How to Hike to Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park
The Grinnell Glacier Hike in Glacier National Park was one of our favorite hikes in the park, with stunning views and awesome glacial lakes. Read this post to learn all about the Grinnell Glacier hike, including how to get there, park reservations, our best tips, what to expect along the Grinnell Glacier trail, and more!
Non-stop gorgeous scenery filled with dramatic mountain backdrops, electric blue glacial lakes, waterfalls, wildlife, and glaciers…that pretty much sums up the Grinnell Glacier hike in Glacier National Park!
The hike to Grinnell Glacier was definitely one of our favorite hikes in Glacier National Park, even (narrowly) beating out the more famous Highline Trail. It’s a moderate hike with a high “big-bang-for-your-buck” factor. Though it is a double- digit hike in terms of mileage, the elevation gain is very gradual, and let’s be honest, you’re going to be too distracted from all the views to really ever notice it. In fact, we bet you’ll be wishing the trail was even longer because you won’t ever want it to end! Yes, it’s that good.
Plus, you’ll get up close views of two of the parks few remaining glaciers, a number that is sadly, and quickly, shrinking every year. Learn more about that here.
Want to know more about this amazing hike? You’ve come to the right place!
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Grinnell Glacier hike in Glacier National Park, including how to get there, what park reservations you need, what to bring, and exactly what to expect on the Grinnell Glacier trail.
So, let’s get right to it!
In this Grinnell Glacier hiking guide:
Where is the Trailhead for the Grinnell Glacier Hike?
The Grinnell Glacier hike is located in the Many Glacier section of Glacier National Park. This is a region on the east side of the park that is completely separate from the famous Going to the Sun Road.
From the St. Mary’s entrance on the eastern end of the Going to the Sun Road, the Many Glacier entrance lies just over 8 miles north along route 89, at the town of Babb. The road into Many Glacier is about 12 miles long but it’s just about the best scenery you can get from the comfort of your car!
Views from the road on the way to the Grinnell Glacier hike!
However, as of 2023, reservations are required for accessing Many Glacier at certain times of the year and certain times of day, adding a layer of complication to being able to do the Grinnell Glacier hike. So let’s get into that now…
Reservations for Many Glacier
Reservations for the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park are required between July 1st and September 10th, between 6 am and 3 pm.
These reservations have to be made in advance (not at the park!) on recreation.gov and cost $2 each. They are good for one day in Many Glacier.
There are two important reservation windows to be aware of when trying get to Many Glacier to do the Grinnell Glacier hike:
One set of reservations are released about 120 days (four months) in advance in block fashion.
March 1st, 8 am MST: All July dates are released for reservation
April 1st, 8 am MST: All August dates are released for reservation
May 1st, 8 am MST: September 1-10th dates are released for reservation
A portion of reservations are released 24 hours in advance (8 am MST the day before you want to go to Many Glacier)
Can I hike to Grinnell Glacier without a reservation?
Glacier National Park reservations of any kind are notoriously hard to get. So, what if you weren’t able to get reservations to Many Glacier? Well, not all hope is lost. There are still ways you can hike to Grinnell Glacier without the reservation!
Like we said above, Many Glacier reservations are only needed from July 1st, to September 10th, so outside of these dates, you can do the Grinnell Glacier hike without a Many Glacier reservation. That said, it’s a bit risky to plan your hike outside of these dates because snow on the trails and roads can linger well into June (and sometimes July!) and can start in early September…it really just depends on the year! So if you’re going this route, keep your fingers crossed for good weather!
Another good thing is that during reservation season, reservations are only needed between the hours of 6 am and 3 pm…meaning if you get to the park earlier or later, you don’t need a reservation! Getting to the park early is always a good thing to avoid crowds and a get a head start. But if you’re not an early bird, the Grinnell Glacier hike is easy enough that you can get started after 3 pm (but not too much later!) and still be ok to finish before dark (but pack a head lamp just in case!), especially if you’re there mid-summer when the sun doesn’t set until 10 pm!
Finally, another way you can hike to Grinnell Glacier without getting a reservation is if you have reservations for some other service within the Many Glacier area, including lodging, camping, or a tour service. You can show the entry gate your service reservation in lieu of a Many Glacier reservation, and it’s good for the number of days your service is for.
Do You Need a Permit for the Grinnell Glacier Hike?
There is no specific permit to hike to Grinnell Glacier!
Just remember that you might need the Many Glacier reservation to drive the road to get to the Grinnell Glacier trailhead, depending on when you plan to hike.
And keep in mind that this reservation is in addition to the Glacier National Park pass that is required to enter the park in general. This pass costs $35 per car and lasts for 7 consecutive days. It can be bought at the park or online.
How to Get to the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead
Ok, so you got your reservation and you’re ready to go! But where is the Grinnell Glacier trailhead?
