Dog friendly Glacier National Park

For our Glacier National Park adventure, we stayed at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, Montana, and it made a fantastic home base for both us and the dogs.

Located about 35 minutes from Glacier’s West Entrance, the lodge gave us easy access to the park while still providing all the comforts of staying in town. The property has a classic Montana lodge feel, surrounded by mountains, trees, and plenty of open space. After spending the day exploring Glacier, it was wonderful to come back, relax, and let the dogs stretch their legs.

One of my favorite things about Grouse Mountain Lodge was the large grassy areas and walking paths surrounding the property. As anyone who travels with dogs knows, finding safe and enjoyable places to walk them near a national park can sometimes, well most of the time, be a challenge. The grounds here made it easy to get in a morning walk before heading to the park or an evening stroll after a long day of sightseeing. The open space gave the dogs plenty to sniff and explore, which was especially appreciated since Glacier itself has limited areas where dogs are allowed.

We ended up eating quite a few meals at the resort restaurant which was quite lovely and easy after a day of driving all around the park and then back to the hotel. Hotel food can be hit or miss and this was definitely not bad.

For travelers visiting Glacier with dogs, I would absolutely consider staying here again. The combination of comfortable accommodations, plenty of space for the dogs, and easy access to both Whitefish and Glacier National Park made it an excellent choice.

I’ll start with the bad news: Glacier National Park is not particularly dog-friendly if your idea of visiting a national park is hiking. And Glacier has some stunning hiking trails.

Dogs are generally not allowed on Glacier’s hiking trails or in the backcountry. This means many of the famous hikes you see when researching Glacier won’t be something you can experience with your dog.

But if you’re willing to change the way you explore or you want to drive around and see the sights Glacier can be an incredible road-trip stop with dogs.

For us, the big draw was being able to experience so much of the park from the car. Going-to-the-Sun Road takes you through some absolutely spectacular scenery, and there are developed areas and appropriate roadside stops where you can get out, take in the views and give your dog a break.

Where dogs are allowed:

Dogs are generally allowed in:

• Developed areas
• Front-country campgrounds
• Picnic areas
• Parking areas
• Along roads when they are open to vehicle traffic

Always keep your dog leashed and pay close attention to posted signs, because regulations can vary depending on the specific area and season.

One really important thing to remember is that a road being closed to vehicles doesn’t necessarily turn it into a dog-friendly walking trail. Glacier specifically ties pet access to roads that are open to motor vehicles, so always check before setting out with your dog. 

If you’re visiting Glacier with dogs, I think Going-to-the-Sun Road is the star of the show. The approximately 50-mile road travels through some of Glacier’s most dramatic landscapes, passing Lake McDonald, waterfalls, mountain overlooks and Logan Pass before descending toward St. Mary Lake.

And honestly, this isn’t one of those drives where you’re just trying to get from Point A to Point B. The drive itself is the attraction.

There are designated overlooks and pullouts throughout the drive, making it possible to stop and take in the scenery along the way. Jackson Glacier Overlook is particularly noteworthy because the National Park Service calls it the best opportunity to see a glacier from the road.

Dog friendly scenic view points:

Because dogs aren’t allowed on Glacier’s trails, scenic overlooks and developed areas become especially important when you’re traveling with them. Some areas worth checking out along your drive include:

• Lake McDonald / Apgar Area – One of the first major areas you’ll encounter when entering from West Glacier. The lake surrounded by mountains is absolutely beautiful and the developed Apgar area makes a great first or last stop of the day.
• Jackson Glacier Overlook – One of the easiest ways to actually see a glacier without hiking. The overlook is right along Going-to-the-Sun Road.
• St. Mary Area – The east side of the park offers completely different scenery from the west side and some gorgeous views around St. Mary Lake
• Going-to-the-Sun Road Pullouts – As mentioned, there are numerous designated pullouts along the drive.

Dog friendly Campgrounds:

Camping is another option if you’re visiting Glacier with your dog. Pets are allowed in Glacier’s front-country campgrounds, provided you follow the park’s pet regulations.

Five campgrounds sit directly along Going-to-the-Sun Road: Apgar, Sprague Creek, Avalanche, Rising Sun and St. Mary, which can make camping a convenient way to experience the park.

Some Glacier campgrounds require reservations, and availability and operating seasons vary, so check the campground you’re interested in well before your trip. For example, Sprague Creek and Avalanche are reservation campgrounds.

Where dogs are not allowed:

Not allowed on any of the trails in Glacier National Park.