Do you want to experience the best of two national parks in this epic 5-day itinerary that takes you from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone? This adventure-filled trip highlights the important details and guides you through two days in each park.
These are two national parks that have many bucket-list wonders for travelers. From the geothermal wonders in Yellowstone Park to the stunning glacial lakes of Glacier National Park, these iconic national parks are located approximately 400 miles apart, making them some of the most scenic parks in America.
This itinerary gives you the opportunity to explore two parks each day, plus a bonus day to learn how to get to Yellowstone National Park from Glacier National Park.
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Glacier National Park is often referred to as the “Jewel of the Continent,” and it is home to epic hiking trails spanning over 700 miles. The park boasts an abundance of wildlife, as well as stunning milky blue lakes and over 35 glaciers. Located in northwestern Montana, this park sits on the border of the US and Canada.
It’s a one-of-a-kind park in the making, housing geothermal features and geysers from all over the world. Yellowstone was the first national park established in the world, back in 1872.
The ideal road trip destination is a glacier that crosses over into Montana and Idaho, but primarily sits in northwest Wyoming, which is also where Yellowstone is located.
Psst! We have complete guides to both Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park on our sister site.
Glacier National Park to Yellowstone Itinerary Overview
This 5-day itinerary in Glacier begins with two thrilling days of hiking. Day 2 features a full-day hike, while Day 1 includes multiple shorter hikes.
The 3-day itinerary is not just a journey or a meal to enjoy in different towns, but also a fun way to see plenty of sights along the way. Let’s not miss out on exploring all the sights along the route.
You’ll enjoy the highlights at one of the country’s most iconic national parks on Day 4 and 5, spent in Yellowstone National Park during these slightly more relaxed days.
Note: If you prefer to start from Yellowstone, simply do the itinerary in reverse and end in Glacier.
How much time do I need in Glacier National Park?
With Glacier’s expansive 1 million-plus acres and numerous lakes, the longer you stay, the greater opportunity you have to discover and investigate, similar to most other national parks.
While you can definitely enjoy a shorter visit to Glacier National Park, it is even better to explore the national park for a week to truly carve out the most of their lives.
We still have a few days left to check out Yellowstone, so you can maximize your time and see the park’s highlights on our two-day itinerary!
How much time do I need in Yellowstone National Park?
To acquire a flavor, two days is undoubtedly sufficient. Nevertheless, the scenario is comparable where additional time is preferable, encompassing over 2 million acres, Yellowstone is more than twice the magnitude of Glacier.
Best time to visit. to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks?
Generally, the optimal periods to explore Glacier and Yellowstone are during the summer and early autumn (from June to early October).
The weather is mostly pleasant and everything is easily accessible and open during the peak summer season. However, both campsites (including accommodations) and parks can become extremely crowded, so it is advisable to book in advance.
Roads, including parks, are often closed between October and May – sometimes even into June (or July, in Glacier!). Both major and dicey sections can be affected by unpredictable weather, but fall and spring can still be enjoyable.
Early October and September are fantastic, with the parks’ roads all open and the weather gorgeous. It’s a great time for wildlife viewing, as the summer crowds have disappeared.
During the winter season, there are restrictions on accessibility and limited availability of services/facilities in both parks. However, the enchantment of winter can be experienced in both parks. This is particularly true because you can evade the overwhelming number of visitors, making Yellowstone one of the finest national parks to explore in winter if you don’t intend to engage in hiking activities.
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Things to know before visiting
America the Beautiful annual park pass
If you are planning to visit the national parks in the United States, particularly Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, we highly encourage you to consider getting an annual park pass instead of paying the expensive fee of $35 per vehicle upon entry to the national parks.
In addition, the Beautiful America pass allows you to access all the recreational and historical natural sites across the United States. You can purchase this pass for just $80 per year, and it covers entrance to over 2,000 national parks, granting you free access.
If you still need convincing, please refer to our article: Annual Pass for National Parks: Is it Worth the Cost? + How to Buy.
And now, with all that information aside, let’s dive into the enjoyable section!
Day 1 | Glacier National Park
Although Glacier has several entrances, we recommend starting at West Glacier for first-timers. Here, you will find some of the most popular sites and trails, along with additional amenities and services.
