Glacier National Park: Top 10 Hikes

Glacier National Park was one of the most beautiful places we've visit so far. We did a mix of boondocking on BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) and camping in different parts of the park. We wanted to camp in different parts of the park to make getting to the best hiking spots easily accessible after work. (I'll write about camping recommendations in another post!) Since we work east coast hours, we had the entire afternoon free to get some hiking in. Below is a list of our favorite hikes, but I have to say there wasn't one hike we did that I wouldn't recommend.

1. Grinnell Glacier Up first, our favorite hike, Grinnell Glacier! It's no secret that this 10 mile hike out to a stunning glacier, is one of the most popular hikes in the park. We passed anyone from older individuals to families with young kids doing this hike.
   

We went in late August/early September and it was pretty crowded but don't let that stop you! Everyone was extremely respectful and just excited to be in the presence of such a natural beauty! The views throughout the entire hike are gorgeous and the iceberg at the stop was so unreal to see up close.

We wanted to polar plunge but the sun wasn’t out and we were just a littttle too cold, but if you're feeling brave - go for it! It can get pretty step at certain points and is a good workout but the views are worth it. Pro tip* Arrive early via the Many Glacier entrance to secure parking - the lot fills up quick!

2. The Highline Trail

A very close second favorite was the Highline Trail. Also very popular, this is a must do if you have an entire day to dedicate to hiking! Enter this trail via St Mary entrance or West Glacier entrance and prepare to arrive early as the parking lot fills up quickly with people often arriving before sunrise! We parked at Logan Pass to find parking, and the lot was almost full by 7:30am.

This hike is a 14 mile out and back, or point to point hike, with the option to add a little detour to Grinnell Glacier Overlook via The Garden Wall Trail. The hike starts out quite literally on the edge of the mountain and continues this way for several miles. Once you get to the Garden Wall Trail, you'll see that the hike to the top is pretty difficult and steep compared to the moderately flat rest of the hike, but is definitely worth it! Post up on the rocks and enjoy a mid hike snack break with your view!

We went point to point and got shuttle back to our car instead of out and back, it added a few miles but it was worth it for us to see something new the entire time. We would’ve loved to do a backpacking trip here if we were able to get a site, so if backpacking is your cup of tea I'd highly recommend trying to get permits for this hike! Also, if you're not a fan of heights, be prepared to be scared.

3. Ptarmigan Tunnel

Another long but great hike, this 10.6 mile hike starts off in wooded area before opening up to lush, green mountain top views! Check the weather before heading out, we didn't for some reason and were wildly underprepared for the rain.

The weather changes quickly but we did get fairly soaked with rain throughout the hike, we got lucky as we got to the summit and the rain and clouds cleared to an incredible view of the valley below. It was a steep climb at the very end with a few lines of switchbacks but that felt like the most challenging part and before you know it it's over!

Maybe it was the rain but there weren't many people on this hike which came as a surprise to us. There are several points along the hike with picture worthy views, but the real treat is the after the tunnel- you can see lakes and trees all the way into the valley.

4. Piegan Pass Trail (Barin Falls, St Mary Falls and Virigina Falls)

If you're looking for a relatively flat hike that still has unbelievable waterfall views, check out Piegan Pass Trail. You can reach this hike via the St Mary entrance and there is parking along different parts of the hike. Doing the entire hike will be about 6.7 miles, out and back. Some short stints of climbing but nothing too crazy (we saw people doing this in jeans). The trail takes you to three different waterfalls. The first is Barin Falls, then St Mary Falls and then Virigina Falls (the biggest and coolest).

People were jumping off the bridge and rocks into the water at St Mary Falls, the water looks freezing but really fun. There is a slight climb up to Virginia Falls but don't let that deter you, Virginia falls is not to be skipped. The hike takes you on a trail along St Mary Lake and the views are soooo pretty the entire way.

Make sure you don’t skip the first look out point at the very start of the trail to see the view of the entire lake with mountains.

