Hiking Guide: Avalanche Lake Glacier National Park

Let’s start at the beginning before we get into trail details. Avalanche Lake trail parking can be really tricky. The trailhead parking is used for both Avalanche Lake and Trail Of The Cedars, so it’s quite popular.

On top of all of that, the parking area is extremely small and cannot accommodate the number of vehicles visiting the area.

There are 3 areas to check for parking when hiking Avalanche Lake trail.

Avalanche Creek Picnic Area is the first parking opportunity you’ll come to when driving east (away from Apgar). The parking is located on the left side of the road and is the largest lot for Avalanche Lake Trail parking.

This is less than a quarter mile from the trailhead. If you see an open spot, take it.

The second parking area is just pass the picnic area and will be on your right. There are a few spots located along Avalanche Campground Loop just before you enter the campgrounds.

Last, there are limited spaces available at the trailhead. This isn’t really a “parking lot”, it’s simply a single lane of parking spaces which line both sides of the road. As you can image, it’s quite limited in how many vehicles it can accommodate.

I recommend you arrive early – before 8am, or earlier than 7am if you’re visiting in July and August – in order to find a parking spot at any of the Avalanche Lake Trail parking lots.

Alternatively, you can take the free shuttle. The best way to take the shuttle is to park at Apgar Visitors Center (large parking lot with plenty of space). It’s about a 30-minute drive from the visitors center to the trailhead.

Note: If you are camping in Glacier National Park at Avalanche Campground you will be close enough to walk to the trailhead.

My Experience Hiking Avalanche Lake Glacier National Park

I hiked Avalanche Lake trail in mid-September, after the busy season had just ended. I recommend this trail for every single person visiting Glacier National Park. Even if you’re short on time, like only spending 3 days in Glacier, this hike should still be on your list!

The trail was still very well trafficked. Because I’m typically a solo hiker, I prefer having a moderate number of people on the trail – this helps keep the chance of a bear encounter low, and it gives me peace of mind that if I injure myself while outside of cell service there are others around who can get help.

Avalanche Lake is one of my favorite hikes in Glacier National Park (spoiler: Grinnell Glacier is my #1 favorite, followed closely by Hidden Lake Overlook Trail). It was a moderate hike with steady elevation gain that never felt too challenging.

The first mile of the hike follows Avalanche Creek, which is an incredible teal color and so wildly beautiful.

I could hear the creek for most of my hike, although after the first mile it disappears off into the forest and the trail diverges.

Sometimes there can be quite a bit of bear activity along this trail, but I didn’t see any bears, nor any signs of bears (scat or tracks).

However, I always always always carry bear spray with me when I’m hiking in grizzly bear country (and sometimes even in black bear country, like on my backpacking trip in the Smoky Mountains).

It took me a little over 2 hours to hike the entire trail. However, I stopped at Avalanche Lake to eat lunch and enjoy the views, so my total time was closer to 3 hours. 

I noticed that most people on the hike stopped at the Northern tip of the lake, which is the first shoreline you come across on this hike. This is the better view of the lake because it has all of the waterfalls in the background, but it was fairly busy.

Since my hike was at the end of the summer, the waterfalls were fairly dried up. If you visit during the summer, the glacier and snowmelt makes for better waterfalls.

Can you believe that only one of the waterfalls is named? The middle falls is called Monument Falls, but the rest are anonymous (like many other of the 200+ waterfalls in Glacier National Park).

After hiking to the southern end of the lake I was able to escape the crowds. In fact, there were only two other groups who hiked to this end of the lake the entire time I sat there eating my lunch.

The trail to the southern shoreline isn’t very long, but it becomes narrower and harder to follow in some spots. Additionally, it was fairly muddy in some areas.

While I brought my bathing suit with me so I could take a dip in the lake, I ultimately decided not to after watching a group of boys jump in and then whine (a lot) about how cold they were.

If I hike this trail again in the warmer months (July or August) I’d definitely consider a dip!

Avalanche Lake Directions

The easiest way to get to Avalanche Lake is by entering Glacier National Park through the West Entrance, near West Glacier.

Avalanche Lake hike is located approximately 15 miles past the entrance gate and is one of the stops along Going To The Sun Road (also called Route 1).

Entering the park from any of its entrances requires you to pay the park entrance fee – $35 per vehicle (and it’s good for 7 consecutive days).

Alternatively, you can purchase an annual pass for Glacier National Park for $70 – however, if you’re going to buy an annual pass I recommend spending a little more and getting the America The Beautiful pass for $80 as it’s good for entrance to all National Parks and over 2000+ other federal recreation sites for a full year.

Additionally, many National Parks (including Glacier) have an “express lane” for pass holders which can save you hours of waiting in line to enter the park during the busy season.

If you’re visiting Glacier National Park between late May and early September you’ll likely need a timed entry vehicle reservation (in addition to your park entrance fee).

The pilot program has detailed requirements depending on which entrance you’re using, check out complete details about Going To The Sun Road tickets here.

As a reminder, Avalanche Lake Trail parking can be extremely difficult due to the limited spaces available. I recommend using the map (above) to familiarize yourself with the parking options ahead of your trip.

Arriving early (before 8:30 am or earlier) or coming in the late afternoon (after 3pm) will increase your chances of snagging a coveted parking space.

If you can’t arrive early enough to get a parking spot, consider taking the free shuttle in Glacier National Park instead.

The trailhead for Avalanche Lake is actually quite a bit past the parking area. You’ll follow Trail of the Cedars for 0.4 miles before reaching a fork that begins the Avalanche Lake hike.

