Glacier NP – Many Glacier Area
Located on the east side of Glacier National Park, north of Going-to-the-Sun Road, this area of the park is known for stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and the historic Many Glacier Hotel.
This year (2025) the area is undergoing construction and is limiting guest access. Which makes it a lot more pleasurable to explore due to significantly fewer people; but at the same time, very difficult to get into. You either have to have a commercial reservation (boat, hotel, horseback riding) or you’re one of the lucky one’s who obtains a timed entry hiker shuttle ticket.
The Road to Many Glacier
As we enter the Many Glacier area, we quickly begin to see why this location is known for its stunning scenery.
Historic Many Glacier Hotel
Day 1 of exploring the Many Glacier area we gain access through a boat reservation with Glacier Park Boat Company. This gives us the ability to drive all the way to the hotel and park in their lot.
The largest and grandest hotels in Glacier NP, this historic building was the showpiece of the Great Northern Railways park hotels. Built in 1915 most of the timber was logged nearby and milled on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake. It was built to resemble a Swiss chalet and if you’re lucky, you can catch site of one of the employees in traditional Lederhosen.
Swiftcurrent Lake
After working our way through the hotel, we exit the back doors to find the boat dock, Swiftcurrent Lake, and the incredible beauty beyond.
Once we check in for our boat, we have a lovely conversation with a couple from Tennessee who’s traveling almost the same route as us, but in the opposite direction. It is wonderful being able to share knowledge with them.
At this point, we begin to notice that all the employees including the men are wearing shirts with the name “Nicole”. Being curious, I ask the nearest one what’s up. It turns out that Nicole has been with the company for over seven years and has so many shirts, that one day each season is dedicated as “Nicole” day in order to honor her. Everyone wears one of her shirts and answers to “Nicole” for the day.
Lake Josephine
The boat takes us across Swiftcurrent Lake, where we then walk 1/4 mile to get to another boat on Lake Josephine. This one traverses the length of the lake and drops us at the southeast corner to pick up the Grinnell Glacier trail.
Emerging from the woods to see the docked boat on Lake Josephine Lake Josephine reflecting Grinnell Point View across Lake Josephine View down Lake Josephine from the bow Grinnell Glacier & Grinnel Falls from the boat View of Lake Josehine from above View over the bow toward the short trail leading to Swifturrent Lake
We could have walked here from the hotel, and many people do; but in addition to giving us easy access to the area during construction, it also knocks 4 miles off this difficult hike.
Grinnell Glacier Trail
At ~8 miles from the boat dock on Lake Josephine and 2,000 plus feet of elevation gain through waterfalls, old rock slides, and narrow, slippery paths along steep cliffs, this trail is no joke. But, the prize is definitely worth the effort.
Cataract Creek
After leaving the boat we follow the trail over Cataract Creek
Ascending the Trail
As we head up the trail, we stop frequently to take pictures, catch our breath, and give our muscles a break.
Hikers heading up the trail just above Lake Josephine Grinnell Lake & Glacier in the distance Getting closer Interesting geology to right of trail Waterfall streaming across the trail Waterfall just above the trail Narrow, slippery path through a very cold waterfall Traversing a rock ledge Trail skirting the cliff Long view of the trail just above Grinnell Falls Trail with view of Grinnell Falls & Glacier There’s still a good way to go
Grinnell Lake
We showed a glimpse of Grinnell Lake in the pics above; but it’s so stunning it deserves it’s own section.
The incredible color of the water comes from the rock flour transported to the lake from Grinnell Glacier further up the mountain.
Grinnell Falls
This stunning waterfall has several major drops totaling 960 feet. The major one is estimated at 280 feet in height. I broke down what we could see into four tiers to give an idea of just how extensive this waterfall is.
Surprise just before Grinnell Glacier
Just before we pop over the ridge and get our first really good view of the glacier, we see a couple of Big Horn Sheep on the trail ahead. And one of them is nice enough to pose directly in front of Salamander Falls.
Grinnell Glacier
Once we get past the Big Horn Sheep, we go up and over the ridge to get our first look at Upper Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Glacier.
As we get closer, the glaciers and lake come into full view. Grinnell Glacier is the large one on the lower left, Gem Glacier is the small glacier on the top left, and Salamander Glacier is the one toward the center of the picture midway up the wall as well as extending to the right.
Big Horn Sheep
On the way back up the trail from lakeside, the sheep come out of the bushes just in front of me, allowing for some incredible pictures as they munch on the foliage.
Then to my surprise, they start walking directly toward me. So I get out of their way and am able to get pictures as they head down to the lake for a drink.
Descending the Trail
After enjoying our “lunch” (protein bars) at the glaciers, we head back down the trail. We’re very surprised by how many people are still coming up. But the weather is perfect, and then we remember the limited and timed access to this area of the park. So, I guess you take what you can get. At least the trail is fully open today, most of it was still closed as of last week.
