Glacier National Park Altitude: Guide & 6 Tips
From the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains in Montana, Glacier National Park is one of the most popular parks in the United States with over 3 million annual visitors.. As a high altitude-based company, we’ll share everything you need to know about Glacier National Park altitude and our best tips to avoid altitude sickness.
What's The Altitude At Glacier National Park?
Glacier National Park altitude ranges from 3,150 feet to 10,466 feet above sea level. The Triple Divide Peak in Glacier park, although technically not the tallest mountain, is considered the apex of North American.
Glacier National Park altitude:
- Glacier National Park altitude - 3,150 ft to 10,466 ft (960 m to 3,190 m)
With the heights of Glacier National Park, you’ll want to take proper precautions when making a trip, follow our tips below.
Which Is Bigger Yellowstone Or Glacier National Park?
By size, Yellowstone is bigger than Glacier National Park.
- Yellowstone National Park size - 3,471 miles
- Glacier National Park size - 1,583 miles
By altitude, Yellowstone is also the higher altitude park by a small margin of 884 feet in difference.
- Yellowstone National Park highest altitude - 11,350 feet
- Glacier National Park highest altitude - 10,466 feet
While comparing the two parks, they both are actually some of the largest and highest elevation national parks in America.
Is Glacier National Park Considered High Altitude?
Yes, Glacier National Park is considered high altitude.
More than one hundred peaks in the park go beyond 8,000 feet, which all qualify as high altitude. According to Mountain Medicine, even parts of Glacier that you can drive are considered high altitude by surpassing 4,900 feet.²
Is Altitude Sickness Common In Glacier National Park?
Yes, altitude sickness in Glacier National Park can be common, especially for visitors coming from sea level out of state.
Dr. Klapowitz estimates that altitude sickness can start as low as 4 to 5,000 feet, which means many parts of Glacier have risk even if it’s just mild.⁴
If you make it to the highest elevations in Glacier park, they reach a level of approximately 31% less oxygen than found at sea level.⁵
Do People Get Altitude Sickness In Montana?
Yes, people get altitude sickness in Montana.
Montana is ranked as the 8th highest state in the country. With its highest elevations such as Mount Cleveland in Glacier at 10,466 feet and Granite Peak at 12,807 feet, there’s many areas in Montana that have a risk of altitude sickness.
What Is The Highest Driving Elevation In Glacier National Park?
The highest driving elevation in Glacier National Park is Logan Pass, which reaches an elevation of 6,646 feet (2,026 m) above sea level.
Part of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, this scenic mountain pass offers breathtaking views as one of the park's most iconic scenic drives.
At these driving elevations, altitude sickness can still be a concern.
What Is The Highest Point In Glacier National Park?
The highest point in Glacier National Park is Mt. Cleveland, at 10,466 feet (3,190 m).
Some visitors take the mountaineering challenge to hike Mt. Cleveland on their visit.
How Many People Visit The Glacier National Park?
Approximately 3 million people visit Glacier National Park each year, averaging the last five years.
Glacier is commonly ranked in the top 10 most visited National Parks in America.
Glacier National Park Altitude Sickness
Glacier Park altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), can occur when ascending to fast with the lower oxygen levels.
Oxidative stress and other physiological factors can come into play that cause various symptoms like headaches, trouble breathing, and difficulty sleeping.
Common symptoms you may find from Glacier Park altitude sickness:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Overall feeling ill
It's essential to recognize these types of symptoms which often occur within 6-24 hours. Follow our favorite tips below to help minimize these issues.
6 Tips How To Avoid Altitude Sickness In Glacier National Park
With towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains and high-elevation glacial lakes, many visitors need help to avoid the potential altitude sickness risks.
Our company has a decade of high-elevation experience being based in Colorado, we’ll share our top tips so you can have a better experience on your Glacier park trip.
Here’s 6 Tips How To Avoid Altitude Sickness In Glacier National Park:
1. Ascend Slowly & Gradually
Avoid rapid ascents, especially if coming from lower altitudes, which can throw your body off in its ability to adjust well. You can ascend slowly and gradually by staying in a lower altitude location to help acclimate.
Even famous hotels such as Many Glacier Hotel lie at around 4,878 feet, just near Swiftcurrent Lake. When visiting the park, it’s best to establish yourself for a day or two at a hotel like this before venturing out to peaks and higher altitude destinations.
2. Prioritize Hydration
High altitudes can lead to increased respiratory rate and potentially dehydration. So much that it was found fluid loss can increase by twice as much than at sea level.¹⁰
Prioritize hydration by drinking plenty of water, in which many experts say to consume at least half a gallon of water per day.
3. Limit Alcohol
Alcohol can be one of the worst things to consume at high altitudes. With similar effects than altitude sickness, it can lead to headaches, nausea, and extreme fatigue.
At least until you feel acclimated, avoid or limit alcohol consumption while at Glacier park.
4. Get Ample Sleep & Rest
Sleep can be the antidote for recovery, and is even shown to increase blood flow and oxygen.¹¹ Adequate rest and sleep will allow your body to adjust and recover.
Ensure you get enough sleep each night, at least 7-9 hours.
TIP: To boost sleep quality, get natural sunlight during the day that can aid in melatonin production at night.
5. Avoid Strenuous Activity
Engaging in strenuous physical activity can increase the stress on your body while your body is already battling the elevation.
Especially during the first day or two at Glacier park, avoid excessive strenuous activity such as big climbs and hikes. Take it easy which can allow your body to adjust faster.
6. Boost Your Antioxidant Levels
Oxidative stress, which causes free radical damage, is associated with altitude exposure.¹⁰ Research has proven that high elevations can even deplete glutathione by 45%, which is the body’s key antioxidant.¹¹
Boost your antioxidant levels on your trip by consuming antioxidant rich foods, or by taking an antioxidant supplement.¹² Taking ingredients such as glutathione can help your body combat oxidative stress better.
By following these tips, you can better enjoy your experience exploring Glacier National Park to the fullest.
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SOURCES:
1. Glacier National Park Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_National_Park_(U.S.)
2. Effects of high altitude on humans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_high_altitude_on_humans
3. Altitude sickness At Glacier National Park
https://www.reddit.com/r/GlacierNationalPark/comments/wm6evg/altitude_sickness/
4. High Altitude Illness
https://www.travelsurenyc.com/high-altitude-illness/
5. Altitude To Oxygen Chart
https://hypoxico.com/pages/altitude-to-oxygen-chart
6. 50 State Elevations (mean elevation)
https://www.netstate.com/states/tables/state_elevation_mean.htm
7. THING TO DO - Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road - Glacier National Park
https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/drive-gtsr.htm
8. Many Glacier Hotel - Glacier National Park Lodges
https://www.glaciernationalparklodges.com/lodging/many-glacier-hotel/
9. Swiftcurrent Lake Elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiftcurrent_Lake
10. The Importance Of Drinking Water At High Altitude
https://summitoxygen.net/drinking-at-high-altitude/
11. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recover
https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
10. High altitude and oxidative stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482529/
11. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
12. Oxidative Stress and Diseases Associated with High-Altitude Exposure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8868315/
13. Glacier National Park broke records in the shoulder seasons, but stays on par for annual visits in 2023
https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2024/mar/08/glacier-national-park-broke-records-in-the-shoulder-seasons-but-stays-on-par-for-annual-visits-in-2023/
