Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

From $4,049 - $4,249 /person

6 days

5 nights

Activity Levels 2-5

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Casual Hotels

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour

Couples, Friends & Solos

Small Group Adventures for:

Couples, Friends & Solos Adults 18+

Women's Adventures Women 18+

Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond Best for ages 20+ (min. age 18)

Families with Older Teens & 20s Best for ages 17-23 (min. age 14)

Families with Teens & Kids Best for ages 9-17 (min. age 4)

6 days

5 nights

Activity Levels 2-5

We categorize our trips based on a range of activity levels from leisurely (1) to avid (5) with plenty of options in between.

Casual Hotels

Premiere Hotels - From lavish luxury to on-trend boutique, offering experiences as unique as the regions we explore.

Casual Plus Hotels - A step above Casual but not quite Premiere.

Casual Hotels - Known for their character, charm and proximity to outdoor adventures and Backroads activities.

Small Luxury Ships - Unpack once and cover more distance on an intimate ship with spacious staterooms and superb amenities.

2024: Jul-Aug

From $4,049 - $4,249 /person

Epic National Park Grandeur in Montana & Alberta

It's called Big Sky. Yet, you're still amazed by how "big" it is. Listen to the sound of your wheels spinning while you enjoy miles of scenic roads and vistas beyond compare. You'll question why you don't live closer to the mountains. You'll be transformed while biking through two magnificent national parks. After it all, you'll never be the same.

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Highlights

  • Bike the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road—superlative riding and vistas, complete with waterfalls, forests and towering peaks!
  • Admire the astonishing alpine scenery, sculpted valleys and glaciated mountain vistas that just won’t quit
  • Pedal past rolling ranchland and extraordinary glacier-carved valleys on the way to Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park
  • Unwind in breathtaking natural scenes of rugged mountainous landscapes and glistening turquoise lakes
Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour map

Montana & Alberta

Start/End Whitefish

Airports & Travel details*

* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

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Itinerary

Day 1

Description

Bike a picturesque route along the shore of Lake McDonald, formed by retreating glaciers 10,000 years ago • See new life taking root where wildfires recently altered the landscape • Take an invigorating dip in the chilly lake waters, if you dare!

Accommodations

Night 1

Lake McDonald Lodge
Glacier National Park
Casual Hotel

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a large stone fireplace in the lobby and a terrace overlooking the lake.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Day 2

Description

Cycle on Going-to-the-Sun Road—a 50-mile stretch with unbelievable views • Enjoy a landscape of sparkling waterfalls, expansive virgin forests, sculpted valleys and majestic peaks • An exhilarating downhill ride between glaciated mountains and emerald lakes brings you to the shore of St. Mary Lake • Bike through aspen forests to Many Glacier Valley.

Accommodations

Night 2

Many Glacier Hotel
Glacier National Park
Casual Hotel

An early-1900s Swiss chalet-style hotel set on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake amid the peaks of Many Glacier Valley.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 3-4

Description

Welcome to Canada! Pedal north through rolling ranchland and glacier-carved valleys • Take in views of Chief Mountain, one of the most sacred areas of the park to the Blackfeet tribe • Enjoy a thrilling ascent to Waterton Lakes National Park, a designated Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site along with neighboring Glacier National Park • Get in one more uphill to our hotel, which stands alone on a bluff above Waterton Lake, surrounded by dramatic peaks • ​Options abound: hiking, biking, horseback riding and boating are just a few ways to explore this incredible landscape.

Accommodations

Nights 3-4

Prince of Wales Hotel
Waterton Lakes National Park
Casual Hotel

This historic green-gabled hotel offers vistas of the mountains reflected in glacier-fed lakes.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Days 5-6

Description

Ride along the eastern perimeter of Glacier against a spectacular backdrop of meadows and mountains • Enjoy the rolling terrain as you explore Two Medicine Valley • Cheers to a week well-spent with a dip in the refreshingly cool lake.

Accommodations

Night 5

Glacier Park Lodge
Glacier National Park
Casual Hotel

Located on the park's eastern edge in Blackfeet country; immense timbers hold aloft its expansive lobby ceiling.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

What's Included

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Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Accommodations & Service Standards

While the accommodations on this trip reflect the natural surroundings of the national parks and provide unparalleled access to the best activities in the area, they are much simpler than is typical of Backroads lodging. Many buildings date back to the turn of the century and have only been minimally renovated, in accordance with park regulations. These historic hotels have basic guest rooms that are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning. Overall, the service standards can seem slow and casual when compared with the hospitality found on other Backroads trips. Please note that internet and cell phone service are extremely limited throughout the parks.​

Meals in National Parks, Forests and Surrounding Areas

The properties we use on this trip are chosen for their character and ideal location—they are not known for their food. Meals can be simple and menu options tend to lack variety. Please be aware that options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-carb meals will be especially limited and substitutions are rarely available.

Weather & Itineraries in Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks

Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks are special places where four seasons can occur in one day. For that reason, our itinerary may change based upon road and trail status due to weather (including snow) or animal activity. The opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road is determined by snow levels and weather. The road often opens by the third week of June, but some years it does not open until early July. If the entire road is not open, we will shuttle 2¼ hours and you will still be able to ride the east side of Logan Pass, which typically opens earlier than the west side. Status of Going-to-the-Sun Road can be checked on Glacier National Park’s website: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrinfo.htm.  

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

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From $4,049 - $4,249 /person

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Hotels

Adventure-Ready Hotels

Ideally located with ready access to trip activities, our Casual hotels are also known for their character and charm.

Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.

Night 1

Lake McDonald Lodge
Glacier National Park

Casual Hotel

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a large stone fireplace in the lobby and a terrace overlooking the lake.

Night 2

Many Glacier Hotel
Glacier National Park

Casual Hotel

An early-1900s Swiss chalet-style hotel set on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake amid the peaks of Many Glacier Valley.

Nights 3-4

Prince of Wales Hotel
Waterton Lakes National Park

Casual Hotel

This historic green-gabled hotel offers vistas of the mountains reflected in glacier-fed lakes.

Night 5

Glacier Park Lodge
Glacier National Park

Casual Hotel

Located on the park's eastern edge in Blackfeet country; immense timbers hold aloft its expansive lobby ceiling.

From $4,049 - $4,249 /person

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Bikes

Choose Your Perfect Bike

Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Backroads Performance Racer 2.0
Backroads Next Generation Performance Road Bike

Included in your trip price

  • Ideal for avid cyclists
  • Redesigned for 2024
  • Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
  • Responsive, efficient and comfortable
  • Drop handlebars only
Backroads Touring Bike
Backroads Touring Bike

Included in your trip price

  • Suited for a wide range of cyclists
  • Comfortable ergonomic seat
  • Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
  • Upright handlebars only
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike

Included in your trip price

  • One of the lightest e-bikes available
  • Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
  • Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
  • Upright handlebars only

Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Carbon Bike
  • $650 rental fee; subject to availability
  • Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS
  • Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package
  • Built for hard-core riders
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Tandem Bike
  • $400 rental fee
  • Hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed Cro-Moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train
  • Custom upgraded wheelset
  • Best for riders with some tandem experience.

From $4,049 - $4,249 /person

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From $4,049 - $4,249 /person

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Dates & Prices

Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

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1 room, 1 bed

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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

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Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights and more. It's the perfect tool to help you choose!

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Backroads provides flexible booking policies so that you can plan your vacation with complete peace of mind.

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From $4,049 - $4,249 /person

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