Lake Mcdonald + Apgar Village
The park showcases breathtaking scenery and sparkling lakes, with larger-than-life snow-capped mountains. McDonald Lake is the first stop from the West entrance of Glacier, and it is also one of the best viewpoints to access Glacier’s stunning views.
In the summer, you can opt to hire kayaks or paddle boards, or go for a lake excursion. Enjoy the picturesque scenery, particularly during the early morning or evening, and venture onto the serene waters.
Prior to embarking on your journey, explore the stores and enjoy a cup of coffee in Apgar Village.
Going-To-The-Sun Road
The road known as GTTSR spans 50 miles, crossing the Continental Divide and providing countless breathtaking moments. It stretches from Mary St. To Apgar, traversing the park and leaving viewers in awe.
When planning your visit, please keep in mind that the road is closed from early July to mid-October. Although it can easily be a full day trip, driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road without stopping takes approximately two hours.
Hike the Trail of the Cedars to Avalanche Lake
If you’re up for it, hike the complete 5.9-mile trail to Avalanche Lake. The Cedars Trail, located near Apgar, is a relatively easy and flat 0.7-mile hike that offers spectacular scenery as it passes through.
Psst! This is one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park. Check out our article to see the rest!
Hike to Hidden Lake at Logan Pass
The drive from West Glacier to Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road is truly spectacular. Crossing the Continental Divide, GTTSR offers breathtaking views that you would definitely anticipate.
If you’re up for a challenge, make your way to the lake, and the viewpoint is a relaxed walk. Take a hike to Hidden Lake Overlook, which is approximately a 3-mile round-trip when you arrive.
Occasionally, the trail beyond Hidden Lake temporarily closes, which is often frequented by mountain goats and grizzly bears. It is advisable to plan your visit either early or late in the day, as parking at Logan Pass can be a significant challenge.
Don’t forget to bring your bear spray for hiking in this park!
Wild Goose Island
Delight in the awe-inspiring scenery and just take a break at this small and delightful rest area close to St. Mary, which is one of the most captured locations in the park.
St. Mary
St. Mary is a brief stop. Enjoy a late lunch or have a picnic before continuing westward on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Traveling from one side to the other, take note of the varying perspectives and make sure to visit any scenic viewpoints that catch your interest on your return journey.
Day 2 | Glacier National Park
Two Day is considered one of the toughest yet most rewarding hikes in Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, suggesting both options include widely considered some of the best all-day trails in this park.
Option 1: Highline Trail
Reserve a parking space to depart early, the trail commences at Logan Pass. The Highline Trail is unparalleled for enthusiastic trekkers.
We recommend taking several different routes to break up the 15-mile hike up from Logan Pass to Granite Chalet and back. If you’re up for it, you can also take a detour to Glacier Overlook or Grinnell Overlook, which will add an additional two steep miles and offer a breathtaking view.
Along the way, you will have plenty of miles of breathtaking non-stop views. The Highline is not terribly difficult or technical, but it is long.
Option 2: Many Glacier Hike
Many visitors to Glacier National Park choose the Highline as an alternative, as it is not as easily accessible as other areas but still offers impressive views.
This location serves as the starting point for a number of renowned hikes, including Grinnell Glacier (10.6 miles), Cracker Lake (12 miles), and Iceberg Lake (9.3 miles).
After trekking, return to your accommodation and relax for the upcoming road journey tomorrow!
Day 3 | Road trip
After two busy days in Glacier, there are several route options for getting from Yellowstone National Park to Glacier — all equally fantastic and offering never-ending views and plenty of interesting stops. Today, one should be relaxed.
We highly recommend visiting Yellowstone, as it is the biggest and most captivating national park. It is known for its incredible highlights and offers the greatest concentration of natural wonders in the West. We suggest allocating two days for your visit.
When organizing your journey, remember that West Yellowstone is not reachable for a period of 5-6 months annually.
Flathead Lake & Big Fork
Trout fishing is also a well-liked activity. The scenery is simply delightful, perfect for paddling, swimming, or just stopping by to enjoy. Lake Flathead is absolutely breathtaking.
Numerous breweries and relaxed eateries and pubs are scattered along the lakeside, and the town of Kalispell is also worth a visit.
Missoula
Missoula is a fantastic city that combines the ruggedness of Montana with several historic areas, galleries, and museums, making it a great destination for history and art enthusiasts.
