile round trip, completely flat boardwalk through an old-growth cedar and hemlock forest. One of the most accessible hikes in the park and suitable for any age.

Avalanche Lake — 6 miles round trip, moderate, follows the Trail of the Cedars and then climbs through thick forest to a stunning alpine lake with waterfalls cascading down the surrounding cliffs. One of the best hikes in the park for families who want a payoff view.

Johns Lake Loop — 1.9 miles round trip, easy, beautiful and often overlooked.

Highline Trail — on the bucket list for when our kids are older. One of the most famous hikes in all of the national parks.

East Side — near Two Medicine and Many Glacier

Aster Falls — 2.8 miles round trip, easy to moderate, beautiful waterfall destination in the Two Medicine area.

Twin Falls — 2.3 miles round trip, easy, even better when combined with the Two Medicine boat tour.

Pray Lake Trail — the hike back from Twin Falls, flat and scenic.

Grinnell Lake — 1.8 miles round trip from the Many Glacier boat dock, turquoise water, moderate, one of the most beautiful short hikes in the park.

Grinnell Glacier — strenuous, one of Glacier’s iconic hikes with close-up views of a retreating glacier. The boat ride cuts approximately 3.4 miles of hiking each way.

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Going to the Sun Road

Good news for 2026 planning: the Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation system has been eliminated entirely for 2026 making driving access significantly easier than in recent years. The road is one of the most spectacular drives in America — 50 miles crossing the Continental Divide through the heart of the park. Pull over at every turnout. Bring layers regardless of the temperature in the valley.

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Camping at St. Mary’s

We wrapped up the trip with a night of car camping at St. Mary Campground and our kids loved it. If you plan to camp in Glacier, read the bear safety guidelines before you go. This is grizzly country.

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Flathead Lake

One more adventure worth mentioning: we kayaked across Flathead Lake to look for wildlife on the island. It turned out to be a much longer paddle than we expected so go in knowing it is a commitment. An exciting way to explore the area beyond the park.

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Final Thought

Glacier is one of the most spectacular national parks in America and it is genuinely accessible on points. The key is planning early — lodging and boat tours both fill up months in advance. Set those reminders, book the moment the window opens, and consider staying inside the park on a flexible travel portal so you wake up inside the wilderness instead of commuting to it.