Glacier Park Boat Tours

The Glacier Park Boat Company has run narrated cruises on the park's big lakes for generations, and the boats are part of the experience: wooden launches from the 1920s and 1940s, kept in service and updated for safety. On Lake McDonald, the cruise glides past the colorful shoreline, the lodge and the mountains at the head of the lake. On St. Mary Lake, from the Rising Sun area, the trip combines a cruise with a short walk to Baring Falls or to Sun Point, depending on the schedule. On Two Medicine, a boat takes you across to the trail for Twin Falls. At Many Glacier, boats cross Swiftcurrent and Josephine lakes to cut miles off the walk to Grinnell Glacier. Each cruise is fifty to ninety minutes in total and includes commentary from a pilot-guide on geology, history, wildlife and the Blackfeet connection to the landscape.

Boat tours are among the best low-effort ways to see the park. They suit visitors with limited mobility, families with young children, anyone whose hiking day is behind them and photographers who want a different angle. Wear layers, because the wind on the water is cooler than on shore, and bring a camera with a zoom for shoreline wildlife. Seats are limited and the most popular departures, such as Many Glacier or Two Medicine in July, fill quickly, so reserve in advance when you can.

Schedules change with the season, the water levels and the weather. The boats generally start in late May or June and run through September, with the number of daily departures higher in July and August. Confirm the departure point and times for the lake you plan to visit, since the docks are at different locations and some require a shuttle or a short walk. Fares, discounts for children and combined options for hikes change from year to year, so check the operator before you commit.

If you are weighing options, the Lake McDonald cruise pairs naturally with a stop at the lodge, the Two Medicine boat suits a morning hike to Twin Falls and the Many Glacier boats are best treated as part of a hike plan. A boat ride and a Red Bus tour make a relaxed two-day introduction to the park for visitors who do not want to hike.

Make a plan that fits your priorities. If you want the most scenery for your time, choose the lake that matches your base: Lake McDonald on the west side, St. Mary or Many Glacier on the east, Two Medicine in the south. Check whether your cruise includes a guided walk to a waterfall or a viewpoint, and wear shoes that suit it. Bring a light waterproof jacket, since spray and wind on the water can be cold, and keep a hat secured.

Photographers should stand on the side facing the mountains and bring a lens that can handle both wide scenery and distant wildlife. Families can ask about stroller policies and life jackets for small children. Reserve for the earliest or latest departures if you want softer light and fewer people, and keep a backup plan in case wind causes a delay or cancellation.