Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park Tours for Seniors and Families

Since its construction in 1932, millions of adventurers have journeyed along the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, built into the cliff sides of Montana’s Rocky Mountains. This epic highway carries scholars and explorers alike through the spectacular Glacier National Park. Spot Grizzly bears in the wild, dense mountain forests as you learn about the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem” they call home. Marvel at the reflection of snowcapped peaks painted on glassy lakes and find out about the ancient glaciers that formed them. A visit to Glacier National Park with Road Scholar is the trip of a lifetime.

Want to learn more about traveling to our National Parks? Check out these National Parks tips.

Glacier National Park Tours

Glacier National Park receives more than 100 million visitors each year, hitting a record high of more than 3 million visitors in 2017. Why so many visitors, you may wonder? Perhaps it is because of the sheer unadulterated beauty of the landscape with its 26 glaciers.

Glacier National Park tours for seniors pair you with a local expert guide who’s well-versed in the park’s history, geography, and wildlife, offering you the unique opportunity to ask curious questions and connect with your cohort to discover all this National Park offers. Guided tours of Glacier National Park for seniors and families are an excellent way to interact with nature and those who join you through an experiential learning experience. At Road Scholar, we have several unique programs to choose from to ensure you find a tour that piques your interests, whether an invigorating rafting tour or an easy-paced experience.

Highlights of Glacier National Park Tours

Vacations in Glacier National Park are perfect for those looking to experience the great outdoors. Through Road Scholar, you can experience many one-of-a-kind highlights through our Glacier National Park tours. Wondering what you’ll be able to see and do when venturing into Montana’s Rocky Mountains? Here are some of the activities you can enjoy:

• Going-to-the-Sun Road: Any visit to Glacier National Park will consist of a drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road, which connects the east and west entrances through the middle of the park. Along the way, you can view subalpine meadows, reflections of mountaintops in crystal clear lakes, and more.

• Hiking: Glacier National Park is home to over 700 miles of trails that wind through the dense forests, open meadows, and mountainsides. Some popular hikes include the 2.8-mile hike to Hidden Lake Overlook, the 4.5-mile hike to Avalanche Lake, the 1-mile hike down the Trail of Cedars, and the 11.6-mile hike along the Highline Trail. Glacier National Park hiking tours allow you to climb to awe-inspiring overlooks that offer panoramic views of the park you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

• Lake McDonald: As the largest lake in the park, Lake McDonald provides spectacular views of crystal-clear waters and the surrounding mountains. You can even visit or stay at the historic Lake McDonald Hotel.

• Logan Pass: The highest point of Going-to-the-Sun Road is Logan Pass, with an elevation of 6,646 feet. Here, you can view the wildflower fields, jagged mountains, and wildlife like bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, and mountain goats.

Glacier National Park Tours

With such a vast area to explore, where do you begin? Here are a few of Road Scholar’s most popular tours exploring Glacier National Park, from birding to rafting to hiking. 

1. The Best of Glacier National Park

Discover Glacier National Park on a six-day tour full of adventure as you raft Flathead River, explore alpine trails, and learn how glaciers have been taking up space here for millions of years. On this awe-inspiring tour, travelers will take daily field trips to the Lake McDonald Valley, Logan Pass, and along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

2. Birding in Glacier National Park

If you love birds and enjoy being educated on all the different species, this six-day Road Scholar tour birding in Glacier National Park is not to be missed. Expert birders will lead you off the beaten path to search for and learn about warblers, loons, woodpeckers, and many more bird species that thrive in Glacier National Park. Expert local birders use sound and sight to find diverse bird species and tell you stories behind them. 

3. Trailside Glacier: Hiking in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park has over 700 miles of hiking trails with spectacular views along 1 million acres of unspoiled wilderness. Road Scholar has curated a seven-day hiking tour of Glacier National Park with expert-led hikes on some of the most inspiring trails in Glacier National Park. On this adventure, you will hike 5-8 miles daily at elevations of 3,000-7,200 feet.

As one of the top Glacier National Park hiking tours, the hikes in this program offer a unique opportunity to witness the raw beauty of the park’s ancient ice formations up close. Hiking throughout the Grinnell Valley, for example, allows you to witness massive waterfalls cascading over the mountains into turquoise lakes while marveling at meadows in the distance teeming with vibrant wildflowers and local wildlife like bighorn sheep and moose. Or, when hiking at Two Medicine, you can spot the Rising Wolf Mountain that towers over 4,450 feet above Two Medicine Lake, with Running Eagle Falls dropping in the distance.

4. Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks

Experience an eight-day immersive educational experience through Road Scholar in two of North America’s most magnificent national parks: Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada. These national parks combined in 1932 to create the world's first international peace park that bridged the United States and Canada. On this journey, travelers will enjoy field trips that take a deep dive into the most intact wilderness on the continent. 

5. Easy-Paced Tours of Glacier National Park for Families

What better way to experience one of the most beautiful national parks in the world than with your family? From river rafting on the Flathead River on the lookout for wildlife to a spectacular gondola ride up Big Mountain and race down on an alpine slide, this will be an unforgettable trip with your family. You can spot wildlife such as mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and bears on expert-led walks. Hike along trails abundant with blooming flora and fauna. Experience the ultimate at Glacier National Park with a spectacular drive on the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road for an awe-inspiring view of Glacier National Park. 

6. Rafting Tours in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is home to over 1,500 miles of rivers and streams, making it the perfect playground for adventurers interested in watersports like rafting. Rafting tours in Glacier National Park are unparalleled, giving you a unique vantage point of the park to take in the surrounding landscapes and scenery. Flathead River is the primary artery that cuts through the park, and our rafting tours of Glacier National Park with grandchildren and glacier rafting tours for families bring you down the clear glacier waters of this river to take in the sights and wildlife. 

During your rafting tour, you’ll learn from an expert guide who will point out key attractions dotting the landscape, including wetlands and mountain peaks. A local environmental scientist will also teach you about the park’s rich biodiversity and marine life, explaining the cohabitation of animals throughout the park and the role flora and fauna play in this diverse ecosystem.

Tips for Visiting Glacier National Park

As with any national park, it’s important to be fully prepared to stay safe and protect wildlife. Glacier National Park visits can be dangerous, especially with its steep mountain ledges, wildlife, and potential weather conditions. As you explore Glacier National Park, keep these tips in mind:

• Respect wildlife: When you spot wildlife, view it from a distance and never approach or feed it to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

• Stick to designated paths and trails: By remaining on designated trails and paths, you can preserve the park’s flora and fauna the wildlife depend on.

• Leave no trace: Pick up after yourself and dispose of garbage in designated trash and recycling bins to ensure you’re preserving the park’s natural beauty.

• Pack accordingly: Pack plenty of layers to stay comfortable at various elevations and in different weather conditions. Consider factors like weather and seasonal activities to make the most of your time in the park.

• Ensure proper nutrition: Stock your bag with plenty of food and water to stay hydrated and energized throughout your trip.

• Explore the park’s diversity: Talk with park rangers to learn more about the park, hidden gems, and more.

Follow these tips to ensure your Glacier National Park tour for seniors and families goes off without a hitch.

Book Your Glacier National Park Trip With Road Scholar

At Road Scholar, we offer some of the best Glacier National Park vacations. With a wide range of vacation packages for Glacier National Park, you can find a learning adventure that matches your activity level, interests, and more. Through our Glacier National Park tours, you’ll learn from a local guide and discover the area with a diverse cohort of lifelong learners. From Glacier National Park tours for seniors to group national park tours, we have an experiential learning adventure for you.

Want to learn more about travel to our national parks? Check out these national park tips.