Hike To Grinnell Glacier – Glacier National Park Hiking Guide
I live in my camper van full-time and travel to National Parks. Glacier National Park is one of my favorites, and to date hiking Grinnell Glacier Trail is my favorite hike… ever! (and I’ve been to New Zealand- twice!)
If you’re headed to Glacier National Park you’ll want to hike this trail. It’s my favorite trail (ever!) and has so much to see. Don’t let the distance or elevation gain scare you off – it’s a moderate incline for a majority of the trail and anyone can do it!
In this article I’ll give you an idea of what to expect on the Grinnell Glacier hike as well as my own personal experience on this trail.
I’m so excited for you to experience Glacier National Park! It’s truly one of the most scenic places I’ve visited with some of the best hikes on the planet.
Know Before You Go: Glacier National Park
Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit Glacier National Park is between July-September when the weather is favorable and the trails are open.
Going-To-The-Sun Road, the only road that cuts through the park and connects the East and West sides, does not open until July each year. Many of the hiking trails on this list are only accessible via GTS road.
If you’re interested in Glacier National Park waterfalls then July is the best time to visit, when snowmelt is best.
If you’re hoping to avoid crowds I recommend going to Glacier National Park in September, after Labor Day (this is what I did).
Where To Stay: There are 13 campgrounds with over 1,000 sites to choose from within the park. Some popular ones include Apgar, Many Glacier, and St. Mary. Reservations can be made for some sites, while others are first-come, first-served.
If you prefer to stay outside of the park there are many options on the East and West sides. The West side of the park is more popular and has more options for where to stay at Glacier National Park.
How To Get There: The closest airport is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), located in Kalispell, Montana, approximately 30 miles west of the West Entrance. However, most people fly into Missoula International Airport (MSO) to save money. MSO is approximately 150 miles south of the park.
How To Get Around: The best way to get around the park is with the free NPS shuttle service. The shuttle only runs during peak season, so if you plan to arrive before July or after Labor Day then you’ll need to bring your own vehicle. No reservations are required for the shuttle. It operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.
It’s possible to drive your own car, but you’ll need a timed-entry pass during peak season (more on this below). Driving Going To The Sun road has a vehicle limit of 21 feet long and 8 feet wide. Also keep in mind that parking in Glacier National Park can be extremely challenging year-round. Even during off-peak season I still had trouble finding parking spaces at most trailheads.
Reservation System: Between May 24 – September 8 vehicles entering Glacier National Park are required to have an advanced vehicle reservation. Reservations can be obtained through Reservation.gov up to 6 months in advance on a rolling window.
Safety: Glacier National Park is a safe park, but it has abundant wildlife, including Grizzly bears. Always hike with bear spray readily accessible, and know how to use it.
Entrance Fees: Glacier National Park entrance fees are $35 per vehicle (good for 7 days). During the winter season this pass is only $25 (Nov-Apr).
P.S There are 6 free National Park Days in 2024!
Headed to Glacier National Park? Check out my articles on How To Get Tickets For Going To The Sun Road and a 3 Day Itinerary In Glacier National Park!
When To Hike To Grinnell Glacier
The best time to hike to Grinnell Glacier is during the summer months. During the winter, the weather conditions can be difficult to navigate, and it’s more likely the trail will be closed.
Summer Months (July to September): This is the most popular time for hiking to Grinnell Glacier. The trails are usually clear of snow, and the weather is more predictable, offering warmer temperatures and clearer skies.
Late Spring and Early Fall: These times can also be suitable for hiking, but trail conditions can be more variable. Snow and ice may still be present on the trails in late spring, and early fall can bring colder temperatures and the possibility of early snowfall.
I hiked Grinnell Glacier in early September and while there was no snow on the trail, the wind was so cold that hats and gloves were necessary.
Tips For Your Hike
I recommend getting an early start for two reasons: this trail is 10 miles long so it takes a good portion of the day to complete, and it’s popular so the trailhead parking can fill before 8am. Even in the off-season the trailhead parking lot was almost full when I arrived around 7am.
Proper gear is really important on this hike. The last 2 miles or so are very windy with little coverage. I wore hats, gloves, ear warmers, and two jackets just to stay warm in September. It’s really the wind, more than the temperature, that’ll get you on this hike.
Bring binoculars. The Grinnell Glacier trail follows several lakes, so from the trailhead above you may be able to spot bears or moose drinking from the lake. Towards the glacier it’s also likely you’ll spot bighorn sheep on the cliffs.
Hiking poles and traction devices may be a good idea. There was no snow when I hiked so traction devices weren’t necessary, but this trail has the potential to get pretty icy and it follows tightly along the steep mountainside so you definitely don’t want to slip. I have found that hiking poles really help with elevation because it takes the load off my knees and helps me feel more secure in my footing so I can hike faster.
