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    5. Upper McDonald Creek Guided Hike in Glacier NP
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    Upper McDonald Creek Guided Hike in Glacier NP

    Hike Upper McDonald Creek and learn Glacier National Park’s water, wildlife, and geology

    4.8 stars• 135 reviews
    From$185/ personincl. taxes and fees

    Duration

    8 hours

    Includes

    Guide, shuttle, interpretation

    Highlights

    Hike Upper McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park with a guide and shuttle transport to the trailhead. Walk through a shaded hemlock forest and learn about wildlife, geology, and ecology along the way.

    • Start at the Trail of the Cedars trailhead and follow a boardwalk through an ancient forest
    • Hike an easy to mildly easy route with mild elevation, roots, and some rocks
    • Cover about 3.5–4 miles and gain around 730 feet
    • Learn about water, geology, ecology, and wildlife during educational stops
    • Ride a shuttle to the trailhead as part of the hike experience

    What's Included

    • Guided educational interpretation during the drive and hike
    • Shuttle transportation to the trailhead

    Things to know

    You must purchase a Glacier National Park Entrance Pass before the hike. Non-US residents (16 and over) must pay an additional $100 per person fee unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass.

    Cancellation Policy

    The Glacier Institute will give a full refund if the cancelation is 7 days prior to the program. Customers can cancel bookings online.

    FAQs

    Yes. You must purchase a Glacier National Park Entrance Pass before the hike. You may enter with a Standard, Annual, or America the Beautiful Pass.

    Yes. If you are a non-US resident age 16+, you must pay an additional $100 per person unless you are admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass.

    No. A Vehicle Reservation is not required; your participation in the Glacier Institute hike acts as your Vehicle Reservation.

    Meeting details

    Glacier Institute - 7450 Highway 2 East Columbia Falls, MT 59912 US

    Experience provided by Glacier Institute
    Experience provided by Glacier Institute

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

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    Person

    $185.50

    All Ages!

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    Review summary

    4.8
    Excellent
    135 reviews•Google Maps

    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.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 5
    5/5

    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!

    Photo of Melea Butler

    Melea Butler

    February 10, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    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!

    Photo of Melea Butler

    Melea Butler

    February 10, 2026

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