Glacier National Park is a hiker’s paradise. From beautiful alpine lakes to glorious mountain passes that provide awe-inspiring views for miles, if you love hiking this is the National Park for you! With 734 miles of marked trails it can be a bit overwhelming deciding what hikes to do on your visit out west. Lucky for you we have hiked many of the trails and put together this guide with photos, trail notes, stats and our very own scoring system. My husband and I rate every hike we do (around the world) on a 1-10 scale (listed as Megan’s score/ Sean’s score). The rating is based on a number of factors: views along the hike, views at the destination, level of effort vs reward, how crowded the trail is and opportunity for wildlife sightings. This post is organized alphabetically by areas of the park to help with your planning. We will continue to add hikes to this post as we check them off our list 🙂

West Glacier Entrance, all hikes along Going-to-the-Sun Road

Apgar Lookout – Rating: M-6.8
7.2 mi roundtrip, out and back
Elevation gain: 1,850 ft
Trailhead: Turn left 0.5 miles north of the West Entrance, continue 1.5 miles beyond Quarter Circle Bridge

• This trail takes a steady incline up the southwest side of Apgar Mountain with views of the middle fork river and towns in the valley west of Glacier National Park most of the hike as shown in the last photo.
• At the top you will reach a fire lookout that is a great place for a snack break over looking famous Lake McDonald – the largest lake in Glacier National Park.
• This hike is a great itinerary add if you are staying near West Glacier given its close proximity to the park entrance. It would make for a great place to watch sunrise over the lake or a quick afternoon hike that doesn’t require a significant drive time.
• Its also a good shoulder season option due the lower elevation of the trailhead. You can check if the road is open to the trailhead year round here: Park Road Status map
• You can also check conditions at the fire lookout anytime via the national park webcam service here: Apgar Lookout Webcam

Avalanche Lake – Rating: M-6.9/S-7.2
5.9 mi roundtrip, out and back
Elevation gain: 757 ft
Trailhead: Avalanche Picnic Area

• This is one of the most popular hikes in the park due to its ease of accessibility, short distance and minimal elevation gain so expect crowds especially during summer months
• This is a very family friendly hike starting on a boardwalk through the trail of cedars and then continuing on an easy, hard-packed dirt trail that follows Avalanche Creek
• This hike also makes for a great shoulder season hike due to its low elevation making it one of the first trails to open in late Spring and last to close before winter
• Even with the crowds once you get to the lake you will discover it is quite big and there is plenty of room to escape the crowds if you continue along the trail to the right of the lake. Most people will stop at the main beach area which is the first sight of the lake, but if you are up for a bit more walking you can continue on all the way to the other side of the lake for much more peace and quiet and a different view.

Gunsight Lake – Rating: M-7.8/S-8.1
13.2 mi roundtrip, out and back
Elevation gain: 760 ft
Trailhead: Gunsight Pass Trailhead (Jackson Glacier Overlook)

• A less popular lake accessed off Going-to-the-Sun road this is a great hike to escape the summer crowds.
• The trail to get to the lake has minimal elevation gain making it very doable for any hiking level. Once you get to the lake you will be stunned by turquoise waters.
• On the way to the lake you will enjoy views of Jackson Glacier

Hidden Lake Overlook – Rating: M-5.4 / S-6.2
2.8 mi round trip, out and back
Elevation gain: 460 ft
Trailhead: Logan Pass Visitor Center
*Additional 1.2 miles one-way further to Hidden Lake, dropping 780 ft (238 m) from the Overlook

• Another one of the most popular hikes in the park, this short trail to Hidden Lake overlook can at times look like a scene from Disney world with crowds of people during peak summer months.
• The trail starts at Logan Pass so you will typically run into some degree of snow on the trail year round. Even though the trail is mostly a boardwalk you should wear appropriate shoes for a few snow patches.
• It’s a great short option for families to get out and burn some energy after driving up Going-to-the-Sun road
• This trail offers a good chance of seeing wildlife such as mountain goats and big horn sheep who often roam this area. It is also beautiful when the wildflowers are blooming, typically in August.
• You can continue down to the lake from the lookout which adds 2.4 miles and 780 ft elevation gain on the way back up. This extension of the trail is often closed due to bear activity from fish spawning at the lake, but if it’s open this portion of the hike is even more beautiful and has significantly less people. You can take a dip in the crystal clear lake, relax on the shore and try your luck at fishing (catch and release only, no fishing license req in the park).

