Grinnell Glacier Trail

The Grinnell Glacier Trail is 17.96 km round trip with 626 m of climbing, which puts it firmly in the difficult category. The route is long, mostly exposed, and gains substantial elevation on the way to the Grinnell Glacier viewpoint above the Many Glacier area.

Most hikers should plan on a full outing for the Grinnell Glacier Trail because the route is nearly 18 km with 626 m of ascent. A typical pace for a difficult mountain hike of this length is around 5 to 7 hours, and extra time is common for photo stops around Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake Josephine, and the glacier viewpoint.

The Grinnell Glacier Trail starts in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park at the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead. Parking is in the Many Glacier valley, but this is one of the park’s busiest trailheads and spaces fill early; seasonal access restrictions and shuttle operations in Many Glacier can also affect private vehicle access.

Yes. The standard hike from the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead is about 8 km one way, but boat service across the Many Glacier lakes can drop hikers about 2.1 km closer to the viewpoint. That reduces the hiking distance and trims some of the effort, though the climb to the upper viewpoint is still steep and strenuous.

The best window for the Grinnell Glacier Trail is usually late July through early September. In Glacier National Park, the full trail to Grinnell Glacier often does not open until mid to late July because higher sections can hold snow well into summer, and late August to early September is often best for clearer glacier views after seasonal snow has melted back.

No. Pets are not allowed on trails in Glacier National Park, so dogs cannot go on the Grinnell Glacier Trail. Only trained service animals are permitted under park rules.

The Grinnell Glacier Trail is usually better for strong, experienced hikers than for beginners. At 17.96 km with 626 m of elevation gain, it is a difficult route, and the park notes that hikers need to be alert around steep drop-offs, water, and wildlife, so it is not an easy family walk.