Best trails in Glacier National Park
With more than %{700_miles} of trails, more than 20 active glaciers, and 150 peaks, Glacier is a hiker's dream. This rugged park in northern Montana spans the Continental Divide and experiences extreme weather. Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the main park roads, is often covered with snow through July! The park's hikes showcase glaciers, steep mountainsides, azure alpine lakes, and windy passes. Most begin at higher elevations, and many include dizzying exposure. Camping offers opportunities to gaze up at the northern lights. Iconic wildlife like wolves, grizzlies, moose, black bears, elk, bighorn sheep, marmots, and wolverines roam the park.
Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park bounds Glacier's northern side. Siksikaitsitapi – Blackfoot Confederacy land and the Flathead National Forest make up the park's eastern and southern borders. The park is remote, but you can take an Amtrak train all the way to a stop at the park's east entrance. The park has 5 main areas: Lake McDonald, Many Glacier, North Fork & Goat Haunt, St. Mary, and Two Medicine. The opportunities for hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and fishing trips are endless!
Check trail and road status ahead of your visit because snowpack often remains on popular trails or roads through July. Popular hiking areas often close due to weather and bear activity. Both black and grizzly bears are abundant in the park. It's important to review bear safety strategies before your visit. Cell service in the park is unreliable — for most of these hikes, it's a good idea to download your map ahead of time. You may also want to bring a printed map and compass as a backup.
You can visit the park all year, but the best time for hiking is from May through September. The park is busiest in the summer months, so it's a good idea to plan on using the park's free shuttle system. Fall is a great time to see the colors change, especially on the western larch trees in the park. In the winter, you can cross-country ski or snowshoe, but keep in mind that most services will be unavailable.
There is a fee to enter the park, which you can pay online in advance or in person. If you plan on driving along Going-to-the-Sun Road or visiting the North Fork, Two Medicine, or Many Glacier areas, you'll need a vehicle reservation during peak times. You can make reservations online up to 4 months in advance.
Top trails
- (29007)•Moderate•6.0 mi•Est. 2.5–3 hrThe hike to Avalanche Lake is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park due to the lake’s incredibly clear blue waters and the stunning views you will encounter throughout your trip. You can find the Avalanche Lake Trailhead not far from the West Entrance of the park, just past Lake McDonald. The Avalanche Campground is also close to the trailhead. The trail starts south of the Avalanche Gorge Footbridge on the Trail of the Cedars and winds its way through old-growth cedars and...
- (10333)•Hard•10.9 mi•Est. 5.5–6 hrGrinnell Glacier is an absolute must-see in Glacier National Park. This challenging hike offers something for everyone: glaciers, waterfalls, lakes, forest, wildlife, and incredible views along the way. There are two ways to do this hike. You can start at the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead, and hike the six miles to the glacier. Another option is to take a boat from the Many Glacier Hotel. The boat crosses Swiftcurrent Lake, and then another boat takes you across Lake Josephine. This option...
- (10594)•Moderate•2.7 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrThis trail takes you up and over Hidden Lake Pass to Hidden Lake Overlook. Once you are there, you'll be standing between the towering Clements Mountain and the jagged ridgeline of Reynolds Mountain overlooking Hidden Lake. This route also provides amazing views of open grasslands and mountains throughout the way. You can continue down the Hidden Lake Trail to the lake shore. Heads up! There is one part of the trail that is steep and exposed to a large drop-off. It is a good idea to wear...
- (7146)•Moderate•9.6 mi•Est. 4.5–5 hrIceberg Lake is named for the icebergs that float in the lake year-round. The lake is in the shadow of Mount Wilbur and gets very little sun, keeping the water cold enough for icebergs. Many hikers love the challenge of jumping in to the icy lake for a cold plunge! This route is also known to be a great place to spot grizzly bears. While traveling in bear country, it is important to know how to be safe around bears. For more information about bear safety, please...
- (7725)•Moderate•3.1 mi•Est. 1.5–2 hrSt. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail in Glacier National Park offers lake views and beautiful waterfalls, with St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls stealing the show. You really can't go wrong with a trail that takes you up close to multiple waterfalls this quickly. It's a great hike for someone who is looking for an easier and quicker trail than some of the others in the park, while still getting to experience some of the best of the park's beauty. This area is also fun to visit in summer since...
- (6511)•Strenuous•13.2 miThis route ends with an off-trail scramble to Wing Lookout, a spot just above Grinnell Glacier itself. On the way, you'll hike to Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint before breaking off on to this off-trail adventure. For the Grinnell Glacier Trail, please visit: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/montana/grinnell-glacier-trail This route is not recommended as a winter adventure. Even during the summer months, the route is often covered in snow, especially near Grinnell Glacier. When the route is...
- (4170)•Hard•11.4 mi•Est. 6–7 hrThis route is the point-to-point one-way route that takes you to the famous Granite Park Chalet along the Highline Trail. There are several ways to hike this trail. In order to complete this route as mapped, you will need to arrange to take the park shuttle. This classic hike in Glacier National Park takes you along the length of the Highline trail to the Loop Trailhead from the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Granite Park Chalet is a historic wilderness lodge that is reached only by trail....
- (3702)•Hard•14.9 mi•Est. 7.5–8 hrJust across the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the Logan Pass Visitors Center, is the Highline Trail. This must-do hike spans all the way from here to the Loop Trailhead, with an optional offshoot to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook and a stop at the historic Granite Park Chalet. There are several ways to hike the Highline Trail. The most popular option, mapped here, is hiking an out-and-back to Granite Park Chalet from the Logan Pass Visitor Center. This plan does not require a shuttle back to the...