Grinnell Glacier hike is 10 miles long and rated as hard, so it’s a good idea to pack some hiking snacks for your day.
There’s a bathroom at the trailhead – it’s actually pretty nice as far as wilderness bathrooms go! There’s also a (less nice) pit toilet near the glacier. While there is quite a bit of vegetation along the path, and easy spots to find some privacy, there’s absolutely nothing private for the last 2 miles before you reach the glacier and the second pit toilet. If you’re someone who needs frequent pit stops I recommend getting strategic about your timing.
Bring bear spray. Estimates show 300 grizzly bears and 600 black bears in Glacier National Park, and Many Glacier is their prime habitat. While it’s not likely you’ll see one on the trail, it’s always important to be prepared. 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).
What To Pack For Your Hike
Aside from the basic’s, there are a few things I think you should bring with you when hiking to Grinnell Glacier.
- Traction device
- Trekking poles
- Kula cloth
- More winter gear than you think you’ll need
- Wind breaker
- Snacks
- Bear spray
Grinnell Glacier Trail Overview
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,047 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Parking: Grinnell Trailhead
Highlights: Grinnell Glacier trail is a highlight of the Many Glacier area in Glacier National Park. You’ll pass several beautiful lakes before ascending up towards Grinnell Glacier. Along the way you’ll see breathtaking panoramic views of the park, including a birds eye view of Lower Grinnell Lake.
Don’t let the elevation gain deter you from this hike! Or the length, for that matter. Anyone can complete this hike – take it at your own pace.
The trail starts out along Swiftcurrent Lake. For the first two miles it’s shaded and mostly flat. About a mile in you’ll pass the dock along the south shore of Swiftcurrent Lake. If you’ve opted to take the boat shuttle across Swiftcurrent Lake this is where it’ll drop you.
Just after the dock the trail splits and you’ll continue right. If you go to the left you’ll follow Swiftcurrent Lake Trail. This is actually a great option to add on at the end of your hike if you’re up for an extra mile of flat trail along the beautiful lake.
Less than a quarter mile past the fork you’ll come upon Lake Josephine. I swear, the lakes along this trail just get more incredible as you hike.
Lake Josephine boat dock will be on your left as you keep to the right of the lake. This is the second boat shuttle you can take to shorten the distance of the Grinnell Glacier hike.
Personally, I don’t think the boat shuttle is worth it. Realistically, it’ll only save you 2 miles of hiking, and this portion of the trail is the easiest. It’s flat, follows the shoreline closely and is quite beautiful. Plus, being reliant on the shuttle schedule limits your options.
After the first two miles, having passed Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, the trail starts to gain elevation and pass up around Grinnell Lake. The view from this portion of the trail was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. From the hike, I looked down and could see Grinnell Lake, Lake Josephine and Swiftcurrent Lake all nestled in a line between the mountains. Straight ahead of me was Grinnell Glacier. It was one of those moments that makes you grateful for the breath in your lungs.
During the warm season you have a good chance of seeing the Grinnell waterfall as melting water from the upper lake next to the glacier overflows down the mountain into the lower Grinnell Lake.
The trail along this part is carved into the mountainside. There’s not much shelter from the sun or wind. This was my favorite section of the trail, it’s challenging enough to be interesting and the views are unbelievable.
The trail flattens out for a short period before the final push to the glacier. It’s short, but the trail does hit as much as 30% incline with some rock steps in the last half mile. It’s a bit of a challenge, especially when the trail gets more crowded, but it’s feasible if you take it at your own pace.
I had planned to eat lunch at the glacier, but after a few bites of my sandwich I realized it was just too cold and windy for me to stay there so I backed down to the treeline.
Grinnell Glacier Trail Map
Grinnell Glacier trail is a fairly well marked and easy trail to follow. There are a few forks early on as the trail works around Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine – stay to the right at each of these.
My Experience Hiking Grinnell Glacier Trail
Grinnell Glacier trail is my favorite hike to date. I hiked this trail alone, but being that it was early September and less than a week past peak season ended there were enough other hikers on the trail that I felt safe.
One downside to being a solo hiker is that you’re always making sure there’s at least two other parties on the trail within shouting distance, just in case something were to happen.
Parking was easy enough to find around 8am and I was on the trail by 8:30am. The trail around the first two lakes, Swiftcurrent and Josephine, is fairly overgrown along the edges so I imagine there is a good chance to spot wildlife here in the early morning or around dusk. I didn’t see any wildlife along the trail, except for some bighorn sheep closer to the summit.
