Glacier & Waterton Lakes Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Glacier & Waterton Lakes Family Multi-Adventure Tour
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 1-3
Casual & Deluxe Hotels
2025: Jul-Aug2026: Jun-Aug
Epic National Parks in Montana & Alberta
Journey through two magnificent parks in the US and Canada. Travel across Montana’s legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road, then venture to Wild Rose Country, capping off full fun days at enchanting mountain lodges.
Highlights
- Bike beside sprawling pristine forests, vast prairies and wildflower-strewn meadows
- Discover Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, a World Heritage site spanning the US-Canada border
- Splash in the invigorating waters of crystalline mountain lakes
- Paddle in white-water rafts down Glacier's Flathead River with expert guides
- Hike along alpine streams and below towering Rocky Mountain peaks
Start/End Whitefish
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Day 1
Witness astonishing alpine scenery that just won't quit • Bike the road less traveled toward the North Fork of the Flathead River • Take in scenic views of a scuplted landscape, formed by retreating glaciers 10,000 years ago • Cap off the day with an invigorating plunge in Lake McDonald.
Night 1
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a large stone fireplace in the lobby and a terrace overlooking the lake.
Day 2
You won't believe the views as you travel along famed Going-to-the-Sun Road • Plunging waterfalls, vast virgin woodland, snowcapped mountains and glacier-carved valleys greet you at every turn • Hike through a shady forest of spruce and fir before descending into St. Mary Valley • Can the stunning turquoise color of glacier-fed St. Mary Lake be for real? • Take in the spectacular peaks that surround Many Glacier Valley.
Night 2
An early-1900s Swiss chalet-style hotel set on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake amid the peaks of Many Glacier Valley.
Days 3-4
Welcome to Canada! • While the kids join up with local wranglers for a horseback ride through the expansive prairie, adults bike north through ranchland and U-shaped valleys to stunning Waterton Lakes National Park • Options abound: take a boat cruise, paddleboard or kayak on the lakes, explore the trails on foot or horseback, or perhaps dig into some pastries while sipping afternoon tea at our hotel • Savor dinner together as a family in Waterton Village, an unspoiled mountain town.
Nights 3-4
Conveniently perched on the shore of magnificent Waterton Lake, this quaint property offers spacious and comfortable rooms.
Days 5-6
Enjoy spectacular views of the sweeping prairies and plains of Montana as adults pedal a roller-coaster route • Visit Two Medicine Valley and contemplate the pristine alpine scenery • Feeling brave? Perhaps you'll opt for a swim in the chilly waters of Two Medicine Lake • Raft down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River with expert guides who provide a unique perspective on the flora and fauna along the way.
Night 5
Located on the park’s eastern edge in Blackfeet country; immense timbers hold aloft its expansive lobby ceiling.
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
While the accommodations on this trip reflect the natural surroundings of the national parks and provide unparalleled access to the best activities in the area, they are much simpler than is typical of Backroads lodging. Many buildings date back to the turn of the century and have only been minimally renovated, in accordance with park regulations. These historic hotels have basic guest rooms that are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning. Overall, the service standards can seem slow and casual when compared with the hospitality found on other Backroads trips. Please note that internet and cell phone service are extremely limited throughout the parks.
The properties we use on this trip are chosen for their character and ideal location—they are not known for their food. Meals can be simple and menu options tend to lack variety. Please be aware that options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-carb meals will be especially limited and substitutions are rarely available.
Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks are special places where four seasons can occur in one day. For that reason, our itinerary may change based upon road and trail status due to weather (including snow) or animal activity. The opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road is determined by snow levels and weather. The road often opens by the third week of June, but some years it does not open until early July. If the west side of the road is not open, we will shuttle 2½ hours to our trailhead (instead of 1½ hours). Status of Going-to-the-Sun Road can be checked on Glacier National Park’s website: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrinfo.htm.
Hotels
Adventure-Ready Hotels
Ideally located with ready access to trip activities, our Casual hotels are also known for their character and charm.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Night 1
Casual Hotel
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a large stone fireplace in the lobby and a terrace overlooking the lake.
Night 2
Casual Hotel
An early-1900s Swiss chalet-style hotel set on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake amid the peaks of Many Glacier Valley.
