5 Best Glacier National Park Day Hikes
Five Must-Do Day Hikes in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is a hiker’s paradise, with soaring peaks, pristine lakes, old-growth forests, and yes, retreating glaciers peering over alpine bowls. If you only have time for a handful of day hikes, these five will give you a mix of challenge, beauty, and variety. Trails rated from moderate to strenuous, choose based on how much time and energy you’ve got.
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1. Grinnell Glacier Trail
Grinnell Glacier Lake
Distance & Difficulty: ~10.6 miles round-trip (17 km), with ~1,600 ft elevation gain. Strenuous.
Highlights: Alpine meadows, waterfalls, Grinnell Lake, and eventually reaching Grinnell Glacier itself. You’ll gain most of the elevation in the latter part of the hike.
Best Time: Mid-June through September, once snow has cleared and the Many Glacier area is accessible.
Tips:
There is a boat option across Swiftcurrent and Lake Josephine that cuts several miles off the total round trip.
Be prepared for exposure in upper alpine sections, sun, wind, sudden storms. Bring layers, sun protection, and bear spray.
The Experience: This is arguably the hike in Glacier. From the trailhead in Many Glacier, you quickly climb above the lakes and are rewarded with sweeping views of Swiftcurrent and Josephine. As you ascend, waterfalls tumble down the cliffs around you, wildflowers dot the meadows in summer, and you may spot bighorn sheep or even a bear foraging in the distance.
Higher up, the views expand into jaw-dropping panoramas of the valley below. The final stretch hugs a carved rock ledge…thrilling but not dangerous, before opening into the glacial amphitheater itself. Here, Grinnell Glacier sprawls below towering peaks, with icebergs floating in milky blue meltwater. Standing here, you’ll feel the magnitude of the park’s glaciers and the rawness of this alpine environment.
Why It’s Special: You’re face-to-face with a glacier, one of the park’s namesakes. Few day hikes deliver this level of scenery and drama.
2. Avalanche Lake
Avalanche Lake
Distance & Difficulty: ~5.9 miles out and back, moderate, with ~757 ft elevation gain. Includes a lower loop through the Trail of the Cedars.
Highlights: A pleasant walk through old-growth forest, crossing streams and cataracts, ending in a serene lake ringed by steep mountain walls. The Trail of the Cedars adds an enriching forest experience.
Best Time: Summer months, especially early or later in the day to avoid crowds. Snow or trail washouts may affect early season access.
Tips:
Arrive early!! Avalanche Lake is one of the more popular hikes and parking fills.
Bring water, snacks, and allow time to enjoy the lake once you get there. The calm shores are wonderful for resting, photography, or even a picnic.
The Experience: This hike begins with the Trail of the Cedars, a boardwalk winding through towering, moss-draped hemlocks and ancient cedars, trees rarely found in Montana but thriving here thanks to the wet climate. It feels like stepping into a rainforest. Soon, the trail follows Avalanche Creek, where glacial water rushes through narrow, polished gorges.
After a steady climb, you reach Avalanche Lake, cradled in a cirque of steep cliffs. From the shoreline, you’ll see multiple waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet from the snowy ledges above, especially dramatic in early summer. The lake itself is calm, mirror-like, and ringed by forest. Many hikers linger here, picnicking on the logs along the shore and soaking up the peaceful atmosphere.
Why It’s Special: It’s accessible, family-friendly, and delivers that perfect mix of forest, rushing water, and alpine beauty, without requiring an all-day trek.
3. Iceberg Lake
Iceberg Lake
Distance & Difficulty: ~9.6-10.1 miles round trip (depending on route), with elevation gain around 1,300-1,500 ft. Moderate to moderately strenuous.
Highlights: Turquoise glacial lake cradled beneath steep cirque walls. Floating ice (especially early season) from snowfields, dramatic mountain scenery, Ptarmigan Falls along the way.
Best Time: Late June through September is best. Trails can still have snow early in summer.
