Glacier National Park
With a Boat Ride on Lake McDonald
Glacier National Park is an awe-inspiring natural wonder offering a spectacular array of dramatic mountain scenery, ice-blue glacial lakes, surging waterfalls, cool forests, and abundant wildflowers. The park's pièce de résistance, the Going-to-the-Sun Road, is an engineering marvel. We'll board one of the park’s famous red busses with the roll-back tops to enjoy full views of the stunning mountains and the area’s signature Big Sky. We'll base ourselves on the West side of the park, making it easy to visit cute towns like Whitefish. The scenery and wildlife in western Montana will provide constant amazement and inspiration!
Glacier National Park
July 28 - August 2, 2025Highlights
- Ride a Red "Jammer" along Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Ply the scenic waters of Lake MacDonald
- Visit the cute towns of Whitefish & Columbia Falls
- Time for personal exploration of the park
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Monday, 28 July 2025: Arrive Kalispell, MT; Welcome Dinner (D)
Schedule your arrival no later than 4:00pm and take local transportation to the hotel. The tour will begin at the hotel at 6:00pm with our Welcome Meeting, followed by dinner to get acquainted and discuss our upcoming days. Overnight Kalispell - 1 night
Tuesday, 29 July 2025: Glacier National Park: Going-to-the-Sun Road Tour (B)
Today we experience the drama and spectacular scenery on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, considered one of the most scenic drives in the entire US. This engineering marvel traverses 50 miles through the park's wild interior and crosses the Continental Divide. We'll hop on a historic Red Bus Tour. Known affectionately as Jammers—a name derived from the days when the buses had standard transmissions and the drivers could be heard "jamming" the gears—the buses allow everyone a commanding view of the scenery. This tour is six to seven hours in total, but is so worth it...after all, this is the reason you come to Glacier National Park! Overnight Columbia Falls - 3 nights
Wednesday, 30 July 2025: Lake McDonald Boat Cruise; Free Afternoon (B,L)
We will return to the park this morning to take in the majestic vistas from another perspective as we embark on a narrated boat tour of emerald-hued Lake McDonald. This lake is famous for its ‘fruity-pebble’ like rocks that glisten in the clear water and is a favorite of photographers. We will enjoy lunch together and there will be time for an easy walk along the paved bike trail or perhaps you'd prefer hiking any of the trails right around the lake. Your Tour Leader will provide suggestions. We return to the hotel this afternoon.
Thursday, 31 July 2025: Free Day in Glacier National Park (B)
Today is all about how you want to spend your time in Glacier National Park. The park provides a free shuttle service with 14 stops along the Going-to-the-Sun Road between the Apgar and St. Mary Visitor Center. There is also an express shuttle that can take you directly to Logan Pass. Your Tour Leader will have suggestions for how to spend your day and will help pair travelers with similar interests.
Friday, 01 August 2025: Whitefish Mountain; Downtown Whitefish; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
To the west of Glacier National Park is the town of Whitefish. This picturesque community captures the essence of Montana and has been called one of the 25 most charming small towns in America. We'll travel to Whitefish Mountain Resort, a ski resort that features fun in all four seasons. Here we will soar up Big Mountain on a scenic gondola (or opt for the open chairlift!) for the best views of the Flathead Valley and the mighty peaks of Glacier National Park. After our mountain fun, we'll enjoy a bit of free time in the super cute mountain town Whitefish this afternoon. We'll enjoy an early Farewell Dinner before we return to Kalispell to make flying out tomorrow easier. Overnight Kalispell - 1 night
Saturday, 02 August 2025: Return Home (B)
Sadly, our time together has come to an end. Schedule your departure at your convenience. Based on the departure time you provide WTT, your Tour Leader can assist with organizing travelers into small groups so you can ride-share to the airport if you wish.
Your Tour Leader will make changes to the itinerary as necessary in the event of closures and restrictions.
Glacier National Park
July 28 - August 2, 2025Pricing
Room Share
$2,807.00Single Room
$4,094.00 (Sold Out)Non-Members
ADD $50.00Status of this Tour
Trip Full, Accepting Standbys
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Airport transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Any gratuities for the WTT Tour Leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
You have 3 days to cancel and receive a refund. Thereafter, the amount required at time of reservation is non-refundable and the following cancellation penalties will be enforced.
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2025: Last day $250 deposit can be converted to a credit for use on a new reservation; thereafter the deposit is forfeited.
Tuesday, 29 Apr 2025: Balance Due. Cancellation after this date but before Friday, 13 Jun 2025 results in a cancellation penalty of 50% of your Total Tour Cost.
Friday, 13 Jun 2025: Cancellation on or after this date results in a cancellation penalty of 100% of your Total Tour Cost.