There are frequent outdoor events and farmers’ markets during the summer. Downtown is full of quirky boutiques and wineries, and the University of Montana is also located here.
Butte
Within the city, there are numerous mine excursions, and the World Museum of Mining is definitely worth a visit. Butte gives off a nostalgic vibe, resembling a time portal to a bygone era, as it is a historic mining town with strong historical ties.
Big Sky
The Sky Big town resort, located about an hour west of Yellowstone National Park, offers a variety of recreational activities for all seasons, including winter sports, biking, horseback riding, rafting, and hiking (make sure to visit Ousel Falls!).
Day 4 | Yellowstone National Park
Start as soon as you can and sustain yourselves with snacks. Traffic can be exasperating and Yellowstone’s Grand Loop becomes highly congested, particularly during the summer.
Old Faithful
The Old Faithful, one of Yellowstone’s most famous attractions, draws huge crowds who are trying to catch a glimpse of the high 100-foot eruptions.
Faithful Old will erupt again at 91 minutes, meaning the eruptions will be longer or 2.5 minutes. If it depends on the previous eruption, the next eruption should be at 65 minutes. Interestingly, Faithful Old erupts on a very predictable schedule every 60-90 minutes.
In order to avoid some of the crowds and gain a different viewpoint of the volcanic eruption, you can hike to Observation Point, which spans a total distance of 1.5 miles (roundtrip).
Upper Geyser Basin
This is the part of Yellowstone that is the busiest and has the highest concentration of geothermal features and geysers in the world. Next, take an easy hike to Upper Basin Geyser.
You can take a 1.4-mile walk along the boardwalk to reach the colorful pools, hot springs, and otherworldly geysers of Old Faithful in Pool Glory Morning.
Biscuit Basin
If you’re feeling determined, go for a brief drive or trek the 2.2-mile (one-way) Artemisia Trail. Housing numerous vibrant pools and geysers, Biscuit Basin is only a few minutes away, considerably more peaceful.
Please refrain from straying from the designated boardwalk area, however, keep in mind that you have the opportunity to approach the geysers in Biscuit Basin at a much closer distance. Take pleasure in the vibrant hues and absence of large groups of people as you stroll along the 0.6-mile boardwalk.
Grand Prismatic Spring
It’s the third-largest geothermal spring in the world! End your first day in Yellowstone at one of the park’s stunners, Grand Prismatic Spring.
Eyes own your with place this see to HAVE; words with explained or photos in captured be’t can colors vibrant spring’s The.
A great way to end the day is by taking a leisurely hike of 1.6 miles roundtrip, gaining an elevation of 135 feet. This is considered one of the best hikes in Yellowstone. Start by heading to the Prismatic Grand Overlook, where you can enjoy an unparalleled view. You can also see the magnificent Prismatic Grand from the well-maintained boardwalk.
Day 5 | Yellowstone National Park
If feasible, commence prior to sunrise. So early, these regions become exceedingly congested once more. Two astonishing destinations comprise the concluding day of your journey from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Carved by the Yellowstone River, this breathtaking geological gem spans over 20 miles and plunges to depths of up to 1,200 feet.
Fascinating trivia: The golden walls of the gorge are thought to be the cause behind the river’s name (and subsequently, the park’s).
To begin, make your way to the renowned Artist’s Point, which is just a brief stroll away from the parking area along the southern edge. Once you have appreciated the panoramic vistas of Lower Falls, proceed by descending to the Brink of the Lower Falls. This path is relatively short and predominantly paved, although it does involve a steep ascent.
Stop at the next Lookout Point for another perspective of the waterfalls, and don’t forget to take a last glance at Point Inspiration before continuing your journey.
Another choice is trekking the 3.2 miles from Inspiration Point to Yellowstone Falls (or vice-versa) along the edge of the canyon.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs, located northeast on Route 89 toward Gardiner, is an exceptionally distinctive and one of the most expansive geyser basins within the park, making it the ultimate stop in Yellowstone.
Many geysers connect along the 1.75-mile boardwalk, offering a unique experience to all visitors. The geysers in this area are like stepped terraces, covered in beautiful white snow.
What to bring. for your Glacier National Park to Yellowstone itinerary
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Did you have the opportunity to visit Yellowstone National Park or Glacier National Park? How was your experience? Have you ever been to either of these parks before? We would love to hear your thoughts.