Planning a trip to any National Park can be overwhelming, with its vast landscapes, numerous trails, and unpredictable weather. Luckily, several apps can enhance your experience, helping you navigate, track wildlife, find trails, and even learn about the park’s history.
1. National Park Service App (NPS App)
The National Park Service app is an essential tool for any visitor. It offers up-to-date information on everything from road closures to trail conditions, making it one of the most reliable sources of information during your visit.
Key Features:
- Interactive maps that work offline
- Visitor center hours and current alerts
- Detailed trail descriptions
- Self-guided tours and audio guides about the park’s history and geology
This app is particularly useful for real-time updates on road closures and trail advisories, ensuring your trip is both safe and well-planned.
2. GuideAlong App (GPS Audio Tours)
GuideAlong is an excellent app for travelers who want a guided experience while exploring National Parks. This GPS-based app offers a self-guided audio tour of multiple areas of the park, providing insightful commentary on history, geology, wildlife, and fun facts as you drive.
Key Features:
- Audio narration that automatically plays based on your GPS location
- Offline functionality—no need for cell service
- Interesting stories and facts about the park’s key attractions
- Works on scenic drives like Going-to-the-Sun Road (Glacier National Park) and other park areas
GuideAlong is ideal for visitors who want to learn more about the park without hiring a guide, making the scenic drive even more enjoyable.
3. AllTrails
For hikers, AllTrails is one of the best apps for exploring Glacier National Park’s hundreds of trails. The app offers detailed maps, trail reviews, and GPS tracking to make sure you stay on course.
Key Features:
- Trail difficulty ratings (easy, moderate, difficult)
- User reviews for current conditions and recommendations
- GPS tracking to make sure you stay on the trail
- Offline maps (with the Pro version) for areas without cell service
Popular hikes like Avalanche Lake, Grinnell Glacier, and Highline Trail (Glacier National Park) are well-documented on AllTrails, and you can download maps before you lose service in the park.
4. Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps
Gaia GPS is another excellent app for navigation and off-grid exploration. It’s especially useful for backcountry hikers who need detailed topographic maps and GPS tracking. With Glacier’s rugged terrain and sometimes unreliable cell service, having an app like Gaia can make your hiking or backpacking trip safer.
Key Features:
- Topographic maps for detailed elevation tracking
- Offline map capabilities
- Route planning and distance tracking
- Download maps before entering the park
While Gaia GPS is great for expert hikers and backcountry enthusiasts, it’s also beginner-friendly for those who want to ensure they’re following the correct trails.
5. Chimani: National Parks Guide
Chimani is an app designed specifically for national parks, and it offers a wealth of information on park highlights, popular activities, and hidden gems.
Key Features:
- Detailed park maps and attractions
- Points of interest with history and fun facts
- Offline access to maps and guides
- Travel guides for scenic drives and things to do
Chimani’s Glacier guide is perfect if you’re looking to dive deeper into the park’s history and geology, providing educational context while you explore.
6. Merlin Bird ID
National Parks are home to thousands of species of birds, and if you’re a birding enthusiast, Merlin Bird ID by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a must-have app. The app helps identify birds by sound or sight, making it easier to spot the diverse birdlife in the park.
Key Features:
- Bird identification by appearance or sound
- Bird calls and song recordings
- Species maps showing bird distribution by location
- Offline functionality for identifying birds in remote areas
7. PeakFinder
National Parks, but more specifically, Glacier National Park is famous for its dramatic peaks, and PeakFinder is a handy app that lets you identify the mountains around you with the click of a button. Using your phone’s camera and GPS, PeakFinder overlays names and heights of nearby mountains on your screen, making it easy to identify the stunning peaks that dominate the landscape.
Key Features:
- 360° panoramic view of mountains
- Offline use so you can identify peaks without cell service
- Detailed information on each mountain’s height and name
8. Seek by iNaturalist
For those interested in the plants and animals of Glacier, Seek by iNaturalist is an interactive app that allows you to identify plants, insects, and wildlife simply by snapping a photo.
Key Features:
- Photo identification of plants and animals
- Educational insights on species you encounter
- Tracking your finds to create a personal wildlife list
- Works offline after downloading species packs
With Glacier’s diverse ecosystems, Seek is a fun and educational tool for both adults and children, helping you engage with nature in a deeper way.
Happy Travels!
Additional Resources:
Glacier National Park for Beginners
Discovering the Highline Trail
Your Pets & Glacier National Park
Best Campsites in Glacier National Park
Bear Grass in Glacier National Park