Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park was established in 1910 to protect the last major wilderness in the Northern Rocky Mountains, a landscape of glacially carved peaks, aquamarine lakes, and meadows of beargrass and mountain wildflowers. The park had over 150 named glaciers in 1850; 26 remain today, and current projections suggest most will be gone by 2030, making this one of the most visually dramatic examples of climate change anywhere in the United States. The Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR) is the park's defining experience: a 50-mile paved road crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (6,646 feet), with sections carved into cliff faces above 800-foot drops considered one of the most scenic drives in North America. Large vehicles are prohibited beyond the Avalanche Creek turnout in both directions (22 feet in length limit); the park operates a shuttle system that accommodates groups. Many Glacier valley in the northeast corner of the park has the highest density of wildlife viewing opportunity grizzly bears, moose, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep are regularly observed from the valley road. The tiny town of Whitefish, 25 miles west of the west entrance, is the primary gateway community with Whitefish Mountain Resort as an adjacent ski destination.