From Stacy, drive about an hour to St. Paul Union Depot via I-35 and I-35E. Give yourselves extra time for traffic, parking, and finding the Amtrak platform; check the depot’s current parking rates and the train’s exact departure time before you leave, since the July 2027 timetable may not yet be published. The Amtrak Empire Builder ride to Whitefish takes roughly 22–24 hours. One important date wrinkle: if you board on July 10, you should expect to arrive on July 11, not July 10. Keep essentials, medications, and a change of clothes in an easy-to-reach bag, and bring snacks for the long ride.
After you arrive at Whitefish Depot, collect your bags and take a taxi or pre-booked transfer to The Lodge at Whitefish Lake; arrange the ride ahead of time rather than counting on a car being immediately available. Check-in and dinner will depend on your actual train arrival, so keep the evening flexible. The lodge has dining options, and you can expect about $25–$50 per person for dinner.
If you arrive with daylight and enough energy, head to Whitefish City Beach on Whitefish Lake for an easy 30–45-minute stroll, then call it an early night. It’s a low-key way to stretch your legs after the train; if you’re tired or the timing doesn’t work, save the walk for another day. The train arrival falls on July 11, which is also listed as your Glacier arrival day, so confirm your lodging and transfer plans around that date.
After arriving in West Glacier, head to the Apgar Visitor Center before exploring farther into the park. Budget 30–45 minutes to check current road and trail conditions, shuttle information, and any closures; summer hours can vary, so check the National Park Service’s Glacier page that morning. Park entry fees are separate from any vehicle reservation requirements, and rules can change by season—confirm what applies to your planned dates before setting out.
From the visitor center, it’s a short walk to Apgar Village on the west shore of Lake McDonald. Give yourselves about an hour to browse the small shops and stretch your legs along the water; the colorful lakeshore stones and mountain views are lovely even if you’re keeping this first day easy. Parking can fill quickly in July, so don’t linger over the car once you find a spot, and bring a light layer—the lakeshore can feel cool after a warm afternoon.
Continue up the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Lake McDonald Lodge for a look at its historic timber-and-stone architecture and a stroll along the shoreline. Allow extra time for the drive: it’s a scenic park road, not a quick city transfer, and summer traffic or construction can slow things down. Have dinner at the lodge or nearby; plan on roughly $25–$50 per person, and check current dining hours and reservation options before you go.
Leave West Glacier around 6 a.m. for the drive east on Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass. The one-way drive can take about 2 hours without stops, but allow most of the morning for viewpoints, slow traffic, and parking; the small lot at Logan Pass often fills early. Check the park’s road status before setting out, since snow and construction can affect access even in July. Also check the 2027 vehicle-reservation rules: if reservations are required for your route and date, secure one in advance. Bring water and layers, and don’t count on reliable cell service.
After visiting Logan Pass, retrace the road west to Avalanche Creek. Walk the Trail of the Cedars, an accessible boardwalk loop through shaded old-growth forest that usually takes about 45 minutes. Then, if everyone has the energy and trail conditions are good, continue on the Avalanche Lake Trail; allow roughly 2.5–3.5 hours round trip, with a steady uphill stretch. Pack lunch and snacks, as this is a long outing and food options inside the park are limited. Check current trail conditions, carry bear spray where it’s accessible, and follow park guidance on wildlife encounters.
Head back to West Glacier for dinner at Glacier Highland Restaurant on US-2, a convenient, casual stop for burgers, trout, and other hearty meals. Expect roughly $20–$40 per person before drinks and tip; summer waits can be long, so arrive early or call ahead to check seating. After a full day on the road and trails, keep the evening easy and confirm tomorrow’s route and park updates before turning in.
Aim to leave West Glacier around 5:30–6 a.m. for Logan Pass Visitor Center; the scenic drive can take close to two hours before stops, and the small parking lot fills early. Check the park’s 2027 vehicle-access rules, road conditions, and visitor-center hours before setting out. Spend about 45 minutes at the center and taking in the Continental Divide views, then start the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail. Allow 2–3 hours round trip, and check for snow, trail closures, and bear advisories; bring water, layers, and sun protection, since the alpine weather can change quickly.
Continue east to St. Mary Visitor Center—roughly an hour from Logan Pass, though traffic and roadside stops can add time. Give yourself 30–45 minutes for the exhibits and wide-open views, and check the center’s seasonal hours before you go. Afterward, take a breather in the St. Mary area before dinner rather than trying to squeeze in another hike.
