Glacier Family Multisport
Biking, Hiking & Rafting in Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks
Montana's Glacier National Park possesses an untamed beauty with majestic ever-changing views. Sharply etched mountains tower above evergreen forests, glacier-carved valleys, alpine meadows and deep blue lakes. The incredible scenery, combined with inspiring biking, exhilarating hiking and a fun-filled rafting excursion down the Flathead River, create a truly rewarding family multisport adventure. Trek past glacier-fed lakes in the shadow of towering peaks. Travel into the heart of the park on Going-to-the-Sun Road, which, according to Outside magazine, "provides a year’s worth of extraordinary mountain scenery in one trip." And enjoy the unique camaraderie among fellow travelers that comes from sharing tales of the day’s adventures around a crackling campfire.
- Spectacular views along Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Kids ride horses and have a cookout at a historic ranch
- Cozy campsites in awe-inspiring settings
- Unforgettable biking amid alpine lakes, peaks and glacier-carved valleys
- Rafting down the Flathead River - an exciting end to an incredible trip
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Astonishing alpine scenery that just won't quit
Pedal a scenic route along the shore of Lake McDonald, formed by retreating glaciers ten thousand years ago Cool off with a dip in the chilly lake - if you’re feeling brave!
Day 2 Travel along the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road: you'll hardly believe the views Plunging waterfalls, vast virgin woodland, snowcapped peaks and glacier-carved valleys greet you at every turn Hike through a shady forest of spruce and fir before descending into St. Mary Valley Can the stunning turquoise color of glacier-fed St. Mary Lake be for real?
Days 3-4 Welcome to Canada! Adults pedal through ranchland and U-shaped valleys to spectacular Waterton Lakes National Park while kids are treated to a horseback ride and cookout What’s your pleasure? Take a boat cruise across Waterton Lake and hike to Rainbow Falls or Kootenai Lake, explore the trails by foot or on horseback, browse in the shops of Waterton Townsite, or simply relax at the campground.
Day 5 Chances to spot mountain goats, pikas, white-crowned sparrows and more Enjoy spectacular views of the sweeping prairies and plains of Montana as you pedal a roller-coaster route along the eastern border of Glacier into Two Medicine Valley.
Day 6 Raft down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River with expert guides who provide a unique perspective on the flora and fauna along the way.
Adult Route Rating What's this?
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Redwood National Park Multisport Canadian Rockies Multisport Bryce/Zion/Grand Canyon MultisportOther National Park Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
I'm a great fan of Backroads, and your Trip Leaders are what differentiates you from other active travel companies.- Palo Alto, CA All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here.
Glacier Family Multisport
Deluxe Camping
Apgar Campground
West Glacier (1 night) Situated near Lake McDonald and within easy walking distance of Apgar Village.
Johnson's Campground
St. Mary (1 night) Aspen trees encircle the meadow we call home for the night.
Waterton Townsite Campground
Waterton (2 nights) Set at the edge of Upper Waterton Lake amid a landscape of jagged peaks.
Lodgepole Gallery & Tipi Village
Browning (1 night) Located on 200 acres of pristine prairie on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Glacier Family Multisport
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Kid-Friendly Routes
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 4 Route Options Available
- Biking 8, 14, 21, 27 miles
- 500 - 1400 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 3.7, 5.9, 7.1 miles
- 200 - 700 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 18, 29, 49 miles (Adults)
- 900- 2300 feet elevation gain
- Horseback Riding (Kids) 2 hours
Day 4
- Optional Activities in Waterton Lakes National Park
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 8, 15, 35 miles
- 400 - 3300 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- White-Water Rafting 3 hours