Highline Trail to Grinnell Glacier Overlook – Rating: M-7.9 / S-6.6
15.6 mi roundtrip
Elevation gain: 3,415 ft
Trailhead: Logan Pass Visitor Center
*Option to start or finish at the Loop (13.2 mi roundtrip) to avoid an out-and-back hike, requires 2 vehicles or hitchhiking

• The highline trail is a classic in Glacier and worth the trek regardless of how far you decide to go before turning around. Crowds definitely thin out around the 2-3 mile mark.
• Getting to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook one way from Logan Pass is nearly 8 miles with an almost unnoticeable decline the majority of the way until you reach the spur for Garden Wall trail which is the last grueling mile up to the overlook.
• The return trip to Logan Pass is when you really notice that slight incline that made the way there such a breeze.
• You can opt to return to the Loop which would be all downhill instead of hiking back to Logan Pass. This will require that you had either parked a 2nd car there, plan to catch the shuttle or hitchhike. We’ve picked up hitchhikers doing this option before which you’ll find is pretty easy to do along this highly trafficked section of Going-to-the-Sun Road.

John’s Lake Loop – Rating: M-4.6 / S-6.2
1.8 mi roundtrip
Elevation gain: 184 ft
Trailhead: Johns Lake Loop Trailhead

• This super easy trail is a great way to check out McDonald Creek, see McDonald falls and venture to a small quiet alpine lake which is very easily accessible off Going-to-the-Sun Road just 1.3 miles past Lake McDonald Lodge.
• With almost no elevation gain and a very short distance this hike is suitable for anyone.
• This hike can also be a great snowshoe route in winter.

Mt. Siyeh Climbing Route – Rating: M-9.0 / S-9.0
8.4 mi roundtrip
Elevation gain: 4,074 ft
Trailhead: Piegan Pass Trailhead

• This is not a marked trail and requires basic climbing as well as trail navigating skills.
• You can download a GPS trail route via a few google options
• This is considered the easiest of the 4 peaks in Glacier over 10k ft and can be done without a guide if you are an avid hiker with some mountaineering experience, but it is not recommended for the average park visitor, elderly, or families with children.

Otokomi Lake – Rating: M-8.0 / S-8.5
11 mi roundtrip, out and back
Elevation gain: 1,900 ft
Trailhead: Next to Rising Sun Campstore

• This is a less popular hike that makes for a great day hike if you have an extra day on your itinerary
• The hike goes through a burned section of the park from a previous forest fire, but then opens up into a beautifully forested valley and passes a few small waterfalls before reaching the lake.
• This lake is one you are allowed to fish in (catch & release) and is great for fly fishing
• We camped overnight here and very much enjoyed fishing and relaxing at the lake which you will definitely want to do after the 5 1/2 mile trek in. My watch clocked it at over 6 miles one way, but were sticking to the official park distances in the stats.

Piegan Pass – Rating: M-7.2/ 7.4
9 mi roundtrip, out and back from Siyeh Bend
Elevation gain: 1,724 ft
Trailhead: Siyeh Bend Parking off Going-to-the-Sun Road

• A great hike for expansive mountain views in the heart of Glacier National Park
• The elevation gain is very reasonable as you hike through a valley along the river towards Mt Siyeh.
• Great pine trees line the trail with mountain peaks popping above the treeline the entire way.
• The last stretch you will traverse the side of Mt Siyeh and Cataract Mountain as you head up to the pass. Last photo is a view into the other side of the park once you reach the pass.

Many Glacier Entrance

Cracker Lake – Rating: M-8.7 / S-8.9
12.8 mi roundtrip
Elevation gain: 1,400 ft
Trailhead: South end of Many Glacier Hotel parking lot

• The water really is the color you see in the photos and it’s truly remarkable.
• This hike has a relatively minimal elevation gain given the distance which makes it possible for anyone who is prepared for a lot of walking.
• We recommend planning a whole day for this hike so that you have time to enjoy the lake and take a rest before hiking back.
• The posted trail distance one way is 6.4 miles, but that only gets you to the very edge of the lake and you will undoubtedly want to continue to the lookout points and shoreline farther along the lake so be prepared for nearly 14 miles of total hiking.
• Bring a swimsuit, pack plenty of snacks and water and make a great day of it!