I made great time on this hike because of the early start and lack of crowds. Since the trail is fairly narrow in spots, by the time I came back down there was some backup building. In total, I spent just over 4 hours on this hike.
How To Get To Grinnell Glacier Hike In Glacier National Park
There are two hikes to see Grinnell Glacier but neither one of them is short.
Grinnell Glacier trail is 10 miles and outlined in this article.
The second hike is Grinnell Glacier Overlook, which is 11.4 miles and almost double the elevation gain of Grinnell Glacier trail.
Grinnell Glacier trailhead is located in Many Glacier, near Swiftcurrent Lake while the Grinnell Glacier Overlook trail starts at one of the stops along Going-To-The-Sun Road near The Loop.
FAQs – Hike To Grinnell Glacier
Below are answers to common questions about Grinnell Glacier hike in Glacier National Park.
Where is the Trailhead for the Grinnell Glacier Hike
The trailhead for Grinnell Glacier hike is located in Many Glacier near Swiftcurrent Lake. Route 3 is the only road into Many Glacier. The trailhead is located to the left just after you pass the lake.
A little further past the trailhead to Grinnell Glacier is the Many Glacier ranger station, Many Glacier campground and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. If the parking lot for the trailhead is full, consider driving a little further West and using one of the larger overflow parking lots. These are only half a mile down the road, or about a 10-minute walk.
Alternatively, you can park at Many Glacier hotel, which is on the opposite side of Swiftcurrent Lake, and take the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail clockwise to meet up with the Grinnell Glacier trail at the south end of Swiftcurrent Lake near the boat dock.
How Hard Is Grinnell Glacier Hike?
Grinnell Glacier hike is rated as hard, primarily because of its length (10 miles). While it does have just over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, it’s fairly evenly spread out across most of the hike, which makes it less strenuous.
Anyone in decent shape without mobility issues can accomplish this hike. The first two miles of the hike are flat, and a great warm up. From there the trail steadily increases in moderate elevation gain. The final quarter mile has some steep sections, but they are short and manageable.
How Long Does It Take To Hike Grinnell Glacier Trail?
The total time it takes most people to hike Grinnell Glacier is around 5 hours. I spent just over 4 hours hiking, and around 5 hours in total on the trail (including breaks and lunch).
It’s easier to hike the trail when it’s not crowded, as some sections of trail are quite narrow and won’t allow multiple parties to pass at the same time. This leads to a bit of a traffic jam that can increase time on the trail.
Is Grinnell Glacier Trail Dangerous?
It is possible for Grinnell Glacier trail to be dangerous, but for the most part it is safe. The trail climbs to high elevation, so it tends to be covered in snow or ice long into the summer season.
While this is dangerous for slips or falls, it’s compounded by the fact that the trail tightly hugs the cliffside for a few miles, which can lead to more dangerous accidents if you lose your footing. It’s important to bring the proper gear, like traction devices and trekking poles.
Like all trails in Glacier National Park, bear encounters are possible on Grinnell Glacier trail. It’s important to bring bear spray and know how to use it.
What Is Grinnell Glacier Overlook Elevation?
The elevation at Grinnell Glacier Overlook is 7,561 feet (2,305 meters). Expect cooler temperatures and more wind at this overlook.
What Is The Grinnell Glacier Hike Boat Ride?
The Grinnell Glacier hike boat ride is a series of two boats that shuttle you across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. Taking the boat is optional, it’s also possible to hike the full trail – which is what most visitors will do.
Grinnell Glacier hike boat ride is operated by Glacier Park Boat Company. Taking the boat cuts off about 2.5 miles each way, or 5 total. There’s a short ¼ hike between the lakes you’ll hike in order to get from the Swiftcurrent Lake boat to the Lake Josephine boat.
While the Grinnell Glacier hike boat will save you some distance, it will not save you much elevation gain. The trail starts to pick up elevation gain just after the Lake Josephine boat dock.
In order to take the Grinnell Glacier hike boat you’ll want to book your tickets months in advance. While it is possible to buy tickets the day-off it’s a big gamble given the popularity of the boat tours.
Where to Stay Near The Grinnell Glacier Hike
There are several lodging options in Many Glacier, including Many Glacier Lodge, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Many Glacier campground. Options immediately outside the park are limited. The closest town with accommodations is Babb, Montana.
Hikes Near The Grinnell Glacier Hike
There are many great hikes in Glacier National Park near Grinnell Glacier hike. Additional hikes in Many Glacier include Piegan Pass, Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, Redrock Falls, Ptarmigan Tunnel, Apikuni Falls, Cracker Lake, Swiftcurrent Pass and Iceberg Lake.