Tips:
The trailhead is at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn in Many Glacier. Getting there early helps with parking.
Pack layers; the lake area can be cold, especially if there are still snow or ice patches. Also, be aware of wildlife.
The Experience: From the Swiftcurrent area in Many Glacier, the trail gently climbs through open meadows where wildflowers bloom in summer and wildlife sightings are moose in wetlands, mountain goats on rocky slopes, and bears grazing on huckleberries. The path passes Ptarmigan Falls, a great spot to rest and refill water if filtered.
The last stretch ascends into a massive cirque, and suddenly Iceberg Lake comes into view, an aquamarine pool tucked beneath sheer cliffs that rise nearly 3,000 feet above. Even in August, you’ll likely find floating chunks of ice broken off from snowfields above, hence the name. The contrast of turquoise water, white ice, and dark gray cliffs is unforgettable.
Why It’s Special: It feels like a secret alpine world. The sight of floating ice in a glowing blue lake is surreal and uniquely Glacier.
4. Cracker Lake
Cracker Lake
Distance & Difficulty: ~12.6-12.8 miles round trip, with ~1,400-1,600 ft of elevation gain. Moderate to strenuous, depending on your pace.
Highlights: A hidden gem! Cracker Lake has vivid turquoise water caused by glacial “rock flour” (fine silt), dramatic cliff walls rising on either side, often fewer crowds than some of the more famous hikes.
Best Time: Mid-summer to early fall is ideal, when snow is cleared and access (including any reservation requirements) is in effect.
Tips:
The trail is long — start early and bring plenty of food and water.
Since this is more remote, don’t expect many amenities; know where to expect bathroom options or water sources.
Be prepared for changing weather, weather can turn fast in the alpine parts of Glacier.
The Experience: Less traveled than Iceberg or Grinnell, Cracker Lake feels like an adventure into the wilds of Glacier. The first few miles can be muddy and pass through thick forest, but patience pays off. Eventually, the trail opens into expansive alpine meadows where the views begin to wow—distant cliffs rising dramatically on either side of the valley.
Then comes the payoff: Cracker Lake itself. Its intense turquoise color looks almost fake, created by suspended glacial silt refracting the light. Surrounding the lake are cathedral-like cliffs, streaked with mineral colors and often dusted with snow patches. Because it’s more remote, you may find yourself sharing this view with only a handful of hikers. The solitude, combined with the scenery, makes it a deeply rewarding experience.
Why It’s Special: One of Glacier’s hidden gems, longer and less crowded, with scenery that rivals any lake in the park.
5. Hidden Lake
Trail to Hidden Lake
If you want a slightly easier, shorter, or different environment, consider Hidden Lake Trail. A shorter distance, high alpine scenery, wildflowers, and possibly spotting wildlife.
Distance & Difficulty: ~5-6 miles round trip out and back, moderate, with some elevation gain.
Highlights: Begins at Logan Pass, climbs to an overlook, sweeping views over Hidden Lake and surrounding peaks. Great for those who want alpine beauty without committing to a very long hike.
The Experience: Starting at Logan Pass, this hike puts you instantly in the alpine world. In the late summer the boardwalk trail rises gently through meadows filled with wildflowers in summer, lupine, paintbrush, glacier lilies and you may see mountain goats grazing nearby. Marmots and pikas often dart between the rocks, adding charm to the scenery. HOWEVER, in early summer you may run into the same situation we did, where the overlook to the lake was closed due to snow and bear activity! ( cool! ). It didn’t take away from the breathtaking views on the trail. A snowy mix with warm temps made for an interesting hike.
If you can make it to the overlook, you get to gaze down at Hidden Lake, framed by Bearhat Mountain. On clear days, the lake glows sapphire blue against the rugged backdrop. If you descend to the lakeshore, you’ll get a more immersive experience, though it adds distance and elevation on the return.
Why It’s Special: For relatively little effort, you’re immersed in high-alpine landscapes, wildlife encounters, and sweeping views. It’s one of the most “classic” Glacier hikes.