Prince of Wales Hotel in Canada
Biker in Canada
Canoes on a dock in Canada
Glacier National Park Multi-Adventure Tour
Backroads van and trip leader jumping in front of Prince of Wales hotel
Starry night in the Canadian Rockies
Glacier National Park Multi-Adventure Tour
Glacier National Park Multi-Adventure Tour
Glacier National Park Multi-Adventure Tour
Two people jumping into a lake
Multi-Adventure
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This trip is filling up for the upcoming season! Check out our Wyoming's Yellowstone & Tetons Multi-Adventure Tour - For Families with Adult Kids 20s & Beyond with new dates just added.

Montana's Glacier Multi-Adventure Tour - For Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond

Epic National Parks in Montana & Alberta

One or more kids 20+ required (siblings 17+ ok)

Family — 20s & Beyond

6 days 5 nights

Activity Level: 1-4

Casual Hotels

From: $4,199 pp dbl occ

($800 for sgl occ)

Gather your family for an inspiring journey in Glacier and Waterton Lakes. Cross the Continental Divide on Montana's legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road. Bike over the border into Canada and discover Alberta's iconic peaks and stunning valleys. Follow the flight paths of eagles and osprey high above from unforgettable hiking trails. Then go with the flow as you paddle white-water rapids on Glacier's Flathead River. Over water, on foot or by bike, and from one enchanting mountain lodge to the next, this national park adventure will move you.

Bike
Walk/Hike
Raft
Glacier & Waterton Lakes National Parks
Glacier & Waterton Lakes National Parks

Montana

Start/End Whitefish

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Highlights

  • Explore Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park, a joint World Heritage site shared by the United States and Canada
  • Splash in the chilly invigorating waters of alpine lakes while taking in majestic mountain scenery
  • Raft down the Flathead River and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along the banks—an exciting end to an incredible trip
  • Bike and hike amid rushing streams, towering peaks and wildflower-strewn meadows
Videos
The Backroads Experience
The Backroads Experience
Multi-Adventure Tours
Multi-Adventure Tours
Backroads Trip Leader
Meet Our Leaders

Itinerary

Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Casual Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Description

Witness astonishing alpine scenery that just won't quit | Pedal 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.

Accommodations
Exterior view of Lake McDonald Lodge
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.

Day 2
Description

You'll hardly believe the views as you travel along the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road | Snowcapped peaks, glacier-carved valleys, plunging waterfalls and vast virgin woodland greet you at every turn | Hike through a shady forest of fir and spruce 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
Exterior view of Many Glacier Hotel
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.

Days 3-4
Description

Welcome to Canada! | Pedal through ranchland and U-shaped valleys and pause to take in the views of Chief Mountain, one of the most sacred areas of the park to the Blackfeet tribe | Enjoy a thrilling descent to Waterton Lakes National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with dramatic mountains and a chain of dazzling lakes | Exciting options abound: take a boat cruise, explore the trails by foot or on horseback, or just relax at the hotel.

Accommodations
Exterior view of the Prince of Wales Hotel
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.

Days 5-6
Description

Take in 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 | Maybe you'll spot mountain goats, pikas, white-crowned sparrows and more | For the brave: opt for a swim in the chilly waters of Two Medicine Lake! | Your family adventure concludes with a splash during a guided rafting trip on the Flathead River as it flows along the southern boundaries of the park.

Accommodations
Exterior Glacier Park Lodge
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.

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group

Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Activity Level: 1-4

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.

Route notes

While Backroads strives to find roadways that are quiet and off the beaten track, some bike routes on this trip follow heavily trafficked roads. Of course, you're always welcome to jump in the shuttle to avoid the busier sections of the route. The hiking terrain on this trip includes well-maintained but often rugged mountain trails, with some steep climbs and descents. Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.

 

Daily Route Options

* Includes shuttle.
Day 1
Biking
Level 1 | 12 miles* | 900 ft. gain
Level 2 | 24 miles* | 1600 ft. gain
Level 3 | 33 miles | 1700 ft. gain
Day 2
Walking & Hiking
Level 1 | 4 miles* | 200 ft. gain
Level 2 | 6 miles | 500 ft. gain
Level 3 | 7 miles | 600 ft. gain
Day 3
Biking
Level 1 | 9 miles* | 200 ft. gain
Level 2 | 18 miles* | 500 ft. gain
Level 2 | 23 miles* | 1200 ft. gain
Level 4 | 41 miles | 1400 ft. gain
Day 4
Other
Optional Activities in Waterton Lakes National Park (full day)
Day 5
Biking
Level 1 | 11 miles* | 900 ft. gain
Level 2 | 18 miles* | 800 ft. gain
Level 2 | 19 miles | 1200 ft. gain
Level 3 | 37 miles | 1400 ft. gain
Level 5 | 56 miles | 2600 ft. gain
Day 6
Rafting
On the Flathead River (Half Day)

What's Included

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Click the arrow to see all bike options.

Backroads Performance Road Bike
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike

Included in your trip price

This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork. 

Backroads Touring Bike
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike

Included in your trip price

A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.

Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Electric-Assist Bike

Included in your trip price

Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

Also Included

  • All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
  • Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
  • Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
  • On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
  • Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
  • Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
  • Park and other entry fees
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
  • Select coach transfers
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Straight talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. 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

The National Park lodges we use on this trip are chosen for their character and ideal location—they are not known for their food. Meals at park lodges and the surrounding local restaurants 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.  

Ask a trip expert

Have a question and need expert advice? Our team of Trip Consultants is here to help! You can also visit our Help Center.

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