Customize a 9-hour Glacier National Park tour with an educator-guide
9 hours
Up to 14 people
Guide, Custom itinerary
Plan a flexible, educator-led day in Glacier National Park built around your interests, preferred trails, and learning topics. You and your group explore with a Glacier Institute guide on a nine-hour itinerary designed in advance.
You must purchase a Glacier National Park Entrance Pass before the hike (standard pass listed as $20.00–$35.00). Non-US residents (16 and over) pay an additional $100 per person unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. Gratuity is not included.
Full refund if you cancel 7 days prior to the program.
Buy a Glacier National Park Entrance Pass before your hike. A vehicle reservation is not required; your participation with the Glacier Institute acts as your vehicle reservation.
Park entrance fees are not included. If you use a standard entrance pass, it is listed as $20.00–$35.00. Non-US residents (16 and over) must pay an additional $100 per person unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. Gratuity is not included.
Bring a sack lunch (unless you pre-order a trail lunch at checkout), plenty of water and snacks, comfortable hiking shoes, a 1–2 liter water bottle, a backpack, rain gear, a hat, sunscreen, and warm layers for possible snow and high winds. Binoculars and field guides are optional.
7450 Highway 2 East Columbia Falls, MT US 59912
Travelers rave about the knowledgeable guides who make every tour exceptional. Names like Megan, Carrie, Wyatt, Anna, and Mark come up repeatedly, with guests praising their deep understanding of the park's geology, wildlife, and flora. The guides strike that perfect balance of being educational without feeling like a lecture, and they're skilled at adapting to different group needs, whether that means hiking at a slower pace or rerouting due to weather closures. The packed lunch option gets consistent praise for being surprisingly good, complete with homemade trail mix. The Going-to-the-Sun Road tours are hugely popular, offering a stress-free way to experience the iconic drive without navigating it yourself. A major perk is the exclusive parking access at popular trailheads, which means less hassle during peak season. Guests appreciate the professional operation, from helpful office staff to the way they handle unexpected situations (one review mentions how quickly the team solved a seating mix-up). The experience consistently delivers stunning scenery, wildlife sightings including bighorn sheep and bears, and that deeper connection to the park that comes from learning its stories. First-time visitors and longtime park lovers alike find value in these educational adventures.
I visited Glacier National Park in September of 2024. I had never been and was not familiar with the layout of the park. My sister had suggested doing a guided hike. Glacier Institute was better than I could have expected, as I had never participated in a guided hike excursion. Due to flight delays, I arrived in MT super late and called to reschedule or refund. They were so accommodating due to my travel issues and were able to put me on the following day. I did the Highline Trail Educational Day Hike. My tour guide was Clara, and she was very nice. Our group was smaller, which was nice to keep up the pace. It was cloudy for most of the day and rained some, but it was overall an amazing experience. The website said the time would be 8:00am - 4:00pm. We ended early, which I was okay with, so I could explore other parts of the park. I would recommend Glacier Institute and do another hike with them in the future!
Melea Butler
February 10, 2026
I visited Glacier National Park in September of 2024. I had never been and was not familiar with the layout of the park. My sister had suggested doing a guided hike. Glacier Institute was better than I could have expected, as I had never participated in a guided hike excursion. Due to flight delays, I arrived in MT super late and called to reschedule or refund. They were so accommodating due to my travel issues and were able to put me on the following day. I did the Highline Trail Educational Day Hike. My tour guide was Clara, and she was very nice. Our group was smaller, which was nice to keep up the pace. It was cloudy for most of the day and rained some, but it was overall an amazing experience. The website said the time would be 8:00am - 4:00pm. We ended early, which I was okay with, so I could explore other parts of the park. I would recommend Glacier Institute and do another hike with them in the future!
Melea Butler
February 10, 2026