Glacier National Park Trip Day #4 part 1: Lake Macdonald Scenic Boat Tour

We packed our lunches and were ready early so we headed out to the national park and arrived just before 7; we actually had a Going to the Sun Road pass included with our scenic boat tour reservation but we didn't need it since we're such early risers. The sunrise was beautiful!



We did have time to take a photo with the Glacier park sign though and since another couple was doing the same thing we took turns taking photos for each other. 

 


We parked at McDonald lodge and walked around for a while.  It is really such a beautiful property with some pretty lovely views. We bought some popcorn and I got our vacation ornament. Then we sat and waited for our boat tour.




 










We were perhaps the 4th family to board the boat so we sat up front in the bow. We learned a lot about the history of the lake and lodge, about some of the wildfires they've had in the park, and that September is referred to as "smoketember" since there are usually lots of wildfires all around the region that cause smoky skies.  










There are a handful of private homes along the lake that are within park bounds; they were here before it was deemed a national park. The latest house sold for just over $13 million!!









You can see evidence of the latest wildfires across from the lodge. 


It was beautiful and the weather was perfect! We were done our tour by 10 am. We headed out for a beautiful hike after. I'll be back with that wrap up on Monday. 

Days 1 & 2: Arriving & Grinnell Glacier hike 

Day 3: Conrad Mansion & Hungry Horse Dam 

 Linking up with: Spread the Kindness, 





Comments

  1. Tamar SBSeptember 12, 2025 at 7:10 AM

    Those views are just spectacular!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. HollySeptember 12, 2025 at 8:02 AM

    Just so beautiful Joanne- thank you for recapping for us!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dara @ Not In JerseySeptember 12, 2025 at 8:23 AM

    That lake is so smooth! Looks like a great day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne September 12, 2025 at 8:54 AM

      It was a really calm day on the lake; we were thrilled too because the day before there were white caps out there with the wind.

      Delete
  4. Amy JohnsonSeptember 12, 2025 at 8:31 AM

    Were early risers too and it's wonderful because you always beat the crowds!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne September 12, 2025 at 8:55 AM

      The time change was working in our favor as well; we were up most days around 4:30 and since we wanted to get into the parks before 7 most days we just didn't bother trying to reset our internal clocks.

      Delete
  5. JenniferSeptember 12, 2025 at 9:13 AM

    I just can't imagine how pretty it is to see that in person, and it's almost breathtaking to see the pictures. Thanks so much for sharing. I hope that you have a lovely weekend Joanne!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne September 12, 2025 at 1:58 PM

      Aw, you're welcome! Your name came up a time or two-- I caught my husband looking at some Sandal's resort pages and told him I had a great connection if he was thinking of planning a trip.

      Delete
  6. Kim CarberrySeptember 12, 2025 at 9:58 AM

    Fantastic photos!!
    McDonald lodge really is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Benita JamesSeptember 12, 2025 at 11:21 AM

    What a perfect way to start a day in Glacier National Park. Learning about the history of the lake and the "smoketember" nickname is a great reminder of how much nature changes. It's also wild to think about those private homes worth millions right inside the park,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne September 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM

      Right?! I can't imagine paying that much for what is mostly used as a summer retreat.

      Delete
  8. Jodie's Touch of StyleSeptember 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM

    I love that you took a boat tour. I always feel like when you've learned more about the place. It feels more like a educational experience.
    Xoxo
    Jodie

    ReplyDelete
  9. JeanieSeptember 12, 2025 at 3:53 PM

    Scenic boat tour couldn't be a better name for that! How beautiful and interesting too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne September 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM

      It really was very beautiful and informative.

      Delete
  10. Tanya September 12, 2025 at 4:53 PM

    Such a beautiful lake. I want a house there...ha, ha! But not for $13M.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiSeptember 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM

    This post brought back wonderful memories! Was the haze from wildfire smoke in the area?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne September 12, 2025 at 7:35 PM

      There were wildfire in other parts of Montana and Canada but not anywhere close by.

      Delete
  12. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2025 at 6:20 PM

    What a beautiful trip.
    rsrue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. mireilleSeptember 12, 2025 at 7:29 PM

    This makes me miss our hiking vacations! What beautiful views!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    ReplyDelete

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