Glacier National Park, Montana

Looking for the best hiking in Glacier National Park? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Glacier National Park. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Glacier National Park

  • Browning, Montana

    Hike to Sun Point

    5.0
    1.6 mi / 250 ft gain
    With panoramic views of St. Mary Lake and it’s surrounding peaks, Sun Point is the perfect spot to chill/relax in Glacier National Park.  It can be reached via the Sun Point Nature Trail or the Sun Point picnic area.To reach Sun Point via the nature trail, start at Sunrift Gorge parking area.  Cl...
    Read more
  • West Glacier, Montana

    Backpack to Lincoln Lake

    16.75 mi / 3747 ft gain
    It's a 1600 ft slow increase in elevation. You can walk around the loose rocks going around the lake for an additional 2 miles of hiking. There is a back-country campground at the base of the glacier-fed lake and an amazing waterfall at the opposite end of the of the campground. To camp overnig...
    Read more
  • West Glacier, Montana

    Hike to Howe Lake

    4 mi / 240 ft gain
    The hike begins along the Inner North Fork road across from a small parking area. The trail meanders up a slight incline most of the way through areas of a recent fire, as well as some areas with spectacular wildflowers when it gets a bit more lush. Around 1.7 miles in you will go up a relatively...
    Read more
  • Browning, Montana

    Backpack the Continental Divide in Glacier NP

    4.0
    33.4 mi / 5257 ft gain
    Park your car at the Two Medicine North Shore Trailhead, and take a National Park Shuttle (if they are running during the season--they stop around Labor Day in September) or set up a private shuttle service to St. Mary and the Red Eagle Trailhead (only ~$10-20 bucks a person).The first day from t...
    Read more
  • Browning, Montana

    Backpack to Cosley Lake

    27.2 mi / 475 ft gain
    The hike goes through different wooded areas, open fields, and passes by the ranger's ranch. In no time, you will be able to see the aqua blue colors of Cosley Lake, as you approach the campground for the night.The campground has pit toilets and a bear bag hanging station, along with a cooking ar...
    Read more
  • Browning, Montana

    Backpack to the Foot of Glenns Lake

    20.6 mi / 950 ft gain
    Starting from the Chief Mountain Parking Area, take the trail to the left of the bathrooms at the end of the parking lot (left of the bathrooms if you are facing the bathrooms and the main road is to your right). You will quickly hike to a wooden kiosk. Read this kiosk for any pertinent informati...
    Read more
  • Flathead County, Montana

    Hike Glacier View Mountain

    5.04 mi / 2880 ft gain
    Driving north from Columbia Falls, MT for 20 miles, park after the junction of the Camas Road and the North Fork Road. This parking area is directly after the junction on the east side of the road and the trail begins on the west side of the road.The beginning of the trail is started with many sw...
    Read more
  • West Glacier, Montana

    Backpack to Logging Lake

    8.8 mi
    Backcountry camping is the best plan if you’d like to visit Logging Lake, and the primitive campsites lay at the end of a four and a half mile hike through some of the most unspoiled sections of the park. The trail follows logging creek most of the way to the lake traversing through a variety of ...
    Read more
  • Waterton, Alberta

    Hike to Crypt Lake

    4.3
    10.8 mi / 2296.6 ft gain
    The hike begins with a gradual climb through shaded forest, which thins as you progress into the hanging valley. Along the way, you will pass by three amazing waterfalls: Twin Falls at 3.5km (2 mi), Burnt Rock Falls at 5.6km (3.5 mi) and the 600ft Crypt Falls at 8km (5 mi). There is also a 1km (0...
    Read more
  • Flathead County, Montana

    Hike Demer's Ridge

    7.47 mi / 3420 ft gain
    This trail is a point to point, so two cars are necessary. The ending point is where Camas Rd intersects the North Fork Road at the Blankenship Bridge. The starting point for the hike is at Demer's Pit. Driving 22 miles from Columbia Falls, MT, make your way to the parking spot, Demer's Pit. From...
    Read more
  • West Glacier, Montana

    Camp at Bowman Lake

    5.0
    26.85 mi / 3005 ft gain
    Bowman lake is the 3rd largest lake in Glacier National Park and one of the most remote areas accessible by car. The drive out on a dirt road is slow and bumpy but the reward is an area without crowds and lots of adventure potential. The first-come-first-served campground offers 48 sites near t...
    Read more
  • West Glacier, Montana

    Waterton Lake via Bowman Lake

    49.5 mi / 6365 ft gain
    Our trip started on Thursday evening, spending the night at the Bowman Lake campground. You can park your car here and it's where the hike will start and end. I recommend staying here the night before because day 1 is a doozy, so you'll want an early start. Day 1 is the hardest day of the hike, ...
    Read more
  • West Glacier, Montana

    Bowman Lake to Quartz Lake Loop

    5.0
    13.3 mi / 2618 ft gain
    The trail to Quartz lake begins on southend of the Bowman Lake beach. I recommend going in a clockwise direction and getting the steep bit out of the way, but the ~13 mile loop can be done either way. Follow the Bowman Lake shore on the West Lakes Trail for about half a mile and then you will fi...
    Read more
  • Columbia Falls, Montana

    Hike to Apgar Lookout

    4.5
    7.23 mi / 1890 ft gain
    Precursor: I completed this hike in November, hence the snow in the photos. Due to a lack of tree coverage, this hike is best suited for a cool summer day, or in the late spring and early autumn. It is doable in the heat of the summer, but be sure to pack plenty of water. This hike begins by tre...
    Read more
  • Glacier County, Montana

    Triple Divide Pass Trail to Red Eagle Lake

    29.22 mi / 5499 ft gain
    A couple of notes to keep in mind before you start... this is a loop that takes you to a different part of the park so you will either need two vehicles (one for the pickup spot and one to take you to the trailhead) or you will need to hitchhike back to you drop off vehicle. Also you will need to...
    Read more
  • Waterton, Alberta

    Backpack the Alderson-Carthew Trail

    5.0
    12.4 mi / 4101.1 ft gain
    Take the Akamina Parkway in Wateron Lakes National Park to its terminus at Cameron Lake. Your hike will start from here. If you’re through-hiking either drop another vehicle off at Cameron Falls in the town site, or be prepared to hitch a ride back to Cameron Lake, due to heavy traffic this is ...
    Read more