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Welcome to Glacier National Park
We are in Montana's Glacier National Park, on the Canadian border. A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. This story has elements you can explore with your cursor so be sure to look around. Enjoy the trip!
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The triple divide
Did you know that the waters flowing from Glacier National Park eventually reach three different oceans? Spanning over one million acres in northwestern Montana, this monumental landscape sits at the headwaters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Hudson Bay drainages.
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Long before it was established as a national park in 1910, these glacial valleys were home to the Blackfoot, Shoshone, Cheyenne, and Flathead peoples, who first inhabited the region roughly 10,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age.
Glacier National Park (21st Century) by NPS / David RestivoNational Park Service
In 1932, the area was united with its Canadian neighbor to form the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Today, this transboundary marvel is recognized globally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving a profound legacy of natural and human history.
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A feat of alpine engineering
Carved directly into the sheer cliffs of the Rocky Mountains, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a pinnacle of American civil engineering. Started in 1921 and completed in 1932, this 50-mile-long scenic drive allows visitors to journey deep into the park's rugged interior. You may recognise it from the opening credits of Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film, The Shining.
Going-to-the-Sun Road by NPS / Tim RainsNational Park Service
The historic route winds its way upward, eventually crossing the Continental Divide at the dramatic elevation of Logan's Pass. Recognized today as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, traveling this road offers access to a landscape shaped over 1.6 billion years by relentless geologic forces.
Garden Wall, Logan Pass, Glacier National Park (2019-08-15) by National Park ServiceNational Park Service
Logan Pass
Reynolds Mountain and Clements Mountain tower over fields of wildflowers that carpet the ground throughout the summer. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and the occasional grizzly bear lumbering through the meadows offer spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities.
Bighorn Rams by Ann Schonlau, NPSNational Park Service, Museum Management Program
A haven for the wild and rare
Beyond its geological wonders, Glacier National Park is a vital stronghold for North American biodiversity. This rugged terrain, influenced by its varied climate, provides critical habitat for an incredible variety of plants and animals. The park’s rich ecosystem supports robust populations of bighorn sheep alongside some of the continent's most elusive and endangered species, such as the wolverine and Canada lynx.
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Cultural history
Nestled within this wild landscape is Two Medicine Lake, where the majestic Sinopah Mountain rises from the shores. Meaning "kit fox" in the Blackfoot language, the mountain was named after the Native American wife of a Canadian trapper, serving as a reminder of the region's deep cultural tapestry.
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The Changing Face of Ice and Stone
As its name suggests, the towering mountains and lush valleys of this region were dramatically sculpted by massive rivers of ancient ice. However, the landscape of Glacier National Park is undergoing a profound transformation, that is visible in every corner of the park.
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Understanding this dynamic, ongoing shift provides crucial insight into the delicate balance of alpine ecosystems and the enduring, yet vulnerable, legacy of the continent's geology.
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