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When we started talking about visiting Glacier National Park, the hike to Grinnell Glacier came up time and time again. Multiple people had recommended the grueling hike to the Grinnell Glacier viewpoint, and we had read it’s a don’t miss hike in Glacier.
Hiking to Grinnell Glacier isn’t for everyone though. It’s a 10 mile round trip hike (closer to 12 miles with a couple add ons) and climbs over 2,000 feet in elevation! But, boy, if you’re up for it, the hike is definitely worth it!
Trail Map of Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint
Trail Stats for Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint | Many Glacier Day Hike
Trailhead Location | Grinnell Glacier Trailhead | 48.79705, -113.66856
Hiking Distance | 10 miles total
Hiking Style | out and back
Elevation Gain | 2,500+ feet
Trail Difficulty | strenuous (very challenging)
Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint Trail Highlights
- Easy start and finish along the lakes
- Moose sightings common on lake trails
- Stunning views the entire hike
- Get to see an active glacier up close and personal
- Polar plunge with icebergs at glacier
- Bear and mountain goats in the area
The Hike to Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint
There’s a reason Grinnell Glacier is one of the most popular trails in Glacier National Park. The 2,500+ feet of elevation gain, go by in a breeze when you’re more focused on the breathtaking views around you.
Honestly, the elevation gain can be scary, but it’s pretty gradual, with not many switchbacks, making it a more doable hike than others in the parks. And shoot, the views about halfway up are fantastic if you can’t make it all the way!
The beginning of the hike, leads you through a meadow (watch for moose here) and then along the Swiftcurrent Lake before connecting to Lake Josephine (don’t miss the view from the dock, right as you approach Lake Josephine).
In this part of the hike, the elevation is very minimal, and it goes by pretty quickly.
As you hike along Lake Josephine, if you’re willing to add a bit more elevation (a pretty steep switchback section), take the lower lake trail. It’s the left trail once the trail begins to climb. This is where we saw moose on our way to Grinnell Glacier!
Passing by Lake Josephine, the trail starts to climb. And the climbing continues all the way until reaching Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint. Take it slow and steady, resting and taking in the views all the way up!
Ready to book your trip to experience the epic hike to Grinnell Glacier? Check current prices on flights here.
Wildlife Along the Hike to Grinnell Glacier
Along the trail, we were lucky enough to see moose, mountain goats, and even a grizzly bear. However, we’ve talked with others who didn’t see any wildlife at all. So keep your eyes out, and you might get lucky too!
Moose
The moose we saw was along the lower trail passing by Lake Josephine. This is an easy addition to the Grinnell Glacier hike, as the lower trail meets back up with the upper trail to the glacier. However, it adds some elevation and may be a better choice to do on your way back down the mountain, so you don’t have to climb the switchbacks.
Mountain Goats
Mountain goats were plentiful running around the hillsides. Pay attention for little white moving dots on both sides of the trail! We saw some super high, right along the ridge, and others right next to the trail, just a stone’s throw away from us.
Bears
While not always around, bears are in the area. There was a MASSIVE grizzly bear on the hillside as we neared the pit toilet and benches just before the fine ascent to the glacier. We watched from afar as it ate, pooped, and took a nice nap.
On our way down the mountain, the grizzly had moved and actually blocked the trail back down. A good reminder to always have your bear spray handy, and have extra food, water, and layers in case you have to stay on the mountain longer than planned.
Rabbits and Pika
We heard pika and talked to other hikers who actually saw pika along the upper part of the trail. They like to hang out in the rocks and scurry. Down by Lake Josephine, on our way back down the mountain, we saw a rabbit, hiding under a bush from the rain!
Grinnell Glacier Hike With Boat
Nearly every major lake in Glacier National Park offers boat tours. The Glacier Park Boat Company offers tours all throughout the high season (June, July, August, early-Sept) in the park, and have some great options for boating in the Many Glacier area.
The Many Glacier boat tour cruises across Swiftcurrent Lake, dropping guests off for a .2-mile hike to Lake Josephine, where passengers then head to the Lake Josephine boat dock to cruise across Lake Josephine.
The boat tour is a great way to shave off some miles on the 10+ mile hike to Grinnell Glacier. However, with that said, the few miles it shaves off are all relatively flat, and are a great part of the hike to get your legs warmed up for the elevation gain that’s coming at the end of Lake Josephine.
Check out the current boat schedule and book tickets / reserve your seats here.
Our Top 5 Tips for the Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint Hike
- Camp in the area to avoid the parking chaos. And trust us, you’ll want to camp here anyways, the place is beautiful.
- Pack extra snacks + consider bringing a Sawyer Straw. With this straw, you can drink filtered water straight from the glacier melt! How awesome is that!
- Carry bear spray easily accessible. You never know when you’ll turn a corner and a grizzly is on the other side. (Yes, that happened to us on this hike, and it’s not a fun experience at all!)
