Nature Walk & Whitewater
About this Trip
Take a couple of easy, short nature walks in Glacier National Park in the morning. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious, homemade sack lunch. Finally, a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure awaits you in the afternoon!
Reservations for 2024 will be available by early October.
Pricing
Adult Price: $159
Child Price: $129 (5-12yrs)
Other Price: 8% River User Fee and Glacier National Park Entrance Fee (not included in price)
Guide Tip: Industry rate 18-20% (not included in price)
Dates & Details
Dates: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in May and June. Mondays and Thursdays, July through mid September. Reservations for 2024 will be available by early October.
Meeting Time: 9:30 AM
Nature Walk
Difficulty: 2 short, easy walks in Glacier National Park. Each walk is about 1.1 to 1.2 miles, minimal to 180 feet elevation gain and loss.
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Trip Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours
Rafting
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1:45 or 2:45 meeting time, 2:15 or 3:15 p.m. launch.
Trip Duration: Approximately 3 hours, but on this undammed Wild and Scenic River, the trip’s length does depend on the river flow. In June – early July, the trip lasts approximately 2.5 hours. Mid July – early Au
What's Included, What to Bring
Provided on the nature walk: Interpretive Guide with first aid kit and bear spray, van transport, snacks, hiking poles.
Provided on the water: Interpretive Guide with first aid kit, helmets, life jackets, and all river gear. If necessary, wetsuits and booties are also included at no charge.
What to bring on the nature walk: Comfortable walking shoes, water bottle, camera/phone, binoculars, rain coat, fleece, and your Glacier National Park Pass.
What to bring on the water: Be sure to wear clothes you won’t mind getting wet.
Additional Trip Details
Glacier Walk and Whitewater Itinerary
Times are approximate!
9:30 a.m. Meet your guide at our West Glacier office at 9:30 am. Your guide will do a quick orientation, check your gear, and go over last minute details. We drive into Glacier National Park via the West Glacier entrance, 1 mile from our office. Don’t forget your park pass!
Lake McDonald Valley
Once in Glacier, you will walk about 1 mile round trip through the Lake McDonald Valley. This is a glaciated valley, and you will walk on the terminal glacial moraine that dams Lake McDonald. This area is characterized by lodgepole pine forest left from a 1927 fire. You’ll delight in seeing the aquamarine waters that flow from Lake McDonald. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for this valley’s resident beaver and moose!
The North Fork
Next, load up in the van and continue the adventure by driving the short distance to Glacier’s North Fork Valley. Along the way, stop at several scenic viewpoints, such as McGee Meadows and McDonald Creek. Don’t forget your camera! Finally, arrive at the Wild and Scenic North Fork of the Flathead River. Here, you’ll take another short, easy walk, also about 1 mile round trip. This loop weaves in and out of new growth lodgepole pine and aspen forest.
This area burned in 1967 and again in the 2001 Moose Creek Fire. There are beautiful views and fantastic opportunities for interpretation along this loop. You will learn about a variety of tree and plant species, fire impacts, and wildlife inhabitants along the river corridor. Views include Glacier National Park, the North Fork of the Flathead River, and the Flathead National Forest.
This nature walk in Glacier is easy but not completely flat. Typically, you return to the meeting point no later than 1:00 PM.
Early Afternoon
After we’re done walking, we’ll return along the same route by van to the Glacier Guides and Montana Raft office. As we drive, be sure to ask your guide any remaining questions that you might have. Our guides are passionate and have encyclopedic knowledge about Glacier National Park — no matter your level of hiking experience, we promise they’ll teach you something new. You’ll end the day knowing more about Glacier National Park than you ever expected!
Typically on a Glacier Walk and Whitewater combo adventures, we return to the Glacier Guides and Montana Raft office no later than 1:00 PM. A delicious, homemade sack lunch will be waiting for you. We like to eat, and eat well. Our kitchen sources locally and organically whenever possible.
Enjoy our shaded pavilion while you eat, and volleyball, gift shop, and free Wi-Fi between trips! You’ll have time to enjoy lunch until about 1:45 or 2:45 when it’s time to head to the life jacket pavilion to get geared up for the whitewater raft trip which leaves at 2:15 or 3:15.
