Enjoying a Glacier National Park family vacation this summer? As parents and long-time residents of Montana, we know a thing or two about exploring Glacier National Park with kids!
Exploring Glacier National Park with Kids: Our Favorite Activities
The best things to do in Glacier National Park with kids:
- Earn Junior Ranger badges!
- Spend the night under the stars and teach them about constellations.
- Drive the Going to the Sun Road and count wildlife.
- Go whitewater rafting on the Flathead River
- Explore new heights with Glacier Highline.
Earn Glacier National Park Junior Ranger Badges
Who said learning can’t be fun? The Junior Ranger Program is a GREAT way to help your kiddos get the most out of their trip to Glacier National Park. In just a few easy steps, your kiddos can earn their badge.
First, you just need to visit the park, so once you enter the gate, the adventure has begun! There are a few ranger stations you can check in at to start step 2. Apgar, Logan Pass, or St. Mary’s are already gonna be on your Glacier to-do list, and this is where you can check in to start step 2.
For step 2, your kiddo will need to attend a ranger-led program or a hike- THESE ARE FAMILY-FRIENDLY! Their monthly activity schedule can be found on their website. After completing the program or hike, they will get a workbook, and the little ranger in training must complete 5 activities from the book.
The book will then need to be turned in at ANY park visitor center, and once the book has been graded, they will receive their ranger badge! This is a great way to learn from the park’s best!! They will learn how to explore, learn, and protect nature and our beautiful piece of paradise!
Spend the Night Under the Stars and Learn About Constellations
We aren’t named Big Sky Country for nothing! The stars at night are wonderful, and what better way to enjoy them than but escaping it all and sleeping under them?! Channel your inner Boy or Girl Scout merit badges and start a bonfire (as long as Smokey the Bear allows) and take in the serenity of the great outdoors. Enjoy that overcooked hot dog or s’more and make memories that last a lifetime. Make sure you pack accordingly, and light layers are best for gear. It’s hot during the day, but the nights chill off. There are many campgrounds within the park and also outside the park gates to enjoy, but spots fill up quickly, so don’t dally and book your spot today!
The views of the sky will give you and your children plenty of opportunities to survey the night sky. This is the perfect opportunity to teach the young ones about constellations and night watching.
Our family loves to get away and enjoy nature. We plan a few annual camping trips each summer. We spend a lot of our time out in or along the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Wanna enjoy it also? Here’s the link to snag a camp spot.
Some of our best childhood memories have been made of family camping adventures. We enjoy making memories with the younger generations, so they have wonderful stories as we do. This is another great way to make Glacier National Park your best family vacation ever. If your child is older and looking for an internship, check out the park’s astronomy volunteer and internship positions.
Drive the Going to the Sun Road and Watch for Wildlife
The name says it all! Going to the Sun Road is a breathtaking experience and a MUST DO in Glacier! There are a few ways to do this, but most drive the windy road way up to the top at Logan’s Pass, then down the other side to see it all. The views and pictures are breathtaking! There are plenty of pull-outs to get out and take in the views. There are multiple trail heads to explore off the Going to the Sun Road, and you can hike up to even more phenomenal spots! If you are planning on hiking, start early. Spots are limited!
Not up for driving the Going to the Sun? Well then, a Red Bus Tour is right up your alley! Enjoy the same views during a guided bus tour. Hop in one of the vintage 1930s buses and enjoy your tour guide as they point out different exhibits, wild flowers, or maybe even some animals along your tour. They have different trips, so you can plan a half-day or full-day tour, whichever best suits your needs! Here’s the link to book a Red Bus tour today!
Our local schools plan a field trip for kids to do our famous Red Bus Tour, which was my first opportunity to experience Glacier this way, and I really enjoyed my time! It was interesting to learn things about the park which I had driven through a million times, just never would have read up or known some of the fun facts our tour guides know!
Man, what doesn’t make this unique? No matter which way you go or how you experience it, there is always something wonderful about the Going to the Sun Road. The views are out of this world, and the endless adventures along the road make it a little different for everyone who travels it. And you never know what you may see on your trip!
Go Whitewater Rafting on the Flathead River
No trip to Glacier is complete without time on the Flathead River. Several outfitters operate near Glacier National Park, offering both scenic floats and thrilling whitewater trips that accommodate a wide range of group sizes and experience levels. Floating the river gives you a unique perspective of Glacier—allowing you to see parts of the park that can only be enjoyed from the water.
Scenic rafting trips are perfect for families with younger children or anyone looking for a relaxed, nature-focused experience. For those craving excitement, whitewater trips feature well-known rapids like Bone Crusher and deliver plenty of adrenaline along the way. No matter which trip you choose, certified guides provide all necessary safety gear, including life jackets and helmets, so you can focus on enjoying the ride.
The experienced guides at Wild River Adventures are known for creating fun, safe, and memorable trips on both the scenic and whitewater stretches of the Flathead River. Interested in fishing? They’re pros at that too, offering guided fly-fishing adventures for all skill levels.
Rafting is truly a Glacier must-do—and Wild River Adventures is a great place to start planning your river experience.
Reach New Heights with Glacier Highline
Harness up and enjoy a day in the trees with us at Glacier Highline! There are over 50 activities on our ropes course. There is plenty of fun to be had on both our 12-foot and 30-foot obstacle courses, including zip-lining, 80’ inflatable obstacle course, and an inflatable waterslide and swimming pond. This zipline and aerial adventure park is the definition of FAMILY FUN!!!
There is plenty of sun and shade for anyone on your family vacation, not looking to be a MT ninja warrior. Glacier Highline has it all! They even offer wonderful coffee drinks, frozen lemonade, and plenty of food from the Tower Grill and coffee shop!
Looking to raft and play at Glacier Highline? Talk to Glacier Highline to book a whitewater rafting and ziplining trip! This is an AWESOME DEAL and saves you 10% on both your Adventure Pass to Glacier Highline and your rafting trip!
Find other things to do in Glacier National Park in our blog.
Hours of Fun for the Whole Family!
From a recent customer:
“Our family loves Glacier Highline! Between swinging from one obstacle to the next, running through the inflatable obstacle course or splashing into the swimming pond we always have a GREAT TIME!”
Are you completely famished from all the activities around Glacier National Park and desperately need a bite to eat? Check out our blog post with our favorite places to eat in Glacier National Park!