Glacier National Park is a 1,583-sq.-mi. wilderness area in the upper North West of Montana’s Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border.
It’s crossed by the mountainous Going-to-the-Sun Road, which will take you from one side of the park to the other (East and West Glacier).
Glacier National Park has more than 700 miles of hiking trails ranging in difficulty from “Easy” to “Challenging”. Other activities include backpacking, cycling and camping. Diverse wildlife ranges from mountain goats to grizzly bears.
Location: Northwest Montana
Area: 1,583 mi²
Established: May 11, 1910
Phone: (406) 888-7800
*When hiking in Glacier, carrying Bear Spray is highly recommended.
You can rent bear spray inside the park at Apgar village on Lake McDonald from Glacier Outfitters (look for the Yurt).
We always rent our bear spray there and the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable.
Glacier Outfitters
196 Apgar Loop Road, West Glacier, MT 59936
(406) 219-7466
Places to stay:
GNP has six lodges and four camp sites. Some camp sites require reservations 12 months in advance, so remember to book early.
For more comfortable accommodations check out Whitefish or Kalispell Montana.
There you will find many hotel and dinning options, Whitefish is a great resort town and about a 40 minute drive from Glacier.
Trails:
(Click the Trail Name for more info)
| Trail Name | Distance (one way) | Elevation Gain | Trail Head |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mcdonald trails: | |||
| Apgar Bike Path | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) | mostly level | Trailhead: Asphalt path south of Apgar Backcountry Permit Office |
| Apgar Lookout | 3.6 mi (5.8 km) | 1,850 ft (564 m) | Trailhead: Turn left 0.5 miles north of the West Entrance, continue 1.5 miles beyond Quarter Circle Bridge |
| Avalanche Lake | 2.3 mi (3.7 km) | 500 ft (152 m) | Trailhead: Avalanche Picnic Area |
| Fish Creek Bike Path | 1.2 mi (1.9 km) | 25 ft (7.6 m) | Trailhead: Turn right 0.25 miles north of the Lower McDonald Creek Bridge on the Camas Road |
| Fish Lake | 2.7 mi (4.3 km) | 1,000 ft (305 m) | Trailhead: Sperry Trailhead |
| Forest and Fire Nature Trail | 1.1 mi loop (1.8 km) | 180 ft (55 m) | Trailhead: Parking area off Camas Road near Camas Creek Entrance |
| Howe Lake | 1.6 mi (2.6 km) | 240 ft (73 m) | Trailhead: Howe Lake Trailhead on Inside North Fork Road |
| Huckleberry Lookout | 6 mi (9.6 km) | 2,725 ft (830.5 m) | Trailhead: Huckleberry Mtn. Trailhead on Camas Road |
| Johns Lake Loop | 3 mi (4.8 km) | 160 ft (49 m) | Trailhead: Johns Lake Trailhead |
| Lake McDonald West Shore | 7.4 mi (11.9 km) | mostly level | Trailhead: [a] 0.2 miles north of Fish Creek Campground; [b] 2.8 miles west on North Lake McDonald Road |
| Lincoln Lake | 8 mi (12.9 km) | 2,250 ft (686 m) and drops 800 ft (244 m) | Trailhead: Lincoln Lake parking area, off Going-to-the-Sun Road between Apgar and Lake McDonald Lodge |
| Mt. Brown Lookout | 5.2 mi (8.4 km) | 4,325 ft (1,318 m) | Trailhead: Sperry Trailhead |
| Oxbow Trail | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) | mostly level | Trailhead: South side of Lower McDonald Creek Bridge on Camas Road |
