Fall colors, wild wonders: capture the beauty of northwest montana & glacier national park
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Glacier National Park on a guided photo tour designed to capture its towering peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife. Known as the "Crown of the Continent," this stunning landscape offers endless opportunities for photographers of all skill levels.
Northwest montana & glacier national Park
Dates: october 9-11, 2025 & 2026 (3 days); october 12-15, 2025 & 2026 (4 days)
Location: columbia falls, montana
Price: $1199 for 3 day tour, $1599 for 4 day tour USD*
Fitness Level: LEVEL TWO - GENTLE ADVENTURE
Group Size: 6 participants + 2 group leaders; Min. 4 to go
*Price per person, based on double occupancy accommodations. Single supplement available for an additional fee, please inquire.
Tour Highlights:
Golden Larch Reflections – Stunning compositions with beautiful lakes, such as Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, and rivers as foregrounds. We will make a special trip to visit the largest larch tree in the world, “Gus”.
Wildlife in Fall Landscapes – Capture moose, grizzly & black bears, bald eagles, owls and turkeys, as well as mule & whitetail deer and elk in stunning fall foliage.
Night Sky Over the Backcountry – Stunning astro and northern lights photography
opportunities.
This tour offers a once-a-year opportunity to photograph NW Montana and Glacier’s fall magic
in a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path setting. Ready to chase the golden larches?
With Scott & Jackie Stone, very experienced local guides, explore iconic locations Lake McDonald and St. Mary Lake—each offering dramatic vistas and dynamic lighting conditions perfect for stunning compositions. Capture reflections of rugged peaks in crystal-clear waters, photograph wildlife such as mule and white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and possibly black bear or grizzly bears, there will also be opportunities for bald eagles fishing for spawning kokanee salmon in some locations outside of the GNP, but the focus of these trips are the incredible fall colors with the yellow larch trees, the stars of the show!
Whether you're looking to refine your photography skills or simply experience Glacier and Northwest Montana’s fall beauty and grandeur through your lens, this tour ensures you leave with unforgettable images and memories. Join us for an adventure through some of Montana’s most incredible country as well as one of America’s most picturesque National Parks!
Experience the golden glow of Glacier National Park’s stunning Western Larch trees as they reach peak autumn color. This exclusive fall photography tour takes you into the park’s offering a serene escape into a landscape of vibrant foliage, rugged peaks, and pristine waters.
*We are permitted to operate tours in Glacier National Park through a Commercial Use Authorization.
What’s Included:
Transportation to accommodations from airport & return
Transportation throughout the duration of the tour
Hotel accommodations
All meals
Expert guiding and photography instruction in the field
Park Fees and Admission to Glacier National Park
Tips/gratuities for local guides
What’s Not Included:
Airfare to Kalispell
Photography/Personal Gear
This tour begins and ends at Kalispell International Airport (FCA). Please make travel arrangements based on the itinerary below, or Contact Us for travel assistance.
All Images Property of Scott Stone
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Sunset Shoot
• 3:00 PM – Meet in Columbia Falls, MT
Orientation with your guide and fellow photographers.
Overview of camera settings, composition techniques, and itinerary details.
Head to Lake McDonald to set up for sunset images by 5 pm. Arrive at this stunning alpine lake framed by one of the world’s best landscape views.
Capture reflections of Autumn Gold against the dramatic mountain backdrop.
• 7:00 PM – Return to Columbia Falls & Night Photography
Photograph the Milky Way or Northern Lights, weather permitting over Lake McDonald or Hungry Horse Reservoir area returning to Columbia Falls for the night’s stay
Day 2: Sunrise, Wildlife & Larch-Filled Valleys
• 6:45 AM – Sunrise shoot at one of surrounding areas many beautiful lakes or river sections such as McGregor, Swan or Thompson Lakes.
Capture the first light illuminating the peaks and golden larches.
• 8:00 AM – Breakfast (Clients bring their own snacks) & Mid-Morning Wildlife Search
Look for moose, black bears, turkeys and bald eagles and owls for the balance of the day .
•5:00 pm Set up for evening sunset golden larch in fading light frames both wide angle and closer detail images, location pending weather.
• Return to Columbia Falls after sunset and possible Northern Lights weather permitting
Day 3 (october 9-11 Tour): Sunrise, Wildlife & Larch-Filled Valleys
• 6:45 AM – Leave for sunrise shoot at Swan Lake
Capture more first light illuminating the peaks and golden larches.
• 8:00 AM – Breakfast (Clients bring their own snacks) & Mid-Morning Wildlife Search
Look for moose, black and grizzly bears, bald eagles and barred owls the
bulk of the day in the Swan and Seely Lake areas as well as shooting the golden larch in one of the most beautiful areas of Montana
• 3:00 PM – Return to Airport/End of Tour
Day 3 (october 12-15 tour): Sunrise, Wildlife & Larch-Filled Valleys
• 6:45 AM – Leave for sunrise shoot at Swan Lake
Capture more first light illuminating the peaks and golden larches.
• 8:00 AM – Breakfast (Clients bring their own snacks) & Mid-Morning Wildlife Search
Look for moose, black and grizzly bears, bald eagles and barred owls the bulk of the day in the Swan and Seely Lake areas as well as shooting the golden larch in one of the most beautiful areas of Montana
Return to Swan Lake for sunset images around 5:30pm
• 7:00 PM – Return to Columbia Falls and weather permitting go out for Northern
Lights images also pending how peppy the group is.
Stay a little bit longer (october 12-15 trip)
Day 4: Sunrise, Wildlife before flying out in the afternoon
Look for more elk, black bears, and bald eagles on way into Lake McDonald for the sendoff sunrise with a loop back into Columbia Falls through the western side of the park continuing looking for more bears on the way. We will get everyone back to town and make sure their get to their flights in early afternoon with the trip ending with a sendoff lunch.
End of Tour at Airport 3:00 pm
Tour LeaderS: SCOTT & JACKIE STONE
Scott and Jackie Stone have spent their lives dedicated to the outdoors we love and sharing it with others. Brought together through their conservation beliefs, they have been married since July 3, 2023, and together running Alaska Bear Camps and Scott Stone Photography as well concentrating on sharing their adventures with other passionate people. They devote their lives to the brown bears and other bear species around the globe striving to educate and share their love of the planet and conservation with like minded people.
Through their love of nature and our planet they joined with co-founders Traci Sepkovic and Dee Webb to offer trips around the globe to teach and share photography tours based on conservation, education and most importantly, giving back to the local communities we visit in pursuit of seeing all the amazing places and wildlife across the planet.
Scott and Jackie love all forms of photography including wildlife, landscape, astro, aurora, and macro; their cameras are their compass.
Instagram: @sstone_images, @akreelgirl
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