Glacier

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Waterton Lakes National Park Alberta, Canada Glacier National Park Montana, United States Parcs Canada Parks Canada This illustration shows an imagined summer scene in Glacier, as if you were standing on a high point looking north. The foreground features a variety of Glacier’s plants and animals. In the distance are a few well-known mountains, lakes, and points of interest. What do you notice in this view? POWER Welcome to the history of the Earth. DIVERSITY Indigenous people call these CHANGE Living in Glacier is about Here, mighty geologic collisions lifted, folded, and rearranged layers of Earth’s ancient rocks with those of more recent times. Thousands of years of flowing ice carved sharp points, walls, and valleys that you see today. Younger glaciers continue the work. mountains the backbone of the world. You are also in the narrowest part of the Rocky Mountains—and one of the most diverse sections. Here, influences from all directions met and created a variety of communities. A meadow like the one below holds just a few of the over 1,200 species of plants that live here. resilience—adapting to change by the minute, the hour, the year. You need to be ready for two climates and big differences in elevation. Search the painting for clues from plants and animals about where you might be warmest, coldest, wettest, driest. Chief Mountain Upper Waterton Lake What powers your imagination? What does diversity mean to you? Glacier is also a center for scientists study­ ing global climate change. They are observing what grizzly bears eat, tracking bird migrations, and measuring glacial retreats. What they learn can help us all be resilient in the face of change. What does change look like? Golden eagle Peregrine falcon Granite Park Chalet Lake McDonald Logan Pass Mountain goat Clark’s nutcracker Going-to-the-Sun Road Whitebark pine Saint Mary Lake Golden eagle Gray wolf Grizzly bear Beargrass International Peace Park • World Heritage Site Waterton-Glacier Elk Columbian ground squirrel Lynx Hoary marmot Bighorn sheep Paintbrush Snowshoe hare White-tailed ptarmigan Moss campion Least chipmunk Yellow monkeyflower Butterweed Pika Lupine blue butterfly Lewis’s monkeyflower Stonefly Bumblebee Shrubby penstemon ILLUSTRATION—NPS / LARRY EIFERT Surrounding Waterton Lakes-Glacier Canada Highway 6 leads to the park from the north, near Piikani Reserve. Canada Highway 5 leads to the park from the east, near the Kainai Nation (Blood Tribe). Waterton Lakes National Park is the northeastern tip of the park located in Waterton, Canada. Apgar Canada Highway 4 meets 5 from the northeast in Alberta. Canada Highway 501 meets 2 from the east in Alberta. Glacier National Park is the majority of the park, which is located in Montana. The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is located adjacent to the park on the east side. Hungry Horse Reservoir is located near the southern end of the park. Saint Mary Apgar Creek runs southeast into Lake McDonald. Fisk Creek is located on the west side of Lake McDonald. It has an amphitheater, campground, restrooms, and a picnic area. Apgar Visitor Center is located south of Lake McDonald off Camas Road and near an accessible path. There are restrooms, a bookstore/gift shop, and shuttle bus stop. Flathead Lake and Indian Reservation are located southwest of the park along U S Highway 93. There is a private campground approximately a half kilometer/ third of a mile from the west side of Lower South Mary Lake. Camas Road and Inside North Fork Road run from the north to meet each other on the west side of Lake McDonald near Apgar Creek. Apgar Village is located at the southwestern tip of Lake McDonald. A boat launch is nearby. An amphitheater and picnic area are located less than a kilometer/ two-thirds of a mile to the east along the lake. Camas Road connects with Going-to-the-Sun Road on the eastern side of Lake McDonald. The accessible path runs northwest to a bike path, which runs southeast. Waterton Apgar Campground is located west of Going-to-the-Sun Road and has a picnic area and restrooms. Saint Mary Campground is located north of Going-tothe-Sun Road and has restrooms, an amphitheater, and a campground. Going-to-the-Sun Road runs along the western side of Saint Mary Lake, turns sharply and runs southeast to Saint Mary Village. Lower Saint Mary Lake is located north of Saint Mary Lake and flows southwest into South Mary Lake. The entrance station and Saint Mary Visitor Center are located along Going-to-the-Sun Road northeast of the lake. The visitor center has restrooms, a bookstore/gift shop, and shuttle bus stop. Saint Mary Village is located near the intersection of Going-to-the-Sun Road and U S route 89. There is a gas station