The famous Going-to-the Sun Road traverses the park through a diversity of ecosystems, including lakes, waterfalls, mountains and forests. The road is a National Historic Landmark and is one of the best and most well-known scenic drives in the country. You can take an entire day driving the road and stopping for scenery and great photo opportunities. Due to its winding nature and hairpin turns, it’s not for the faint-hearted. Also, portions of the road are closed in the winter, so you’ll want to check its availability and travel in the summer.

Lake McDonald is the largest lake in the park at nearly 10 miles and 500 feet deep. The lake was carved by glaciers and is a great spot for sightseeing and hiking. You can also fish or take a boat tour. And, although the water is clear, it’s generally too cold for swimming. The lake is also home to the historic Lake McDonald Lodge, where you can feel like you’re staying in a mountainous Swiss chalet. If you’re interested, the National Park Service has several webcams in the area where you can check on current conditions.

For those who are able, there’s almost nothing in the continental United States like the park’s Grinnell Glacier. As the glaciers in the park disappear due to climate change, Grinnell is the most accessible. But the hike is strenuous and shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. The entire trail is over 11 miles long and you’ll be climbing over 1,800 feet, so give yourself plenty of time and provisions. You can also shorten the trip by taking a shuttle boat across Swiftcurrent Lake. You’ll also need to be mindful of grizzly bears, which can be aggressive and deadly. Bear spray is advised. The glacier itself is about 152 acres. You can walk on it, but be careful and don’t do the trip alone.