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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.

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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)

Specials Plan Your Trip
Trip Length

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

Just want to go on a Nature Walk? Learn more here.

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.

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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.

  • Rafting Testimonial

    Holy cow this place is awesome! Right from the start, everyone was so nice and friendly and fun! Our family headed down the river for the scenic float with our three littles (9, 7 & 3) and my FIL and MIL (who cannot swim and is terrified of water!). We had the best time and our guide Nicolette was super knowledgeable about the river and the area. After the float we stayed for dinner and, let me just tell you, it blew my expectations out of the water! I was expecting to get our main course with a couple sides but they had that PLUS crazy yummy appetizers AND dessert too! I cannot recommend Montana Raft enough! If you have time, do the dinner option. You will not be disappointed!!

    — Jacki Kelly

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  • Rafting Testimonial

    I highly recommend booking with Glacier Guides. We booked white water rafting for 3 guys and had a blast. We felt like the guides did a really great job of demonstrating their expertise on the water and sharing history about the local area. Joe in particular was a great dude. If you’re in town, these guys are the best!

    — David Williamson

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  • Rafting Testimonial

    Great ride! The views were amazing. Connor was our guide and did a great job sharing his knowledge of the route. I actually jumped in the river, and it was quite refreshing! I highly recommend spending time exploring Glacier National Park with Glacier Guides and Montana Raft. They are very professional and make the ride more fun.

    — P.J. Wubbena

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  • Rafting Testimonial

    If you’re looking to try white water rafting in glacier (which you should!) Glacier Guides is the place to go! My husband and I were on our honeymoon and this was our first rafting experience, and it could not have been better! James was prepared with experience, knowledge and jokes. We felt very safe with James in charge. He also offered numerous places and hikes in the park for all experience levels. Highly recommend!

    — Rebecca Herchenroether

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  • Rafting Testimonial

    We had such a great time! Our guide was Nicolette, and she was fantastic. She was so
    knowledgeable about the park, river, and everything Montana. We weren’t sure what to expect upon arrival, and ended up making the best memories of our trip. I very highly recommend this company & the relaxing raft tour. Make it a priority if you’re visiting Glacier! Will definitely be back!

    — Amanda Stenzel

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