A Complete List of What to Pack for Glacier National Park
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Trying to decide what you need to pack for Glacier National Park? Everything you need to know is below!
Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the United States, but determining what to pack for it can be a little tricky. With the combination of varying elevations, different types of animals and bugs, as well as mountain weather, there’s a lot to consider regarding what to pack for Glacier National Park.
After spending 2 weeks in Glacier National Park, I’ve compiled a list of everything you’ll need to pack for the best experience while you’re there. Most of these items should be acquired and packed before traveling to Glacier, but if you are flying there are a few items you cannot take on a plane that you’ll need to purchase while in Montana.
1. Clothing
I firmly believe in always packing clothing that can withstand multiple wears without stinking too much. Throughout the last 10 years, I’ve narrowed down my closet to what I think are the best items to take on a hiking trip.
When considering what to pack for Glacier National Park, my advice is to have at least a few merino wool items. Merino wool doesn’t retain odor like synthetics or cotton so you can re-wear the same items numerous times. I like this because then I can pack less overall.
If you’re looking for a quick checklist to ensure you’ve packed everything, I’ve created one here to help you ensure you’ve got everything you need.
Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino T-Shirt
This is a no-brainer for layering underneath a rain jacket or the afternoons when the sun is out and it’s too warm for a long sleeve.
Smartwool Classic Thermal Crew
This is my all-time favorite base layer for almost every situation. It’s not itchy, odor resistant, and great at temperature regulation.
Coala Tree Trailhead Pants
A quality pair of hiking pants will be super helpful on the trail. I wore pants about 80 % of the time. They’re odor-resistant, lightweight, and water-resistant.
REI Trailmade Hiking Shorts
This is my go-to pair of hiking shorts. They have great stretch and are great for people with bigger thighs. The women’s and men’s versions of these are top-notch.
Spacedye Keep Pace Biker Shorts
I am a huge fan of biker shorts for hiking. My thighs sometimes start to chafe a little if I’m extra sweaty so this helps prevent friction in that area. Plus they’re super cute.
Patagonia Retro Pile Fleece
A fleece for layering is great when you need extra warmth, the jacket is too warm, or you’re just trying to be cozy at night.
Branwyn Essential Bralette
I finally found a wool bra that isn’t itchy and withstands a lot of hiking! It held up great on the trail and doesn’t stink after numerous wears which is great if you don’t have access to laundry.
Spacedye Slim Racerback Cropped Tank Top
This top from Beyond Yoga is one of my favorite tanks to wear during the summer. It’s a little pricey, but I own a few and typically I wait until it’s on sale! The quality is unmatched and it’s super flattering.
voenxe Seamless Women Underwear
These are the only underwear I wear for hiking now. They’re on Amazon and affordable, they don’t stink, and they are very lightweight.
Torrentshell 3L Jacket
Depending on when you visit Glacier, you may experience some rain. It’s always important to bring a rain jacket on any hiking/outdoor trip and this is no exception!
Danner Mountain 600
I am a big fan of these hiking boots. They are great if you don’t have sensitive feet. I can do about 8 miles in them before my problem feet start having issues. I have many friends who can go much further in these with zero problems (I just have baby feet).
Altra Lone Peak Hiking Shoes
After years of having blister problems and general foot issues from running and hiking, I snagged a pair of wide-toe box hiking shoes. I can put a lot of mileage on these but they take a minute to get used to. I also love the boot version, but again this type of shoe takes some breaking in.
Darn Tough Merino Socks
A few pairs of wool socks are crucial for an enjoyable hiking trip. Darn Tough has been my staple brand for years. If blisters plague you, I recommend trying Injinji socks. I always wear them on longer hikes and they’ve never disappointed.
Chaco Mega Z/Cloud Sandals
Hiking sandals like these are perfect for swimming by the water, hanging out at camp, and shorter hikes!
Patagonia Down Sweater
An insulated jacket is a must for the early mornings/late evenings. Pick something that packs down easily!
Black Diamond Midweight Screentap Fleece Gloves
Gloves are super helpful on the cold mornings and evenings if you plan to watch the beautiful sunrises/sunsets in Glacier!
The Uniform Recycled Knit Cuff Beanie
I basically only wear this hat because it’s warm and goes with everything. And, it’s a reasonable price!
