Glacier & Waterton Lakes Family Multi-Adventure Tour

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)

Best for ages 9+ (Ages 4+ ok) | Min. age to ride own bike: 7+

From $4,299 - $4,799 /person

6 days

5 nights

Activity Levels 1-4

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 Family Multi-Adventure Tour

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)

Best for ages 9+ (Ages 4+ ok) | Min. age to ride own bike: 7+

6 days

5 nights

Activity Levels 1-4

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: Jun-Aug

From $4,299 - $4,799 /person

Epic National Parks in Montana & Alberta

Journey with your family in magnificent Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks. Travel across Montana’s legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road. Venture to Canada and discover spectacular peaks and valleys with every turn. Paddle white-water rapids on Glacier's Flathead River. By bike, on foot or over water, and from one enchanting mountain lodge to the next, this is the national park adventure your family won’t stop talking about.

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Bike
Walk/Hike
Raft

Highlights

  • Discover Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park, a joint World Heritage site shared by the United States and Canada
  • Splash in the chilly invigorating waters of crystalline mountain lakes on both sides of the border and savor panoramic views
  • Raft down the Flathead River—an exciting and memorable end to an incredible trip; if you're lucky you may spot a bear!
  • Explore incredible routes amid alpine streams, towering mountains, virgin forests and wildflower-strewn meadows on bike and foot
Glacier & Waterton Lakes Family Multi-Adventure 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

Witness astonishing alpine scenery that just won't quit • Bike a scenic route with views of Lake McDonald, formed by retreating glaciers 10,000 years ago • Get an eyeful of the surrounding valley from McGee Meadow Overlook • Drop by the visitor center to learn about the park's geology and wildlife.

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

You won't believe the views as you travel along famed Going-to-the-Sun Road • 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? • Take in the spectacular mountain peaks that surround 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! • While the kids join up with local wranglers for a horseback ride through the expansive prairie, adults bike north through ranchland and U-shaped valleys to stunning Waterton Lakes National Park • Options abound: take a boat cruise, paddleboard or kayak on the lakes, explore the trails on foot or horseback, or perhaps dig into some pastries while sipping afternoon tea at our iconic hotel • Savor dinner together as a family in Waterton Village, an unspoiled mountain town.

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

Enjoy spectacular views of the sweeping prairies and plains of Montana as adults pedal a roller-coaster route • Visit Two Medicine Valley and contemplate the pristine alpine scenery • Feeling brave? Perhaps you'll opt for a swim in the chilly waters of Two Medicine Lake • 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.

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 west side of the road is not open, we will shuttle 2½ hours to our trailhead (instead of 1½ hours). 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 $4,299 - $4,799 /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 $4,299 - $4,799 /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+

Child's Bike
Kids' Bikes

Included in your trip price

  • Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture it's own line of kid's bikes.
  • Features smaller wheels -- the perfect choice for kids.
  • On our Family Trips, you'll find 20"" and 24"" bikes.
Burley Kazoo Trailer Bike
Backroads Trailer Bike

Included in your trip price

  • For children up to 85 pounds
  • Attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort!
  • Ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
  • Cannot be pulled by an e-bike.

From $4,299 - $4,799 /person

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From $4,299 - $4,799 /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.

Your guest & room selections

1 adult

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 $4,299 - $4,799 /person

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