Glacier National Park encompasses over one million acres of breathtaking wilderness in Northwest Montana.
Where to start?

Explore Glacier with a day hike from Logan Pass up to Hidden Lake along a well-maintained boardwalk, walk through the Garden Wall’s wildflower fields on the Highline Trail, or for the more adventuresome, climb to Siyeh Pass for an expansive view across the Continental Divide.

With over 700 miles of spectacular trails, hiking anywhere in Glacier National Park will create lifelong memories and inspire your return to the “Crown of the Continent”.

Soak up Glacier’s beauty from the scenic vistas along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a National Historic Landmark completed in 1932 that climbs to the sub-alpine heights of Logan Pass. You will marvel at this feat of engineering that meanders along cliffs with waterfalls cascading beneath sections of it.

Wildlife watching is supreme at Logan Pass where you will likely spot the iconic mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Step out of your vehicle and you’ll hear the Columbian ground squirrels and hoary marmots calling to each other, and birds of prey circling overhead.

Experience the heritage of Glacier National Park with a visit to its historic lodges and chalets. Two of the original backcountry chalets, Sperry Chalet and Granite Park Chalet, are still in operation and welcome hikers and horseback riders as soon as the snow melts.

Glacier’s rich history and scenery can also be enjoyed from the comfort of the original wooden boats and red “Jammer” bus tours which are operated by interpretive guides well versed in the history, flora and fauna of Glacier Park.

For backcountry adventure, take an overnight camping trip with Glacier Wilderness Guides. They can take you safely “well off the beaten track” and show you some of Glacier’s best-kept secrets.

GOLF:
Relax on the links of two Glacier National Park golf courses: Glacier View Golf Club in West Glacier offers 18 holes and the Glacier Park Lodge Golf Course in East Glacier offers 9 holes for your enjoyment. Several other courses nearby make Glacier Country a golfer’s destination vacation.

FISHING:
Love to fish for trout? Cast a line at one of the large low-lying lakes, the mouth of McDonald Creek, the wide banks of the North Fork of the Flathead, or hike in to an alpine lake for some native cutthroat fishing therapy.
Check out why National Geographic rated Glacier as one of the Top National Parks.
 
HORSES:
Exploration on horseback is a longstanding tradition in Glacier National Park. Many of the first visitors to Glacier Park over 100 years ago arrived via the Great Northern Railroad and spent days or weeks touring the Park on horseback, staying at tent camps and backcountry chalets that were approximately one day’s horseback ride apart.

The tradition of exploration on horseback continues today, with Swan Mountain Outfitters providing guided trail riding on our own trails at Green Valley Ranch as well as in and around Glacier National Park. As Glacier’s only horseback concessionaire, they offer a variety of horseback adventures in the Park and in West Glacier.

If you are visiting Green Valley Ranch in July, don’t miss The Event at Rebecca Farm near Kalispell, an Olympic-level equestrian Eventing competition. The largest of its kind in the U.S., this event draws over 450 competitors from around the world and over 20,000 spectators.

RAFTING:
Glacier National Park is bordered by two pristine rivers – the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River.

The Middle Fork originates in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, and is known for its pure headwaters and mineral rich aqua-colored water during runoff season in the spring.

The North Fork flows from Alberta, Canada, offering 84 miles of calmer water and sweeping vistas of the craggy peaks of the northwestern section of Glacier Park.

Early season flows result in exhilarating class II and III rapids. We recommend a guided half day, full day or overnight trip with trusted outfitters, Glacier Raft Company or Great Northern Raft Company, both located in West Glacier.

When the mountain spring runoff subsides, our rivers become crystal clear and are quite popular to float, kayak, fish, picnic and recreate on our warm Montana summer days.

The North and Middle Forks converge at Blankenship Bridge to form the beginning of the Flathead River and is joined 8 miles downstream by the South Fork of the Flathead, flowing out of the Hungry Horse Reservoir. The river then becomes wide and flat, meandering and braiding its way to Flathead Lake in the Flathead Valley.


FLY FISHING:
Glacier National Park and Montana are home to several blue ribbon fly fishing destination rivers including the Flathead river system. Since our rivers are fed by snow melt, they run clear and cold resulting in lively, medium-sized rainbow and cutthroat trout. You will also find Bull Trout (catch and release only), rumor of spawning salmon, and a healthy population of whitefish.

The three forks of the Flathead River (North, Middle and South) are deep and fast flowing, offering only some shallows for wading. The most popular way to fish our rivers above Flathead Lake is from boats. Our trusted local fishing guides at Glacier Anglers or LakeStream Fly Shop offer the choice of fishing from a drift boat or small raft with fishing frame. We recommend a fishing trip with these experienced guides whose knowledge of the rivers helps them row you to, and keep you in, the optimum fishing holes.

