Glacier Park
Rate this placeNearby: Van Eaton Park George Smallwood Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Glacier Park, also known as the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, is a popular destination in Washington state for nature lovers and hikers.
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Summary
The park covers over 1 million acres of land and is home to diverse wildlife, including black bears, mountain goats, and bald eagles.
One of the main reasons to visit Glacier Park is for its stunning scenery, which includes glaciers, alpine meadows, and old-growth forests. Visitors can explore over 1,600 miles of trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes. Some of the most popular trails include the Skyline Divide Trail, Heather-Maple Pass Loop, and Chain Lakes Loop.
Other points of interest in Glacier Park include Mount Baker, which is the third-highest mountain in Washington, and Baker Lake, which offers fishing and boating opportunities. The park also features several campgrounds and picnic areas, as well as historic sites like the Monte Cristo Ghost Town.
Interesting facts about Glacier Park include that it is one of the most glaciated areas in the contiguous US, with over 300 glaciers. The park is also home to rare and endangered plant species, such as the mountain hemlock and yellow cypress.
The best time of year to visit Glacier Park depends on your interests. Summer is the most popular time, with warmer weather and more activities available. However, the fall and winter months offer stunning views of fall foliage and snow-capped mountains, and fewer crowds. It is important to note that some areas of the park may be inaccessible during the winter due to snow and ice.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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Van Eaton Park
George Smallwood Park
Rimrock County Park
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Snoqualmie National Forest