The Continental Divide Trail runs for approximately 110 miles through Glacier National Park: from Marias Pass through Two Medicine and Many Glacier to the U.S.–Canada border. Glacier County lies in northwestern Montana between the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains. The national park is within the county; the Blackfeet Reservation is also part of its territory.
Trails through Glacier National Park
The Running Eagle Falls Trail is a self-guided nature trail in Glacier National Park. Another hiking option is to connect the Dawson and Pitamakan Pass trails into a popular full-day loop. The options differ in form: one is a nature trail, while the other is a loop designed for a full day of hiking.
The Continental Divide Trail adds a longer route through the park. Its approximately 110 miles run from Marias Pass through Two Medicine and Many Glacier to the U.S.–Canada border.
Winter and getting here
When snow conditions are good, Two Medicine Road provides access to scenic cross-country skiing. Winter conditions vary from season to season, so cross-country skiing here depends on snow conditions.
The St. Mary Entrance is the eastern access point to Going-to-the-Sun Road and also provides access to the St. Mary Visitor Center. The road is designated both a National Historical Civil Engineering Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. The historic Amtrak train, the Empire Builder, stops seasonally in East Glacier Park. As schedules can change, check them before planning your trip.
Experience Blackfeet culture
Blackfeet Cultural History Tours offer half-day and full-day tours featuring historical and cultural sites. The Blackfeet Heritage Center and Art Gallery offers visitors an experience focused on understanding the Blackfeet. Both offer different ways to learn about Blackfeet culture and history.
The Blackfeet Trail Tour is also marked with historic road signs. The Blackfeet Planning and Development Department has updated these signs. North American Indian Days features traditional dancing, singing, drumming, Stick Games, and rodeos. The festival takes place annually on the second weekend in July; confirm the dates with the Blackfeet Nation before your trip.
Art and history in museums
The Museum of the Plains Indian presents historical artworks by Indigenous peoples of the Northern Plains in a permanent exhibition. The museum also displays murals by Blackfeet artist Victor Pepion. Visitors can therefore see both historical artworks and pieces by a named Blackfeet artist in one place.
The visitor gallery at the Lodgepole Gallery and Blackfeet Culture Camp is open to visitors seasonally. It features beadwork, paintings, moccasins, dolls, and other artworks, as well as arts and crafts by Indigenous artists from the region. The range of items on display gives the gallery its own distinct focus.
The Glacier County Historical Museum is located in Cut Bank. Its exhibits cover homesteading, Lewis & Clark, artist John Clark, local businesses and oil, as well as the history of Cut Bank from 1898 through the 1960s. Its subject matter ranges from early settlement stories to the development of the town and regional economy.
The museum grounds cover 14 acres and include two exhibit buildings. There is also an oil worker’s house, an oil derrick, a schoolhouse from 1917, and a caboose from the 1980s. A replica homestead house and farm bring history to life through living history. The buildings and exhibits supplement the exhibition topics with concrete examples from the grounds.
Trails around Cut Bank
The Cut Bank Trails run along the creek and prairie edges. You can walk, run, and bike on paved and natural-surface trails. Unlike trails in the national park, these trails are specifically linked to the creek and prairie surroundings; the surfaces and activities mentioned describe what visitors can expect to find there.
Glacier offers everything from nature trails and a full-day loop hike to paths along the creek and prairie edges. Those interested in culture can find tours, festivals, galleries, and museums, each with its own focus.
Discover more destinations: Browning, East Glacier Park, Cut Bank, Dawson County, Madison County, Valley County, Custer County, Lewis And Clark.
For the main travel overview: Montana.
