Glacier National Park, established in 1910, remains one of America’s most treasured landscapes, preserving over a million acres of rugged peaks, pristine lakes, and ancient glaciers. Early conservationists recognized the park’s ecological importance, creating a sanctuary for wildlife and a living museum of the last ice age. Staying here is as much about history as it is about nature. Among the most iconic lodges within the park are the [Many Glacier Hotel](https://www.glaciernationalparklodges.com/lodging/many-glacier-hotel/), [Lake McDonald Lodge](https://www.glaciernationalparklodges.com/lodging/lake-mcdonald-lodge/), and [Rising Sun Motor Inn](https://www.glaciernationalparklodges.com/lodging/rising-sun-motor-inn-cabins/). Each offers a glimpse into the park’s heritage and unmatched access to natural beauty.
Lodges Outside Glacier National Park
While in-park accommodations are legendary, travelers also enjoy staying just outside Glacier’s boundaries. Notable options include the [Glacier Park Lodge](https://www.glacierparkcollection.com/lodging/glacier-park-lodge/) in East Glacier, built in 1913 as the original gateway hotel; [Cedar Creek Lodge](https://www.glacierparkcollection.com/lodging/cedar-creek-lodge/) in Columbia Falls, a modern mountain lodge blending comfort and access; and the [Historic Belton Chalet](https://beltonchalet.com/) in West Glacier, dating back to 1910 as the first Great Northern Railway hotel welcoming park visitors.
Activities with a Legacy
Guided Tours
Early visitors to Glacier often arrived via the Great Northern Railway in the 1910s, greeted by rangers who led the park’s first official tours. Today, you can follow in their footsteps with expert-led programs that cover geology, wildlife, and cultural history. Tours range from bus excursions on the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road to ranger-led hikes. Book official options via the [NPS Guided Tours page](https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm).
Wildflower and Alpine Hikes
Glacier’s alpine meadows have long provided medicine and food for Indigenous peoples such as the Blackfeet Nation. Summer wildflower hikes reveal this botanical richness alongside sweeping mountain views. Modern visitors can join guided hikes or explore trails independently. More information is available at the [Glacier Guides Hiking page](https://glacierguides.com/adventures/hiking/).
Helicopter Rides
Where 19th-century explorers once mapped glaciers by foot, today’s travelers can soar above them. Helicopter tours provide unmatched aerial perspectives of melting ice fields and rugged peaks, underscoring the park’s fragility. These flights highlight the contrast between historic exploration and modern conservation. See options at [Glacier Helicopters](https://glacierhelitours.com/).
Historic Boat Cruises
Since the 1920s, wooden boats have ferried travelers across Glacier’s lakes, offering a serene way to experience its alpine waters. Many of these historic vessels are still in operation, preserving a Swiss-style alpine tourism legacy crafted by the Great Northern Railway. Learn more and book at the [Glacier Park Boat Company](https://glacierparkboats.com/).
Romantic Escapes and Vow Renewals
Glacier has been a romantic destination since the opening of the Many Glacier Hotel in 1915, when it was promoted as the ‘Switzerland of North America.’ Today, couples can renew vows or plan honeymoons surrounded by alpine peaks. Weddings and special packages are available through the [Glacier Park Lodges Weddings page](https://www.glaciernationalparklodges.com/weddings/).
Wildlife and Bear Tours
The 1910 designation of Glacier National Park was driven in part by a desire to protect grizzly bear habitat. Modern visitors can experience this legacy through wildlife tours that safely showcase bears, mountain goats, and elk in their natural environment. Tours emphasize conservation, echoing the park’s founding mission. Options can be found at [Glacier Guides and Montana Raft](https://glacierguides.com/adventures/wildlife/).
The History of Glacier National Park: Protecting America’s Crown of the Continent
When Glacier National Park was founded on May 11, 1910, it marked one of the most visionary acts of conservation in the United States. Often called the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier preserves more than a million acres of snowcapped peaks, ancient glaciers, wildflower-laden valleys, and crystal-clear lakes. The park is not just scenic—it’s an ecological and cultural archive, embodying stories of Indigenous peoples, pioneers, and conservationists who fought to protect it for future generations.
Indigenous Roots and Sacred Lands
For thousands of years before the arrival of settlers, the Blackfeet, Salish, and Kootenai tribes lived among Glacier’s jagged mountains and fertile valleys. The Blackfeet, in particular, considered the eastern front sacred, believing that powerful spirits resided in the towering peaks. This cultural heritage remains vital: today, tribal histories and traditions are woven into the park’s interpretive programs, reminding visitors that Glacier’s story began long before it was designated a park.
The Railroad Visionaries
At the turn of the 20th century, railroads were the arteries of American travel. The Great Northern Railway, seeking to lure tourists westward, lobbied Congress to protect the Glacier region as a national park. Louis W. Hill, son of railroad magnate James J. Hill, promoted Glacier as “America’s Switzerland,” financing iconic lodges and chalets in a romantic alpine style. These historic buildings—like Many Glacier Hotel (1915) and Lake McDonald Lodge (1913)—still stand, blending European charm with rugged wilderness.
Establishing a National Park
When President William Howard Taft signed the act creating Glacier National Park in 1910, it became the nation’s 10th national park. Early on, the National Park Service embraced Glacier as a model for wilderness preservation balanced with public enjoyment. The park’s centerpiece, Going-to-the-Sun Road, completed in 1932, remains an engineering marvel, opening the interior to visitors while carefully tracing mountain contours to minimize environmental damage.
Why Protection Matters
Glacier’s name is no accident: in 1850, there were more than 80 glaciers; today, fewer than 25 remain, and most are shrinking rapidly. Climate change underscores why protecting this park matters—not only for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its role as a natural laboratory of ecological change. Its biodiversity is staggering: grizzly bears, mountain goats, lynx, wolverines, and more than 200 bird species thrive here. Its waters feed three continental watersheds, making it one of the most critical ecosystems in North America.
A Living Legacy
Glacier’s importance goes beyond science—it inspires. The park’s jagged spires, hidden lakes, and starlit skies draw millions from around the world. Couples marry on its lakeshores, families hike along alpine trails, and international travelers retrace the steps of Indigenous peoples and early explorers. To protect Glacier is to preserve a living museum of wild America, a reminder that some landscapes are too precious to exploit.
As writer and conservationist Wallace Stegner famously said, America’s national parks are “the best idea we ever had.” Glacier National Park embodies that truth. Its creation in 1910 safeguarded one of the planet’s most beautiful places, and its continued protection ensures that future generations can stand at Logan Pass, breathe the alpine air, and feel connected to something timeless.