With more than a million acres of rugged wilderness and 700 miles of trails weaving through its valleys, mountains and alpine lakes, Glacier National Park is a paradise for backpackers. If you’re ready to explore Glacier’s backcountry, here’s a checklist to help you plan your trip.
The following list is designed for a non-guided backpacking trip in Glacier National Park. (For information about visiting the park, see our guide.) The list includes some environment-specific options for the park’s backcountry. If you’re going with a commercial group, check with the guide company to see what items they provide.
Included in this list are the Ten Essential Systems you should have on every backcountry trip: navigation; sun protection; insulation; illumination; first-aid supplies; fire starter; repair kit and tools; nutrition; hydration; emergency shelter. To learn more, see our Ten Essentials article.
Equipment
- Backpacking Pack (big enough for a bear canister) and raincover
- Small daypack (optional)
- Tent with guylines and repair sleeve
- Tent footprint (optional)
- Sleeping bag (15°–29°F or suitable for the season you go)
- Waterproof stuff sack for your sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Whistle (plus signaling mirror)
- Multifunction watch with altimeter (altimeter feature is optional)
- Knife or multi-tool
- Compass
- GPS (optional)
- Map(s) and route description or guidebook
- Trekking poles (optional)
- LED headlamp with extra batteries
- Water treatment system and backup
- Stove, fuel and repair kit
- Matches or lighter
- Cookset, dishes, bowls, utensils, cups (measuring/drinking)
- Bear canister (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee approved canister)
- 30 ft. of rope for hanging food and trash
- Repair kits for sleeping pad and other gear; duct tape strips
- Fire starter (for emergency survival fire)
Clothing and Footwear
The base elevation in Glacier is approximately 3,110 ft. on the west side and 4,540 ft. on the east side. The average daily high temperature during summer months is 70°–80°F, while the average daily low is 45°F. At higher elevations, both averages will be lower. If you’re camping in the backcountry, be sure to bring insulated clothing.
Although the Continental Divide creates a rain shadow for the east side of Glacier, you still need to be prepared for rainy weather in all parts of the park because the weather patterns are highly variable. When you head into the backcountry, rain gear is a must.
- Wicking, quick-drying underwear
- Wicking, quick-drying sports bra
- Wicking, quick-drying long underwear
- Wicking, quick-drying T-shirt and long-sleeve shirt
- Quick-drying pants (for added tick protection) or shorts
- Fleece jacket or vest, or insulated jacket or vest
- Fleece pants
- Midweight down or synthetic jacket
- Waterproof/breathable rain jacket
- Waterproof/breathable rain pants
- Bandana or Buff
- Sun-shielding hat or ball cap
- Winter hat
- Warm gloves or mittens
- Hiking boots or shoes suited to terrain
- Socks (synthetic or wool) plus spares
- Gaiters (for added tick protection)
- Sandals (for fording streams and relaxing in camp)
- Swimwear (optional)
- Microspikes or crampons (optional, but encouraged for spring/fall)
- Ice axe (optional, but encouraged for spring/fall and high alpine areas)
- Change of clothes to leave in car
Personal Items
- Sunglasses
- Water bottles (3) or hydration reservoirs
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm (SPF rated)
- Toothbrush with cover and biodegradable toothpaste
- Biodegradable soap
- Toilet paper
- Sanitation trowel
- Hand sanitizer
- Women’s hygiene items
- Personal wipes
- Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Medications
- Plastic zip-top bags
- Odor-blocking storage bags (optional, to cleanly stow trash)
- Insect repellent
- Bear spray
- First-aid kit (see our First-Aid Checklist)
- Quick-drying towel
- Camera or helmet cam and extra memory cards (optional)
- Binoculars (optional)
- Cell phone (don’t rely on service and switch off international roaming)
- Satellite communicator / personal locator beacon (optional)
- Field guide(s); star identifier (optional)
- Journal, pen and e-reader or reading material (optional)
- Fishing gear (optional)
- Fishing permit (optional; see the park’s fishing page for requirements)
- Credit card; small amount of cash
- Wilderness permit
- National Parks pass (yearly pass available from REI.com)
- Trip itinerary left with friend and under car seat
Food
Quantity varies depending on activity and length of trip.
- Breakfast (oatmeal, granola, freeze-dried breakfast, etc.)
- Lunch (bagels, summer sausage, cheese, smoked salmon, etc.)
- Dinner (pasta, couscous, rice, freeze-dried dinner, etc.)
- Snacks (cookies, GORP, jerky, candy bars, dried fruit, etc.)
- Energy gels
- Energy bars
- Electrolyte replacement drink mix
- Extra day’s supply of food