National Parks

Glacier National Park

Location: Southwestern Alberta, Canada, and northwestern Montana

Known for: Great hiking, and for being the world's first international peace park, created as a symbol of goodwill between Canada and the United States.

Biggest crowds: Early July through mid-September

Accessibility: The Going to the Sun Road, a national historic civil engineering landmark, has unparalleled views of both sides of the Continental Divide.

Why kids like it: There are plenty of short hikes that lead to scenic spots, fun boat trips to enjoy, and excellent interpretive programs in both national parks.

What hikers say: Voted "Best Overall National Park" by readers of Backpacker magazine, Glacier National Park is world-renowned for its backcountry trails and wilderness areas. There are 730 mi (1,175 km) of hiking trails in Glacier, and another 114 mi (183 km) in Waterton.