and food service. The 1913 Ranger Station is located southwest of Saint Mary Village. The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is located east of U S route 89. Middle Waterton Lake is located north of Upper Waterton Lake. Akamina Parkway runs southeast and then turns northeast meeting Evergreen Avenue on the west side of Middle Waterton Lake. Bears Hump, located Prince of Wales National between Akamina Parkway Historic Site, located less and Evergreen Avenue, has than half a kilometer/third an elevation of 5,059 feet of a mile from Evergreen (1,542 meters). Avenue and near Linnet Evergreen Avenue runs Lake on the west side of Middle Waterton Lake, has southwest to meet Cameron Falls Drive on food service and lodging. Cameron Creek runs southeast into the west side of Upper Waterton Lake. The visitor information Cameron Falls. centre is located off Cameron Falls Cameron Falls Drive Drive runs perpendicular to and has a bookstore/ Waterton Avenue, gift shop, restrooms, Townsite is located west of which runs north and amphitheater. Waterton Avenue and has to south and then restrooms, a picnic area, southeast along and a campground. There Upper Waterton are restrooms located Lake. The northern along the southern end of end has a ferry. Evergreen Avenue. Waterton Lakes National Park—Canada AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE PARK Canada and the United States recognized the worldwide importance of their two national parks—Waterton Lakes and Glacier—early in the last century. They created the first international peace park in 1932 to share responsibility for its care and protection. Look for signs of goodwill between Canada and the United States during your visit. CROWN OF THE CONTINENT Glacier National Park is the heart of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem, which extends far beyond the range of this map. The governments and citizens of the United States, Canada, and Indigenous nations are working together to sustain this ecosystem amid a rapidly changing world. See highlights of this ecosystem in the painting on the other side of this brochure. Red Rock Canyon, located at the northwestern end of Twin Lakes, Lost Lake, and Goat Lake are located in the northwest part of the Red Rock Parkway, has a park and have wilderness campgrounds. self-guiding trail. Crandell Mountain, Canada Highway 5 runs east located off Red Rock Highway 6 inside the park boundary. toward the park entrance. Parkway, has a Belly River, located at the southeastern campground. park Lone Mountain, near Lone Creek, has LonesomeThe Lake, a entrance is located off Canada Highway 5 at theand northern end of Lower Waterton Lake. Canada an elevation of 7,949 feet/2,424 meters golf course, Highway 6 runs south toward the park entrance. and a wilderness campground. Chief Mountain International Highway, part of Canada guided horseback riding are located The First Oil Well in Western Canada Highway 6, runs southeast through the northeastern tip southeast of Crandell Mountain along National Historic Site is located northwest of the park, through Kainai Nation (Blood Tribe) and Canada Highway 5. of Waterton along the Akamina Parkway. Belly River, to U S road 17 near U S Highway 89. Bison paddock is located off Canada There are a ranger station and wilderness campground near Akamina Pass. Kintla Creek, located east of the Boundary Mountains, has a wilderness campground. Boulder Pass has wilderness campgrounds. Upper Waterton Lake has an elevation of 4,196 feet/1,279 meters and a wilderness campground at its southernmost tip. Goat Haunt Overlook is located east of the southern tip of Upper Waterton Brown Pass and Lake Francis Lake and has a ferry, ranger station, and have wilderness wilderness campground. campgrounds. Lake Janet has a wilderness campground. Customs is located on the U S-Canadian border along Chief Mountain International Highway on the east side of the park and is open in summer only. Kootenai Lakes are located south of Goat Haunt and have a wilderness campground. Akokala Lake is located along the southwest side of Numa Ridge and has a wilderness campground. Round Prairie has a wilderness campground. Bowman Lake is located on the west side of the park and has an infrequently staffed ranger station, a primitive campground, and a picnic area. end of Kainai Nation (Blood Tribe), has a campground. Alderson Lake, Lower Bertha Falls, Upper Bertha Falls, and Bertha Lake are located west of Upper Waterton Lake and have wilderness campgrounds. Kintla Lake is located on the west side of the park and has an infrequently staffed ranger station and primitive campground. The road along North Fork Flathead River is closed in winter between Big Prairie to Polebridge. Several Indigenous cultures have had a long and