Skip to main content

The crown jewel of Montana, Glacier National Park is an absolute wonder

This year, the National Park Service has reached an incredibly impressive milestone, celebrating one hundred years as an agency on August 25. To help the NPS ring in its centennial, The Manual has devoted a regular column to highlighting one of its spectacular parks each month. In addition to providing general information on the regions themselves, we’ll also catch up with park rangers, area advocates, and anyone who contributes to the preservation and operation of each park. Enjoy!

Park name: Glacier National Park (Montana)

Area: 1,013,322 acres

Established: May 11, 1910

Average annual visitors: 2,099,771

Recommended Videos

There are few places in the contiguous United States as utterly charming as Montana’s Glacier National Park. A perfect combination of stunning lakes flanked by sprawling mountain ranges, the park is as massive in size as it is in beauty. From the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road to Glacier’s iconic red buses, even if you haven’t visited the park itself, chances are high you’ve at least heard about a bit of the lore which has made Glacier what it is today. Though considering the park spans more than a staggering million acres, it’s likely those who’ve even frequented the park have barely scratched the surface for what it offers.

Glacier2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

To get a true sense of what Glacier National Park is like from day to day, we caught up with someone who knows it best: park ranger Timothy Rains. In addition to sharing why he loves being a park ranger and what ultimately brought him to Montana, Rains also divulged a few of the park’s hidden gems and his absolute favorite spot to go. We wouldn’t blame you one bit if after reading the interview you have a sudden urge to visit the park, we know we did after simply talking with Rains.

Tell us a bit about yourself and why you enjoy being a ranger for the National Park Service?

Tim Rains: I’ve been a ranger for NPS for roughly five to seven years, starting in Alaska. Before moving to Montana, I wanted a small taste of the city and moved to Portland for a couple years before aching to get back to nature. I had heard of Glacier before so decided to move there and I’ve absolutely loved it ever since. Never had I planned on staying this long but I just can’t leave. I’ve always felt as though I belonged in an office with a view and I have that here at Glacier.

view of glacier national park
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As for why I enjoy being a ranger, my favorite part is the kind of community that exists here. I work with such innovative people and have made some incredible friends during my time as both a ranger and working at Glacier. These are friends I’ll have for the rest of my life and I feel really united with the community here.

What makes working for NPS so special?

TR: Besides getting to wear a hat? [Chuckles] Just having the opportunity to share with people this gorgeous park and that I’m following in the footsteps of so many great people and rangers who’ve come before me. There’s also the idea that I’m entrusted to maintain and preserve the park that’s incredibly rewarding. Sharing the history of Glacier with visitors is always great as well and there’s not a lot that compares to seeing someone stand at the short of Lake McDonald for the first time.

How have you grown to love Glacier since you became a ranger there?

TR: It’s been a very personal journey for me here at Glacier. I arrived roughly three years ago and intended to just reinvigorate myself; honestly, I never intended to stay this long. I was able to finally realize who I was and it’s been a place that has allowed me to mature. Everything has come together since I’ve been here and it’s been incredible. It’s also great now that I’ve been around long enough that I have the ability to easily share an abundance of information and knowledge of the park.

Glacier national park, glacier valley
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Any hidden gems you’d share with first-time visitors?

TR: I’d tell anyone, first visitor or not, to stand at the shore of Lake McDonald and watch the sunrise there. It really allows you to understand where you are and gives you the opportunity to take it all in. All of the views and geology of the park are incredibly amazing, as well, no matter where you are. Our wildflower season is phenomenal and has reacted so great in the wake of the burn that occurred there about a year ago.

Where’s your favorite part of the park to visit?

It would have to be seeing the sunrise at mini Glacier; I get up there about one or two times a summer around 5 a.m. to see it and it’s stunning.

All photos courtesy of the National Park Service.

Rick Stella
Rick is a staff writer for The Manual, covering everything from men's fashion and accessories, to the best new brands and…
Joshua Tree National Park to close busiest entrance for massive revamp: What to know
West entrance at Joshua Tree National Park undergoes massive transformations
joshua trees in desert

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most ecologically interesting national parks in the country, so it's great to see that it's getting some TLC. This April, the National Park Service is closing down all traffic from Monday, April 7th, to Thursday, April 10th, for some updates to the West entrance station.

As the busiest entry point in the park, seeing a whopping 515,000 vehicles in 2023, this new entrance station will be built one-third mile south of the current location and will feature two inbound lanes and one outbound lane, as well as a bypass lane in each direction. Four booths will be constructed in place of the one that's already there, which is going to improve park access for everyone. This project is funded by fee revenue through the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.

Read more
The change at Acadia National Park you need to know before you visit
NPS move towards sustainability with cashless payments at Acadia
Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park, Maine

National parks around the country are preparing for the peak season's traffic, but with potential ranger shortages and rising visitation numbers, the National Park Service seeks to reduce transaction times and save money. One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to do this is to go cashless.  Several national parks, like the Badlands and Death Valley, have already made the switch, but as of April 15th, Acadia National Park will officially join the list.

One of the primary factors in this decision is that cash payments represent less than 5% of the transactions in the park. However, during the peak season, rangers can spend up to eight and a half hours per day completing all of the documentation required for cash receipts. This transition to cash promises to free up park staff for more important projects like sustainability measures and visitor services.

Read more
National parks in Washington state: 7 hidden treasures you should know about
We love these national parks and we think you will, too
Mount Rainier, Washington state

Washington state is, without a doubt, one of the prettiest corners of America. I admit, I'm totally biased, having been stationed here for about two years from the scorching state of Arizona. Don't get me wrong, the desert definitely has its charms, but I've always been a pine trees, waterfalls, and green mountains kind of gal, so when we moved up here, it honestly felt like heaven.

During the past couple of years, my husband and I have discovered so many jaw-dropping NPS sites, from Mount Rainier to the Cascades, and I can't wait to share some of our favorite treasures. Some of these spots will be famous and well loved, and others are definitely ones that should be in the spotlight.
Mount Rainier National Park

Read more