National park · Canada
Glacier National ParkGlacier National Park of Canada
Stop at Rogers Pass on a Highway 1 crossing: 2–3 h for the Discovery Centre and the Illecillewaet or Loop Brook walk, or a full day for Abbott Ridge; upper trails stay snowbound into early July.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,349 km² (521 sq mi)521 sq mi (1,349 km²)
approximate
Established
1886
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 1,349 km² (521 sq mi)521 sq mi (1,349 km²)
- About 1,349 km² (521 sq mi) per Parks Canada; some older figures give 1,349 km² for the park plus the Rogers Pass National Historic Site (check).
- Established
- 1886
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Glacier National Park protects the northern Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, between Revelstoke and Golden. The Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway both run through Rogers Pass at its centre, so most travellers cross the park without stopping. Those who do get active glaciers, one of Canada's largest cave systems, old-growth cedar and hemlock valleys, and a trail network that climbs from the highway to alpine ridges. Snowfall is the defining fact: Rogers Pass can collect up to 17 m a year, which keeps high routes closed into July and makes winter travel an avalanche-management operation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1886Among Canada's earliest national parks, created around the Rogers Pass railway route.
- Special national site · 1971Rogers Pass National Historic Site, at the summit of the park.
Size and age
1,349 km² (521 sq mi)521 sq mi (1,349 km²) · national park since 1886
About 1,349 km² (521 sq mi) per Parks Canada; some older figures give 1,349 km² for the park plus the Rogers Pass National Historic Site (check).
Why go
- Rogers Pass is the only road crossing of the Selkirks, and the park's story is the story of getting trains and cars over it.
- The Illecillewaet valley holds old-growth interior rainforest and the remains of a grand railway hotel.
- Abbott Ridge and the Asulkan valley give glacier and icefield views without a multi-day approach.
- The Nakimu Caves are one of Canada's largest cave systems, in a closed catchment above the Illecillewaet.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep snow; highway avalanche closures; no services
- FebSnowiest stretch; closures likely
- MarStill winter; ski touring only
- AprSki season ends; valley snow rotting
- MayValley trails open; upper routes snowbound
- JunDay-use areas open; campgrounds late June
- JulHigh trails open early July; alpine flowers start
- AugWarmest and driest; full trail access
- SepClear, cool; blooms to mid-September
- OctEarly snow possible on passes
- NovSki season starts; short days
- DecWinter conditions; services minimal
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly and black bears in avalanche-slope berry patchesJul–Sep · Carry bear spray, make noise, never leave food. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mountain goats on high ledgesJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Caribou migrating through certain valleysAll year · Rare; report sightings to park staff. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Alpine wildflowersJul–Sep · Late July to mid-September is the main bloom. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Migratory birdsMay–Sep · Most of the 235 recorded species are summer visitors. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Revelstoke
Drive east on Highway 1 to the Rogers Pass summit; Discovery Centre on the highway.
1 h
Open the page →
From Golden
Drive west on Highway 1 over the pass to the Discovery Centre.
1 h 15 min
Open the page →
From Calgary
Highway 1 west through Banff, Yoho and Golden; the park starts at the western boundary.
4–4.5 h
Open the page →
From Kamloops
Highway 1 east via Revelstoke; no other road enters the park.
3 h
Open the page →
From Region plan
Where Glacier sits among the Columbia Mountains parks and towns.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rogers Pass summit | Discovery Centre, railway history, highway viewpoints and the start of the valley trails. | Open year-round; centre hours vary by season. |
| Illecillewaet valley | Old-growth forest, campground, the Wheeler Hut and trailheads for Abbott Ridge and the Asulkan. | Road access in summer; snow-covered in winter. |
| Loop Brook | Campground and the stone railway pillars of the old CPR alignment. | Open with the summer season. |
| Nakimu Caves catchment | Cave system and underground creek above the Illecillewaet. | Closed; permit only. |
| Beaver valley and south | Remote valleys and the Glacier Circle Cabin, reached on foot. | Backcountry permit. |
Sketch map
- 1Rogers Pass Discovery Centre · Headquarters≈51.301, -117.521Map ↗
- 2Illecillewaet campground · Sleep≈51.265, -117.495Map ↗
- 3A. O. Wheeler Hut · Sleep≈51.264, -117.492Map ↗
- 4Loop Brook campground · Sleep≈51.258, -117.538Map ↗
- 5Asulkan Cabin · Sleep≈51.214, -117.470Map ↗
- 6Sapphire Col Hut · Sleep≈51.209, -117.500Map ↗
- 7Glacier Circle Cabin · Sleep≈51.172, -117.393Map ↗
- 8Golden · Town≈51.296, -116.963Map ↗
- 9Revelstoke · Town≈50.998, -118.196Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Park centre and Rogers Pass positions from Parks Canada and Wikidata; campground and hut points are approximate, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry, adult | CAD 11 (≈ US$8) | person | 2026 estimate; Parks Canada daily admission, valid to 16:00 the next day (check). |
| Park entry, family or group | CAD 22 (≈ US$16) | group | 2026 estimate; covers up to seven people arriving in one vehicle (check). |
| Discovery Pass (annual, all Parks Canada sites) | CAD 75–155 (≈ US$55–120) | person | 2026 estimate; adult to family tiers, worth it on a multi-park trip. |
| Illecillewaet or Loop Brook campground | CAD 24 (≈ US$18) | person per night | 2024 rate; unserviced, toilets only. Fire permit about $11 per day (check). |
| Backcountry camping permit | CAD 14 (≈ US$11) | person per night | 2024 rate; reservation required (check). |
| Alpine Club of Canada hut | CAD 40–60 (≈ US$30–45) | person per night | 2026 estimate; member and non-member rates differ, book ahead (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Alpine Club of Canada huts permit or guide
Nakimu Caves permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$11≈ US$8
- C$22≈ US$16
- C$75–155≈ US$55–120
- C$24≈ US$18
- C$14≈ US$11
- C$40–60≈ US$30–45
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks Canada — Rogers Pass Discovery Centre hours before you go.
