Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks

Program Orientation: 4:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the designated meeting room to get any updated information. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. . Expert field instructors will be with us throughout the program. Trail selections will be made by Group Leaders on the day of the walk based on weather, trail conditions, and group ability. We will break into smaller groups for walks so that everyone can select the distance that best suits each of us. Walks will be led by local experts who will share their knowledge along the trail. Restrooms are available at most trail heads. Travel and transfer for program-related activities will be by motorcoach and historic Red Bus unless noted otherwise. “America the Beautiful” passes cover entrance fees at national parks for up to four adults. If you have one of these national park passes, please bring it with you to the program and on our field trips Meals are provided at the hotel unless otherwise noted. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s sleep for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

In our meeting room at the hotel, we’ll have an expert-led lecture introducing the Glacier Waterton area. We’ll then board a motorcoach and ride to Glacier National Park and see spectacular scenery on the shores of ten-mile long Lake McDonald. The lake and the surrounding valley were carved by glaciers long ago. We’ll ride on to the historic Lake McDonald Lodge that was built in 1914. We’ll explore this National Historic Landmark and learn more about early visitors in Glacier.

Bag lunch from the Red Lion Hotel

Next, we’ll explore the beautiful surrounding area by going on some short walks. During our walks, we will explore the distinctive ecosystems found west of the Continental divide. Along the way, we’ll gain an appreciation for the plants and animals that inhabit this region. We’ll return to the hotel after our field trip.

At the hotel.

We will gather in the hotel meeting room for a presentation by a local expert on the natural history of Glacier National Park. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel.

We will be joined by a local expert who will give us a presentation on the ecosystems and wildlife of Glacier National Park. After checking out of the hotel, we’ll hop aboard the motorcoach and drive to the shore of Lake McDonald inside Glacier National Park. While observing the scenery — with towering peaks and a deep lake carved by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago — our expert field instructors will share information on topics ranging from botany to geology, wildlife, history, aquatics, and more.

Bag lunches.

Next, we’ll begin our transfer to the historic Many Glacier Hotel via Red Bus along Going-to-the-Sun Road (subject to weather and road conditions). As we ride aboard these iconic vehicles, we’ll be immersed in the natural grandeur of the region through insightful commentary from the drivers. First used in the mid-1930s to transport visitors in Glacier and fully restored in 2001, the historic Red Busses continue to delight passengers today. Their canvass roll-back tops allow for unsurpassed views of the towering mountains in every direction. Going-to-the-Sun Road is a National Historic Landmark and the only road that crosses Glacier National Park. The narrow road hugs the cliffside as it winds through the mountains, inspiring awe at every turn. The road was designed to complement the landscape and give visitors the opportunity to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery Glacier National Park has to offer. We’ll stop to stretch our legs and take in the view at Logan Pass, located along the Continental Divide, where waters flow either towards the Pacific or the Atlantic Oceans. Our instructors will lead us on short walks where we’ll learn about the fascinating alpine ecosystem and the hearty plants and animals that thrive in this unforgiving environment. Logan Pass is the highest point on Going-to-the-Sun Road with an elevation of 6,646 feet. We’ll continue our journey on Going-to-the-Sun Road and view sky-scraping peaks, cascading waterfalls, and broad alpine meadows teeming with wildflowers and wildlife. We will check in when we arrive at Many Glacier Hotel. The hotel, built in 1914 by the Great Northern Railway, is situated amid soaring peaks and glassy lakes in what is called the “Switzerland of North America” in the northeastern area of Glacier National Park.

At the hotel.

At leisure. You might like to bring your binoculars and join our instructors behind the lodge for wildlife viewing where we’ll look for grizzlies, moose, and bighorn sheep. Or, just relax and enjoy the scenery.

At the hotel.

We’ll break into smaller walking groups with different distance choices to suit everyone’s personal preference in the scenic Many Glacier Valley. As we walk around a series of glacially carved lakes, be on the lookout for bears, moose, and other wildlife that thrive in this valley. We will learn about the geological forces that created this impressive landscape as well as the flora and fauna we encounter. After the field trip, we’ll return to the hotel.

Lunch on your own

We’ll learn more about Glacier National Park during a presentation by a local expert in the meeting room at the hotel.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Our instructors will lead wildlife viewing. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel.

We’ll jump on the motorcoach this morning and visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site that bears witness to an aboriginal hunting practices used by native people of the North American plains for almost 6,000 years. We’ll stop at this unique site and learn from museum staff about this essential piece of history. We'll then continue on to Waterton Lakes National Park. The park is a stunning natural area where the prairies of Alberta meet the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Clear lakes, beautiful waterfalls, rainbow-colored streams, and mountain vistas await us.

Sack Lunches from Many Glacier Hotel.

In the afternoon we will explore the charming town of Waterton. Browse the unique boutique shops, walk the historic downtown area, or relax with a local beverage admiring the gorgeous glacier carved landscapes. Later in the day we'll check into the stunning Prince of Wales Hotel, built by the Great Northern Railway in 1927, that boasts Swiss-style architecture with British ambiance. It’s named after Prince Edward of Wales, who later became King Edward VIII, and the hotel is a National Historic Site of Canada.

At the hotel.

At leisure. Our instructors will lead wildlife viewing from the hotel deck.

At the hotel.

We'll board the motorcoach and ride a short distance to downtown Waterton for an international study cruise on pristine Waterton Lake. The boat captain will provide expert commentary as we observe towering cliffs, unique geological formations, waterfalls, snow covered peaks, and the international border between Canada and the United States. After the study cruise, we will board the motorcoach and return to the hotel.

Lunch will be at the Lakeside Chophouse at Bayshore Inn.

We’ll ride to the trailhead and set off on foot to explore one of the scenic trails in Waterton. Our expert instructors will provide trailside lessons on topics that range from wildfire to wildflowers to wildlife. After our walk, we will return to the hotel.

On your own to enjoy local fare in Waterton. Motorcoach transportation between the hotel and town will be provided.

Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Our instructors will once again lead wildlife viewing. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.

At the hotel.

After checking out of the Prince of Wales Hotel, we’ll begin our transfer back to Kalispell. Have passports ready for re-entry into the U.S. Once through customs, we’ll visit the historic Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier that was completed in 1913. The 60 immense timbers supporting the Lodge were between 500 and 800 years old when they were cut. They are 36 to 42 inches in diameter and 40 feet long. We’ll learn about the history of this hotel as it relates to the railroad and what the early non-indigenous visitors to Glacier National Park experienced. We will take a beautiful short walk in the Two Medicine nature area if time allows.

Bag lunches.

We’ll then be on our way back to Kalispell, riding along the southern border of Glacier National Park. We will cross the Continental Divide at Marias Pass and learn about the area’s historical and geological significance. We’ll also make educational and scenic stops along the way as time allows. Upon our arrival at the hotel, we’ll check-in and have some time to freshen up before dinner.

At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

At the hotel. This concludes our program.

If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!