Grinnell Lake Overlook to Grinnell Glacier – Rating: M-8.8
10.6 mi roundtrip (reduced to 7.2 mi roundtrip if you take the boat both ways across Lake Josephine and Swiftcurrent Lake)
Elevation gain: 1600 ft
Trailhead: Grinnell Glacier Trailhead or boat dock at Many Glacier Hotel

• Grinnell Lake overlook (pictured here – 1st image) is one of the most beautiful views in the park
• Even if you aren’t able to make it to the Glacier due to trail conditions (typically closed for snow hazard until mid July) it is worth hiking along Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine up to the overlook of Grinnell Lake which is about 7.2 miles roundtrip from the trailhead.
• This is a very popular hike. You can book the boat tour in advance through Glacier Park Boat Company which also grants your access to the Many Glacier entrance without requiring ticketed entry.
• The Glacier is quite large and there is plenty of room for crowds to spread out once you reach the final destination.
• If you only have time for one hike in the Many Glacier area this would be our recommendation. The entire hike is stunning with expansive mountain views, turquoise lake views, waterfalls, and finishes a glacier.

Iceberg Lake – Rating: M- 8.7 / S-8.4
9.6 mi roundtrip
Elevation gain: 1,200 ft
Trailhead: Iceberg Ptarmigan Trailhead

• We have done this hike in July and in October. July was amazing for wildflowers and bear grass all along the trail and the lake was still filled with icebergs. The fall colors on the trail in October were beautiful and crowds were much less, but all the icebergs had already melted.
• This is an easier hike with the elevation spread out over a longer distance making it very doable for all.
• This is a common hike for bear sightings and can sometimes be closed during peak huckleberry season due to increased bear activity. Make sure to check current trail status’s for any hike you plan to do in advance here: NPS Trail Status Report
• If you are looking to add distance to make a full day of it you can continue on to Ptarmigan Tunnel which makes for 14.8 miles total.

Ptarmigan Tunnel – Rating: M-8.0 / S-7,8
10.6 mi roundtrip
Elevation gain: 2,300 ft
Trailhead: Iceberg Ptarmigan Trailhead

• This trail starts on the same path as the Iceberg Lake hike for 2.6miles and splits off right after Ptarmigan Falls.
• The trail is relatively easy until you reach Ptarmigan lake which is a great place for a rest break before making the climb to the tunnel. The lake has a nice little shore and we saw many fish jumping so could be a decent fly fishing spot as well.
• Just beyond the lake you will gain the final 800ft in elevation up a few long switchbacks until you reach the tunnel. The tunnel is typically open from mid-July to late September.
• Once you walk through the tunnel you will see expansive views over Helen Lake.
• Because the first part of this hike is shared with Iceberg Lake trail you can add a stop at Iceberg Lake on your return which will add 4.2 miles and 500 additional ft in elevation gain. If doing both we recommend starting with Ptarmigan tunnel to avoid the morning crowds on the Iceberg lake trail during peak season (crowds seem to thin out in the afternoon).

Swiftcurrent Pass – Rating: M-9.3 / S-9.3
13.6 mi roundtrip
Elevation gain: 2,300 ft
Trailhead: Swiftcurrent Trailhead, by Motor Inn parking lot

• You can tell by our ratings this is our favorite hike in Glacier National Park.
• It has a little bit of everything. You will pass 4 beautiful lakes and Redrock falls as you hike through the valley before making your way up to the pass. The views as you start ascending just get better and better.
• We saw multiple moose and bears along this hike which is never guaranteed, but last year there was a resident moose at Fishercap Lake where many people would sit and wait to see if she was not already out feeding.
• Bullcap lake which is the last lake before you start to head up the pass and is a great spot to take a break either before or after hiking to the pass.
• Once you get to Swiftcurrent pass you are at the continental divide and can continue on to the Granite Park Chalet and trails on the west side of the park. You will encounter many backpackers who have stayed at the Chalet.

Two Medicine Entrance

Aster Park – Rating: M-7.5 / S-7.8
3.8 mi roundtrip (can add .8 miles to stop at Paradise Point for a picnic/fishing on Two Medicine Lake)
Elevation gain: 682 ft
Trailhead: South Shore Trailhead

• This is a very easy hike, great for families and little ones.
• You will hike past Aster Falls on your way up to an overlook with views of Two Medicine Lake and surrounding peaks
• The overlook (end of trail) has a nice big opening with plenty of area to spread out, take a snack/beer break or do a bit more exploring

Cobalt Lake – Rating: M-7.4 / S-6.9
11.6 mi roundtrip (or take the scenic roundtrip boat ride across Two Medicine Lake which makes it a 9 mi roundtrip hike)
Elevation gain: 1,400 ft
Trailhead: South Shore Trailhead

• This is a moderate hike to a lovely lake tucked under Two Medicine Pass.
• You will hike past Red Rock Falls which is a popular stopping point for folks taking the boat tours. Then the hike continues through a beautiful valley along a stream.
• The trail is line with huckleberry bushes which are fun to pick as you go.