Park rules
- Stay out of closed areas
- Parks Canada closes slopes and highway sections for avalanche control, sometimes at short notice; obey signs and gates.
- Food storage
- Keep all food and scented items in a vehicle or bear-resistant container; never in a tent.
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash on some valley trails only; not on backcountry routes or in the alpine (check).
- Drones
- Not allowed without a Parks Canada permit.
- Camping
- Only in the three campgrounds or with a backcountry permit; no random camping.
- Winter highway
- Winter tyres or chains are required on Highway 1 through the park in winter conditions (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Illecillewaet campground
Largest park campground, unserviced, toilets only; walk to the valley trails.
In the park
Loop Brook campground
Smaller unserviced campground near the old railway pillars.
In the park
Alpine Club huts
Wheeler Hut, Asulkan Cabin, Sapphire Col Hut and Glacier Circle Cabin; all booked in advance.
Near the park
Revelstoke
Motels, hotels and hostels 72 km (45 mi) west of the pass.Motels, hotels and hostels 45 mi (72 km) west of the pass.
Near the park
Golden
Full range of lodging 80 km (50 mi) east of the pass.Full range of lodging 50 mi (80 km) east of the pass.
Safety
Avalanche terrain high
Highway closures medium
Bears medium
Weather change medium
Remote trails medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Discovery Centre, its exhibits and the highway viewpoints are step-free and reachable by car.
- The Illecillewaet valley path is wide and gentle for a short distance, but becomes rougher and rooty further in.
- All ridge and glacier trails involve steep, uneven ground and are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pay the entry fee: it funds trail crews, avalanche forecasting and wildlife monitoring in the park.
- Pack out all rubbish; campgrounds are unserviced and bins are limited.
- Keep to trails in alpine meadows so the short growing season is not trampled.
- Use the Discovery Centre's current information instead of old blog routes, especially for avalanche terrain.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Glacier National Park?
Adult day admission is about $11 and a group or family pass about $22 (2026 estimate); the ticket is valid to 4 pm the next day. An annual Discovery Pass costs roughly $75–155 depending on tier and covers all Parks Canada sites, so it pays off on a Banff–Yoho–Glacier trip. Camping is extra: about $24 per person per night at Illecillewaet or Loop Brook.
What are the best hikes in Glacier National Park?
For a short stop, the Illecillewaet and Meeting of the Waters walk (1–2 h, easy) and the Loop Brook loop (30–45 min) start near the highway. For a full day, Abbott Ridge is the classic climb to glacier views, and the Great Glacier and Asulkan valley route is a gentler alternative. All upper trails are usually snowbound until early July.
When is the best time to visit Glacier National Park?
Late July to mid-September: high trails are open, alpine flowers are out and the weather is most settled. Valley trails open in May and day-use areas in June, but snow lingers on ridges into July. Winter is for ski touring and avalanche-aware travel only, and the highway can close for avalanche control.
Do I need a reservation to camp?
Yes for backcountry sites and the Alpine Club huts, which must be booked in advance. The Illecillewaet and Loop Brook campgrounds are first-come in some seasons and reservable in others, so check the Parks Canada site before you rely on a spot (check).
Can I visit Glacier National Park without a car?
It is difficult. Highway 1 is the only road through the park and there is no local shuttle; intercity buses between Revelstoke, Golden and Calgary pass the Rogers Pass summit but do not stop for trails. Most visitors drive.
Is this the same as Glacier National Park in Montana?
No. This is Glacier National Park of Canada in British Columbia, on the Trans-Canada Highway between Revelstoke and Golden. Glacier National Park in Montana is a separate US park about 500 km south.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialParks Canada — Glacier National Park
- officialParks Canada — Rogers Pass Discovery Centre hours
- officialParks Canada — Glacier backcountry cabins
- officialParks Canada — mountain safety and avalanche information
- secondaryAlpine Club of Canada — huts
- secondaryWikipedia — Glacier National Park (Canada)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Glacier National Park (British Columbia), revision 5071639 (CC BY-SA 4.0)