Glacier National Park: Morning Nature Walk

Immerse yourself in nature by hiking in the stunning Glacier National Park. Meet your guide, who will do a quick orientation, check your gear, and go over last minute details. Next, enjoy the van ride to breathtaking Glacier National Park's Lake McDonald Valley, via the West Glacier entrance. Don't forget your park pass!

Once in Glacier, you will walk about 1-mile round trip through the Lake McDonald Valley. This area is characterized by lodgepole pine forest left from a 1927 fire. Delight in seeing the aquamarine waters that flow from Lake McDonald.

Next, load up in the van and continue the adventure by driving the short distance to Glacier's North Fork Valley. Along the way, stop at several scenic viewpoints, such as McGee Meadows and McDonald Creek. Don't forget your camera! Finally, arrive at the Wild and Scenic North Fork of the Flathead River. Here, you'll take another short, easy walk, also about 1 mile round trip. This loop weaves in and out of new growth lodgepole pine and aspen forest.

This area burned in 1967 and again in the 2001 Moose Creek Fire. There are beautiful views and fantastic opportunities for interpretation along this loop. Learn about a variety of tree and plant species, fire impacts, and wildlife inhabitants along the river corridor. Views include Glacier National Park, the North Fork of the Flathead River, and the Flathead National Forest. This nature walk in Glacier is easy but not completely flat.

After we're done walking, we'll return along the same route by van to the Glacier Guides and Montana Raft office. As we drive, be sure to ask your guide any remaining questions that you might have. Our guides are passionate and have encyclopedic knowledge about Glacier National Park — no matter your level of hiking experience, we promise they'll teach you something new. You'll end the day knowing more about Glacier National Park than you ever expected!
Typically, return to the meeting point no later than 1:30 PM.