Glacier & Waterton Lakes Multi-Adventure Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
Casual & Deluxe Hotels
Glacier & Waterton Lakes Multi-Adventure Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
We rate our trips based on a range of activity levels from 1-5.
See this trip's Activity Options & Terrain for more details.
Casual & Deluxe Hotels
2026: Aug-Sep 2027: Jul-Sep
Epic National Parks in Montana & Alberta
Active adventures meet simple pleasures on this journey into some of North America’s most dramatic landscapes. Hike, bike and raft through Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks, then relax with picnics and mountain lake swims.
Highlights
- Hike trails with vistas of spectacular landscapes carved by glaciers and winding rivers.
- Pedal lakeshores, rolling prairie and the Rockies and even cross an international border on two wheels
- Shuttle along Going-to-the-Sun Road, said to be the most beautiful 50-mile stretch in the world
- Raft Class II-III rapids on the Flathead, a protected Wild and Scenic River
- Stay in hard-to-book historic hotels in extraordinary settings—think pristine valleys and sparkling blue lakes
Start/End Whitefish
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Day 1
Bike through alpine scenery with sweeping views of Lake McDonald, a lake formed by retreating glaciers more than 10,000 years ago • Pedal past wildfire-altered landscapes and stop at some of our favorite viewpoints along the way • End the day with a dip in Lake McDonald, if you dare!
Night 1
Casual Hotel
Set on the shore of Lake McDonald, this historic lodge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and features a massive stone fireplace in the lobby. Public spaces include a broad lakeside terrace that looks out across the water toward the surrounding peaks. The atmosphere emphasizes classic park architecture, simple comfort and a strong sense of place.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
Day 2
Travel along the 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, famed for the mesmerizing turquoise color of its glacier-fed lake.
Night 2
Casual Hotel
Best known for its early-1900s Swiss chalet-style architecture, Many Glacier Hotel is a classic example of the park’s historic lodge-building era. Overlooking Swiftcurrent Lake and the surrounding peaks, the hotel pairs historic character with simple comfort and a strong connection to nature.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
Days 3-4
Pedal north into Canada through ranchland and U-shaped valleys • Pause to take in the vistas of Chief Mountain, one of the region’s most sacred areas for the native Blackfoot Nation • Cruise a thrilling descent to Waterton Lakes National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with dramatic mountains and a chain of dazzling lakes • Here in Waterton Lakes, take your pick: hop aboard a lake cruise, explore park trails by foot or on horseback, or simply relax at the hotel.
Nights 3-4
Deluxe Hotel
Conveniently perched on the shore of magnificent Waterton Lake, this quaint property offers spacious and comfortable rooms.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
Days 5-6
The sweeping prairies and plains of Alberta provide the perfect backdrop as you pedal a roller-coaster route toward lunch • Tour the gorgeous and less-visited Two Medicine Valley • Maybe you’ll spot mountain goats or even moose or bears at a distance • Feeling brave? Go for a swim in the chilly waters of Two Medicine Lake • Our adventure concludes with a splash on a guided rafting trip on the Flathead River along the southern boundaries of the park.
Night 5
Casual Hotel
Immense timber columns (a hallmark of its early park-era design) are the defining characteristic of the expansive lobby of Glacier Park Lodge. Set on the eastern edge of Glacier National Park in Blackfeet country, the hotel reflects the region’s cultural and architectural history. The hotel design focuses on scale, simplicity and shared spaces.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
This trip has an activity level range of 1-3
Backroads is an authorized permittee of the National Park Service.
- Activity
- Activity Level
- Mileage
- Elevation
What's Included
See moreStraight 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.
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.
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.
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.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates to see pricing, hotel or itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy, in USD.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
