Glacier in Early Summer: Your Best May/June Glacier National Park Itinerary

If you are planning your trip to Glacier National Park for May or June, the biggest mistake many visitors make is staying on only one side of the park. Glacier is massive, and drive times between key regions like West Glacier, Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Two Medicine can easily eat into your day. Splitting your stay between the west and east sides, if your schedule allows, gives you easier access to sunrise hikes, boat tours and other must-see adventures in Glacier Country, Going-to-the-Sun Road, and Logan Pass without exhausting backtracking.

Early season visits come with a unique mix of snow-covered peaks, fewer crowds, rainy spring weather, and limited access as the park slowly transitions into summer.

Snow removal on Going-to-the-Sun Road usually continues through June, with Logan Pass often opening between mid-June and early July depending on avalanche and snow conditions, so flexibility is one of the most important parts of planning well. In 2026, Glacier also removed vehicle reservations park-wide, but Logan Pass now shifts to a ticket-only shuttle for longer hikes beginning July 1, with a new three-hour timed parking system for private vehicles.

Higher elevation trails often remain snow covered well into June, Going-to-the-Sun Road may still be partially closed while crews clear more than 40 avalanche paths, and Logan Pass access cannot be predicted until much closer to your dates. This is why your west side days are best spent enjoying places like Apgar, Lake McDonald, Trail of the Cedars, Johns Lake Loop, and biking the open sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road, while your east side days should focus on Many Glacier, St. Mary, and Two Medicine where waterfalls, lower elevation hikes, and other classic Glacier stops often create fuller days with less uncertainty. When guests stay on both sides, they spend less time driving across the park and more time actually experiencing it. This is Your Best May/June Glacier National Park Itinerary

Day 1: West Glacier Arrival Your Best May/June Glacier National Park Itinerary

Start your trip on the west side of Glacier National Park with a simple, low-pressure arrival day that still gives you a real Glacier experience.

Morning / Arrival

• Check into your West Glacier, Apgar, or Lake McDonald lodging

• Stop for groceries, water, and trail snacks

• Pick up layers and rain gear because spring weather changes fast

Afternoon

Spend your first half day close to the west entrance:

• walk Apgar Village

• explore the shoreline of Lake McDonald

• take family photos at the dock and colorful rock beaches

  
  

Day 2: Spring E-Bike Ride + Many Glacier Transition Day

Start Day 2 with one of the best early-season Glacier experiences before moving across the park.

Early Morning Adventure

Start with one of the best spring-only Glacier experiences before leaving the west side:

• rent e-bikes in West Glacier

• ride the open hiker-biker section of Going-to-the-Sun Road

• enjoy the rare car-free mountain views beyond the vehicle closure while spring road crews continue snow removal

This is one of the biggest advantages of visiting in May or early June because you get access to sections of the road that summer visitors usually experience with vehicle traffic. If you want to build out the rest of your park plans, this guide to must-see adventures in Glacier Country is a great companion.

Late Morning

After your ride:

• return to your hotel

• shower and finish packing

• check out by 11 a.m.

• grab coffee or an early lunch before leaving

  
  

Afternoon Drive to the East Side

Many Glacier is typically a 2.5 to 3 hour drive when going around the park this time of year since the alpine road is usually not yet open through the center.

The route itself may not be as dramatic as Going-to-the-Sun Road, but there are still great places to stop for:

• mountain pullouts

• wildlife sightings

• valley photos

• quick scenic breaks

Because of the longer route, expect to reach the east side later in the day rather than midday.

Evening

Plan for a relaxed east side arrival:

• dinner in East Glacier Park Village

• St. Mary

• Browning

Then check into your east side lodge, hotel, or cabin.

This is where splitting your stay becomes the smartest decision. You remove hours of round-trip driving and set yourself up for waterfalls and east side hikes the next day.

Day 3: East Side Waterfalls and Scenic Stops

Keep Day 3 simple and focused on the east side so you spend more time exploring and less time driving across the park.

Morning: Two Medicine

Start early in the Two Medicine area with one of the easiest family-friendly stops in Glacier:

• Running Eagle Falls

• short, easy walk with beautiful mountain views

• great for kids and early-season travel

If you want one more easy add-on:

• Twin Falls trail from the boat dock area

• lower elevation and usually a great early summer option

Afternoon: St. Mary Scenic Waterfalls

Drive toward the St. Mary side and stay within the same east corridor.

Best stops:

• Sun Point overlook

• Baring Falls

• St. Mary Falls

• Virginia Falls

Late May and June are one of the best times for these waterfalls because snowmelt makes the flow stronger.

Evening

Relax at your east side lodge or cabin near:

• St. Mary

• Many Glacier

• East Glacier

  
  

Day 4: Scenic East Side Exit + Flathead Lake Transfer

Day 4 is your transition from Glacier’s east side to your relaxing Lakeside finish, with great food and Flathead Valley trip ideas built into the route.

Slow Morning in Babb

Start with a relaxed mid-morning brunch before leaving Glacier’s east side.

Great local options:

• Two Sisters Cafe

• Glacier's Edge Café

Both are easy stops in Babb before the longer southbound drive.

Midday Scenic Drive

Begin your drive south and enjoy the east side of Flathead Lake on the way toward Bigfork.

This route gives you:

• quieter lake views

• mountain-meets-water scenery

• less rushed travel than crossing straight over

• beautiful roadside pullouts for photos

This is a great transition day because it feels scenic without another full hiking commitment. If you want more ideas for this leg of the trip, here are more things to do in the Flathead Valley.

Afternoon Stop in Bigfork

Pause in Bigfork for a local Montana brewery stop at Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Pubhouse.

Perfect for:

• a late lunch

• micro brewed beer tasting

• pub food break

• views before the final short drive

The pubhouse is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., which makes it an easy afternoon stop.

Evening: Check Into Lakeside

After Bigfork, make the short drive over to Lakeside and settle into your cabin stay.

Best way to spend the evening:

• cabin check-in

• sunset over Flathead Lake

• relaxed dinner by the water

• rest before your final adventure day

If you want to stretch this part of the trip a little more, this Lakeside itinerary is an easy add-on with scenic drives and mountain views.

Day 5: Lakeside, Montana Cabin Day + Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster

Finish your trip in Lakeside, Montana, one of the most beautiful and peaceful lake towns in northwest Montana.

Morning

Slow down and enjoy Lakeside, Montana.

Best ways to spend the morning:

• coffee with lake views

• cabin deck breakfast

• Lakeside shoreline walk

• relax before your drive home

Afternoon Adventure Stop

Before wrapping up the trip, make one final stop at Montana’s only alpine coaster:Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster

Perfect family activities:

• alpine coaster ride with Flathead Lake views

• 9-hole mini golf

• gem mining

• easy family-friendly final adventure

This gives your Glacier trip a softer ending without another full hiking day. If you are still planning where to stay, what to do, or how to build out your Lakeside stop, you can also plan your stay near Flathead Lake here.