Hiking

Grinnell Glacier Trail

Lakes the color of turquoise, waterfalls on the cliffs and a shrinking glacier at the end of the trail.

Montana
17.7 km
2 min read

Photo: Alexander Bock · CC BY-SA 4.0

Distance: 17.7 km · 11.0 mi
Elevation gain: +490 m · 1,600 ft
Difficulty: Strenuous
Time needed: 6–8 hours round trip
Route type: Out & back
Permit: Not required
Best season: Mid-July to late September

Grinnell Glacier Trail guide in Glacier National Park: Many Glacier, the boat shortcut, Lake Josephine, Grinnell Lake, Upper Grinnell Lake, bears, snow, distance, time and the best season.

Grinnell Glacier at a glance

This trail in the Many Glacier valley climbs about 490 meters to the foot of a glacier named after George Bird Grinnell, the conservationist who pushed for the creation of Glacier National Park. From the trailhead, the round trip is about 17.7 kilometers; a boat across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine can cut more than 5 kilometers.

The trail traces a ledge along the side of Mount Gould above Grinnell Lake, whose milky turquoise color comes from rock flour ground by the ice. Waterfalls pour over the cliffs beside the path, and bighorn sheep and mountain goats often graze near the trail. At the top, Upper Grinnell Lake is filled with icebergs below the glacier and the wall of the Garden Wall.

The glacier has shrunk sharply since the 19th century and keeps losing ice every year. Snowdrifts often keep the upper trail closed until mid-July. This is grizzly country, so carry bear spray, hike in a group and make noise.

Grinnell Glacier: stops along the way

1

Many Glacier trailhead

The trailhead in the Many Glacier valley, near the historic hotel and the boat dock.
2

Lake Josephine

The boat drop-off at the head of the lake, which saves several kilometers each way.
3

Grinnell Lake overlook

A ledge high above a turquoise lake fed by meltwater from the glacier.
4

Upper Grinnell Lake

An icy lake at the foot of the glacier, below the Garden Wall.

Grinnell Glacier: good to know

Book the boat in advance in summer; it sells out.
Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Check whether a vehicle reservation is needed for the Many Glacier valley on your date.