If you’re looking for a family-friendly hike in a stunning wildlife reserve, consider Glacier National Park the place for you. The walk around Fishercap Lake is rated “easy” and is only 0.6 miles along flat ground, making it one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park. The park is located in Montana and with 700 miles of trails, there is something for everyone here.
Naturally, it is famous for its glaciers and lakes created in the valleys beneath them. According to the National Park Foundation, the park’s Triple Divide Peak is considered the “hydrological apex of North America” as water from the park flows into three different oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic. Of its glaciers, 25 are “active,” which means that they are in a constant state of melting and moving. Once you’re here, you’ll see why this UNESCO-listed wilderness is nicknamed the “Crown of the Continent.” While the park is well set up for visitors, there are some things you can do to help your trip go smoothly.
Know before you go
As the park is very popular, it can get crowded in the summertime. This is why the Parks Department has introduced a vehicle reservation system, so check whether you need to book in advance before you go. The Fishercap Lake trail is located in the Swiftcurrent area of the park in Many Glacier. You’ll want to Park at the lot near Swiftcurrent Motor Inn on Many Glacier Road and head to the Swiftcurrent Pass Trailhead to start the hike. Once you get to the lake, head back the way you came, or continue to the steeper Red Rock Falls trail if your kids are older.
Aside from the lake trail being fairly shaded by trees, you may see animals like moose along the way, which everyone will love. However, you’ll want to be careful to keep your distance, and also know that bears like this area too. To entertain kids, make sure to bring some pictures or books of the wildlife you may see, as it can help them identify anything they spot. If you’re staying for more than one day, there are plenty of things to do in Glacier National Park. For example, there are opportunities for hiking, boating, biking, photography, fishing, camping, and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Staying in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park spans around one million acres of land, so it has more amenities than your average reserve. This is good news for families as it gives you more options for places to stay and eat. In other words, there are restaurants in the villages of Apgar, Many Glacier, and Lake McDonald area. If you need a store to get supplies, you can also find them in Apgar, Lake McDonald, and Many Glacier, as well as the Rising Sun campground and Two Medicine campground.
Naturally, the park offers numerous campsites, so you can wake up to fantastic views. There are 13 campgrounds to choose from, and they have 1,009 different sites between them to suit every type of camper. Many of them can be reserved online, and wilderness camping is also available. If you want to share something more comfortable with your family, there are lodges and motels in the major towns. Before you go to sleep, make sure to look up at the stars; this area is a designated International Dark Sky Park. You may be able to see the Milky Way.
