Both Glacier National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park offer incredible natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Glacier is larger and offers in-park lodging, while Rocky Mountain is closer to a major airport and has more developed trails. The best choice depends on your priorities: remoteness and size versus accessibility and developed infrastructure.
| Attribute | Glacier National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Glacier National Park | Rocky Mountain National Park |
| Average Annual Visitation | Around 3 million visitors each year. In 2024, the park had 3,211,813 visitors. | Over 3 million visitors each year (some sources cite over 4 million) |
| Park Size (acres) | More than 1 million acres | 265,461 acres (414.78 sq mi) |
| Number of Hiking Trails | 158 trails, totaling 745.9 miles | Over 300 miles of hiking trails (some sources say 355 miles) |
| Availability of Guided Tours | Yes, including boat tours, bus tours (Red Bus Tours), guided hiking trips, horseback riding, and rafting. Some tours highlight Blackfeet culture. | Yes, available through various companies and the park service. Options include private tours, wildlife tours, photo tours, and hiking tours. Some ranger-led programs are also available. |
| Camping Options (developed vs. backcountry) | 8 Class A campgrounds with 943 sites, 5 Class B campgrounds with 61 sites, and 65 backcountry campgrounds with 208 sites. | Developed: Five campgrounds accessible by vehicle (reservations often required). Backcountry: Available, but requires a permit. |
| Wildlife Viewing Opportunities | Grizzly bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, and various bird species. Best time is late spring through early fall (May to September), with early mornings and evenings being prime times. | Excellent. Common sightings include elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, marmots, pikas, and various bird species. Moose sightings are less common but increasing. |
| Accessibility for Visitors with Disabilities | All park shuttles are ADA accessible. Accessible trails include Trail of the Cedars and McDonald Falls. | Some trails are accessible, such as Bear Lake Loop and Coyote Valley Trail. The park also offers an all-terrain wheelchair. |
| Peak Season Crowds | Late June through early September, with July and August being the busiest months. | Summer (June-August) is the busiest time. July is often the most crowded month. Fall weekends (September-October) are also very busy. |
| Entrance Fee | A 7-day pass for a private vehicle is $35 during the summer and $25 during the winter (November 1 to April 30). An annual pass for Glacier National Park is $50. | 1-day pass: $30/automobile; 7-day pass: $35/automobile; Annual Pass: $70. Other passes are available, including those for seniors, military personnel, and people with disabilities. |
| Availability of Lodging Inside the Park | Available inside the park, but all in-park lodging is shut down during the winter. | No lodging available inside the park. Lodging is available in the nearby towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. |
| Proximity to Major Airports | The nearest city to Glacier National Park is Columbia Falls, Montana. | Approximately 55 miles (89 km) northwest of Denver. It's about a 1.5-hour drive from Denver. |
| Cell Phone Service Availability | Limited and unreliable, especially in remote areas. | Cell phone service availability can be limited in certain areas of the park. |