Nights 3-4
*Deluxe Hotel
Conveniently perched on the shore of magnificent Waterton Lake, this quaint property offers spacious and comfortable rooms.
Night 5
Casual Hotel
Located on the park’s eastern edge in Blackfeet country; immense timbers hold aloft its expansive lobby ceiling.
Gallery
#MyBackroadsTrip
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- Suited for a wide range of cyclists
- Comfortable ergonomic seat
- Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
- Upright handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Included in your trip price
- Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture it's own line of kid's bikes.
- Features smaller wheels -- the perfect choice for kids.
- On our Family Trips, you'll find 20"" and 24"" bikes.
Included in your trip price
- For children up to 85 pounds
- Attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort!
- Ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
- Cannot be pulled by an e-bike.
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 10 customers
Fantastic Family Trip
We wanted an active family trip and this did not disappoint. As expected the scenery was fantastic everywhere we went. The guides were great. My wife and three daughters (13,16 and 17) and I all had a great time. I love the fact that we could tailor the day's activities for each person's abilities. This made it more fun for all of us. My kids enjoyed hanging out with some of the other kids when they got tired of hanging with mom and dad. This was our first Backroads trip and we are already trying to figure out which will be our next!
Outstanding--Believe the hype!
Glacier has a lot of hype and many people believe it to be the best National Park. Well, it certainly deserves its place as a contender! It is hard for me to rank the National Parks because they are all special but Glacier is truly spectacular and almost a transcendental experience. Going with Backroads allows you the freedom to do more than you otherwise could with a family of ranging ages and abilities--there is something for everyone each day on this trip. It was more biking intensive than other trips but that is the beauty of the shuttle if your biking legs need a rest--you are still 'riding' through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Our guides: Jimmy, Devin and Robert deserve a big shout-out for their wonderful service and going the extra MILES for our group. They were absolutely terrific! We enjoyed every minute of this trip and, if you are considering going, I would say go before Glacier is gone! (And p.s. Waterton is also great!)
Perfect Trip Ages 6-72
This trip includes some challenging biking and hiking trails. True to promise, our leaders tailored everything so that routes were available for 6 year olds, 72 year olds, and 20 year olds. Adjoining rooms were available at most of the historic hotels. I would recommend this trip to any age, at any fitness level.
Fantastic family adventure trip
My daughter and I had a fabulous trip. The lodges in the National parks were truly special and we both loved the biking, hiking, horseback riding (for the kids), and rafting. It was also great to have kids so close in age.
Splendid trip with grandsons!
My husband and I had done this trip 20 years ago (still have a Road to the Sun bumper sticker on my '97 BMW Z3) and loved having the opportunity to share the gorgeous mountains, lakes and glaciers with two grandsons on a multi-sport trip there this summer. One's favorite memory is spotting an eagle on the white water rafting trip!
Unforgettable experience. Exceptional leaders and support.
Probably one of the best experiences of my life
Best Family Trip Ever!
Verified Buyer
Our family had a wonderful time. Joel, Rachel and Katie were wonderful guides and were so great with our kids! The thing I was most looking forward to on our trip was to see my kids faces as they experience Glacier and Waterton, and I got that!
This was the best father-son trip we have ever been on.
Verified Buyer
We were very impressed with this trip. Everything from the activities, the support, the accommodation and the scenery were great. It's hard to imagine how they could improve it. This was our first Backroads trip. We have taken 3 more Backroads trips since then and already have our next one booked.
Our Third Backroads Trip -- And Another Trip of a Lifetime!
Verified Buyer
Backroads really knows how to do these trips right! You seem to find the most amazing and personable guides, who make the trip such a treat. I also love the fact that we are able to order off the menus at each of the restaurants, and don't have to worry about sticking to a certain budget. The picnic lunches were really well-done, and everything seemed to flow seamlessly throughout the week. Thank you for another great trip. We will be back for more!!
Fantastic Family Trip
Verified Buyer
Our son chose this trip and was thrilled the entire time. The leaders were superb making sure every detail exceeded our expectations and those of the diverse group. The natural beauty of this area continued to amaze us around every corner, while the Backroads team seamlessly orchestrated the biking, hiking, and whitewater rafting logistics for multiple levels of ability..
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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