lasting association with this land that continues today. Waterton has a visitor information centre, ranger station, lodging, food service, a campground, ferry, and picnic area. Akamina Parkway runs northeast from Cameron Lake along Cameron Creek to Crandell Lake, where there is a wilderness campground, and then southeast to Waterton. There is no border crossing on the west side of the park between British Columbia and Montana. PEOPLE OF GLACIER Since time immemorial humans have come into these mountains from all directions. Oral histories speak of their lives entwined with the land. Place names like Kintla, Akokala, Mokowanis, and Pitamakan also speak of this connection. Look for other Indigenous names on the map and as you travel the park. The Continental Divide runs from Mount Custer south near Thunderbird Glacier, Dixon Glacier, Weasel Collar Glacier, and Vulture Glacier. Stoney Indian Pass is located southeast of Kootenai Lakes and has a wilderness campground. Mokowanis River, Glenns Lake, Cosley Lake, Elizabeth Lake, and Helen Lake have wilderness campgrounds. Belly River has an infrequently staffed ranger station and a wilderness campground. Swiftcurrent Ridge Lake is located south of Slide Lake and has a wilderness campground. Many Glacier is located off U S Highway 89 and has information, food service, a campground, ranger station, lodging, and an amphitheater. Lower Quartz Lake, Middle Quartz Lake, and Quartz Lake are located east of Bowman Lake and have trails and wilderness campgrounds. Bowman Creek and an unpaved road run northeast from North Fork Flathead River to Bowman Lake. Slide Lake is located southeast of Belly River and has a wilderness campground. Driving Going-to-the-Sun Road Vehicles over 21 feet (including bumpers) or over 8 feet wide (including mirrors) are prohibited between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun, and North Fork Road beyond Polebridge Entrance Station. Rock overhangs may pose difficulties for vehicles over 10 feet tall in travelling west from Logan Pass to The Loop. Guided tours are available; check at a visitor center. Granite Park Chalet is located southwest Swiftcurrent Nature Trail has wheelchair access, a picnic of Many Glacier and has a wilderness area, and a self-guiding trail. Swiftcurrent Lake has a campground. There is a lookout tower ferry, food service, guided horseback riding, and lodging. along the Continental Divide north of Swiftcurrent Pass. Polebridge, which is located along North Fork Flathead River, has an entrance station and ranger station. Glacier National Park—U S Saint Mary Visitor Center and entrance are located off U S Highway 89 at GoingGoing-to-the-Sun Road runs northeast from to-the-Sun Road on the east side of the Triple Arches is located north West Glacier on the west side of the park park. There is a ranger station, lodging, of Hidden Lake Nature Trail north and then east to Saint Mary on the Quartz Creek is located food service, and a campground. along Going-to-the-Sun Road. east side of the park at U S Highway 89. southeast of Polebridge and Weeping Wall is located Rising Sun is located southwest of Saint has a primitive campground. northwest of Triple Arches Logan Pass Visitor Center is located Mary along Going-to-the-Sun Road and along Going-to-the-Sun Road. has lodging, a campground, food service, Logging Creek is located southeast of south of Many Glacier along an amphitheater, picnic area, and ferry. Quartz Creek and has an infrequently Going-to-the-Sun Road and has staffed ranger station and primitive wheelchair access. Sunrift Gorge and Sun Point Nature Trail is located campground. Avalanche Creek is located south Trail of the Cedars Hidden Lake southwest of Rising Sun along Jackson Glacier Nature Trail is of Trail of the Cedars Nature Nature Trail is Going-to-the-Sun Road and has a Overlook are near Logan Pass Trail off Going-to-the-Sun Road located on the picnic area and self-guiding trail. and has a picnic area and southwest side of Visitor Center and located west along campground. Going-to-the-Sun has a self-guiding Going-to-the-Sun Road. trail. Road and has Wilderness Over 90 percent of Glacier wheelchair access Lake McDonald and McDonald National Park has been recommended for and a self-guiding Falls are located southwest along wilderness designation. Preserving wilderness trail. Going-to-the-Sun Road, where protects forever the land’s wilderness there is an infrequently staffed character, natural conditions, opportunities ranger station, lodging, ferry, for solitude, and scientific, educational, and food services, and guided Cut Bank is located south of Saint historical values. Find out more about Forest and Fire Trail, a self-guiding trail, is horseback riding. Mary and along the eastern edge of located at the