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Most people miss out on some of the most amazing views in Arches, but that doesn’t have to be you! Check out this itinerary before you go.
6. Highline Trail
The Highline Trail is likely the biggest jewel in this park known as “the crown of the continent.” Talk to any serious hiker, and it’s probable that this hike has been or still is on their bucket list!
Phenomenal mountain views are your constant companion as you travel along this unlikely trail carved into the mountainside. It doesn’t get much more dramatic than this!
Everything you need to know about hiking this trail can be found in this Guide to Hiking the Highline Trail!
7. Grinnell Lake and Boat Tour
For a giant family adventure, head to the turquoise-blue waters of Grinnell Lake. A large waterfall cascades into this gorgeous glacial lake, and wildlife abounds! You can hike the whole way, but if you want to add some extra excitement, take the boat tour across two other stunning Many Glacier lakes.
What You Need to Know
Although a fun way to cut off some mileage, the boat tour is not required. Hiking the whole way to Grinnell Lake is 7 miles roundtrip, but if you take the boat, it is only 2 miles roundtrip. The trail is mostly flat and easy.
On your way, you’ll pass by Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. Both are beautiful destinations by themselves, but the chance to see three spectacular lakes in one hike is a phenomenal opportunity. One time, we saw four moose from the boat as we crossed Lake Josephine!
This itinerary provides my specific recommendations regarding the boat tour and hiking trails in the Many Glacier section of the park.
Getting Here
The trail and the boat tour both leave from the Many Glacier Hotel. To get here from St. Mary, drive north on US-89 for 8.5 miles to Babb. Take a left onto Route 3 (the Many Glacier Road) and drive for 12 miles until you reach Many Glacier. You’ll turn left here, and the Hotel sits on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake.
8. Avalanche Lake
Avalanche Lake is one of the most photographed lakes in Glacier, and for a good reason. Sitting peacefully in a natural amphitheater, this lake is surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and rushing waterfalls.
What You Need to Know
The trail to Avalanche Lake is 4.6 miles roundtrip and gains about 500 feet of elevation. This trail branches off of the Trail of the Cedars near the Avalanche Gorge and heads deeper into the mountains.
Despite the long distance, the trail is well-traveled and maintained and is good for most families. You won’t find solitude on this trail unless you are willing to continue farther around the lake when you reach it (which I highly recommend)!
Downed logs in the water are proof that Mother Nature is at work here….especially during the winter months!
Pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
From the West Glacier Entrance, drive north for 2 miles until you reach an intersection. From here, turn right and travel 14.5 miles north along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The start of the Trail of the Cedars will be on your right — you’ll need to hike part of this trail to reach Avalanche Lake. Parking is available along both sides of the road near the trailhead, at the beginning of the Avalanche Campground road (don’t park in the actual campground), or in the Avalanche Creek Picnic Area.
9. Hidden Lake Overlook
If you’re looking for a hike in Glacier that has it all, look no further. This spectacular lake sits at the base of the dramatic Bearhat Mountain and provides some of the most beautiful views in the park!
What You Need to Know
The trail to the Hidden Lake Overlook is 2.8 miles roundtrip and gains 460 feet of elevation. You’ll follow a series of boardwalks that stretch across the fragile tundra before reaching the overlook. If you’d like to reach the shores of Hidden Lake, that requires an additional 2.4-mile roundtrip hike with a 780-foot loss of elevation from the overlook.
Snow may remain in this area even into July, and wildflowers will likely bloom into September. Mountain goats most commonly frequent this trail, but you may also see marmots, bighorn sheep, and even the occasional bear.
Pets are not permitted on this trail. This itinerary will help you secure a parking spot in this busy area, as well as share trail information for a “secret” hike nearby!
Getting Here
The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail begins at Logan Pass. After you park, you’ll find the trail located right behind the Visitor Center.
Logan Pass is located 32 miles from Apgar Village or 18 miles from St. Mary as you drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
10. See a Glacier!
It’s no secret that the glaciers in Glacier National Park are quickly receding, and many people flock to the park in the hopes of seeing them before they’re gone. While most glaciers aren’t easily accessible, there are still some great places to go to see the beautiful glaciers of the park!
What You Need to Know
Here are a few of my favorite glacier-viewing spots:
Grinnell Glacier — getting to Grinnell Glacier requires a long dayhike, but it’s completely worth it! If you love to hike and only have time to complete one long hike, make an effort to see this glacier. You can see it from two different trails, the Grinnell Glacier Trail or a spur trail off of the Highline Trail just before reaching the Granite Park Chalet. You’ll need a good map if you plan on hiking either of these trails.