5. Bullhead Lake

SUCH a magical hike! We were able to hike this fright from our Many Glacier Campsite in the park. Almost immediately we were told by passing hikers that a moose was in Red Rock Lake, right off the trail. We went over to sit on the shoreline and watch the moose swim and dine on some underwater vegetation. There were about 20 other people there all sitting in silence and awe watching the moose.

It was such a cool experience and I was so grateful to the passing hikers for telling us about it! The main hike itself reminded me of the children's movie FernGully at times. This never lands with Jay because he's never seen it, but I just know a fairy would love the waterfalls you find along this hike. It was hard to not to just post up at those waterfalls and end the hike there. But I'm glad we didn't because the lake at the end is really whats worth it. We had the entire Bullhead Lake to ourselves, not another soul there. We went swimming and relaxed on some of the flat rocks surrounding the lake.

The water was crystal blue and the snow on top of the mountains surrounding the lake made us feel like we were in a movie. The hike is relatively flat and only about 6 miles out and back making it a great recovery or post work hike.

6. Hidden Lake Overlook

The more I write this list, the harder it is to rate these in order of "best" or "favorite". You really can't go wrong with any hike in the park. If you're looking for a short hike (3ish miles) with consistently amazing views, and an end outlook that will max out your camera roll, this will be the one for you! Since it starts at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, it's very popular and the trail up is made of boardwalk steps making it easy to navigate.

The overlook is a beautiful view of Bearhat Mountain with the stunning Hidden Lake below it, which you can't see until you get to the overlook hence the name, Hidden Lake.

You can actually go all the way down to the lake (we didn’t) but it adds several miles and is very steep. You can get to the trailhead via St Mary entrance or West Glacier entrance. Parking at Logan Pass can be tough so be prepared to circle.

7. Avalanche Lake

The first hike we did in Glacier did not disappoint. Only 4.6 miles, out and back, this hike leads you through all different types of landscapes. You start off in a wooded and dense area with tall trees before you start to climb a bit. Once you get to the top, you're met with a glacial lake where groups of friends are hanging out, swimming and fishing.

Had we known, we would've planned to hike up with a lunch and some beers and spent the afternoon hanging out on towels and swimming in the (freezing) beautiful lake!

8. Scenic Point

Accessed from the East Glacier entrance, this is a pretty hike with a lot of climbing. It's 7.7 miles, out and back, with an open and exposed trail the entire way. There are long, gradual switchbacks to the peak, making the climb a bit more manageable. This was one of our first hikes at the park and people were blowing by us so maybe if we were in better hiking shape I'd have a different opinion, but for now, I stand by that it was pretty difficult.

However, the 360 views of Two Medicine Lake and the surrounding mountains and lake were well worth the climb.

9. Rockwell Falls  

A total of 4.6 miles, out and back, you can reach this trailhead via the Two Medicine entrance. It's a fairly easy hike with not much incline and is pretty wooded the entire way. We actually saw a moose in one of the ponds in Two Medicine Lake, although it was pretty far away, a nice hiker let me look at it through his binoculars!

We took short detour to Aster Falls along the way which was small but cool and easy. While Rockwell falls are not super tall, they are so cool and have a large rock wall with the water flowing in the front.

10. Apikuni Falls 

A quick and easy 2 miles out and back hike! It's pretty easy and you can get up close and personal to the waterfall.

It's a great quick hike if you don't have a lot of time or are just so tired from all the other long hikes Glacier has to offer.

Bonus: Iceberg Lake

I feel like I'm cheating a little with this one because I didn't actually get the chance to hike Iceberg Lake (I was busy being a corporate girlie this day). Jay had the day off and was an absolute beast this day by hiking Iceberg Lake in the morning, a whopping 9.6 miles, and then hiked another 10 miles with me after work. Jay loved this hike so I had to include it in our recommendations! He saw a bear!! (not jealous or anything) and hiked with some new friends along to way to the glacier. He described the glacier lake as gorgeous with icebergs floating in an emerald lake surrounded by cliffs. He went swimming in the freezing lake and when he got out, heard a thunderous sound and looked over to see parts of the glacier breaking off!