We’ve been hiking in Glacier National Park a lot… and by that I mean we have 50+ years combined experience which sounds crazy. But we’re locals to Glacier, so we hike every single year as much as possible. And now today we’re giving you a breakdown of all the best hikes, which region they’re in, and tips for how to plan the best trip to Glacier. It’s super important to pick hikes in the same area before moving to another region. Otherwise, you’ll spend your whole vacation driving around, and Glacier is way too crowded to waste all your time sitting in traffic. I’ve linked each one in the regional sections that I’ve written about so you can go deeper, and learn more about each one to see if it might be a good fit for you. But I’ve also listed out the basic mileage and elevation gain for a quick glance in the regional sections below. And the Highline Trail can’t be beat with stunning peaks everywhere and non-stop new views all day long. You also get to stop at a backcountry chalet, and you can do the Grinnell Glacier Overlook on this trail as well. So rather than just choose 1, those would be my top 4! Avalanche Lake and Hidden Lake are beautiful Glacier classics. But they are best hiked early or later in the day to avoid too many crowds. Sun Point is incredible for a 10-minute walk and can be combined with Baring Falls, St. Mary’s Falls, and all the way to Virginia Falls for a stunning hike. Scenic Point in Two Medicine is always a favorite, and Dawson Pass to Pitamakan Pass is worth the super long day if you’re up for the mileage. Siyeh Pass and Piegan Pass see a bit less traffic, but they’re both stunning. Especially if you can hike Siyeh as a thorough hike and take the shuttle back to your vehicle. Check the shuttle stops first though because they don’t always stop at Sun Rift Gorge where the Siyeh Pass Trail comes out. Siyeh Pass also takes you past 3 glaciers as well. Siyeh Pass is particularly beautiful leading you through Preston Park which is filled with wildflowers in July and you’ll see 3 glaciers as well. Otokomi and Gunsight Lake tend to be quieter and very scenic too. Hidden Lake is a classic, but so busy you might not enjoy it, circumstances depend. I recommend hiking it early or late if possible. Glacier National Park now has a reservation system for both Going to the Sun Road and the North Fork region. You can find everything you need to know about how to get a reservation plus exceptions with my Going to the Sun Road Guide. There’s a campground that fills quickly in the park. But there’s also the Red Eagle tribal campground at the entrance road to Two Medicine that we usually stay in when we can get a spot because it doesn’t fill as fast as the park campground. The park campground fills super fast because it’s on the shores of the lake, and central to all the hiking. But the Red Eagle campground is on the river, close to the park entrance, and we enjoyed the views and fishing in the evening. We always pick a very short trail or some sort of swimming day after we’ve had a long hiking day. This way you don’t feel so tired and rushed on your vacation. I also recommend trying to stay in the different areas so you’re not constantly driving. For instance if you want to hike in Many Glacier, try to find lodging or camping in that area around Babb. This will save you 2-3 hours of driving one way. And if you don’t have a Going to the Sun Road reservation it can easily take well over 3 hours to get from Kalispell or Whitefish to Many Glacier. Take a quick look at Google Maps and add lots more time for traffic once you select your hikes. You don’t want to loose half your trip sitting in traffic!
