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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

    4.9 stars• 225 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

    Related locations

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    Person

    $185.50

    All Ages!

    0

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    Review summary

    4.9
    Excellent
    225 reviews•Google Maps
    206
    9
    2
    1
    2

    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

    My students love the programming at Big Creek. It is always their favorite memory of seventh grade. This year, they said My favorite memory from Big Creek is when we tried to catch frogs and look at the beaver dam. My favorite memory from Big Creak is catching frogs and getting wet at the beaver pond. My favorite memory from Big Creek was when we went to catch frogs and we saw that bear poop.

    Photo of Shanna Burchwell

    Shanna Burchwell

    May 27, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    My students love the programming at Big Creek. It is always their favorite memory of seventh grade. This year, they said My favorite memory from Big Creek is when we tried to catch frogs and look at the beaver dam. My favorite memory from Big Creak is catching frogs and getting wet at the beaver pond. My favorite memory from Big Creek was when we went to catch frogs and we saw that bear poop.

    Photo of Shanna Burchwell

    Shanna Burchwell

    May 27, 2026

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