You know the sun sets every day. Lakes, they're not rare. Neither are mountains. There are plenty of mountains around. And sky. Sky is not a limited resource. But somehow, in Glacier, the combination of these common things is uncommonly spectacular. Every activity you'll share from simple hikes along the St. Mary River Valley to rafting the Flathead River will be epic, unforgettable. Every bird could be a bald eagle. Every movement in the distance, a rare glimpse of a black bear. It'll be just you, your family and the perfect combination of very common things.
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.
Trip Highlights
- 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 and hiking amid alpine lakes, peaks and glacier-carved valleys
- Rafting down the Flathead River - an exciting end to an incredible trip
Deluxe Camping
Apgar Campground (1 night): Situated at the foot of Lake McDonald and within easy walking distance of Apgar Village.
Johnson's of St. Mary Campground (1 night): Aspen trees encircle the meadow we call home for one night.
Waterton Townsite Campground (2 nights): Set at the edge of Upper Waterton Lake amid a landscape of jagged peaks.
Lodgepole Gallery & Tipi Village (1 night): Located on 200 acres of pristine prairie on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 4 Route Options Available
- Biking 7, 12, 24, 30 miles
- 750 - 1500 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
- 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, 34 miles
- 400 - 3500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- White-Water Rafting 3 hours
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
FAMILY TRIPS
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
- Recommended minimum age for the trip: 6 years
- Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 9 years
- Minimum age restriction to horseback ride: 5 years
- Minimum age restriction to raft: 5 years (this may be raised if conditions warrant)
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:- 12+ amount of cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities, routes
- 9+ difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions, routes
- 6+ several longer dinners; routes are difficult for pulling a Burley and therefore not appropriate for younger children; difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions
Guest Trip Reviews
I'm a great fan of Backroads, and your Trip Leaders are what differentiates you from other active travel companies.- Palo Alto, CA