| Rocky Point | 1.1 mi (1.8 km) | 85 ft (26 m) | Trailhead: 0.2 miles north of Fish Creek Campground |
| Snyder Lakes | 4.3 mi (6.9 km) | 2,147 ft (654 m) | Trailhead: Sperry Trailhead |
| Sperry Chalet | 6.3 mi (10.1 km) | 3,432 ft (1,046 m) | Trailhead: Sperry Trailhead |
| Trail of the Cedars | 0.7 mi (1.1 km) | Accessible | Trailhead: Avalanche Picnic Area |
| Trout Lake | 4 mi (6.4 km) | gains and drops 2,100 ft (640 m) | Trailhead: Trout Lake Trailhead |
| Many Glacier | |||
| Apikuni Falls | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 700 ft (213 m) | Trailhead: Apikuni parking area, 1.1 miles east of Many Glacier Hotel |
| Cracker Lake | 6.4 mi (10.3 km) | 1,400 ft (427 m) | Trailhead: South end of Many Glacier Hotel parking lot |
| Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint | [a] 5.3 mi (8.5 km) | 1,600 ft (488 m) | Trailhead: Grinnell Glacier Trailhead or Many Glacier Hotel |
| [b] 3.6 mi (5.8 km) | 1,600 ft (488 m) | Using concession boat from Many Glacier Hotel, tour fees apply and reservations highly recommended | |
| Grinnell Lake | [a] 3.4 mi (5.5 km) | 60 ft (18 m) | Trailhead: Grinnell Glacier Trailhead or Many Glacier Hotel |
| [b] 1.1 mi (1.8 km) | 60 ft (18 m) | Using concession boat from Many Glacier Hotel, tour fees apply | |
| Iceberg Lake | 4.8 mi (7.7 km) | 1,200 ft (366 m) | Trailhead: Iceberg Ptarmigan Trailhead |
| Piegan Pass | [a] 4.5 mi (7.2 km) | 1,750 ft (533 m) | Trailhead: Piegan Pass Trailhead |
| [b] 8.4 mi (13.5 km) | 2,650 ft (805 m) | Trailhead: South end of Many Glacier Hotel parking lot | |
| Poia Lake | 6.4 mi (10.3 km) | 2,400 ft (731.5 m) | Trailhead: Apikuni parking area, 1.1 miles east of Many Glacier Hotel |
| Ptarmigan Falls | 2.7 mi (4.3 km) | 700 ft (213 m) | Trailhead: Iceberg Ptarmigan Trailhead |
| Ptarmigan Lake | 4.3 mi (6.9 km) | 1,700 ft (518 m) | Trailhead: Iceberg Ptarmigan Trailhead |
| Ptarmigan Tunnel* | 5.3 mi (8.5 km) | 2,300 ft (701 m) | Trailhead: Iceberg Ptarmigan Trailhead |
| *Tunnel doors generally open mid-July to late September | |||
| Redrock Falls | 1.8 mi (2.9 km) | 100 ft (30.5 m) | Trailhead: Swiftcurrent Trailhead, by motor inn parking lot |
| Swiftcurrent Nature Trail | 2.3 mile loop (3.7 km) | The first ¼ mile past the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead is wheelchair accessible | Trailhead: Grinnell Glacier Trailhead or Many Glacier Hotel |
| Swiftcurrent Pass | 6.8 mi (10.9 km) | 2,300 ft (701 m) | Trailhead: Swiftcurrent Trailhead, by motor inn parking lot |
| Logan Pass | |||
| Granite Park Chalet | [a] 7.6 mi (12.2 km) | 800 ft (244 km) | Trailhead: via Highline Trail, Continental Divide sign at Logan Pass |
| [b] 7.6 mi (12.2 km) | 2,300 ft (701 m) | Trailhead: Swiftcurrent Trailhead, by motor inn parking lot | |
| [c] 4.2 mi (6.8 km) | 2,200 ft (670.5 m) | Trailhead: The Loop Trailhead, on Going-to-the-Sun Road | |
| Hidden Lake Overlook | 1.4 mi (2.2 km) | 460 ft (140 m) | Trailhead: Logan Pass Visitor Center |
| *Additional 1.2 miles (1.9 km) further to Hidden Lake, dropping 780 ft (238 m) from the Overlook | |||
| North Fork | |||
| Akokala Lake | 5.8 mi (9.3 km) | 800 ft (244 m) | Trailhead: Bowman Lake Ranger Station |