Swimsuit
There will be ample opportunities to swim at Glacier so make sure you pack a good swimsuit. Billabong, L Space, and Vitamin A have all been reliable brands for me.
Cotopaxi Tech Bucket Hat
The sun at higher elevations is no joke so having a hat that provides face and neck coverage is essential. This one is made of breathable fabric and has a drawstring to ensure it stays put if it’s windy. I also love the 5-panel version.
goodr OGs Polarized Sunglasses
Not much to say other than to protect your eyeballs! I never buy super-expensive sunglasses for hiking because they always get beat up.
2. Hiking Gear
If you’re an active hiker, you probably have most of the hiking gear you’ll need to enjoy your time in Glacier National Park. When I was considering what to pack for Glacier National Park, I knew that I would need my day hike essentials.
A good day pack is a must along with a water filter or large bladder depending on the length of the hike. Additionally, a headlamp is great if you plan to do any golden hour hiking or are camping.
For women, a pee cloth is useful on long hikes without restroom facilities.
Cell service is practically non-existent once you enter Glacier National Park, so having a GPS Phone can be essential and potentially life-saving.
Osprey Stratos 24 Pack
I’ve owned this pack for almost 10 years and it has held up so well. It’s the perfect size for a day hike and holds everything I need it to.
Camelback Arete 18 Hydration Pack
If I’m doing a long hike with my husband and there isn’t a lot of water available, we’ll take this as a second pack. There are numerous hikes in Glacier where this would be helpful!
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter
I absolutely love this filter, but the bag it comes with tears rather easily. Mine lasted about a year before it tore and I replaced the bag with this one which has held up super well.
REI Co-Op Nalgene
Any water bottle will do, but if you don’t have a lightweight one or you’re in the market for a new one, I’d recommend a nalgene as they’re lightweight and the large opening makes them easy to fill with a filter.
BioLite Head Lamp 325
Late night hiking or early morning hiking isn’t necessarily recommended in Glacier National Park due to the high density of bears, but a headlamp is super helpful if you’re camping or finishing a hike around dusk.
Kula Pee Cloth
For all my ladies, this is a MUST for a long day on the trail. I love mine and I bring it on every hike because you never know when nature will call. I just clip is onto the outside of my pack to let it dry when I’m done wiping.
Spot X GPS
I use the Spot GPS phone and it works relatively well. A more expensive option would include the Garmin Inreach. Another less expensive option is the Zoleo Communicator.
Adventure Medical Kit
As someone who is prone to injuries, blisters, you name it, I always have some sort of medical kit with me. A lot of the hikes in Glacier are 6-13 miles so it’s essential you have some basic first aid items to address any issues that may arise.
If you plan to build your own first aid kit, aim to include the following items at minimum:
- Bandaids
- Rubbing alcohol pads to clean any wounds
- Gauze
- Sheers
- Tweezers
- Ibuprofen
- Acetaminophen
- Moleskin
- Medical Tape
3. Toiletries
Here is a list of toiletries you should pack for your trip to Glacier! I highly recommend having a toiletry bag that can hang easily.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Pain Killers (ibuprofen, tylenol, aleve)
- Face wash and face cream
- Comb
- Deodorant
- Body Glide
- Hair ties
- Razor (if you plan on shaving)
- Nail clippers
- Any medication you are on (i.e., birth control, antidepressants, etc.)
- Tampons or a period cup
- Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in mini size (I use reusable travel size bottles and fill them with my normal products)
- Sunscreen
If you are camping, a pack or two of wipes is super helpful. I like to throw them in so that I can do a quick wipe-down if I don’t have access to a shower!
4. Electronics
Your number one item for Glacier – your phone!! Hopefully, you’re not leaving this behind. Most phone cameras are exceptional at taking photos now. Additionally, there are some great apps that you can use for hiking such as Alltrails, Avenza, and Gaia.
I highly recommend bringing multiple chargers and a portable charger if you have one! If you’re using your phone to capture photo and video content, you will probably need to recharge at some point. Most days we were out from early morning until sunset and I needed to recharge at least once.
INIU Portable Charger
If you don’t already own a portable charger, this is the one I own. I can typically get 5-6 full charges from it before I need to recharge it.