However, if you follow these AllTrails directions you’ll start from the parking area with guided instructions.

Pro Tip: Since you’ll already have completed half of Trail of the Cedars loop getting to the trailhead for Avalanche Lake I recommend completing the remaining trail on your way back – it’s one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park!

When Can You Hike Avalanche Lake Trail?

Technically, Avalanche Lake Trail is open year-round. While it’s located along Going To The Sun road (which closes in the winter) the road closure begin just past the trailhead parking for Avalanche Lake.

However, occasionally the portion of GTS road near Avalanche Lake trail also closes due to snow or other dangerous conditions. The best way to tell if GTS road is open is to check the NPS website.

Even though Avalanche Lake Trail is open all year, the trail may occasionally be closed due to bear activity. The best way to know whether Avalanche Lake Trail is open or not is to check the current trail status on the NPS website, or to ask a ranger on duty at the visitors center.

Best Time To Hike Avalanche Lake In Glacier National Park

The best time of year to hike Avalanche Lake Trail is between late May and early October.

May through June are the least crowded summer months in the park, but because Going To The Sun road is not open until late June, many other hiking trails in Glacier National Park are not accessible, which makes Avalanche Lake more popular.

If you plan to swim in Avalanche Lake the best time to visit is August, when the days are warmer and the lake water isn’t as frigid as it is from fresh snow melt earlier in the year. Keep in mind the water is never anywhere close to warm, so be prepared for a polar plunge regardless of which months you’re visiting!

If you’re hiking Avalanche Lake during the colder months, be sure to pack the appropriate winter hiking gear and wear plenty of layers.

Tips For Hiking Avalanche Lake In Glacier National Park

Here are some tips and tricks I learned while hiking Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park.

Get An Early Start

This is an extremely popular hiking trail in Glacier National Park and it gets quite crowded later in the day. Getting an early start (before 8am) will help you to avoid the crowds, secure a limited parking space, and capture the lake during the most beautiful lighting of the day.

Consider Using The Shuttle

Glacier National Park provides a free park shuttle during the busy season. The shuttle can be used by anyone, and no advanced reservations are needed. 

If you’re coming from the West side of the park I recommend parking at Apgar Visitor Center (a very large parking lot) and catching the shuttle from there.

However, if you’re coming from the East side of the park I recommend parking at St Mary Visitor Center (also a very large parking lot) and taking the shuttle along Going To The Sun road.

This will take 2-3 hours. The shuttle from St Mary only goes as far as Sun Point, where you’ll need to transfer shuttle lines, and then to Logan Pass Visitor Center, where you’ll need to transfer a second time.

Pack Snacks

Avalanche Lake hike is rated as moderate, and just under 6 miles long, so it’s a good idea to pack some hiking snacks for your day.

I really don’t think there’s anything more rewarding on a hike than sitting down in the dirt and eating a delicious lunch while gazing at the lake in peace.

Be Bear Aware

It’s estimated that there are 300 grizzly bears and 600 black bears in Glacier National Park. That means it’s a possibility that you’ll have a bear encounter on any trail in the park – some trails are more likely than others, and any trails with significant bear activity are posted or closed for safety in the park.

It’s crucial to ALWAYS hike with bear spray. If you do not have bear spray it’s possible to rent it from Apgar Village (although it’s not exactly cost effective compared to buying it, in my opinion).

Dress Correctly

When I hiked Avalanche Lake Trail I saw numerous people hiking in FLIP FLOPS!!! Flip flops, smh.

If you’re going to Glacier National Park, you should be prepared with the proper hiking gear. Not only will it make it easier to hike, it’ll also prevent injuries and potentially keep you alive in an unexpected emergency. You can read more about the best hiking gear for beginners here.

FAQs – Avalanche Lake Glacier National Park

Below are answers to common questions about Avalanche Lake hike in Glacier National Park.

How Long Of A Hike Is Avalanche Lake?

Avalanche Lake hike is a 5.9 mile hike that takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. There’s modest elevation gain of 757 feet, but the gain is moderate throughout the hike which keeps it from feeling incredibly steep.

Can You Swim In Avalanche Lake?

You can swim in Avalanche Lake, as well as other lakes in Glacier National Park, like Lake McDonald.

Keep in mind that Avalanche Lake is an alpine lake that is filled with snowmelt and glacier melt, so it can be quite cold regardless of when you go for a dip. The water temperature of Avalanche Lake rarely gets up to 50℉.

How Cold Is Avalanche Lake?

Avalanche Lake experiences winter temperatures in the high-teens to upper 30’s. During the summer it can get as warm as mid-70’s, but low-to-mid 60’s is more common.

The water in Avalanche Lake is always cold, getting only as high as the low 50’s during the warm summer months.

Is Camping Allowed At Avalanche Lake?

Unfortunately, camping is not allowed at Avalanche Lake. However, you can camp at Avalanche Campground, which is located at the trailhead to Avalanche Lake, with a reservation.

There are also several nearby hotels in Glacier National Park with direct shuttle access to Avalanche Lake trailhead.

Keep Planning Your Trip To Glacier National Park

Use these resources to continue planning your Glacier National Park trip!

• The Best Itinerary For Glacier National Park: Day-By-Day Guide + Map
• Bozeman to Glacier National Park Road Trip: The Ultimate Montana Adventure Guide
• 37 Best Going To The Sun Road Stops You Must See
• 21 Best Hikes In Glacier National Park For Every Skill Level
• Hidden Lake Overlook Trail – Glacier National Park
• Hike To Grinnell Glacier – Glacier National Park Hiking Guide