Two Medicine vs. Many Glacier: Which Should You Visit First?

Two Medicine and Many Glacier sit on opposite ends of Glacier National Park's east side, and both are stunning in different ways. If you only have time for one, here's how to choose.

Quick verdict

• Choose Two Medicine if you want fewer crowds, easier logistics from East Glacier, and a quieter, more contemplative experience.
• Choose Many Glacier if you want the postcard scenery, better odds of seeing grizzlies and moose, and don't mind the drive and crowds.

Crowd levels

Many Glacier is the busier of the two by a wide margin — parking lots fill before 8 a.m. in July and August, and the road in is single-lane in places. Two Medicine receives perhaps a third of the visitation. If you arrive at Two Medicine before 9 a.m., you'll usually get parking at any trailhead.

Drive time from East Glacier Park

• Two Medicine: 10 minutes
• Many Glacier: ~1 hour 15 minutes (via St. Mary)

Hikes

Both valleys offer world-class hiking. Many Glacier has the famous ones — Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, Cracker Lake. Two Medicine's marquee hikes (Dawson Pass, Pitamakan Pass, Cobalt Lake) are equally spectacular but see far fewer people.

Boat tours

Both valleys have iconic vintage Glacier Park boat tours. Two Medicine's runs across Two Medicine Lake to drop hikers at the Dawson Pass trailhead. Many Glacier runs two boats across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.

Wildlife

Many Glacier is famous for grizzlies — sightings are common in spring and fall. Both areas have moose, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. Whichever you visit, carry bear spray and know how to use it.

Lodging

Many Glacier Hotel is iconic but books out a year in advance. Two Medicine has no in-park lodging beyond a small campground, but East Glacier Park (10 minutes away) has cabins and lodge rooms at Glacier Alpine Lodges, plus the historic Glacier Park Lodge.

Our take

If it's your first trip to Glacier and you can only do one, we lean toward Two Medicine — especially if you're staying in East Glacier. You'll get the alpine grandeur with a fraction of the stress. If you're a return visitor or set on seeing Grinnell Glacier, make the drive to Many Glacier and start at sunrise.