Glacier Family Multisport
Bike, Hike & Raft 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.
Trip Planning Links
- Spectacular views along Going-to-the-Sun Road
- 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 West Glacier
Meet in Whitefish 
After a brief orientation and bike fitting, head out on a warm-up ride in Glacier National Park Pedal to the shore of Lake McDonald, where stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountain peaks await.
Day 2 St. Mary
Travel along celebrated Going-to-the-Sun Road Plunging waterfalls, enormous virgin forests, 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 Admire the stunning turquoise color of glacier-fed St. Mary Lake.
Days 3-4 Waterton
Adults pedal 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.
Days 5-6 Browning
Enjoy spectacular views of the sweeping prairies and plains of Montana as you pedal along the eastern border of Glacier into Two Medicine Valley A invigorating morning of rafting awaits on the Flathead River Expert river-rafting guides provide a unique perspective on the flora and fauna along the way Enjoy a farewell picnic lunch.
- 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:
Alaska 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 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For multisport tours in , trust our in-depth connections. 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
WOODED SETTINGS: 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
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
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 |
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)
Day 4
- Free Time 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
On this Family Trip, liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.