If you’re craving fresh mountain air, wide open scenery, and a trip that is like a true escape, Missoula is the perfect place to start. Missoula to Glacier National Park is one of the most unforgettable road trips you can take in Montana, and it begins in a town that makes it easy to relax and actually enjoy your time away. Missoula is lively without being hectic, outdoorsy without being overly rugged, and full of personality, with a river running through town, mountain views in every direction, and an easygoing downtown packed with great food, breweries, and local shops.
While there are plenty of things to do in Missoula, one experience stands above the rest: visiting Glacier National Park. Glacier is one of the most famous National Parks in Montana, known for dramatic peaks, icy blue lakes, wildlife sightings, and legendary scenic drives. It’s one of the most visually stunning places in the country. From unforgettable overlooks to iconic routes like Going to the Sun Road, Glacier is packed with bucket-list-worthy stops that make it a must for travelers planning a Montana vacation.
If you’re looking for the ultimate place to relax before and after your adventure from Missoula to Glacier National Park, our Bed and Breakfast in Montana is it. With five cozy guest suites, warm, personalized hospitality, and a hearty homemade breakfast to start your day, we’ll make your trip special from the moment you arrive. Our lodge sits on 20 private acres of forested land, overlooking the Bitterroot River and the Missoula Valley, offering a peaceful retreat that keeps you close to town. When you’re planning a day trip to Glacier, this is exactly where to stay in Missoula, MT, for comfort, convenience, and a true Montana experience. Book your stay today!
A Guide to Glacier National Park
Some fun facts about Glacier National Park are that it’s one of the crown jewels of the country, officially established as a national park in 1910, and long before that, the area was home to Indigenous tribes, including the Blackfeet, Salish, and Kootenai, who lived with the landscape for generations and still have deep cultural ties to it today.
The park became famous for its dramatic mountain scenery carved by glaciers over thousands of years, and it quickly gained attention as a place that looked almost too epic to be real. Glacier National Park is home to Triple Divide Peak, a unique geological spot where water flows into three different oceans—the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic (via Hudson Bay). Today, it’s known for turquoise lakes, towering peaks, and abundant wildlife.
Where is Glacier National Park
If you’re wondering, where is Glacier National Park? The short answer is that it’s up in northwest Montana near the Canadian border, and it’s surprisingly easy to reach from Missoula. Glacier sits about 140 to 160 miles north of town, depending on which entrance you choose, which makes it one of the most rewarding day trips you can take from western Montana. Most travelers can expect the drive to take around two and a half to three hours, and yes, that means a day trip from Missoula to Glacier National Park is totally realistic if you start early and plan your route.
Drive from Missoula to Glacier National Park
The 140-mile drive from Missoula, Montana to Glacier National Park is part of the fun, and honestly, it sets the tone before you even see the first mountain peak inside the park. You’ll head north through the Mission Valley, where open farmland stretches out under big sky views, and the mountains start rising higher and sharper as you go. Depending on the season, you might pass fields of wildflowers, grazing cattle, and long views of the Swan Range that make you want to keep pulling over for photos. It’s an easy, pleasant route that feels like classic Montana the whole way.
Glacier National Park Entrances
There are several Glacier National Park entrances, and the one you choose can completely change your experience. The most popular is the West Entrance, located near West Glacier, and it’s typically the easiest option for travelers coming from Missoula to Glacier National Park. From there, you’re in a great position to access Lake McDonald, Apgar Village, and some of the most iconic early views in the park. This entrance is also the most convenient if your main goal is to drive Going to the Sun Road, since it begins right near this side of the park.
On the east side, the St. Mary Entrance is another major gateway, and it gives you a completely different perspective. The landscape feels a bit more dramatic right away, with bold peaks and wide open views that come fast. This entrance is great if you want to explore Many Glacier, Two Medicine, or hike trails that feel more remote and rugged. There’s also the Camas Entrance, which is smaller and quieter, and the Polebridge Entrance, which is ideal for travelers who like backroads, fewer crowds, and more of an off-grid experience.
Things to Do on Your Way From Missoula to Glacier National Park
A day trip from Missoula to Glacier National Park lets you squeeze an entire Montana vacation into one unforgettable day. The drive alone is worth it, with wide open valleys, mountain backdrops, and charming towns that make the miles fly by. If you’ve been wondering what to do in Glacier National Park, this is your answer. It’s a big day, sure, but it’s also the kind of journey people talk about for years, especially when you plan it right and hit the best stops along the way. Here’s a list of things to do on your way from Missoula to Glacier National Park, and once you get there.
- The National Bison Range is one of the coolest wildlife stops in Montana, and it’s right along the route if you take the scenic way north. Seeing bison roaming with the mountains behind them is a true Montana moment, and it’s an easy way to kick off your Missoula to Glacier National Park road trip with something memorable.
- Cruising through the Mission Valley is classic western Montana, with wide open landscapes, farms, and sweeping mountain views. It’s the kind of stretch where you’ll want to roll the windows down and put your favorite road trip playlist on. This scenic drive from Missoula to Glacier National Park is the perfect lead-up to the real deal you’re about to see.
- Take a break in Kalispell, which is one of the best towns to stop in on your way from Missoula to Glacier National Park, especially if you want coffee, a quick meal, or last-minute supplies. The Bird and Billy Coffee Shop or the Steam Room are great stops for a pick-me-up on your way into the park.
- If you’re traveling in summer, the Alpine Slide at Whitefish Resort is a fun detour that adds a little thrill to the trip. Whitefish is also a great place to grab a snack, stretch your legs, and enjoy one of Montana’s most loved mountain towns.
- If you’re coming from Missoula, the Glacier National Park entrances can feel confusing at first, but the West Entrance is usually the most straightforward. It also sets you up perfectly for some of the park’s most iconic highlights.
- Stop at Lake McDonald and consider taking a quick dip. Lake McDonald is one of the first major sights you’ll see from the west side, on your journey from Missoula to Glacier National Park, and it’s a great place to stop and take it all in. On a warm day, jumping in is a bold move, but it’s also a story you’ll be telling forever.
- Drive the Going to the Sun Road. This is the main event. Driving Going to the Sun Road is one of the most jaw-dropping scenic experiences in the country, and it’s a major reason why people plan a trip from Missoula to Glacier National Park months in advance. Every turn gives you a new view, and it never gets old.
- The Avalanche Lake Trail is one of the best hikes for a day trip because it’s not overly long, the trail is beautiful the entire way, and the payoff is incredible. You’ll walk through dense forest, pass waterfalls and rushing water, then end up at Avalanche Lake surrounded by steep mountain walls.
- The Hidden Lake Trail at Logan Pass is one of the most popular hikes in the park for a reason. It’s accessible, stunning, and gives you that high alpine scenery that Glacier is famous for, with a good chance of spotting mountain goats along the way. This is one of the best Glacier National Park things to do.
- Soak up the scenic pullouts and waterfalls inside the park, like Weeping Wall and Bird Woman Falls Overlook. Even if you’re short on time, Glacier is packed with viewpoints, short walks, and roadside waterfalls that make the day feel full. Pull off whenever you can, take photos, breathe in the mountain air, and enjoy the fact that you’re spending your day in one of the best national parks in the country.
After a full day exploring on an unforgettable day trip from Missoula to Glacier National Park, you’ll be ready to rest and unwind. Staying at our Bed and Breakfast in Missoula makes the entire experience better. Book your stay today!