Fishing the Forks of the Flathead River requires a Montana fishing license; however, fishing within the boundaries of Glacier National Park does not require a license. You can reach amazing water to cast a line, either by car or by trail. See the Glacier Park website and the Fish, Wildlife and Parks website for license, catch and release and quota information.
 
CYCLING:
Cycling up Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass is an unforgettable experience that VeloNews called one of the MUST DO RIDES on their North American “Bucket List” and came in 3rd in Bicycling Magazine’s article, "The 30 Most Epic National Parks With Bike Trails.”
Please note that from June 15th through Labor Day, bicycles are not allowed on select stretches of the road between 11am and 4pm, so plan to start early. It can take up to four hours to reach Logan Pass from the the Lake McDonald Lodge parking lot, but it is well worth the effort.
If you're more interested in renting an eBike for your journey, reach out to SkyEco Rentals which is just down the road from Green Valley Ranch.

MOUNTAIN BIKING:
Mountain biking is not permitted in Glacier Park, with the exception of one trail that crosses McDonald Creek on the historic Quarter Circle Bridge and ends on a high bluff overlooking the convergence of the Middle and North Forks of the Flathead River.

There are many trails at Green Valley Ranch that make for great mountain biking as well as some nearby routes. Check with our property management team for more local rides based on your abilities.

Whitefish Mountain Resort is also a summer mountain biking destination, with ski lifts in operation to take you to the top of the runs.

Daily or extended equipment rentals can be arranged through Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish. They also have an extensive list of trails and rides on their website. We can assist you in lining up rentals ahead of your arrival, or if you prefer to ship your own equipment, we can make sure your bikes are tuned and ready to go when you arrive.
 

WINTER:
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING:
Montana XC Skiing at its Purest! 
As a member of the Cross Country Ski Area Association, Green Valley Ranch is a Montana cross country skiing destination in its own right. We maintain over 25 kilometers of groomed trails for Nordic skiers of all abilities. The advanced terrain has been favorably compared to elite NCAA courses. We set classic tracks and some skating lanes. However, we can’t promise that the elk and moose will stay off the groomed trails!

Guests of Green Valley Ranch, can also explore Glacier National Park on backcountry skis over many trails from West Glacier and the Lake McDonald Lodge areas.

For beautifully groomed cross country trails close to the amenities of the charming mountain town of Whitefish, there are 15 km at the Glacier Nordic Center located on the Whitefish Lake Golf Course, 3 km of which is lighted for night skiing.

For intermediate cross country skiing on groomed trails, drive 25 miles east to the Izaac Walton Inn in Essex, Montana. The historic railway lodge grooms 33 km of trails for skate and classic skiing on forested, rolling hills. Izaac Walton Inn offers cross country ski lessons as well as guided ski tours into Glacier National Park.

DOWNHILL SKIING:
Two downhill ski resorts are located within an hour drive of Green Valley Ranch.
Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish, and Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in Sommers. Whitefish Mountain Resort offers rewarding terrain from novice to expert with skier amenities including group and private lessons, equipment rentals, and inviting lodges to warm up and unwind after a day of skiing. Ski Magazine and Outside Magazine have consistently ranked Whitefish Mountain Resort among the top ski areas in the country.

Backcountry skiing can be reached by hiring a powder cat and guide for your group. With Great Northern Powder Guides, guests have the opportunity to ski up to 14,000′ vertical per day. Trees, burned over areas, cleared open areas, glades, pillows, rocks, chutes… you name it, they've got it.


SNOWMOBILING:
Touring the winter wonderlands surrounding Glacier National Park on snowmobiles is one of the most comfortable yet adventurous means of exploring the area in winter. Flathead Valley boasts over 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and miles of Forest Service roads. Frozen lakes, wildlife viewing opportunities and breathtaking views of the snow-covered peaks of Glacier National Park sit waiting for you to discover them in their winter beauty.

Our friends at Swan Mountain Snowmobiling provide the best in Montana snowmobiling, with new state-of-the-art machines, equipment and gear, and friendly, knowledgeable and professional guides to complete your trip. They also offer snowmobile rentals for those who wish to brave the backcountry trails on their own.
Swan Mountain Snowmobiling offers a wide range of guided snowmobiling tours including two hour, half day and full day tours as well as snowmobile rentals. They operate in three distinct groomed areas including Desert Mountain snowmobile area just minutes from Glacier National Park and Green Valley Ranch, the Canyon Creek snowmobile area along the backside of Whitefish Mountain Resort and the Crane Mountain/Porcupine snowmobile area in the Swan Valley. Try out one of their unique tours, such as the Breakfast Tour, Sunset Tour or the Cook While You Ride Tour.