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Best trails in Glacier National Park

Best trails in Glacier National Park

4.5(163,461 reviews)

·

United States
#6 of 60 national parks

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.

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Visitor info

Hours & contact
Open 24 hours
Passes & fees
Starting at $20
Accessibility
General park hours
Every day • Open 24 hours
Phone
(406) 888-7800
Entrance pass
Motorcycle

(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.

$30
Purchase pass
Per Person

(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.

$20
Purchase pass
Private Vehicle

(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.

$35
Purchase pass
Annual pass
Park

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.

$70
Purchase pass
All U.S. national parks

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.

$80
Purchase pass
2025 Fee-free days

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

Overview

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.

Transportation

All park shuttle buses in the park are wheelchair accessible.

Facilities

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.

Camping

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).

Service animals

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

Where is the best place to hike in Glacier National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Glacier National Park is Avalanche Lake, which has a 4.8 star rating from 29,007 reviews. This trail is 6.0 mi long with an elevation gain of 784 ft.

What is the longest trail in Glacier National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Glacier National Park is Glacier National Park Full Traverse - Kintla Lake to Lake McDonald. This trail is estimated to be 91.8 mi long.

How many trails are in Glacier National Park?

There are 174 trails in Glacier National Park. These trails have an average 4.5-star rating from 163,461 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Glacier National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Glacier National Park has you covered. Glacier National Park Full Traverse - Kintla Lake to Lake McDonald boasts the most elevation gain with 17,742 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is North Circle Loop, which will get you 10,826 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Glacier National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 104 camping trails in Glacier National Park and the most popular is Avalanche Lake with an average 4.8 star rating from 29,007 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Glacier National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 13 running trails in Glacier National Park and the most popular is Mount Henry Trail and Scenic Point via East Glacier Park Village with an average 4.7 star rating from 55 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Glacier National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 4 biking trails in Glacier National Park and the most popular is Apgar Bike Trail with an average 4.5 star rating from 432 community reviews.

What are the best summer hikes in Glacier National Park?

Some popular summer hiking trails in Glacier National Park are Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook, Iceberg Lake, Grinnell Glacier Trail, and St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail.

What are the best fall hikes in Glacier National Park?

Some popular fall hiking trails in Glacier National Park are Avalanche Lake, Hidden Lake Overlook, Grinnell Glacier Trail, St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail, and Rocky Point.

What are the best winter hikes in Glacier National Park?

Some popular winter hiking trails in Glacier National Park are Avalanche Lake, McDonald Falls Cross-Country Ski Route, Grinnell Glacier Trail, Highline Trail, and Hidden Lake.

What are the best spring hikes in Glacier National Park?

Some popular spring hiking trails in Glacier National Park are Apgar Lookout, Avalanche Lake, Rocky Point, McDonald Falls Cross-Country Ski Route, and Fish Lake.

Are there any trails with waterfalls in Glacier National Park?

Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Glacier National Park?

Are there any trails with lakes in Glacier National Park?

Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Glacier National Park?

Yes, there are 17 trails with scenic viewpoints in Glacier National Park, including Hidden Lake Overlook, Hidden Lake, The Garden Wall, Rocky Point, and Bullhead Lake via Swiftcurrent Pass Trail.

Are there any trails with rivers in Glacier National Park?

Yes, there are 42 trails with rivers in Glacier National Park, including Johns Lake Loop, Redrock Falls, Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, Upper McDonald Creek Trail, and McDonald Falls Cross-Country Ski Route.

Are there any trails with glaciers in Glacier National Park?

Are there any trails with ponds in Glacier National Park?

Yes, there is one trail with a pond in Glacier National Park: Cracker Lake [CLOSED].

Are there any trails with beaches in Glacier National Park?

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