Lake McDonald is the best place to paddle board in Glacier National Park, especially for a first trip: it’s right by the West Glacier entrance, you can rent a board at Apgar, and on a calm morning the water is clear enough to see the colored stones on the bottom. For the most dramatic scenery, paddle Swiftcurrent Lake at Many Glacier or Two Medicine Lake on the east side.
Glacier works for paddling because its big lakes sit in glacier-carved valleys with peaks rising straight out of the water, and the park allows paddle boards on all of its main front-country lakes. The catch is that every board, including inflatables, must be inspected for invasive species and get a free launch permit before it touches the water. The water is also very cold all summer, so this is a place for calm days and careful paddling.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Lake McDonald from Apgar, where you can rent a paddle board by the hour.
- Most scenic: Swiftcurrent Lake at Many Glacier, or Two Medicine Lake under Sinopah Mountain, early in the morning.
- Quiet and remote: Bowman Lake in the North Fork, at the end of a slow dirt road from Polebridge.
- Experienced paddlers: St. Mary Lake from the Rising Sun boat ramp, only on a calm day.
- Before any of them: get your board inspected and pick up the free launch permit at a park inspection station.
The best places to paddle board in Glacier National Park
Lake McDonald (Apgar)
Directions
Best for: beginners, families and anyone without their own board. Flat water when calm, but big enough to get rough in wind.
Lake McDonald is the largest lake in the park, about 10 miles long, over a mile wide and 472 feet deep. Going-to-the-Sun Road runs along its southeast shore, and the foot of the lake at Apgar Village has a pebble beach, a dock and a view straight up the lake to the mountains.
Where to launch: Apgar is the easiest launch in the park. Carry your board to the beach next to the Apgar boat dock. The park’s inspection station is across from the dock, so you can get inspected and launch in the same stop. Stay near the shore at first; this is a big lake and wind can build quickly.
Rentals and lessons: Glacier Park Boat Company rents paddle boards at Apgar and at Lake McDonald Lodge, near the head of the lake, for $24.20 an hour at the time of writing, with life jackets and paddles included. Paddle boards are first come, first served; you can’t reserve them in advance.
Good to know: Motorboats are allowed on Lake McDonald with no horsepower limit, so expect some boat wakes. Upper McDonald Creek, from Mineral Creek down to the lake, is open to boating and floating only in October, to protect nesting harlequin ducks.
Swiftcurrent Lake (Many Glacier)
Directions
Best for: scenery on a small, sheltered-feeling lake. Flat water.
Swiftcurrent Lake sits in front of the Many Glacier Hotel, with Grinnell Point and Mount Wilbur rising above it. It’s much smaller than Lake McDonald, and motorized boats aren’t on the park’s list for it, so it’s a good choice if you want mountains without big open water.
Where to launch: Launch near the Many Glacier Hotel boat dock. Get your board inspected first at the Many Glacier Ranger Station, which runs an inspection station from late May to late September.
Rentals: Glacier Park Boat Company rents kayaks, canoes and rowboats at Many Glacier, but it doesn’t list paddle boards here. Bring your own or rent at Apgar.
Good to know: The company’s tour boats run on the lake, so give them room near the dock.
Two Medicine Lake
Directions
Best for: quiet mountain scenery on the east side. Flat water on calm mornings; often windy later.
Two Medicine is the least visited of the park’s main lake areas. The lake sits below Sinopah Mountain, and on a still morning the peak reflects in the water like the photo above.
Where to launch: Use the boat ramp at the end of the Two Medicine road, next to the camp store, or carry your board to the shore nearby. The park’s Two Medicine inspection station is at a turnout on the north side of the road, so stop there on the way in.
Rentals: Glacier Park Boat Company rents kayaks, canoes, rowboats and motorboats at Two Medicine, but not paddle boards.
Good to know: The lake is on the east side of the Continental Divide, where strong wind is common. Paddle early, stay close to shore, and turn back as soon as whitecaps appear. Motorboats here are limited to 10 horsepower or less.
Bowman Lake
Directions
Best for: experienced paddlers who want quiet water and are happy with a rough drive. Flat water when calm.
Bowman Lake is in the remote North Fork area in the park’s northwest corner. It’s a long, narrow lake with forested shores and peaks at the far end, and far fewer people than Lake McDonald.
Where to launch: Carry your board to the water by the Bowman Lake campground and ranger station at the foot of the lake. Getting there means about 6 miles of narrow, bumpy dirt road from Polebridge; the park doesn’t recommend RVs or trailers. Get inspected at the Polebridge Ranger Station on the way in.
Rentals: None at the lake. Bring your own board.
Good to know: Motors are limited to 10 horsepower, so it stays quiet. Kintla Lake, farther up the North Fork, is also open to paddle boards if you want somewhere even more remote.