Head down the road into Many Glacier…as you drive further in, you can see your destination on the Grinnell Glacier trail from the road! Get excited!
View from the road of the Salamander Glacier, which sits just above Upper Grinnell Lake - your final destination on the Grinnell Glacier hike!
As you near the end of the road into Many Glacier, the trailhead parking lot for the Grinnell Glacier hike will be on your left, clearly marked with a sign (it’s just before the Many Glacier campground).
The small loop lot fills up fairly quickly early in the morning due to the popularity of this hike, so get there early. If full, you can park along the roadside and walk to the Grinnell Glacier trailhead. To give you an idea, we got there around 9 am and had to park just a short walk down the road.
How Long is the Hike to Grinnell Glacier?
Here are some stats for the Grinnell Glacier hike:
Distance: 10.6 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1600 feet
Trail type: Out and back
How hard is the hike to Grinnell Glacier?
The Grinnell Glacier hike is not too difficult. We would rate it as moderate solely on account of the distance. It’s an easy- to- follow trail and very popular, so it would be very hard to loose your way. And it has a gradual elevation gain, so it’s never that steep in any one place.
There are some narrow cliffside sections along the Grinnell Glacier hike to be aware of, though. They are very brief and we think not too bad. We’ll show you what those look like below when we talk about our experience on the Grinnell Glacier hike to help you gauge whether it’s something you can handle (we think you can!...they really aren’t too bad).
Map of the Grinnell Glacier hike in Glacier National Park
This map of the Grinnell Glacier hike in Glacier National Park was taken from the National Park Service. We’ve highlighted the Grinnell Glacier trail for your reference.
The Grinnell Glacier Hike in Glacier National Park: An Overview
The Grinnell Glacier hike starts off pretty easy as a flat walk along the side of both Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes. These are very scenic lakes with gorgeous backdrops that provide several awesome photo ops as you hike around the perimeter. These are the lakes that you can pay to take a boat across in order to reduce the hike a bit if you wanted, but we thought the hiking here was easy enough!
Hiking around Swiftcurrent Lake on the Grinnell Glacier hike
At the Lake Josephine boat dock along the Grinnell Glacier hike
Gorgeous, right?! It only gets better from here…
Once you get past the second lake, the Grinnell Glacier trail begins its gradual climb to the glacier, rising slowly out of the valley and carving its way along the sides of the mountains, with views to your left the whole time. From here, it’s pretty much a straight shot to the glacier. There’s no switchbacking on this trail, and you can pretty much keep your destination in view the entire time.
The Grinnell Glacier trail as it climbs out of the valley
Once a little bit further into the Grinnell Glacier hike, you will turn around a bend and Lower Grinnell Lake will come into view down in the valley below. At this point, we guarantee your jaw will drop… its electric blue water is out of this world. The entire scene kind of made me feel like I was staring out into a Bob Ross painting!
Look at this lake! This is the view of Lower Grinnell Lake from the Grinnell Glacier trail.
Seriously gorgeous. And it’s even better in person.
Thankfully, this lake stays in view for pretty much the rest of the hike. Ahead, you’ll see the gorgeous waterfall that feeds this lake.
Stunning views from the Grinnell Glacier hike
Overlooking Lower Grinnell Lake
The purple wildflowers were a beautiful contrast to the bright blue of the lake behind them.
Loving the wildflowers on the Grinnell Glacier hike!
As the Grinnell Glacier hike continues, you’ll continue to skirt alongside the mountains over the valley. For some very brief portions of the hike, it will be a bit rocky and have some steeper drop offs to your side. For those afraid of heights or who are a little less confident in their hiking ability, we will say that there are a few spots that might make you feel a bit uncomfortable… where the trail narrows a bit, or where the drop off seems a bit steep.
But we promise, they don’t last long – just put one foot in front of the other and you’ll be through it in no time! If people are coming from the other direction and you don’t feel like passing them on the outside, don’t be afraid to wait your turn and wait for the chance to hug the rock wall on the inside (the rock walls and I became very good friends on this Glacier National Park trip).
One of the brief rocky ledges on the hike to Grinnell Glacier. This was probably the worst of them!
The views over Lower Grinnell Lake are non-stop on the Grinnell Glacier hike!
Just above that beautiful waterfall that feeds Lower Grinnell Lake is your destination, and not surprisingly, it’s called Upper Grinnell Lake. You’ll continue to gradually climb your way higher, making your way through meadows and across edges until you eventually reach the side of the waterfall. From here, there’s just one final short climb up to Upper Grinnell Lake.
Some more ledges along the Grinnell Glacier hike
The beautiful views from the Grinnell Glacier trail
The end of the Grinnell Glacier hike lies just below that distant waterfall!
The final stretch of the Grinnell Glacier hike!
