About Glacier Guides & Montana Raft
Glacier Guides & Montana Raft is the oldest and most established rafting and hiking outfitter in the Glacier National Park area, operating since 1983 from their base in West Glacier, Montana — just minutes from the park's western entrance. The company holds exclusive permits for guided day hikes inside Glacier National Park and offers rafting trips on the Middle and North Forks of the Flathead River, which form the southern and western boundaries of the park. For Whitefish visitors, West Glacier is a scenic 30-minute drive through the Flathead Valley.
Rafting trips range from gentle scenic floats on the Middle Fork — suitable for families with children as young as six — to exhilarating whitewater runs through the North Fork's Class III rapids. Half-day and full-day options are available, and all trips include professional guides, safety equipment, and transportation. The guided hiking program is unique in the region: small-group day hikes led by naturalist guides into Glacier's backcountry, covering iconic trails like Grinnell Glacier, Highline Trail, and Avalanche Lake. Guides provide interpretation of the park's geology, wildlife, and ecology throughout the hike.
What distinguishes Glacier Guides is their exclusive National Park Service permit for guided hiking — no other outfitter can legally lead commercial day hikes inside Glacier. Their guides undergo extensive training in wilderness first aid, bear safety, and natural history interpretation, making the experience far richer than hiking on your own with a trail map. The combination of world-class whitewater rafting on a Wild and Scenic River and permitted backcountry hiking in one of America's most spectacular national parks makes Glacier Guides a must-book for outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Whitefish and Glacier area.