St. Mary Lake (Rising Sun)
Directions
Best for: experienced paddlers on a calm day only. Big, open lake.
St. Mary Lake is the park’s second-largest lake and home to Wild Goose Island, one of the best-known views in Glacier. It’s beautiful, but it’s a big lake on the windy east side of the park, and it has no horsepower limit for motorboats.
Where to launch: The Rising Sun area on Going-to-the-Sun Road has a boat ramp. Get inspected first at the station in front of the St. Mary Visitor Center.
Good to know: Check the wind before you go and stay close to shore. If it’s already breezy at the ramp, choose Lake McDonald or wait for another morning.
When to go
The paddling season in Glacier runs roughly from late spring to early fall, set by when the inspection stations are open. In 2026 the park listed these hours:
- Apgar (Lake McDonald): May 10 to September 30, 7:30 am to 5 pm; October, 8 am to 4 pm.
- Polebridge (Bowman and Kintla): May 10 to September 30, 7:30 am to 5 pm, depending on road conditions.
- Many Glacier, St. Mary and Two Medicine: from May 30, 7:30 am to 5 pm, closing in September (dates vary by station, and one closed as early as September 7).
Check the park’s boating page for the current year’s dates before you go.
- July and August: the warmest weather and the busiest launches. Arrive early for parking.
- Time of day: mornings are usually calmest. Wind tends to pick up in the afternoon, especially on the east-side lakes.
- Water temperature: the park warns that its lakes and streams are extremely cold even in summer, and a fall in can cause cold shock. Dress for falling in, not for the air temperature. Our wetsuit check will tell you what to wear, and our guide on whether you need a wetsuit for paddleboarding explains the options.
Planning a longer paddle, like the length of Bowman Lake? Our Trip time calculator estimates how long it will take at your pace.
Rules and safety in Glacier National Park
Inspection and permit: Every watercraft launched in Glacier must be inspected for aquatic invasive species first, and you need a free launch permit, which you keep with you on the water. Paddle boards and other non-motorized craft can be inspected and launched the same day; the 30-day quarantine applies only to trailered gas-powered boats. Arrive with your board clean, drained and fully dry, including the fin box and leash. Our guide to cleaning a paddle board covers the basics.
Life jackets: The park won’t issue a launch permit without proof of a life jacket for each person, and children under 12 must wear one while underway. Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks agency says the same applies statewide: every paddle board needs a US Coast Guard–approved life jacket on board, and kids under 12 must wear one. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
Whistle and light: Federal rules for paddle boards used outside swimming and surf areas call for a whistle, and a white light (a bright flashlight works) if you’re out after dark.
Montana rules: If you’re bringing a board from outside Montana, the state requires out-of-state watercraft to be inspected before launching, and you must stop at every open watercraft inspection station you pass. Nonresidents launching a non-motorized vessel in Montana also need a $10 Vessel AIS Prevention Pass from Montana FWP at the time of writing; check with FWP whether your board is covered.
A few habits that matter here:
- Wear a leash on flat water so the board can’t blow away from you if you fall.
- Stay close to shore. These lakes are deep and cold, and the shore is your safety margin.
- Watch for bears near the water, and never approach wildlife on shore.
- Don’t camp on the lakeshore or on your board. The park doesn’t allow overnight stays on boats or lakeshores outside designated sites.
FAQ
Can you paddle board in Glacier National Park?
Yes. The park allows paddle boards on Lake McDonald, Bowman, Kintla, St. Mary, Two Medicine, Swiftcurrent and Sherburne. You need an invasive species inspection and a free launch permit first, and a life jacket for every person.
Where can I rent a paddle board in Glacier?
Glacier Park Boat Company rents paddle boards at Apgar and at Lake McDonald Lodge, both on Lake McDonald. They’re first come, first served. Its rentals at Many Glacier and Two Medicine list kayaks, canoes and rowboats but not paddle boards.
Do inflatable paddle boards need to be inspected in Glacier?
Yes. Every watercraft, inflatables included, must be inspected before launching. Non-motorized craft don’t need to quarantine, so you can launch the same day if your board arrives clean and dry.
Can I bring my dog paddle boarding in Glacier?
The park’s boating rules allow pets on a leash on the lakes where boating is permitted. Pets aren’t allowed on most park trails, so plan your day around that. Read how to paddle board with a dog before your first trip together.
What’s the best lake in Glacier for beginners?
Lake McDonald from Apgar. It has rentals, an inspection station across from the dock and an easy beach launch. Go in the morning, stay near shore and come in if the wind picks up. Not sure what board suits you? Try our Board Fitter.
Heading south toward the Tetons? See our guide to where to paddle board in Jackson Hole.