| Bowman Lake Head | 7.1 mi (11.4 km) | rolling hills | Trailhead: Bowman Lake Ranger Station |
| Covey Meadow | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) | rolling hills | Trailhead: Polebridge Ranger Station |
| Hidden Meadow | 1.2 mi (1.9 km) | 250 ft (76 m) | Trailhead: 3 miles south of Polebridge Ranger Station |
| Kintla Lake Head | 6.6 mi (10.6 km) | rolling hills | Trailhead: 0.25 miles west of Kintla Lake Campground |
| Logging Lake | 4.5 mi (7.2 km) | 400 ft (122 m) | Trailhead: North of Logging Creek Ranger Station |
| Lower Quartz Lake | [a] 3 mi (4.8 km) | gain 1,200 ft (366 m) then drop 1,000 ft (305 m) | Trailhead: Bowman Lake Picnic Area |
| [b] 6.9 mi (11.1 km) | 500 ft (152 m) | Trailhead: North of Quartz Creek Campground | |
| Numa Lookout | 5.6 mi (9 km) | 2,930 ft (893 m) | Trailhead: Bowman Lake Ranger Station |
| Quartz Lake | 6 mi (9.6 km) | gain 1,800 ft (549 m) then drop 1,600 ft (488 m) | Trailhead: Bowman Lake Picnic Area |
| Goat Haunt | |||
| All hikes start at Goat Haunt Ranger Station. | Visit the Trail Status page for information on cross border travel. | ||
| Goat Haunt Overlook | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 800 ft (244 m) | |
| Kootenai Lakes | 2.5 mi (4 km) | 200 ft (61 m) | |
| Lake Francis | 6.2 mi (10 km) | 1,050 ft (320 m) | |
| Lake Janet | 3.3 mi (5.3 km) | ||
| Rainbow Falls | 1 mi (1.6 km) | 30 ft (9 m) | |
| Waterton Townsite | 8.5 mi (13.7 km) | 200 ft (61 m) | |
| St. Mary including Logan Pass | |||
| Baring Falls | 0.3 mi (0.5 km) | 250 ft (76 m) | Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout |
| Beaver Pond Loop | 3.3 mi (5.3 km) | 150 ft (46 m) | Trailhead: 1913 Ranger Station |
| Otokomi Lake | 5.5 mi (8.8 km) | 1,900 ft (579 m) | Trailhead: Next to Rising Sun Campstore |
| Piegan Pass | [a] 4.5 mi (7.2 km) | 1,750 ft (533 m) | Trailhead: Piegan Pass Trailhead |
| [b] 8.4 mi (13.5 km) | 2,650 ft (805 m) | Trailhead: South end of Many Glacier Hotel parking lot | |
| Red Eagle Lake | 8.1 mi (13 km) | 200 ft (61 m) | Trailhead: 1913 Ranger Station parking area |
| St. Mary Falls | [a] 0.8 mi (1.3 km) | Elevation loss: 260 ft (79 m) | Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop |
| [b] 1.2 mi (1.9 km) | Elevation loss: 260 ft (79 m) | Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Trailhead | |
| [c] 1.6 mi (2.5 km) | 140 ft (42.5 m) | Trailhead: Using concession operated boat from Rising Sun, tour fees apply | |
| Siyeh Pass | [a] 4.6 mi (7.4 km) | 2,240 ft (683 m) | Trailhead: Piegan Pass Trailhead |
| [b] 5.5 mi (8.9 km) | 3,440 ft (1,048.5 m) | Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout | |
| Sun Point Nature Trail | 0.8 mi (1.3 km) | Elevation loss: 250 ft (76 m) | Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout, |
| Sunrift Gorge | 200 ft (61 m) | 40 ft (12 m) | Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge Pullout |
| Virginia Falls | [a] 1.6 mi (2.6 km) | Elevation change: loss 260 ft (79 m), then gain 285 ft (87 m) | Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop |
| [b] 1.8 mi (2.3 km) | Elevation change: loss 260 ft (79 m), then gain 285 ft (87 m) | Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Trailhead | |