northwestern tip of Camas Glacier’s wilderness on the park website. the park along an unpaved road. It The Big Creek Outdoor Education Road near Outside North Fork Road. Lake McDonald has an elevation has an infrequently staffed ranger Center, U S Forest Service, and a of 3,153 feet/961 meters. station and a primitive campground. primitive campground are located Sperry Chalet is Sprague Creek is along Outside North Fork Road along located east of located on the east the western edge of the park. Fish Creek is located on the Sprague Creek. side of Lake McDonald southwestern side of Lake McDonald There are several along Going-to-theand has a picnic area and campground. wilderness Sun Road. campgrounds and lakes nearby. Apgar is located at the southwestern point of Lake McDonald near Camas Road and has lodging, a ranger station, food service, campground, ferry, and picnic area. Apgar Visitor Center is located southeast along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Guided horseback riding is located 2 miles/3 kilometers to the south. The Two Medicine Entrance is located near Lower Two Medicine Lake. There is also a lookout tower. The west entrance, Glacier Institute Field Camp, and park headquarters, where there is a ranger station, are located to the south. West Glacier Railroad Depot is located along U S Highway 2 in Flathead National Forest and has food services and lodging. Running Eagle Falls Nature Trail is located between Two Medicine and the entrance. It has wheelchair access and a self-guiding trail. Two Medicine is located south of Cut Bank along Two Medicine Junction and has a ranger station, campground, picnic area, ferry, food service, and amphitheater. East Glacier Park Railroad Depot is located southeast of Two Medicine at Two Medicine Junction and U S Highway 2. It has an infrequently staffed ranger station, food service, and lodging. Visiting Glacier National Park Use the park newspaper, website, and NPS App for detailed information about the park, visitor centers, services, and what to see and do. Roads Vehicle size restrictions exist for Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork Road beyond Polebridge. • Most roads are closed in winter. Restrooms Available at visitor centers, restaurants, hotels, picnic areas, and along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Safety and Regulations Cell phone service and GPS are unreliable. • Follow the guide at far right to stay the safe and legal distance from all animals. • Federal law protects rocks, plants, animals, and historic artifacts. • Firearms regulations are on the website. • Using remotely piloted aircraft like drones is prohibited. • Keep pets on a leash; never leave them alone; do not take them on trails. Accessibility We strive to make facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. For information go to a visitor center, ask a ranger, call, or check the park website. The International Peace Park logo symbolizes the two countries cooperating to protect their shared environment. EMERGENCIES CALL 911 or contact a park ranger MORE INFORMATION Glacier National Park PO Box 128; West Glacier, MT 59936 406-888-7800; www.nps.gov/glac The international park has been honored in many ways, including designation as a World Heritage Site. Waterton Lakes National Park pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/waterton Follow both parks on social media. 8/26/22 Learn morenpf_black.pdf about national 1parks at www.nps.gov and pc.gc.ca. 12:33 PM Join the park community. www.nationalparks.org U.S. IGPO: 2023—423-201/83031 New in 2022 In 2017 it also became the first transnational park certified by the International Dark-Sky Association. Glacier and Waterton Lakes national parks are each designated Biosphere Reserves. Summit U S Forest Service is located along U S Highway 2 on the southeastern tip of the park near Marias Pass and the Lewis and Clark National Forest. It has an infrequently staffed ranger station. Essex Railroad Depot is north of Walton and has lodging and food service. Walton is located northwest of Goat Lick Overlook along U S Highway 2 in the Great Bear Wilderness Area. It has a picnic area and an infrequently staffed ranger station. Goat Lick Overlook is located west of Devil Creek along U S Highway 2 and has wheelchair access. Devil Creek U S Forest Service is located southwest of Summit along U S Highway 2 in Flathead National Forest and has an infrequently staffed ranger station. Enjoy watching Glacier’s animals but STAY SAFE. They are WILD and DANGEROUS. Use this guide to visualize the safe and legal distance you need to be from Glacier’s animals. 25 yards (23 meters) or about 2 bus lengths from all animals except … For bears and wolves: 100 yards (92 meters) or approximately 8 bus lengths