Salamander Glacier — this glacier sits high in the mountains right next to Grinnell Glacier and can also be seen by hiking the trails listed above. The nice thing about the Salamander is that it is actually visible without having to hike to it. You can view this glacier from several places in the Many Glacier area, including the Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Lake {but you’ll definitely want your binoculars}!
Jackson Glacier — to see this glacier, all you need to do is pull off of the Going-to-the-Sun Road! After driving several miles east of Logan Pass, you’ll see a sign for the Jackson Glacier Overlook. Park here and walk to the interpretive sign to see the glacier in the distance.
Have an incredible vacation in Glacier National Park — happy trails!
Click NEXT to see the Ultimate Guide to Glacier.
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Hello Ash, thank you for making such a wonderful site! How hot would it be in July? I have heard some lodging options do not have air-conditioning. How do you rate the road to Many Glacier? My car is just a RWD sedan. Thank you for any input!!
Hi Thomas, you’ll find Glacier temps/what to expect month-by-month here. The road to Many Glacier has some washboarding. It’s not the best, but people drive cars back in there all the time.
Hey Ash! This is my 4th Itinerary I am getting from you! They are so helpful! I’m getting a little late to the game planning a trip to glacier. We were hoping to go to Florida but plans changed. Everything in the park is full for lodging. Where would be your next recommendation to stay? Whitefish to far?
Hey Audra! You’ll find my recs in the Lodging Guide included with you itinerary. And I also have a post about where to stay that will help a lot! But yes, I do think that Whitefish is too far :)
Hi, this was a great article and very helpful. We are going to go end of September this year. Do you know whether we will be able to drive going to the sun road? Will it still be open? I know that the boats seem to stop around September 10. I was really hoping to hit it where they would be very few crowds, but things still be open. Any insight?
The road usually stays open until about mid-October, weather-permitting. You’ll find a full article about what to expect during each month here!
Hi Ash. We are planning a 7 day on the ground trip to Glacier in early August. We’ll have 6 adults and a 2 year old. We will be staying in Babb for the first 4 nights and then West Glacier for the remaining. I have downloaded your 4-day itinerary and we are in the process of booking res’ for GTTS, boat tour etc. and the Itinerary is very helpful. Do you have any recommendations to flip your Itinerary around in that we are in the East part of the Park first and then the West for the final few days? Any insight you can give is invaluable and I am so excited to spend my 60th birthday at Glacier with my wife, 3 sons, daughter in law and grandson in August!
Thanks!
Hey David! Please contact me here with your question so that I can better help you adjust your itinerary!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’ve read several of your posts and you always make the overwhelming job of planning a National Park Trip so much easier. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you!
Thanks Jill! Happy to help!
I would like to visit Glacier National Park for our honeymoon in late September. Is there anything to do at that time. How would swimming be? What else is there around Glacier National Park in the area to do?
You’ll find a whole post about when to visit, broken down by month, here!
Hi! My husband and I, ages 61 and 58, are really not hikers. Could do something easy. Planning to be there for a couple of days in May. I know GTTS road is not open. Is there still plenty for us to see? Some beautiful views? Thank you!
Hey Teresa! You’ll likely be able to get to Lake McDonald and possibly even Avalanche Creek at that time of year from the west side. The east side is a little more unknown regarding how far you’ll be able to drive in. When I’m in the park before the GTTS Road fully opens, I like to split up my lodging between the west and east sides so that I can get to everything that’s open at that time of year. Have fun!
Hi,
Can you clarify for me, if we have activities scheduled in the park, like a Red Bus Tour, or River Rafting, we don’t need to work about a vehicle access pass? Is this a correct assumption?
Thanks so much
The Red Bus Tours count, but the rafting probably doesn’t — the activity has to be along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. There’s a list of activities that count towards the reservation requirement on Glacier’s website!
It seems the only camping still available during our trip is in St Mary’s. can your itinerary still work if we are based out of this side of the park?
Yes, I provide a section about making adjustments based on where you’re staying!
Just purchased the 4 Day Itinerary for Glacier! Thank you for all the info you provide. I found you a couple of years ago and purchased your guides for RMNP, Grand Tetons and Yellowstone and so glad I did. The info you provide is spot on and so very helpful!
Thanks Michelle! I’m excited to “go” to Glacier with you!!
Definately a bucket list item for me. My wife and I had planned on going there in June 2020 and had to cancel due to CV. Maybe 2022.