Dockside
As we reach the boat dock, we’re told that we’ve just missed a couple of grizzly bears across the lake. We’re a little disappointed; but are still satisfied with the day. Then, a few minutes later… there they are! A sow and her cub. They proceed to play fight with each other, even rising up on their hind legs, as we stand and watch them. Neither of us capture this interaction; but we do get them on video further down the lake.
Here’s a few still photo’s from that video. Warning, they’re not good quality. If you prefer to watch the raw video, you can do so by clicking here to watch it on our YouTube channel.
Our boat trip back to Many Glacier Hotel goes smoothly with another glimpse of the grizzlies heading up the bank toward a group of hikers on the trail above.
Once back at the hotel, we head up to the lounge to get our first real meal for the day. And it is delicious!
What an incredible day! We can definitely understand why this trail is ranked the second best trail in Montana.
Swiftcurrent Lake
Day 2 exploring the Many Glacier Area begins with the 7am hiker shuttle. The shuttle drops us off at the hotel and we head out back to take pictures of Swiftcurrent Lake and eat the breakfast we brought with us. I know we took this same picture on Day 1; but on the way in, we notice how calm the lake water is this morning, and figure the reflections would be incredible. You decide…
Swiftcurrent Falls
Next we head down the short Swiftcurrent Falls trail. Most visitors see the top of the falls from the road…
…and think that’s all there is; but the short trail takes you downstream where you can see the multiple tiers in their full glory. See a video of the full waterfall by clicking here.
What an incredible hidden gem!
Swiftcurrent Lake Trail
Next, we head over to the small portion of the Swiftcurrent Lake Trail that’s still open so we can see a different view of the lake and hotel.
Swiftcurrent Lake looking southwest.
Lakes Loop Trail
After passing along the backside of the hotel, we decide to walk the trails we missed by taking the boat on Day 1. I call this the Lakes Loop Trail because we head down the south side of Swiftcurrent Lake, then walk completely around Lake Josephine before rejoining the Swiftcurrent Lake Trail heading back to the hotel.
The goal is to see wildlife; but unfortunately we didn’t see animals. However, we did see some really incredible views.
Swiftcurrent Lake Trail
North Shore Josephine Lake Trail
South Shore Josephine Lake Trail
It’s been another wonderful day in Many Glacier and it’s now time to get on the hiker shuttle and head home.
Grinnell Lake & Hidden Falls Trail
Day 3 we gain access via another boat reservation, and today everyone is wearing their own shirts. Once the boat docks at the end of Lake Josephine, this time we head down the other trail to Hidden Falls & Grinnell Lake .
Trail
We’re the first boat of the morning, so there’s only a few very early risers in front of us who walked here from the hotel. The forest is very quiet, peaceful and along the way we get several views of Cataract Creek. We even have the opportunity to cross it via a swinging bridge.
Hidden Falls
Our first stop on the trail is Hidden Falls. The total drop of these falls is estimated to be 1,035 feet; but the visible portion is only 230 feet high. No need to wonder why it’s named “Hidden Falls.”
Grinnell Lake
After leaving Hidden Falls and crossing the swinging bridge, it’s just a short walk to Grinnell Lake; which seems to just appear after turning the final curve in the trail.
Lakeside, the mountain reflections are a sight to see; but the intense blue of the lake seen from above is absent.
It’s so peaceful and incredibly beautiful here that we find a log to sit on and just take it all in. Which is how we manage to spot the moose moving high on the hill above the lake.
Leaving Swiftcurrent Lake
It’s now time to head to our last hike in this area. But, along the way we can’t help but stop to take a few more pictures.
Apikuni Falls Trail
This 1.8 mile, 705 ft elevation hike leads to an incredible 160 foot drop waterfall. And if you’re adventurous, you can scramble your way to the very base of these falls to hear and feel the intense force of the water hitting the rocks.
Trail
The trail goes straight up the side of the mountain through the forest provides incredible views.
Falls
Our first view of the falls comes through a break in the trees. Then as we get closer, we begin to see that in addition to the main drop, there are several smaller drops that can be seen along the trail.
The trail seems to end here at Tier 4, where there’s a small rock wall with a sheer wall of rock to the right. However, there is more trail beyond this point if you’re willing to do a little rock crawling up and over the sheer wall, and boy is it worth it!
To experience the full force of the upper tiers for yourself, click here for the video.
During our few days in the area, we heard many of the park employees refer to Many Glacier as one of the most beautiful places on earth. And after spending time here, we have to agree. We are definitely sad to be leaving. But, there’s still so much of the park to explore.
Next stop… Glacier NP – Two Medicine Area
