Glacier National Park's best day hikes, from the Highline Trail to Grinnell Glacier

Glacier National Park in northwest Montana is a place of jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, wildflower meadows and, yes, glaciers. Much of its best scenery sits right off Going-to-the-Sun Road or in valleys like Many Glacier and Two Medicine, which makes it one of the great day-hiking parks in North America.

Here are six classic day hikes, with distances and elevation figures as the National Park Service (NPS) publishes them, plus how access works in 2026. One big change first: the park has moved away from vehicle reservations and toward a ticketed shuttle and timed parking at Logan Pass.

Getting in: 2026 access rules

Vehicle reservations are not required in 2026. The NPS says they will not be required at Many Glacier, Two Medicine, the North Fork or on Going-to-the-Sun Road. The park notes that temporary diversions may happen when areas reach capacity, and that visitors with lodging, camping or tour reservations get entry priority.

Logan Pass is where things are different. From July 1 through Labor Day (September 7, 2026), private vehicle parking at Logan Pass is limited to three hours, enforced 24 hours a day. After parking, you take a free, timestamped permit from the kiosk and put it on your dashboard. Overnight parking is not allowed, except for permitted backcountry users and Granite Park Chalet guests. The NPS says three hours should be enough for the Hidden Lake Overlook, but Highline Trail hikers will need a shuttle ticket.

The Logan Pass Shuttle runs over the same dates. A $1 ticket is required for each person over 2 years old, and tickets are sold only on Recreation.gov or by phone at 877-444-6777, not in the park. Tickets open 60 days in advance at 8 a.m. MDT (starting May 2), with more released at 7 p.m. MDT the night before (starting June 30). West-side shuttles board at the Apgar Visitor Center and Lake McDonald Lodge; east-side shuttles board at the St. Mary Visitor Center and Rising Sun Picnic Area. Note that Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars are not accessible by park shuttle in 2026.

1. Highline Trail

The Highline is Glacier's signature hike. It starts across Going-to-the-Sun Road from the Continental Divide sign near the Logan Pass parking lot and usually ends at The Loop. The NPS lists it at 11.8 miles (19 km) one way, with 2,388 ft (728 m) of gain and 4,773 ft (1,455 m) of loss. Optional side trips lead to Grinnell Glacier Overlook, Swiftcurrent Lookout and Granite Park Chalet, which change the totals.

The NPS warns that much of the trail is exposed, which means a higher risk of falling and of being caught by bad weather. Because it's a point-to-point hike, plan your return: the shuttle stops at The Loop in both directions, with afternoon pickups roughly every 60 to 90 minutes. The park says there is no other public transportation back from Logan Pass if you miss the last shuttle.

2. Hidden Lake Overlook

Also starting at Logan Pass, this is the best short hike on the road. The NPS lists the overlook at 1.3 miles (2.1 km) one way with 608 ft (185 m) of gain, on a mix of wooden boardwalk and packed soil. Continuing down to Hidden Lake itself makes it 2.5 miles (4 km) one way with 639 ft (195 m) of gain. It fits inside the three-hour parking window.

3. Avalanche Lake

On the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, Avalanche Lake starts off the Trail of the Cedars near the Avalanche Picnic Area. The NPS lists it at 2.3 miles (3.7 km) one way, with 741 ft (226 m) of gain and 275 ft (84 m) of loss, climbing through old-growth forest to an alpine lake with waterfalls pouring in. It's very popular, and since the shuttle doesn't serve it in 2026, plan to drive and arrive early.

4. Grinnell Glacier

In the Many Glacier valley, this is the hike that takes you closest to one of the park's namesake glaciers. From the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead, the NPS lists the viewpoint at 5.0 miles (8.0 km) one way, with 2,596 ft (791 m) of gain and 1,015 ft (309 m) of loss. You can shorten it by booking concessioner boat tickets from Many Glacier Hotel, which drop you 1.3 miles (2.1 km) closer: 3.7 miles (6.0 km) one way, with 2,461 ft (750 m) of gain. Expect wildflowers, big views and a mostly exposed trail.

5. Iceberg Lake

Also in Many Glacier, Iceberg Lake starts at the Iceberg-Ptarmigan Trailhead behind the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. The NPS lists it at 4.8 miles (7.7 km) one way, with 1,765 ft (538 m) of gain and 624 ft (190 m) of loss, ending at a turquoise lake known for its ice floes.

6. Scenic Point

For a quieter corner of the park, head to Two Medicine. The Scenic Point Trailhead is 0.3 miles (0.5 km) east of the Two Medicine Ranger Station, and the NPS lists the hike at 3.8 miles (6.1 km) one way with 2,259 ft (689 m) of gain. It's a steady, mostly exposed climb, so bring sun protection and a wind layer.

“Carry bear spray, make noise, and know how you're getting back before you set out.”

— Great Hikes team

Bear safety

Glacier is grizzly and black bear country. The NPS calls bear spray the most effective deterrent and says hiking in groups significantly lowers your chances of a bad encounter. Bear bells aren't enough: calling out and clapping at regular intervals works better. It is prohibited to approach, view or do any activity within 100 yards (91 m) of bears or wolves. If you meet a bear, don't run; back away slowly. All food, containers, cookware and trash must be stored in a vehicle, a food locker or hung when not in use, day and night.

When to go

Glacier's hiking season is short. The NPS says Going-to-the-Sun Road has typically been fully open by early July, depending on snow; in 2026 it was expected to open on June 22. It typically stays fully open until the third Monday of October, weather permitting. The full road is about 50 miles and takes around 2 hours to drive. Between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun, vehicles longer than 21 feet (including bumpers) or wider than 8 feet (including mirrors) are prohibited.

More mountain hikes

If you're heading north across the border, Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies is another classic day-hiking destination with glaciers, lakes and big peaks.

Trail closures (including for bear activity), snow, road status and shuttle details change often. Always check current conditions and regulations with the National Park Service at nps.gov/glac before you go.