11 Best Many Glacier Hikes in Glacier National Park
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Are you curious what are the best hikes in Many Glacier?
After spending over 2 weeks exploring Glacier National Park, I can confidently say that Many Glacier is one of the best areas to hike in the park. Since there are a ton of options to choose from, I’ve compiled a list of the best Many Glacier hikes that you shouldn’t miss while you’re visiting.
Whether you want to do an easy family-friendly hike, a beautiful waterfall, or a more challenging trek, Many Glacier delivers on all fronts. If you are in a hurry, here are my top rankings:
- Best Family Friendly Hike: Red Rock Falls
- Best Views: Grinnell Glacier
- Best Challenging Hike: Cracker Lake
Best Hikes in Many Glacier
Many Glacier might be the best area of Glacier National Park for hiking. Most of the trailheads are very close together and this area has some of the best views I’ve ever seen.
1. Grinnell Glacier (10 mi/16.1 km)
A must-do hike in the Many Glacier region is the Grinnell Glacier Trail, stretching for 10 miles roundtrip. The hike begins at Grinnell Trailhead and passes by the stunning Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine before starting a steady climb towards Grinnell Glacier.
Depending on timing, there is the option to take the Lake Josephine Boat Tour and trim off about 2 miles each way. I would highly recommend this if you are not accustomed to long distances or you’re in a larger group.
After Lake Josephine the trail slowly climbs up to the glacier. The views the entire way up are breathtaking and the best spot to take a photo is looking down on Grinnell Lake!
Grinnell Glacier itself has abundant opportunities for beautiful photos and if you’re feeling spicy you could also dip in the water. Be mindful this is glacier-fed water and exceptionally cold so only swim if you can tolerate freezing temperatures.
The trail is known for its abundance of wildlife, especially bears. Depending on bear activity, the trail status can change from day to day.
Glacier National Park has a great text system that will notify you of trail closures. You can text GNPTRAILS to 333111 to be notified of any trail closures.
If you choose to do this hike you will not be disappointed!
2. Iceberg Lake (9.6 mi/15.4 km)
Iceberg Lake is an exceptionally popular hike in Many Glacier and for good reason. The views are just as spectacular as Grinnell Glacier and it clocks in at slightly less distance.
The hike to Iceberg Lake begins at the Iceberg/Ptarmigan Trailhead. This parking lot is very busy and fills up quickly in the summer. If you don’t want to fight for a parking spot, I recommend starting ealry and arriving before 8:00 a.m.
To get to Iceberg Lake, you’ll have a steady climb with a steeper section at the very end before you reach the lake. The hike itself isn’t super challenging but requires some stamina.
Iceberg Lake is nestled between Iceberg Peak and Mount Wilbur. The lake is a stunning turquoise blue that is worth seeing in person.
Unfortunately, this trail gets closed frequently due to bear activity and can be hard to successfully plan in advance for. If you’re dying to do this one, be flexible with your plans and check the trail closures frequently.
3. Red Rock Falls (3.7 mi/6 km)
Red Rock Falls is a great family-friendly Many Glacier hike. The trail is relatively easy and can be completed by most able-bodied people.
To complete this hike, you need to park at Swiftcurrent Trailhead which can get very busy. We didn’t have a problem finding a spot during the late morning but it is common to wait for a spot to open up. Since the trail is short there is decent turnover in the lot and hopefully, you won’t need to wait too long.
Most of the hike is through the woods until you reach Redrock Lake. The trail opens up here and it’s a great photo opportunity.
A little bit further down the trail, you’ll reach Redrock Falls which is aptly named since the water flows over massive red rocks. This area is a great place to have a picnic and explore.
We got lucky and saw a moose swimming in Redrock Lake on our way back. I didn’t realize that moose were such adept swimmers and can dive anywhere from 15 to 20 ft. underwater.
That being said, this was a good reminder to stay vigilent and keep an eye on your kids. Wildlife in the park is somewhat domesticated and may not be as scared to get close to you as you might think.
To minimize human-animal interaction, please refrain from feeding any animals, even the chipmunks. This can lead to aggressive behavior, dependency, and potential injury for both parties.
4. Cracker Lake (12.8 mi/20.6 km)
One of the most remarkable experiences during my two-week stay in Glacier National Park was the hike to Cracker Lake. The trail, a total of 12 miles roundtrip, exceeded all my expectations and quickly became one of the best hikes I’ve ever completed.
This lake is beautiful and the scenery along the way makes the long trip a lot less daunting.
For the first few miles of the hike, the trail is surrounded by forests, streams, and meadows. There are numerous spots to fill up water or take a quick break away from the sun.
After about 2.5 hours, we finally reached the top of the hill before the lake. The view looking down into the valley with mountains all around us is one I will never forget.
Since this hike is so long and takes a full day to complete, I highly encourage you to pack a full lunch with additional snacks. The lake is massive and it’s easy to find a spot to relax and eat away from other hikers.