Glacier National Park is also one of the best places to bring a professional (or hobby) camera. The opportunities for gorgeous photos are endless. If you don’t have one, that’s okay, but if you do, make sure to pack it!
I shoot on a Sony A7rv with GM 16-35mm and a basic zoom lens. Honestly, bring whatever you have and if you want to rent a lens, I use Borrow Lenses.
Typically, I rent more niche lens’ for trips like this. On this trip, I rented the zoom lens I now own and it worked well for capturing wildlife.
5. Extras
There isn’t much else you need to pack to have a great time in Glacier. The only additional two things I would recommend are a lightweight towel and bear spray.
If you plan on swimming or showering while camping you will need a quick-drying towel that can pack down small.
Additionally, you will need bear spray as this is grizzly country. I visited for 2 weeks and saw 7 bears.
You can’t fly with bear spray since it’s an aerosol so I picked some up in Kalispell. Most lodges and shops in and around Glacier National Park also sell bear spray.
Nomadix Ultralight Towel
I’ve owned the ultralight towel for 3 years now and it is hands down leagues better than any other fast-drying towel on the market. It packs down small, absorbs a lot, and dries super quickly. I take it on pretty much every hike.
6. Packing Tips
My favorite packing tip is to use packing cubes! These help me stay organized and I will use one for dirty stuff to keep it separate throughout the trip.
To pack in packing cubes, I always roll my clothes. I find I can fit more stuff in and they stay less wrinkly.
I’ve found for trips like this I tend to overpack. I recommend laying out your outfits, removing at least one full outfit, and re-wearing items. The most important thing is to have enough underwear and socks!
I also encourage you to take a duffel as I find they are more likely to fit in various types of vehicles. They are also easier to pack and squish items into. My duffel has wheels and a handle so it’s easy to maneuver and I don’t have to carry 40+ lbs on my shoulder.
FAQs About Glacier National Park
There is a lot to know before you visit Glacier National Park. To help make sure you have all the right information, I’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions below!
Do I need bug spray at Glacier National Park?
I would recommend bringing a small bottle of bug spray if possible. I didn’t experience too many bugs (at least not enough to make a lasting impression), but it’s better to have it and not need it than the other way around.
Should I bring bear spray to Glacier National Park?
Absolutely! If I learned anything from my time in Glacier, it’s that you will see a bear.
The best option, if you are flying, is to grab some in Kalispell or any of the supply stores right outside of the park. Otherwise, you can snag some at rei or most outdoor retailers near home and pack it for the drive.
What are the rules for entering Glacier National Park?
The 3 vehicle entrances in Glacier National Park that require a reservation are West Glacier, Many Glacier, and Polebridge. If you enter prior to 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. at these entrances OR you use one of the 4 other vehicle entrances, you do not need a reservation.
Reservations are 1 day only and can be purchased for $2 up to 120 days before your visit. Depending on when you visit, this may require some timing and being online at 8 a.m. MST when those passes are released on recreation.gov
The park also releases a small number of additional passes at 7 p.m. MST for the next day. If you weren’t able to secure a pass in advance, this is a great alternative.
Any pre-reserved lodging, boat tours, horseback riding tours, driving tours, etc. within the park will also gain you entrance. You will need to display the booking confirmation to be admitted.
As per most National Parks, you can walk into Glacier National Park. It costs $20 per person to walk into the park. Keep in mind this won’t get you super far since Glacier National Park is so big, but it is relatively easy to hitchhike here. This type of pass is good for 7 days.
Are bugs a problem in Glacier National Park?
I wouldn’t consider bugs a “problem” in Glacier. Just make sure you come prepared! I don’t remember them being worse than any other outdoor area.
Wrap-Up: Glacier National Park Packing List
In conclusion, packing for Glacier National Park is a fun exercise in “how many layers can I fit into this bag.” All jokes aside, if you follow what I’ve outlined on what to pack for Glacier National Park you should be prepared for any experience during your trip.
If you’re looking to plan your itinerary and what to see and do in Glacier, make sure to check out our blog post “15 Best Views in Glacier National Park.” I’ve outlined all the best views and which trails I think are worth your time.
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