I hope you can make it soon!
Hi Ash, We are planning a family trip total of 15..
10 adults, 2 age 13-15 and 3 age 5,7,8 .. Planning mid July 2021.. Can you give suggestions to stay (1 week), along with 4 -5 days of sightseeing?
Thanks
Hey Linda, this itinerary will suit your plans perfectly: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/glacier-itinerary/ It’s exactly what I would do with my family in that amount of time. Have fun!
We’ll be in Glacier in two weeks. We are not hikers😔 but would love to walk some to see good views. Would we be able to see good views if we walk a mile r/t each of Highland Trail and Hidden Lake trail from Logan Pass. Thanks
Yes, lots of good views up there!
My daughter recommended this trip as a gift to my wife. My problem is that I am Handicapped and can’t walk that far. Do you have an idea that we can use. I don’t want to get out there and not able to do anything. Thanks and Merry Christmas.
Hey Darren,
Glacier is a great park for that! There are many gorgeous views that are accessed along the road or with a short walk. I think you will love driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road through those beautiful mountains! Many Glacier and Two Medicine are also great for views. You can find more info here: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/physical-mobility.htm
I hope you’re able to visit soon!
Hi Ash!
I’m hoping to go visit Glacier Park for mu birthday next year in July. I’ve always dreamed of swimming in a beautiful lake and be able to swim in and around waterfalls. Is there such a place in Glacier park where I could make my dream come true? Also are there any areas that are secluded or not visited as much as the popular tourist destinations? Thank you for any information you could provide.
Hi Angie,
There are some great lakes for swimming…albeit cold ones :) Glacier has some beautiful waterfalls, but you’ll want to be careful not to swim where there are strong currents. The rivers can be quite powerful. You’ll find some great recommendations plus places to go to beat the crowds here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ Have fun!
Hi there!
Looking to travel with our family of 5 Mid June to GNP and it appears that about 17 miles of Going to sun road will be accessible on West side and 5 miles on East side due to road construction. Will there be any hikes that we can’t get to or any alternative type of plans we should make?
Yeah, you won’t be able to access Logan Pass, Hidden Lake Overlook, the Highline Trail, etc. Any of those high elevation hikes/viewpoints won’t be accessible until the road is fully open. Have a great trip!
What do you recommend doing in early March?? I don’t know what will be open. We are going to stop by while we are in the area skiing.
It will depend on how much of the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, but you can usually make it partly around Lake McDonald from the west side. There are some nice trails around that area {Avalanche Lake, Johns Lake, and McDonald Falls} if the road is open that far. You’ll probably want cross-country skis or snowshoes though! The St. Mary area on the east side is open a short way to the lake as well if you want the views. Have fun!
Hey Ash! We’ve purchased a few of your itineraries for a big trip we’re taking this summer! Can’t wait!! One thing you didn’t mention on your can’t-miss list that has a lot of positive ratings is the Iceburg Lake Trail. We’re considering extending our trip by a day to try it. I’d love to know your thoughts/recommendations…
It’s awesome!! If you have an extra day to complete a long trail like that, totally worth it :)
Hi Ash! I love your website. My family and I are planning a trailer trip from Glacier to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons for 2 weeks this coming August and we’ve already gotten so much great information for our trip. I just have a few quick questions about trailer camping in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. When the campground calls for RV length max 30 ft, does that mean trailer and tow vehicle combined length? Our trailer is 25 ft and our tow vehicle is 17 ft. We really want to stay in the most beautiful campground possible as we don’t want to feel like we’re living in a parking lot. We want some privacy and seclusion if at all possible. Can you recommend your favorite campgrounds in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons that take reservations with that in mind? Thank you so much for this wealth of information!
Hey Kelly! It’s super confusing :( I have tried to figure out the campgrounds in Yellowstone and how long a trailer can be, but I’m still not sure. Your best bet if you want to be sure you can fit is to check out Fishing Bridge or try to stay somewhere outside of the park. I’m sure there are campsites within the park that you’ll fit in, I’m just not comfortable making a suggestion based on the info I have.
You’ll be able to fit into Colter Bay or Gros Ventre in Grand Teton though :)
I need to follow you! We are heading to Glacier N.P the first week of August, Then on to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Jackson during the month of August. We have a 25ft.RV
Driving the Going-to-the-Sun road is one of my favorite drives ever (between that and the Icefields Parkway). Thanks for the info!
Of course! I haven’t done Icefields Parkway yet, but it’s definitely on my list :)