Using Parked Credits: If traveler cancels during the 3-day cancel without penalty period, used credits will be re-parked with the original expiration date(s). Thereafter, cancellation will result in forfeiture of the total amount of parked credits used. If applicable, additional cancellation penalties will be assessed based on date of cancellation.
To Cancel: Should you need to cancel after your space on this tour is confirmed, you must use the Cancellation Form. Cancellation penalties are based on the date we receive your cancellation form. No other method of communicating a cancellation will be accepted.
Insurance Reminder
Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance is not included in the cost of the tour. It is your responsibility to determine the amount and type of coverage you require to recoup some or all of your travel investment, whether you cancel, are unable to complete the tour, or the tour cannot operate. Section 4.0 of WTT Terms & Conditions explains what will happen to your payments in the unlikely event that your tour cannot operate.
WTT is not licensed to sell travel insurance. You can purchase travel insurance from any provider you choose. To get an idea of rates, please go to NTA Travel Protection Plan (Enter 206063 for the "Tour Operator Location #") or TravelGuard.
Glacier National Park
July 28 - August 2, 2025Flight Information & Tour Details
Arrival And Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
Arrival Airport: FCA - Kalispell, MT (Glacier Park International Airport)
Arrival Date: Monday, July 28th. Arrive no later than 4:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi service. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: FCA - Kalispell, MT (Glacier Park International Airport)
Departure Date: Saturday, August 2nd. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Use local shuttle or taxi. WTT Tour Leader can assist with ride-share coordination.
When to Book Your Air
Want To Arrive A Day Early?
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$201.00 Roomshare $400.00 Single
The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.
Lodging / Hotels
Kalispell, MT: Hampton Inn Kalispell
Columbia Falls, MT: Cedar Creek Lodge
Kalispell, MT: Hampton Inn Kalispell
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Glacier National Park
July 28 - August 2, 2025Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
On the Reservation Form there are 3 choices regarding room-sharing.
Note: Certain room-types may be unavailable at the time you make your reservation. If a room-type is unavailable the choice will be greyed out.
- Select "Yes, I want to share a room" and WTT will assign you a roommate when Final Travel Instructions are sent.
- You can specify a roommate by entering her name where indicated. If your named roommate is not on the tour, for any reason, WTT will assign you a roommate unless you pay to have your own room, if available.
- Select "No, I do not wish to share a room" if you want to have your own room. Additional costs apply.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
On all WTT tours, travelers must be able to walk and stand for a sustained period of time. Thus, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged or walking impaired and who cannot keep up with the moderate pace of the group.
The activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 50% Easy
- 50% Moderate (Hiking, Rafting, Long Bus Tour of the Park)
If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Read more about Activity Levels
What is the Group Size?
This tour uses a 15-passenger Mini-Coach for transportation while on tour. Learn more about The WTT North American Travel Experience by downloading/opening the pdf.
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 2 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
Selections for the included lunches and dinners will highlight the local cuisine. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
In general the temperature, rainfall and humidity levels vary based on the time of the year. We suggest you monitor weather apps leading up to the time you depart for the most current information.
For This Trip You May Want—
- Shoes that are comfortable for light hiking
- Refillable water bottle(s)
- Day-pack
- Clothing that easily layers
- Hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
- Binoculars
- Portable external battery charger for your cell phone
Good Packing Habits—
- Pack a KN-95 mask to be worn based on preference and assessment of personal risk. Consider packing a rapid Covid test so you are prepared for any situation in which you might need or want to test.
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping aids, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Bring only two pairs of everyday shoes: one pair of well-broken-in walking shoes, and a second pair that could do double-duty as a walking shoe or a slightly dressy shoe.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
We will use the WTT Coach. Luggage restrictions are driven by the physical space limitations of this vehicle and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible. Most travelers regret when they have packed too much.
- You may bring one suitcase plus small shoulder bag/day pack/purse.
- Maximum suitcase size: 22-23 inches in height. This is the size of bag that fits into the overhead bins of aircraft. Suitcases larger than this will not fit properly in the WTT coach; don't bring them.
- The weight of your bag should not exceed 30 pounds as you will need to lift it into the coach luggage compartment.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach and load it on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient. The possibility of steps exist at most hotel entrances.
What are the health recommendations for this tour?
What are the phone and internet recommendations for this tour?
As a reminder, cellular service is extremely limited in Glacier National Park and rural parts of Montana.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits. Be sure to keep cash on hand for sharing restaurant tabs, cabs, tips, and smaller purchases. More and more, restaurants are no longer allowing groups to split the bill. Therefore, you might want to have cash-on-hand for meals on your own when dining with others in the group.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
- You are responsible for tipping waitstaff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $8-$10 per day.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.