- (3890)•Moderate•6.3 mi•Est. 2.5–3 hrAlso known as "Three Falls Hike", this hike follows the edge of the beautiful Saint Mary River along Piegan Pass Trail and St. Mary Lake Trails. It actually features four famous waterfalls! The route takes you past Baring Falls, St Mary Falls, Lower Virginia Falls, and Upper Virginia Falls. This route is very popular and can get crowded during peak summer season. It is a good idea to arrive early or take the park shuttle to avoid parking issues.
- (3446)•Easy•0.9 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrAlong this route, a boardwalk will take you through a dense, evergreen forest of western hemlocks and western red cedars. Many hikers prefer to walk this loop starting with the eastern side. This trail can be done in tandem with the Avalanche Trail. Accessibility: Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers may need all-terrain tires or adaptive/motorized equipment for the surface type and grade. There are 2 designated van-accessible parking spaces with striped access...
Visitor info
(Winter Rate - $20.00, November 1 to April 30)
This is a per motorcycle entrance fee. The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable.
(Winter Rate - $15.00, November 1 to April 30)
This is a per person entrance fee for a visitor traveling on foot, bicycle, or for individuals traveling together in a vehicle as a non-commercial, organized group. The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable.
(Winter Rate - $25.00, November 1 to April 30)
This is an entrance fee for all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van). The pass is good for seven days and is non-transferable. Visitors can enter the park at any time, if the entrance station is not staffed, a self-registration area is available for purchasing a 7-day park pass.
New in 2024, all passes will have one signature line for a single passholder. This pass is valid for one year from the month of entry and admits the purchaser and passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or the pass holder and his/her immediate family (spouse, children, parents) when entry is by other means (foot, bicycle) into the park. It is nontransferable, nonrefundable, and does not cover camping fees.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Apgar Visitor Center, Apgar Village, Apgar Nature Center, and St. Mary Visitor Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Orientation films have closed captions in person and open captions online.
A Braille or large print park brochure is available by request or on the website.
Many ranger-led programs are wheelchair accessible, and assistive listening devices and ASL interpreters are available by reservation. Please contact the park at least two weeks in advance to make a reservation for interpretation services.
Additional information about accessibility at Glacier National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
All park shuttle buses in the park are wheelchair accessible.
The Apgar Visitor Center, Apgar Village, Apgar Nature Center, and St. Mary Visitor Center are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Orientation films have closed captions in person and open captions online.
The following evening performance venues are wheelchair accessible: Apgar Campground Amphitheater, Fish Creek Campground Amphitheater, Many Glacier Hotel and Campground Amphitheater and Auditorium, Lake McDonald Lodge Amphitheater, St. Mary Visitor Center Amphitheater, and Rising Sun Campground Amphitheater.
The Rising Sun Picnic Area and Many Glacier Picnic Area are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms.
There are accessible restrooms or vault toilets at the following trailheads: The Loop, Logan Pass, Grizzly Point, Rising Sun Area, and Goat Lick Overlook.
The Apgar Campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites (C152 and C122) and restrooms.
The Fish Creek Campground has 8 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites (A8, A10, A12, A34, B65, B68, D158, and D160) and restrooms.
The Sprague Creek Campground has 1 individual wheelchair accessible camping site (#1) and restrooms.
The Rising Sun Campground has 1 individual wheelchair accessible camping site (#7) and restrooms.
The St. Mary Campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites (C146 and C148) and restrooms.
The Two Medicine Campground has 1 individual wheelchair accessible camping site (#20) and restrooms.
The Bowman Campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites (#3 and #7).
The Kintla Lake Campground has 1 individual wheelchair accessible camping site (#13).
A Service Animal Briefing is required and can be obtained at the following Wilderness Permit Stations: Apgar Village (Summer and Winter), Many Glacier Ranger Station (Summer), St. Mary Visitor Center (Summer), Hudson Bay District Office (Winter), Two Medicine Ranger Station (Summer), and Park Headquarters Building (Winter).
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
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Frequently asked questions
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Are there any trails with waterfalls in Glacier National Park?
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Are there any trails with beaches in Glacier National Park?
Activities
- Backpacking trails in Glacier National Park
- Birding trails in Glacier National Park
- Camping trails in Glacier National Park
- Cross-country skiing trails in Glacier National Park
- Fishing trails in Glacier National Park
- Hiking trails in Glacier National Park
- Horseback riding trails in Glacier National Park
- Running trails in Glacier National Park
- Snowshoeing trails in Glacier National Park
- Walking trails in Glacier National Park
Attractions
- Beach trails in Glacier National Park
- Hard trails in Glacier National Park
- Easy trails in Glacier National Park
- Forest trails in Glacier National Park
- Historic site trails in Glacier National Park
- Lake trails in Glacier National Park
- Long trails in Glacier National Park
- Moderate trails in Glacier National Park
- No dogs trails in Glacier National Park
- River trails in Glacier National Park
- Short trails in Glacier National Park
- Strenuous trails in Glacier National Park
- Scenic viewpoint trails in Glacier National Park
- Waterfall trails in Glacier National Park
- Wildflowers trails in Glacier National Park
- Wildlife trails in Glacier National Park
Points of interest
- Saint Mary Falls
- Upper Virginia Falls
- Aster falls
- Baring Falls
- Running Eagle Falls
- Hidden Falls
- Hidden Lake Overlook
- Redrock Falls
- Appistoki Falls
- Scenic Point
- Huckleberry Mountain
- Two Medicine Creek
- Swiftcurrent Creek
- Deadwood Falls
- Apikuni Falls
- McDonald Creek
- Mount Oberlin
- McDonald Falls
- Grinnell Glacier Overlook
- Scalplock Mountain