Have a relaxed dinner at Two Dog Flats Grill in St. Mary; budget about $20–$40 per person, and confirm its summer hours and whether reservations are available. The drive back to West Glacier is long—roughly two hours without stops via Going-to-the-Sun Road—so leave enough daylight, check for any road restrictions or closures, and watch carefully for wildlife after dark.
Leave West Glacier early—around 7 a.m. is sensible—so you have breathing room for the border and a proper stop. The drive north via US-2 and US-89 takes roughly 5–6 hours of wheel time before stops. At the Carway–Piegan crossing, have passports ready and confirm in advance that your rental agreement permits travel into Canada; check the crossing’s hours and current border conditions before setting out.
In Waterton, stretch your legs with the short walk to Cameron Falls. Allow 30–45 minutes, and take care on wet rocks near the water. Grab a simple lunch in the townsite before continuing toward Banff; with the walk, meal, and border wait, expect the full trip to take considerably longer than the driving time alone.
After checking in, spend about an hour strolling Banff Avenue to get your bearings. It’s an easy, walkable main street, with shops, mountain views, and plenty of places to pause; leave the car at your accommodation if possible, since summer parking in the centre can be tight. Finish at The Bison Restaurant for a relaxed Canadian-inspired dinner—budget about CAD $40–$80 per person, and reserve ahead for a summer evening.
Start early at the Banff Gondola on Sulphur Mountain; allow 2–3 hours for the ride, summit exhibits and boardwalks, and give yourselves time to linger over the views. In July, book a timed ticket ahead—fares vary by date but plan on roughly CAD $80–$100 per adult. The gondola is a short drive or Roam Transit Route 1 ride from downtown; parking is available at the base, but it can fill on busy summer mornings.
After coming back down, head to Banff Upper Hot Springs, nearby on the mountain. Bring a swimsuit and towel, or rent them there; admission is usually around CAD $17 per adult, and a soak takes about an hour to 90 minutes. Check the day’s hours before setting out, as they can change. Then make your way to Bow Falls for an easy 30–45-minute riverside wander. It’s a short drive from the springs, or about a 20-minute walk from downtown; expect crowds at the main viewpoints, but the river path gives you room to pause.
Finish at Tooloulou’s in the town centre for a hearty late lunch or early dinner—budget CAD $20–$40 per person. It’s popular, and its hours may be more limited than dinner-focused restaurants, so check that it’s serving when you arrive; if you want to eat there, aim for an early-afternoon visit rather than assuming it will be open late. In July, downtown parking is tight, so leave the car at your lodging and use Roam Transit or walk between town and the falls.
Leave Banff around 6 a.m. for Lake Louise—about 45 minutes by car, but summer parking is limited and restrictions can change. The easier plan is to drive to the Lake Louise Park and Ride and take a reserved Parks Canada shuttle; check the 2027 reservation and operating details before your trip. Spend a little time at the lakeshore, then start the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House Trail early. Allow 4–6 hours round trip, and check trail conditions and teahouse opening dates close to departure. Bring water, layers, snacks, and some cash as a backup for the teahouse.
After the hike, take the Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine Lake for lakeshore views and a short wander; reserve the shuttle in advance if required, and confirm that your chosen connection works with your hike timing. This is a very full day: the hike plus shuttle transfers and 2–3 hours at the lake can push your return to Banff into the evening, so keep an eye on the last shuttle and don’t count on squeezing in a long visit if you’re behind schedule. Finish with fondue at The Grizzly House in central Banff; book ahead for four and budget about CAD $50–$100 per person.
Make this a travel-only morning: leave Banff with plenty of time for the roughly 1½–2-hour drive to Calgary International Airport, plus rental-car return, check-in, and security. There’s a mismatch in the trip notes: the day’s activity says to drive and return a rental car in Calgary, while the transport plan recommends a Banff Airporter or Brewster Express shuttle. Choose one in advance—if driving, confirm the rental is booked for a Calgary drop-off; if taking the shuttle, reserve seats for all four and skip the Calgary car return. Aim to reach the airport about 2½–3 hours before departure, especially if checking bags. A nonstop flight to Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport takes about 2¾ hours when available.
After landing at MSP, allow time for baggage and airport traffic, then pick up your reserved rental car or meet your arranged ride for the roughly one-hour trip to Stacy. If you’re hungry and it’s still a reasonable dinner hour, Chisago House Restaurant in nearby Chisago City is a convenient sit-down stop; budget about $15–$35 per person, and check its hours before setting out, since a delayed flight could make a restaurant stop impractical. Otherwise, head straight home, unpack only what you need, and save the rest for tomorrow.
No packing list attached yet.