In June 2017, Justin and I embarked on a three-week Montana adventure that included visits to Bozeman and Missoula since we were thinking of moving up there. While there we knew we had to go to Glacier National Park because I love national parks and heard this one was beautiful.
We settled into a cozy cabin within the park for two nights, giving us two and a half days to explore this stunning landscape. What we experienced exceeded every expectation.
This post talks about:
Going-to-the-Sun Road: A Drive Like No Other
Our first day was dedicated to the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, and it’s easy to see why this 50-mile route is considered one of the most spectacular drives in America. This engineering marvel, completed in 1932, winds through the heart of Glacier National Park, crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. What makes this road truly remarkable is the dramatic transformation of the landscape as you ascend—you’re essentially driving through multiple ecosystems in a single journey.
We started the day in summer attire at lower elevations, but by the time we reached the top, we were bundling up in layers. The temperature drop was significant, but the views were worth every chilly moment. The sky was brilliantly blue that day, creating a stunning contrast against the green hills that seemed to stretch endlessly before us. Waterfalls cascaded down the mountainsides, visible both from the road and from various overlooks we stopped at along the way. We’ve always had a soft spot for waterfalls, and Glacier didn’t disappoint.
One of the highlights of the day came at a pristine lake where the water was so still and clear that we could see rocks beneath the surface near the shore. The water itself was an almost surreal turquoise—the kind of color that photographs can’t quite capture. It was absolutely breathtaking.
The day held one more surprise for us. We’d spent hours scanning the landscape for bighorn sheep with no luck. Then, at one of the overlooks, we pulled into the parking lot and there it was—a bighorn sheep, casually hanging out right where we’d parked. After all that searching, we found one in a parking lot! As it turned out, this was just the beginning. Over the following days, we encountered many more of these magnificent animals.
A Ranger-Led Hike and Bear Encounters
The second day brought a new adventure: a morning hike with a park ranger. We joined a large group of about 25 people for what turned out to be a long trek to a remote lake. The ranger’s knowledge added so much to the experience, pointing out details about the ecosystem and wildlife that we would have missed on our own. The trail climbed enough that we ended up on a small patch of snow, and some ice still in the lake.
The return journey, however, gave us more excitement than we’d bargained for. There was bear activity on the trail, and while my heart rate definitely increased, being part of a large group with a ranger nearby provided some comfort. This was my first experience being this close to bears in the wild, and it was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. The ranger explained differences in the bears (grizzly, black, brown) both their personalities and appearance. Grizzlies have a prominent hump, “dished” face, and rounded ears and have longer, straighter claws for digging. Black bears have no hump, a straighter face, and taller, pointed ears and shorter, curvier claws. Both these bears are prominent in Glacier NP – around 300 grizzlies and 600 black bears. She said when she hikes, and she had us do it, when you feel uncomfortable or when you want to let the bears know you are around, just keep repeating “Helllloooo Bear”.
Our Solo Hike: Beauty Tinged with Anxiety
On our third day, before leaving the park, we decided to tackle a hike on our own. We’d purchased bear spray—hoping we wouldn’t need it—and set out into an area that was lush and dense, painted in shades of green and yellow. The landscape was gorgeous, but I’ll be honest: knowing that bears were all around us made it difficult to fully relax and enjoy the surroundings. Every rustling sound made us pause and listen.
Wildlife and Wildflowers
Despite—or perhaps because of—my heightened awareness, we were fortunate to spot numerous bears during our stay, including several with their cubs. We also saw mountain goats navigating the steep terrain with remarkable agility, and of course, those bighorn sheep that had eluded us on day one. Being early June, we were also treated to quite a display of wildflowers already in bloom, adding splashes of color to the already stunning landscape.
Overall Thoughts
Glacier National Park lived up to its reputation and then some. The combination of dramatic mountain scenery, pristine lakes, abundant wildlife, and the unforgettable Going-to-the-Sun Road made this a truly memorable part of our Montana adventure. While the bear encounters kept my adrenaline pumping, they were also a reminder that we were visitors in a wild and magnificent place—one that I’d recommend to anyone seeking natural beauty and a genuine wilderness experience.