Hikes in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is the Crown Jewel of the Continent! The 1,600-square mile park preserves a stunning wilderness area including the northernmost section of the Continental Divide in the United States of America. These jagged peaks are adorned with majestic glaciers. Seasonal snowmelt creates thundering waterfalls, nourishes lush pine forests, and fills mesmerizing turquoise lakes. Glacier National Park is doubtless one of the most scenic parts of the country and a great place to hike. Additionally, over a thousand campsites for overnight stays are spread among 13 campgrounds in Glacier National Park.

Highlights of Glacier National Park

  • This stunning trail along the Continental Divide offers many hiking options, like an amazing 13.5-mile through-hike that takes in the exceptional view from Glacier Overlook.
  • This 2-mile extension off Highline Trail climbs the Continental Divide to extraordinary views over Grinnell Glacier and a trio of subalpine lakes (that hikers can reach on Grinnell Lake Trail).
  • This level 7.5-mile partial loop passes a triplet of beautiful turquoise glacier-fed lakes in the Many Glacier region of Glacier National Park.
  • This 2-mile loop visits a small lake in a mossy fores and then follows McDonald Creek past McDonald Falls and views of Lake McDonald (shown) to return to the trailhead.
  • This 3-mile hike visits two waterfalls in the forest above Saint Mary Lake on the east side of Glacier National Park.

Glacier National Park

Going-to-the-Sun Road is the principal roadway through the park, crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Going-to-the-Sun Road hosts many of the trailheads for day hikes in the park. In addition to your own vehicle, a free park shuttle travels across Going-to-the-Sun Road, making it easy to explore this picturesque roadway.

Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park is Just across the border from Glacier. Together they form Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a world heritage site. For a great hike just north of the border, check out Crypt Lake Trail, which is consistently ranked as one of the best, if not the very best, hikes in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Glacier National Park is bear country, so be bear aware when hiking in Glacier National Park. Between May and October the entrance fee for Glacier National Park is $30 (for a seven day pass). In the winter months that price is reduced to $20.

Sherburne Lake
Sherburne Lake in the Many Glacier region of Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park Hiking

This collection of trails in Glacier National Park, lists the hikes roughly from north to south. The table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next hike in Glacier. There is also a search feature, which can be used to quickly isolate the hike you are looking for. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, maps, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these hikes. An interactive map below the table shows the location of each hike.

TrailDescriptionDistance Location
Grinnell Lake100Grinnell Lake Trail
This long but level partial loop passes a triplet of beautiful turquoise glacier-fed lakes in the Many Glacier region of the park.
7.5 miles
100 - 300 feet
48.79536,
-113.65726
Highline Trail300Highline Trail
This stunning trail along the Continental Divide offers many hiking options, like an amazing 13.5-mile through-hike that takes in the exceptional view from Glacier Overlook.
7 - 15.2 miles
400+ feet
48.696343,
-113.7176
Glacier Overlook330Garden Wall Trail to Glacier Overlook
This extension off Highline Trail climbs the Continental Divide to extraordinary views over Grinnell Glacier and a trio of subalpine lakes.
2 miles
1,000 feet
48.762639,
-113.743372
Johns Lake400Johns Lake Loop
This loop visits a small lake in a mossy fores and then follows McDonald Creek past McDonald Falls to return to the trailhead.
2 miles
225 feet
48.63334,
-113.862285
Saint Mary Falls700Saint Mary Falls and Virginia Falls
This out and back hike visits two waterfalls in the forest above Saint Mary Lake on the east side of Glacier National Park.
3 miles
250 feet
48.674307,
-113.60872
View Montana trails and campgrounds in a larger map
Or explore hikes around Glacier National Park on the Hike Finder Map
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Pebble Creek Trail Yellowstone National Park hike backpacking
Starting just inside Yellowstone's northeast entrance near Cooke City, Montana, there is an interstate trail traveling through a beautiful backcountry meadow boxed in by 10,000-foot peaks. Pebble Creek Trail is often ventured as a top-to-bottom 12-mile long through hike ending at Pebble Creek Campground. There are five trail camps along Pebble Creek Trail for backpackers. Even if you can't... Read more.
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Tagged with · Backpacking · Cooke City · Creeks · National Parks · Trail Camp · Walk-in Camping
Distance: 12 miles · Elevation change: 950 feet
By: Published: Last updated: April 25, 2017
Boiling River Trail Yellowstone National Park hike Gardner River Mammoth Hot Springs Wyoming hydrothermal swimming hike
While Boiling River Trail is about as easy and straightforward as they come, the destination is completely unconventionally. The 1.25-mile round trip hike ends at one of America's strangest swimming holes where a stream of water cooked by Yellowstone's hydrothermal features mixes with cold river water. Wear your bathing suit and take a dip in this remarkable hot springs! Boiling River... Read more.
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Tagged with · Hot Springs · Hydrothermal · National Parks
Distance: 1.25 miles · Elevation change: 50 feet
By: Published: Last updated: January 23, 2018
Garden Wall Trail Grinnell Glacier Overlook Highline Trail hike Glacier National Park Montana Granite Park Chalet Continental Divide
Picture yourself standing on the Continental Divide overlooking a crackling glacier that feeds a string of sparkling turquoise lakes. That is only part of the panorama you'll enjoy from Glacier Overlook, a no-nonsense notch on a section of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park named the Garden Wall. Approached from the west, Glacier Overlook offers a window looking east over a... Read more.
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Tagged with · Continental Divide · National Parks
Distance: 2 miles · Elevation change: 1000 feet
By: Published: Last updated: January 9, 2018
Highline Trail Glacier National Park Montana hike Logan Pass Garden Wall the loop
Rarely does a trail deliver as many breathtaking views as Highline Trail in Glacier National Park. This is one of the most incredible day hikes in Glacier (and therefore anywhere on the planet). Highline Trail begins on the Continental Divide, delivering lofty views right from the start. Things are pretty level for the first three miles, making it easy for less ambitious hikers to still... Read more.
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Tagged with · Continental Divide · Going-to-the-Sun Road · National Parks
Distance: 13.5 miles · Elevation change: 3400 feet
By: Published: Last updated: January 10, 2018
Grinnell Lake Trail Many Glacier Hotel Lake Josephine Swiftcurrent Lake hike Glacier National Park Montana
Grinnell Lake Trail offers a level hike along a string of glacier-fed lakes. The trail departs from Many Glacier Hotel on the northeast side of Glacier National Park. There are trails along opposite sides of two beautiful subalpine lakes preceding Grinnell Lake, as well as a short spur to a waterfall, that give hikers a few options. Also, a ferry service that transports guests from Many... Read more.
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Tagged with · Lakes · National Parks · Waterfalls
Distance: 7.5 miles · Elevation change: 300 feet
By: Published: Last updated: April 27, 2017