- Visit in the fall. We hiked Grinnell Glacier in September and it was beautiful! The fall foliage just brings the magic of this place to a whole different level. It also means you don’t have to have a timed entry to get into the park, there are fewer crowds, and camping is only $10 USD a night, and on a one-day in advance reservation system!
- Be prepared for all kinds of weather. We started the hike out with beautiful skies, and ended the hike the entire way back in pouring down rain! Wear waterproof hiking shoes, and don’t forget a raincoat!
Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint Hike FAQs
How long is the hike to Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint?
The hike to Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint is about 3.5 hours one way, so 7 hours round trip. This is definitely a full day hike, as extra time should be allotted for more stops, having lunch at the glacier, and being able to sit and watch the wildlife you may come across.
Is the boat shuttle worth it?
There is an option for making this hike shorter by taking the concessioner boat from Many Glacier Hotel. This boat takes you across Swiftcurrent Lake, and there’s also one that takes you across Lake Josephine. While I’m sure the boat ride is lovely, and it does cut out 1.3 miles each way from the hike, those are the easy miles of hiking, and are perfect miles for warming up your legs for the elevation.
What part of Glacier National Park is Grinnell Glacier at?
Grinnell Glacier is in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park.
What do I need to pack for hiking Grinnell Glacier?
Like all hikes in Glacier National Park, bear spray is an absolute must. We also recommend packing layers, snacks or a lunch, and more water than you think you’ll need.
Can I bring my dog with me on the hike to Grinnell Glacier?
No. For the safety of the animal and everyone else on the trail, pets are not allowed on the trail to Grinnell Glacier. In fact, they aren’t allowed on any trails in Glacier National Park. Please be a responsible pet owner, and keep your pets off the trails. They can be in parking lots, campgrounds, and picnic areas. But it’s unsafe for everyone if they go you on the trail, and it’s actually punishable by fine.
Getting to the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead
Grinnell Glacier is in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. You will need a park pass to get into the park, which can be purchased upon arrival to Glacier, or online here. Depending on the time of year you’re visiting Glacier, you may need a timed entry permit to get into the park. More on that below.
Once you get past the Many Glacier Entrance, continue driving on the road (the only one in this area of the park), past the Many Glacier hotel, and straight to the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead. It’s a parking lot on the left side of the road.
It’s worth noting here, this parking lot fills up quickly. There are a couple more parking options in the area, but that will add distance to an already long hike, so be mindful of trying to get to the trailhead early to beat the crowds!
Something else that’s worth noting, accessing the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park is done via a partially paved road. Meaning that some of the drive is on a dirt road. One that has extreme washboarding and some pretty large potholes.
Timed Entry to Glacier National Park
In 2023, Glacier ran a timed entry pilot program to try and mitigate the masses of people coming into the park at the same time. It’s unsure if they will be doing this in future years, so check their website here for the most up-to-date information on timed vehicle registration.
Alternatively, visit outside of the high season, before June or after mid-September, and don’t worry about the timed entry and huge crowds at all! Or get into the park before 6:00 AM or after 3:00 PM to avoid the reservation system too.
Learn more about the timed entry to Glacier here.
Accommodation and Camping Near Many Glacier Area
Camping in Many Glacier Area
The Many Glacier Campground is the only option in the area. This campground is on a reservation-only basis, which changes depending on the time of year. In the summer months, you’re limited to 14 days total of reservations within the entire park.
Many Glacier Campground is a fully functioning campground for most of the summer, however, come mid-September (the shoulder season), it switches to primitive camping.
During the primitive camping season, mid-September through October 31st, there are fewer sites available, no running water, and only ONE toilet for the entire campground.
With that said, it’s only 10 USD a night, and is still a great place to stay!
During the primitive season, reservations open up on rec.gov one day in advance at 8 AM Mountain Time and are reservable up to three nights at a time.
Book your stay at Many Glacier Campground here.
Hotels in Many Glacier Area
Staying in the national park is a real treat. There are two hotel stays available from mid-June to mid-September.
The Many Glacier Hotel | The views from this hotel are unmatched. The price per night certainly reflects the amazing views you get, but shoot… if you’re willing, this is definitely going the extra mile with your stay.
The Swiftcurrent Motor Inn | Coming in at nearly half the price of the Many Glacier Hotel, the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn offers a more affordable stay for those looking to stay in a hotel in the Many Glacier area.
Outside of the accommodation within the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, you can find the closest accommodation out of the park in the town of Babb or St. Mary. Check for accommodation in Babb, Montana (closest option) or St. Mary, Montana (more options) below.
More On Glacier + Travel!
We spent a month in Glacier hiking, finding wildlife, and just photographing the insane views.
Check out the first of many Glacier National Park Guides in the post below.
Redrock Falls | An easy hike in the Many Glacier Area to a waterfall with more moose sightings.
Car Camping Checklist | Don’t forget any gear with this checklist (complete with links)
3 Days of EASY Camp Meals | yes, easy.. and some don’t even need a cooler!
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