If you’re adventurous like us, pack a swimsuit and a towel for a quick dip in the lake! It was cold, but refreshing and felt incredible in the high afternoon sun.
Not only did we have an amazing time swimming, but we also had the chance to spot a moose on the other side of the lake. Just a friendly reminder to always keep a safe distance from these fellows as they are very unpredictable and can be aggressive.
5. Grinnell Lake (6.9 mi/11.1 km)
Grinnell Lake is a shorter version of the Grinnell Glacier trail. It begins at the same spot, by splits off after Lake Josephine.
This trail is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a medium-difficult hike in Many Glacier. The most challenging part of the trail is the last mile where hikers gain about 1,000 ft. in elevation.
Although this is about 7 miles roundtrip, the Lake Josephine Boat Tour can trim off about 3-4 miles of the hike making it much more feasible for less experienced hikers.
Grinnell Lake is perfect for an afternoon swim or a nice picnic and if you look close enough, you may even spot the hikers headed up to Grinnell Glacier.
This trail closes frequently due to bear activity so please check the status before departing!
6. Ptarmigan Falls (5.2 mi/8.4 km)
Ptarmigan Falls is an often overlooked trail in Many Glacier for its nearby siblings. This is the trail for you if you are looking for a longer distance than the other short trails, but can’t do the full 9.6 miles to Iceberg Lake.
Additionally, if you’re hiking in a group, this is a great spot for those who may be less fit to hang out while others head up to Iceberg Lake.
I did this strategy numerous times with my parents as certain trails were simply too long for them. This allowed us to hike together, but they could take a longer break at a spot like Ptarmigan Falls and avoid overextending themselves.
The hike is a steady climb for the 2.5 miles, but very doable for most individuals as the elevation gain is gradual.
7. Ptarmigan Tunnel (10.6 mi/17.1 km)
Ptarmigan Tunnel is an excellent hike if you’re looking for a two-for-one deal. The trail passes Ptarmigan Falls on its way up to the tunnel giving you the opportunity to see two beautiful locations during one hike.
The trail is the same as Iceberg Lake until you reach the fork where you will turn right to head to the tunnel. Before reaching the tunnel you will pass by Ptarmigan Lake which appears bright blue on a sunny day.
Once at Ptarmigan Tunnel, you can hike through Ptarmigan Wall to the other side, Belly River Valley. From there you can turn around or head a little further to get a good view of Mount Merritt.
Ptarmigan Tunnel goes through Ptarmigan Wall in Glacier National Park. It was built in 1930 to allow hikers to avoid a dangerous climb between Many Glacier and Belly River Valley.
The tunnel sits at 7,200 ft. elevation which can be strenuous if you are not in good physical hiking condition. This is important to consider prior to undertaking the hike.
8. Swiftcurrent Pass (13.7 mi/22 km)
Swiftcurrent Pass is one of the longer trails you can tackle from Many Glacier. Not only do you get to experience Red Rock Falls and Bullhead Lake on this hike, but you’re also rewarded with fantastic views at the top of the entire valley.
Since this is a relatively demanding hike with over 2,000 ft. in elevation gain, I only recommend it for more intermediate to advanced hikers that are accustomed to spending a lot of time on their feet.
The first 4 miles from Swiftcurrent Trailhead to Bullhead Lake are mostly flat, but once you pass the lake the trail quickly turns into steep switchbacks for the remaining 3 miles.
Water can be accessed at Red Rock Falls, Bullhead Lake, and Swiftcurrent Creek. This means there isn’t a need to pack a lot with you if you have an effective way of treating water.
9. Swiftcurrent Nature Trail (2.6 mi/4.2 km)
Swiftcurrent Nature Trail is another great family-friendly hike option in Many Glacier. This is the perfect hike for those who can’t tolerate elevation gain as the hike is mostly flat the entire way.
The beginning of this hike is the same as Grinnell Glacier so be mindful to take a left at the fork to avoid heading to Lake Josephine. The entire trail is a loop so you can continue veering left at the second fork and head toward Many Glacier Lodge.
Swiftcurrent Lake is also a fantastic spot to kayak or canoe if you enjoy water sports. You can rent either by the hour from Many Glacier Ticket Office.
10. Apikuni Falls (1.8 mi/ 2.9 km)
Apikuni Falls is one of the easiest hikes in all of Glacier National Park and you can find it at the entrance of Many Glacier.
This hike isn’t as jaw-dropping as others, but it makes up for it in length and difficulty. For those looking for an easy day hike with some beautiful views, this the perfect choice.
The trailhead for Apikuni Falls is on the right-hand side of the road as you drive into Many Glacier. You will encounter it prior to Many Glacier Lodge. If you see the lodge come into view you’ve gone too far.
Since service can be spotty in the area I recommend putting it into your Google Maps as you’re leaving or looking at the map before driving.
