Six Days in Glacier and Waterton Without a Packed Schedule
Mountain lake scenery from our trip. Photograph supplied by the author.
We took three kids to Glacier and Canada in six days. If you’re bringing aging parents, check how much walking hides inside a “boat tour” before you book. The right outing can give everyone time to enjoy the mountains together.
Our August 28 to September 2, 2024 trip linked Glacier National Park in Montana with Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. We used airport-area hotels for the first and last nights, Many Glacier Hotel for two nights, and Prince of Wales Hotel for one. Build in rest between drives and excursions.
The Flight and Drive Itinerary
AI-generated illustrated itinerary based on our 2024 plan. Not to scale or for navigation.
Our Six Day Plan
Day 1 August 28. Arrive in Montana, collect the rental car, and settle into an airport-area hotel. Keep the evening free.
Day 2 August 29. Move to Many Glacier Hotel. Our notes list the St. Mary boat tour at 6 p.m.; allow time to drive between the hotel and the dock.
Day 3 August 30. The plan pairs a 9:30 a.m. canoe rental with a 1:30 p.m. Red Bus tour. Skip the canoe if boarding, balance, or energy makes it a poor fit.
Day 4 August 31. Drive into Canada for Prince of Wales Hotel. Grinnell Lake was only a possible morning outing in our notes. Keep it optional rather than squeezing it into a border-crossing day.
Day 5 September 1. Return to Montana. Our notes list a Lake McDonald boat tour at 7 p.m., followed by an airport-area hotel. An earlier sailing may suit families who prefer daylight driving.
Day 6 September 2. Return the car and fly home.
What Most Families Miss
Check the whole excursion. The Many Glacier two-lake boat trip includes a steep 0.2-mile walk between boats and has no wheelchair access. Ask about boarding and terrain for every tour. Request an accessible Red Bus when booking; availability is limited.
Ask about the exact room. At Prince of Wales, the elevator stops at the fourth floor; fifth- and sixth-floor rooms require stairs. Confirm the bathroom, bed access, and route from parking directly with the hotel.
Treat Canada as international travel. Check documents for every traveler, border hours, and your rental’s permission and insurance paperwork. Budget asks customers to notify it before driving into Canada. Review phone coverage too.
Recheck the season. These are our 2024 times, not a current timetable. Confirm road access and tour schedules for your dates. Buy or rent bear spray locally and arrange its return before flying; it cannot go aboard aircraft.
Goldie’s Table
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Book or bring |
What to check |
Learn more |
|---|---|---|
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Boat tours and Red Bus |
Check walking, boarding and wheelchair arrangements. |
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Hotel rooms |
Confirm the exact room and bathroom features. |
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Rental car |
Confirm Canada permission and required paperwork. |
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Bear Spray |
Buy on Amazon.com and ship to your hotel ahead of time to save the cost to buy at Glacier National Park. |
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Layers and sun protection |
Choose for weather and time outdoors. |
See the optional packing appendix. |
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Baby supplies and phone plan |
Match your children’s needs and check Canada coverage. |
See the optional packing appendix. |
Goldie’s Extended Packing Table
Optional appendix. Choose what fits your family and activities. These are current planning options, not a list of items our family used in 2024.
Goldie’s Extended Packing Table Continued
Bring only what you expect to use. Confirm each product’s current specifications and instructions.
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Products and links |
Practical note |
|---|---|
|
A swim trainer does not replace an approved boating lifejacket. |
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Check price: U.S. electrical outlet covers |
Use properly fitted covers. Reserve tape for labeling, not safety barriers. |
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Check price: BAND-AID flexible bandages |
Keep basic supplies together in an accessible travel pouch. |
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Check price: Mosquito net |
Follow labels; use netting only as intended, away from babies’ faces. |
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Check the closure and product limits before exposure to water. |
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Optional. Check the model, power and network needs before travel. |
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Check price: EPICKA universal power adapter |
Check device ports. U.S. travelers generally need no plug adapter in Canada. |
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Learn more: Verizon travel coverage |
Check Canada coverage, activation, data limits and charges for every line. |
Bottom Line
Memories are priceless, and travel needs can change as parents age. Choose a trip that fits the family you have today. You worked hard for this time together; leave enough room in the schedule to enjoy it.
Disclaimer. GoldieCircle may recommend third-party products and services based on internal evaluation. Such recommendations do not constitute a warranty or guarantee of performance, suitability, or lifespan. All products and services are subject to their respective providers’ terms and conditions. GoldieCircle assumes no liability for any claims or damages arising from the use of any recommended product or service.
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