Jackson Glacier is one of the many glaciers located in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana.
Overview
The pullout for Jackson Glacier Overlook is an excellent spot to see the famous Jackson Glacier, the seventh largest in the park. Jackson Glacier is part of the Blackfoot-Jackson Glacier Complex, the largest grouping of glaciers in the park. Other glaciers in the complex include Blackfoot Glacier, Pumpelly Glacier, Sperry Glacier, and Harrison Glacier. Most of the park’s glaciers are tucked into shadowy niches high along the peaks of the Continental Divide.
In the contiguous United States, in addition to Glacier National Park, glaciers can be seen fairly easily in Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and others.
Jackson Glacier
Jackson Glacier
Jackson Glacier Overlook Plan
When reading about Glacier National Park and Going-to-the-Sun Road, I learned that Jackson Glacier is the only glacier visible from the road in the park. While I wasn’t sure exactly what our plans were for each day, I made a note to make sure we stopped at the overlook. We couldn’t go to Glacier National Park and not see a glacier!
Getting There
Location
Glacier Park is located in northwestern Montana near the border between the United States and Canada. The park has three main areas, with the West Entrance near Kalispell, Whitefish, and West Glacier and the other three entrances are on the east side of the park near St. Mary and Babb. Jackson Glacier Overlook is along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor, so you’ll need to go through either the West Entrance near Apgar and West Glacier or through the East Entrance near St. Mary and Rising Sun.
Best Time to Go
Glacier National Park gets feet of snow and ice in the winter, and it doesn’t usually melt enough for Going-to-the-Sun Road to be open until mid to late June. Then it will close again around October for the season. If you want to be guaranteed to get to the glacier overlook, the summer months are the best time to go. Just know that it’s also peak season, so the park gets busy and the parking area will fill fast at the main attractions.
The summer months, with most of the snow and ice melted away, have greater views of the glaciers. Since a glacier doesn’t melt, it’s much easier to pick one out in the distance since you don’t have a snow field surrounding the glacier.
Ryan and Tyler at the overlook
Stephanie, Tyler, Ryan, and Justin
Jackson Glacier Overlook
Who Can Go?
The pullouts on Going-to-the-Sun Road are great places to stop and see the beautiful scenery because they are accessible to everyone.
What You'll See
From the overlook, you are looking at the northeast side of Mount Jackson and the Jackson Glacier near the peak. This is one of the six mountain peaks in the park that reach over 10,000 feet. The peak of Mount Jackson forms part of the Continental Divide through the park. Most of the view is in front of you, but you can turn around to get a glimpse of Going-to-the-Sun Mountain.
- Jackson Glacier
- Mount Jackson
- Blackfoot Mountain
- Continental Divide
- Forested Valleys
- Glacial Creeks such as Reynolds Creek
- Glacial Lakes
You may also have the chance to see wildlife in the area. The main inhabitants include mountain goats, grizzly bears, and moose.
Jackson Glacier
Jackson Glacier
What to Bring & Wear
If you are only stopping at the overlook, the only thing you really need to bring is a camera to catch a photo of the stunning scenery and the glacier. A pair of binoculars would be helpful, too, so you can get a closer look at the giant glacier and the mountains around it.
Where to Go
The Jackson Glacier Overlook is 4.8 miles east of the Logan Pass Visitor Center and 12.9 miles west of the St. Mary Visitor Center. It’s also a shuttle stop if you take the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle through the park.
How Long Does it Take?
The overlook only takes about 5-10 minutes, depending on how long you want to take in the beautiful scene. This is a popular place to stop along Going-to-the-Sun Road, so it may take some time to get a clear view as other visitors move out of the area. But, with so many people around, there’s always someone to take a photo of your group with the glacier behind you.
Walking on the trailhead for Gunsight Pass Trail
The boys in a tunnel under Going-to-the-Sun Road
Cost
There’s no cost for the overlook, but you’ll pay an entrance fee for the national park. A private car is $35 and the pass is good for up to 7 days from the date of purchase. You can also buy an annual pass at $70 or the America the Beautiful pass for $80. Don’t forget, during peak season, you will also need a vehicle reservation to enter the park so make sure to purchase that ahead of time.
Tips for Jackson Glacier Overlook
- To get a closer look at the glacier, follow the strenuous Gunsight Lake Trail (sometimes called the Jackson Glacier Trail) that starts in the overlook parking lot and has an elevation gain of 1500 feet. Turn around there or continue on the 20-mile trail past Sperry Chalet all the way to the Lake McDonald Lodge.
- Start just a few steps down the Gunsight Pass Trailhead to see the tunnel under Going-to-the-Sun Road.
- Bring binoculars to get a closer view of the glacier from the overlook.