Best short to mid length hikes in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park offers beautiful views of glaciers, waterfalls, and scenic landscapes. It also has miles of hiking trails throughout the park. If you have limited time at Glacier, these are my recommendations for short to mid length hikes in the park that are readily accessible from Going-to-the-Sun Road.
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Avalanche Lake
This might be the most quintessential hike in Glacier National Park. For this hike you trek along a beautiful stream before winding your way through green forests. The trail ultimately ends at Avalanche Lake, which is a picturesque lake surrounded by towering peaks and numerous waterfalls. The trail is approximately 4.5 miles round trip, but you can also extend the hike if you hike to the other end of Avalanche Lake. Bring some binoculars too as wildlife is common around the lake. Last time I visited, a black bear was drinking from the water on the opposite shoreline of the lake. Try to get to the trailhead early as the parking lot quickly fills up with cars. Alternatively, you can try to come later in the day when some of the earlier hikers are leaving.
Views from the far end of Avalanche Lake
Avalanche Lake is stunning with a mountainous backdrop and numerous waterfalls
The river gorge leading up to Avalanche Lake is also absolutely beautiful
Highline Trail from Logan Pass
Another famous hike in Glacier is the hike along Highline Trail from Logan Pass. This trail begins on a cliff face where you traverse a ledge for a long way. The ledge is fairly wide, but there is also a cable that you can hold onto if you are afraid of heights and exposure. If you hike the entire trail, it is nearly 15-miles round trip. Most people will make this an in-and-back hike and turn around when they feel they have hiked far enough. Keep an eye out for bears and mountain goats on this trail as they are commonly seen in the area. Trailhead parking also fills up fairly quickly, so be sure and arrive at the Logan Pass parking area early for this hike.
Stopping to rest on Highline Trail and looking back towards Logan Pass
Highline Trails is surrounded by stunning peaks and provides amazing views of the valley below
It can get a bit windy on Highline Trail due to the exposure
St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls
This hike was such a beautiful hike in Glacier National Park. You first see the exquisite St. Mary Lake from the parking area before heading out along the trail to check out the waterfalls. It is an approximately 2.4-mile roundtrip hike from the St. Mary Falls Trailhead to reach St Mary Falls. The falls are absolutely stunning, and the water is such an amazing blue color. Once you’ve reached St. Mary Falls, you would be remiss not to continue your hike to Virginia Falls.
The hike to Virginia Falls is around four miles roundtrip from the St. Mary Falls Trailhead and offers beautiful scenery and mini waterfalls along much of the hike. You will finally end up at Virginia Falls, which is a 50+ foot high waterfall. This waterfall is well worth the hike, and you should definitely hike beyond St. Mary Falls to visit this site.
The St. Mary Lake area of Glacier National Park should also top your list of places to see
My dad and I grabbing some photos at St. Mary Falls
Virginia Falls are a little bit further up the trailhead, but should not be missed
South Boundary Trail (not actually in Glacier National Park)
I decided to include this hike since it was a great hike and might be of interest to anyone who does not get a timed entry permit to the park one of the days of their visit. This hike actually borders the boundary of the park and goes along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. This is another hike where you can go as far as you would like before turning around. The South Boundary Trail winds up at a fork with the Lincoln Creek Trail.
Both of these trails continue on for many miles after this fork. I would recommend going at least as far as this fork to see the really neat suspension bridge and Patrol Cabin in this area. Do note, if you make it to this cabin, it will be an approximately 11.6-mile roundtrip hike before you get back to the parking lot. If you cannot get a timed entry permit into Glacier National Park or over Going-to-the-Sun-Road, this hike should top your list of alternatives.
Watching rafters come down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River while hiking the Southern Boundary Trail
Hiking across the suspension bridge right before the Patrol Cabin
The Patrol Cabin is where I turned around, making this an almost 12-mile roundtrip hike
If you visit Glacier National Park:
When I visited last, I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell and had an enjoyable stay. The hotel has a nice indoor pool and hot tub as well as a fitness center and casino. It also has breakfast options available to help you fuel up for your hikes in Glacier National Park.
I really enjoyed my stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell. Soaking in the hot tub after hiking in Glacier all day was a great way to unwind. The hotel is also across the street from a good pizza place and is a short trip to downtown Kalispell where there are nicer restaurants and some microbreweries. Since I did not envision starting a travel blog at the time, I did not get any photos of the hotel or my room. You can view photos, rates, and availability for the Hilton Garden Inn here. You can also visit my breakdown of this property here.