| [c] 2.4 mi (3.9 km) | 425 ft (129.5 m) | Trailhead: Using concession operated boat from Rising Sun, tour fees apply | |
| Logan Pass | |||
| Granite Park Chalet | [a] 7.6 mi (12.2 km) | 800 ft (244 km) | Trailhead: via Highline Trail, Continental Divide sign at Logan Pass |
| [b] 7.6 mi (12.2 km) | 2,300 ft (701 m) | Trailhead: Swiftcurrent Trailhead, by motor inn parking lot | |
| [c] 4.2 mi (6.8 km) | 2,200 ft (670.5 m) | Trailhead: The Loop Trailhead, on Going-to-the-Sun Road | |
| Hidden Lake Overlook* | 1.4 mi (2.2 km) | 460 ft (140 m) | Trailhead: Logan Pass Visitor Center |
| *Additional 1.2 miles (1.9 km) further to Hidden Lake, dropping 780 ft (238 m) from the Overlook | |||
| Two Medicine | |||
| Appistoki Falls | 0.6 mi (1 km) | 260 ft (79 m) | Trailhead: Scenic Point parking area, 0.25 miles east of Two Medicine Ranger Station |
| Aster Falls | 1.2 mi (1.9 km) | 100 ft (30.5 m) | Trailhead: South Shore Trailhead |
| Aster Park | 2 mi (3.2 km) | Elevation gain: 670 ft (2014 m) | Trailhead: South Shore Trailhead |
| Cobalt Lake | 5.8 mi (9.3 km) | 1,400 ft (427 m) | Trailhead: South Shore Trailhead |
| Dawson Pass* | 6.5 mi (10.4 km) | 2,450 ft (747 m) | Trailhead: North Shore Trailhead |
| *Dawson and Pitamakan Pass Trails can be combined for a popular all-day loop hike | |||
| No Name Lake | 4.9 mi (7.9 km) | 800 ft (244 m) | Trailhead: North Shore Trailhead |
| Oldman Lake | 6.4 mi (10.3 km) | 1,500 ft (457 m) | Trailhead: North Shore Trailhead |
| Paradise Point | 0.7 mi (1.1 km) | 100 ft (30.5 m) | Trailhead: South Shore Trailhead |
| Pitamakan Pass* | 7.6 mi (12.2 km) | 2,400 ft (731.5 m) | Trailhead: North Shore Trailhead |
| *Dawson and Pitamakan Pass Trails can be combined for a popular all-day loop hike | |||
| Rockwell Falls | 3.5 mi (5.6 km) | 375 ft (114 m) | Trailhead: South Shore Trailhead |
| Running Eagle Falls | 0.3 mi (0.5 km) | Accessible | Trailhead: Running Eagle Falls Trailhead |
| Scenic Point | 3.9 mi (6.3 km) | 2,350 ft (716 m) | Trailhead: Scenic Point parking area, 0.25 miles east of Two Medicine Ranger Station |
| Twin Falls | [a] 3.5 mi (5.6 km) | 75 ft (23 m) | Trailhead: North Shore Trailhead |
| [b] 0.9 mi (1.4 km) | Using concession boat near South Shore Trailhead, tour fees apply | ||
| Upper Two Medicine Lake | [a] 5 mi (8 km) | 350 ft (107 m) | Trialhead: North Shore Trailhead |
| [b] 2.2 mi (3.5 km) | Using concession boat near South Shore Trailhead, tour fees apply | ||
| Cut Bank | Cut Bank is accessed off US Hwy 89, between Two Medicine and St. Mary | ||
| Medicine Grizzly Lake | 6 mi (9.7 km) | 475 ft (145 m) | Trailhead: Cut Bank Trailhead |
| Morning Star Lake | 6.6 mi (10.6 km) | 642 ft (196 m) | Trailhead: Cut Bank Trailhead |
| Triple Divide Pass | 7.2 mi (11.6 km) | 2,380 ft (725 m) | Trailhead: Cut Bank Trailhead |
| Walton | The Walton district is located off US Hwy 2 along the south boundary of the park | ||
| Firebrand Pass | 4.8 mi (7.7 km) | 2,210 (674 m) | Trailhead: Lubec Trailhead, US Hwy 2 Mile Marker 203 |
| Scalplock Lookout | 4.7 mi (7.7 km) | 3,079 ft (938.5 m) | Trailhead: Walton Ranger Station |