Pitamakan – Dawson Pass Loop – Rating: M-8.6 / S-8.7
18.8 mi roundtrip (reduced to 15.1 mi if you take the boat across Two Medicine Lake)
Elevation gain: 3,779 ft
Trailhead: Northshore Trailhead in Two Medicine Campground

• This is a more challenging hike given the length and elevation gain, but it is a great one for more advanced hikers. This starts in the much less visited area of Two Medicine. We hiked this on a beautiful bluebird day in early September and ran into less then 20 or so people the entire hike with a few more groups taking breaks at the two passes.
• We started on the Pitamakan Pass Trail and finished the loop on Dawson Pass trail which I would recommend, but you can also go the opposite direction.
• I found the entire trail to be stunning, offering a wide array of different views into the park. We also found so many huckleberries along the Pitamakan side of the trail.
• We opted to save some hiking distance by purchasing a return boat trip across two medicine lake. By the time we got there we were very glad we had done that. The decline from Dawson Pass down to the lake is pretty significant and our knees were feeling it.

North Fork Entrance near Polebridge

Quartz Lake Loop – Rating: M-7.4 / S-6.9
12.8 mi roundtrip
Elevation gain: 2350 ft
Trailhead: Bowman Lake Picnic Area

• This is a much less populated trail that starts at beautiful Bowman Lake (last photo). When we hiked/backpacked it last June we only encountered a handful of others the entire hike.
• The trail itself is mostly through the forest not offering much for views along the way until you reach the two lakes: Lower Quartz and Quartz Lake.
• Quartz Lake is a great early season backpacking spot also. We had the lake to ourselves and it was so peaceful. This would make for a great day hike with a lunch and swimming stop at Quartz Lake.

Helpful tips for planning your trip to Glacier National Park:

• Be sure you are prepared to access the park with advance reservations for ticketed entry. Reserved tickets are required at the below park entrances during the dates listed if entering the park between 6am to 3pm. We’ve put together a helpful guide with everything you need to know including how to access the park if you don’t already have a reservation: Check it out here!
  • West Glacier Entrance of Going-to-the-Sun Road: May 24 to Sept 8
  • East Glacier Entrance of Going-to-the-Sun Road: No Reservation Required
  • North Fork Entrance: May 24 to Sept 8
  • Many Glacier Entrance: Jul 1 to Sept 8
  • Two Medicine Entrance: No Reservation Required
• Where to stay: You will find most accommodations are located on the west side of the park near the West Entrance. Staying anywhere between the West entrance and the town of Columbia Falls makes for a great hub for a longer stay. You may try to score one or two nights at the limited accommodations over near Many Glacier to have quicker access to those hikes.
• Grizzly Bear Lodge near Columbia Falls is a great place for larger groups to stay. It is a quick drive to the west entrance- <15min. You will get to enjoy the whole house to yourself with a private hot tub and beautiful back yard area. The lodge sleeps 12 and can be booked on AirBnB or VRBO.
• Columbia Mountain Cabin is also less then 15 min from the West Entrance of the park and accommodates up to 4 guest. This charming cabin which was originally a forest service cabin has been remodeled to welcome guest and has a lovely backyard with views of Columbia Mountain. The big private backyard has a firepit and great views of Columbia Mountain. Book on AirBnB or VRBO.
• Stay a few nights in charming downtown Whitefish for a more lively restaurant, bar, and shopping scene. Whitefish is 35-40 min from the west entrance. We recommend these conveniently located condos (Big Mountain Bungalow AirBnB or Packer’s Roost AirBnB) that have a private garage and are right in the heart of downtown for ease of walking everywhere. They also come with 2 shared bikes you can easily bike to Whitefish city beach on the a nice bike trail along the river (less then 1mile bike ride).
• Prepare for a decent amount of driving time. Some hikes require an hour or two drive to get to them depending on where you are staying, but that is part of the adventure. The scenery along these drives is wonderful, especially along Going-to-the-Sun Road and you are likely to see wildlife along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for bears, moose, big horn sheep, and mountain goats. We recommend downloading maps and music or podcast in advance as service in and around the park is very limited.

Let us know if you have any questions about these hikes or planning a trip to Glacier National park in general! We are local lovers of the park and are always happy to help folks plan a visit to this national wonder!