Although this is considered an easy trail in Glacier National Park, there is still about 500 ft. of elevation gain. You’ll need proper hiking shoes and some water for the short trek.
Most people complete this hike in a little over an hour so it’s a great choice if you’re short on time or looking to add something to a day full of other activities!
11. Apikuni Mountain (6.4 mi/10.3 km)
If you want to extend the hike to Apikuni Falls or prefer panoramic mountain views over lakes, this is the trail for you!
Apikuni Mountain trail clocks in at around 6.4 miles and takes approximately 4.5 hours to complete. It is very challenging and I do not recommend it for beginner or intermediate hikers.
Despite the challenge, this is a super fun hike with some scree climbing and fantastic views as your reward.
Pack a lot of water for this hike as the water sources are basically non-existent after the first mile or so.
The trail can be difficult to follow at points so downloading offline navigation is key. If you use Alltrails+ you can download the map for offline use.
Additionally, many hikers recommend following the creek bed up to the ridge as this is a makeshift trail and easy to find.
Again, this is a fabulous trail if you’re looking for expansive views of Many Glacier, but please do not attempt this if you are not comfortable with scree hiking/climbing.
Best Time To Visit
The ideal time to visit Many Glacier is during the summer months of July, August, and September. The road to access many of the trails is closed during the off-season.
Where to Stay in Many Glacier
Many Glacier doesn’t have abundant accommodation, which is a good and a bad thing. This keeps the footprint in the park lower and limits the amount of people staying in one area. Below are my top recommendations for staying in the area based on budget.
- Best Budget Option: Many Glacier Campground
- Best Comfort Option: St. Mary Village
- Best Proximity Option: Many Glacier Hotel
Camping is a great option if you’re looking to save money. Most of the campgrounds in East Glacier are first-come-first-served so you’ll want to get there early on the day of camping to snag a spot and have a backup plan!
You can’t just sleep in your car anywhere in Glacier National Park. It must be in a designated campground.
How To Get There
Many Glacier is located on the East side of Glacier National Park. The best way to get there from West Glacier is to go through the park using the Going-To-the-Sun-Road.
If you don’t have reservations for the Going-To-The-Sun-Road, you can enter the park before 6 AM or drive around the park which can sometimes be faster. This route is a good option, but the drive through the park is much more scenic.
Many Glacier Road begins near Babb, MT, and follows Lake Sherburne until you reach Swiftcurrent Lake.
2024 Reservations
Reservations are required in 2024 to access Many Glacier. The reservation period is July 1 to September 8 from 6 AM to 3 PM.
Reservations are for a single day and are per vehicle. You can enter the area before 6 AM or after 3 PM without a reservation.
Please note that the reservation is not the same as the America the Beautiful Pass or having a pass to the park. You will need to have both to enter specific areas.
If you are staying in West Glacier and looking to visit Many Glacier, you will need a Going-to-the-Sun-Road reservation and a Many Glacier reservation. Without a Going-to-the-Sun-Road reservation you will need to drive outside of the park to get there.
This is why I highly encourage you to stay a few days on the East side of the park since it eliminates a ton of extra driving and makes securing a reservation easier as you’ll only need a Many Glacier reservation.
Reservations can be obtained 120 days before the day you plan to visit. They are released on a rolling basis so if you plan to visit on August 10th you will want to check the site on April 12th.
I typically mark the date in my calendar to remind myself to book reservations.
If you forget or can’t secure a reservation prior, the park does release some reservations the night before at 7 PM MT.
Even with a reservation, Many Glacier can get pretty busy during the day so I highly recommend getting an early start to snag a parking spot at the trailhead.
FAQs: Hiking at Many Glacier
Can you see Many Glacier without hiking?
You can see Many Glacier without hiking. Swiftcurrent Lake offers exceptional views and you can even rent a kayak or canoe to spend time on the lake if that’s your thing.
If you’re looking for some of the most iconic views in this area of the park, you will need to lace up your boots and hit the trail.
How long is the boat tour at Many Glacier?
The boat tour on Lake Josephine takes approximately 1.5 hours. This will be longer if you choose to add hiking.
Is Many Glacier worth the drive?
Without a doubt, Many Glacier is worth the effort to visit. The road to Many Glacier has some incredible views and you’ll find some of the best hiking in Glacier National Park!
How long is the drive from West Glacier to Many Glacier?
The drive from West Glacier to Many Glacier takes about 2.5 hours to complete if you drive through the park on the Going-To-The-Sun-Road.
You can drive around the park which takes about 2 hours, but the views are not nearly as beautiful.
Wrap-Up: Best Many Glacier Hikes
Many Glacier has plenty of plenty of hikes to choose from for hikers of all ages and abilities. This area of Glacier National Park has some of the best views in the entire park.
If you plan to visit, book a reservation for the day, get there early, and pack plenty of water/snacks!
Read More:
15 Best Views in Glacier National Park