Grinnell Glacier Trail — Glacier National Park, Montana
One of the crown jewels of the American West — a strenuous 10.6-mile round trip through waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and one of the most accessible active glaciers on the continent. Plan carefully for 2025: Many Glacier access has changed.
The Reward
Grinnell Lake's water is the color of a swimming pool — a deep, electric turquoise fed by glacial melt. Above it, Grinnell Glacier clings to a cirque below the Continental Divide. Mountain goats pick across the cliffs. Bighorn sheep graze the meadows. The glacier itself is receding fast — every year you wait is a year less ice.
Trail Snapshot
Distance: 10.6 mi / 17.1 km round trip
Elevation Gain: +1,600 ft / +488 m
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trailhead: Many Glacier, Glacier National Park, MT
Best Season: July – September (snow often remains until late June)
The Route
The trail begins at the Many Glacier Hotel parking area, following the shore of Lake Josephine before climbing steadily along a glacially carved valley. Key waypoints:
- Grinnell Lake shore (approx. mile 2.5): The first long view of the turquoise water below
- Grinnell Falls (approx. mile 3.5): A powerful cascade mid-slope; stop and look back at Lake Josephine
- Upper Grinnell Lake (approx. mile 5.3): Edge of the glacier — floating icebergs are possible in summer
Boat shortcut option: Glacier Park Boat Company operates scenic boat tours on Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes that shorten the hike by approximately 4 miles round trip. Reserve in advance — boats fill quickly in July and August.
2025 Access Alert — READ BEFORE YOU GO
Major construction in the Swiftcurrent area means Many Glacier is not a normal drive-in destination this summer:
- July 1 – September 21, 2025: No personal vehicle access without a shuttle ticket, lodging reservation, or commercial tour reservation
- Hiker shuttle runs from temporary roadside lots along Many Glacier Road to Many Glacier Hotel (15–30 min ride)
- Reserve on Recreation.gov: Shuttle tickets release 7 days in advance at 8 a.m. and the night before at 7 p.m. — 120 groups/day, limited by parking
- Valid park entry pass required per vehicle boarding the shuttle ($35 / 7-day vehicle pass, or Annual/Interagency Pass)
- Detours around the construction zone may add up to 1 extra mile each way
- Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Many Glacier Campground are closed through mid-May 2026 — no drive-up camping available
Source: NPS press release, January 2025
Camping & Permits
- Backcountry camping requires a Wilderness Use Permit from Glacier NP — book through Recreation.gov or pick up same-day/first-come at a Backcountry Ranger Station
- Designated backcountry sites near Grinnell include camps on the Highline and surrounding trails — check availability early; popular dates book out months in advance
- Front-country camping: Many Glacier Campground is closed through mid-May 2026 due to construction; the nearest alternatives are St. Mary Campground and other Glacier NP campgrounds — reserve at Recreation.gov
Photo Spots
- Many Glacier viewpoint (trailhead area): Grinnell Point rising over Swiftcurrent Lake at golden hour — best at sunrise or late evening
- Grinnell Lake shoreline (~mile 2.5): Kneel at the water's edge for that turquoise reflection shot — early morning light is clearest
- Upper glacier overlook (~mile 5.3): Wide-angle view of the glacier and surrounding peaks; if you're there in early July, look for icebergs in the upper lake
- Grinnell Falls (~mile 3.5): Vertical framing with switchbacks in the background
Trail Stats at a Glance
Practical Info
| Trailhead | Many Glacier Hotel upper parking lot (2025: via shuttle) |
| Entry Fee | $35 per vehicle / 7 days (or Annual / Interagency Pass) |
| Shuttle Booking | Recreation.gov |
| Trail Status | nps.gov/glac — check before you go |
| Wildlife | Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, black bears — carry bear spray |
| Water | Treat all water sources; bring 2–3 liters minimum |
| Difficulty Note | Sustained moderate grades; no technical scrambling; exposure to afternoon thunderstorms above treeline |
Stats sourced from AllTrails and trail descriptions via NPS Glacier. 2025 access details per NPS official press release.
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