Glacier National Park is home to diverse wildlife, including all native species present when European explorers first arrived. Large mammals include grizzly bears, black bears, gray wolves, mountain lions, elk, moose, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. The park serves as a crucial habitat for threatened species like the grizzly bear and provides one of the largest remaining populations of mountain goats in the lower 48 states. Over 260 species of birds inhabit or migrate through the park, including golden eagles and harlequin ducks. The park's waters support various native fish species, including bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.
The park hosts over 1,000 plant species across various ecological zones determined by elevation and exposure. Lower elevations feature dense forests of western red cedar and hemlock, while middle elevations support lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, and spruce. Alpine areas above treeline display colorful wildflower meadows during summer, including glacier lilies, Indian paintbrush, and beargrass. The transition zones between forest and alpine areas, known as subalpine meadows, are particularly rich in plant diversity. Several rare and endemic plant species exist within the park, adapted to its unique environmental conditions.
The park's dramatic landscape was primarily shaped by glacial activity during the last ice age, resulting in distinctive features like U-shaped valleys, cirques, and arêtes. The mountains are composed of ancient sedimentary rocks formed over 1.6 billion years ago when the area was once an inland sea. The Lewis Overthrust, a major geological feature, pushed older rocks over younger ones, creating the park's striking angular peaks and layered appearance. The park's current glaciers, though dramatically reduced, continue to shape the landscape. Notable geological features include the Garden Wall, a dramatic arête formation, and numerous glacial lakes formed by retreating ice sheets.
Glacier National Park was established in 1910, becoming America's 10th national park. Native Americans, particularly the Blackfeet and Kootenai tribes, inhabited the area for thousands of years before European exploration. The Great Northern Railway played a crucial role in the park's development, constructing iconic lodges and chalets in the early 1900s to promote tourism. The park's name comes from the massive glaciers that carved the landscape during the last ice age, though most of these glaciers have significantly retreated in recent decades. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, completed in 1932, remains one of the park's most remarkable engineering achievements and continues to be a major attraction.
The park's most iconic feature is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile engineering marvel that crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Other notable attractions include the Many Glacier area, known for its stunning lakes and historic hotel; Lake McDonald, the park's largest lake with its famous colored pebbles; and the Highline Trail, offering spectacular alpine hiking. The park contains over 700 lakes, numerous waterfalls including Virginia Falls and St. Mary Falls, and more than 700 miles of hiking trails. The remaining glaciers, though diminishing, are also significant features, with Jackson Glacier being one of the most visible from the main road.
Glacier National Park experiences distinct seasonal variations typical of a mountain environment. Summers (July-August) are relatively mild with daytime temperatures ranging from 60-80°F (15-27°C), while winters are cold and snowy with temperatures often below freezing. Spring and fall are transitional seasons with variable conditions. The park receives significant precipitation, much of it as snow, with annual snowfall exceeding 100 inches in many areas. Weather can change rapidly at any time of year, and visitors should be prepared for sudden temperature drops, storms, and varying conditions at different elevations. The best weather for visiting typically occurs from late June through mid-September.
USA
48.7540°, -113.6860°
May 11, 1910
4100
Glacier National Park features pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, it is a hiker's paradise offering solitude and wilderness. The park is home to over 70 species of mammals including grizzly bears, mountain goats, and wolverines.