The views alone along the Grinnell Glacier trail could have been reason enough to make this trek, but once you crest the final climb and get your first glimpse of Upper Grinnell Lake, you will be awed once again.
The lake has a deep milky blue color, floating icebergs, and a cascading waterfall toppling from the hanging Salamander Glacier above.
Standing on the edge of Upper Grinnell Lake!
But here we want to give a little word of warning: do not expect to have the place all to yourself! There will be lots of people up here because the Grinnell Glacier hike has gotten pretty popular. But the good news is that the lake is so big you can snag your own little private area somewhere, especially if you walk just a little further out around the lake.
Crowds at Upper Grinnell Lake
Relaxing in front of the Salamander Glacier!
Grinnell Glacier itself sits on the far side of the lake, and with some rock hopping, you can make your way over to it. Most people don’t do this, so if you do, you’ll feel much more solitude. We were the only ones there!
Grinnell Glacier sitting on the far side of the lake
Rock hopping over to Grinnell Glacier
Wherever you end up, relax, eat some snacks, and just take in the views.
Looking back behind you, you get a nice birds-eye view of the valley you just trekked through and that was carved by the very glacier you are standing at now…pretty cool!
Looking back out over the Grinnell Glacier hike, with Josephine Lake in the distance
Once you’re content and ready to leave (trust us, you will never be), it’s time to retrace your steps and make your way back the way you came.
On the way back, even though you’re on the same trail, you get different views in the opposite direction that are just as beautiful…but don’t be too distracted by the beautiful scenery, and keep your eye out for some wildlife! Bighorn sheep frequent this area, and we were lucky enough to run into one right alongside the Grinnell Glacier trail.
You’ll get different views on the Grinnell Glacier hike as you head back out!
A bighorn sheep along the Grinnell Glacier trail!
Back at the trailhead, congratulate yourself on a job well done for finishing one of the best hikes in Glacier National Park!
Things to Know Before Hiking to Grinnell Glacier
Before you hit the trails, here’s some good information to know while hiking to Grinnell Glacier!
Be bear aware. Grizzly bears call Glacier National Park their home, and there are common sightings in the Many Glacier area. When you’re out on the Grinnell Glacier trail in Glacier National Park, use caution and commonsense. Good rules of thumb when hiking in bear country are to hike in a group, make frequent noise (at a reasonable level) through talking and/or use of a bear bell, and definitely carry bear spray and know how to use it as a last resort. Be aware out on the trails, and if you do see a bear in the wild, keep your distance!
When hiking, never leave food, or any scented items or garbage, unattended. Even items like sunscreen and toiletries can be an attractant. Practice strict leave no trace principles and pack out everything that you pack in (including trash)!
Check trail status. Before setting off on your hike to Grinnell Glacier, be sure to check trail status, as it could be closed due to bear activity or something else on any given day.
Check parking and road status. Check parking status in the Many Glacier area on the NPS site to gauge whether you can get a spot before you head to the Grinnell Glacier trailhead. Also check road status as well, as the road can be closed as any time for weather-related reasons, construction, or to reduce further congestion.
Get an early start. This helps you get parking and gives you plenty of time on the Grinnell Glacier trail. Getting a super early start will also help you avoid having to get a Many Glacier reservation!
Shuttles. While the popular Going to the Sun Road has a very handy and free shuttle system that can take you to various trailheads, this shuttle does not come to the Many Glacier area of the park. There is, however, a hiker’s shuttle that you can pay for if needed that has limited stops and frequency.
Remember to Leave No Trace. Pack out what you pack in, stay on trail, and leave the park and the trails better than you found them!
What to Pack for the Grinnell Glacier Hike
In addition to the usual hiking essentials, here are some things we would recommend specifically for the Grinnell Glacier hike:
A good pair of hiking boots for the oftentimes rocky terrain.
Layers/light rain coat or wind breaker for any changing weather.
Sunscreen/hat – the entire Grinnell Glacier trail is exposed to the sun above tree line so you’re gonna need these!
Water – and plenty of it! Pack at least three liters per person.
Snacks – and a trash bad to carry out your waste.
Bear spray/bear bell – just in case!
Where to Stay Near the Grinnell Glacier Hike
If you’re looking to stay right near the Grinnell Glacier trail, you do have a few options.
The epic Many Glacier hotel sits right next to the trailhead but likely needs to be booked out far in advance, up to a year out, and is pretty pricey.
Camping Near Many Glacier
There is a campground in the Many Glacier area of the park which can put you right next to the Grinnell Glacier hike, but these sites can be hard to get. All sites in this campground require a reservation during peak season from May to September. The reservations open up on recreation.gov 6 months in advance of the date you want (with a small number kept for reservations up to four days in advance). This is one of the most popular campgrounds in Glacier (given all the amazing hikes here!), so they often get booked up on the day they open (shortly after they are put up on recreation.gov), so it’s definitely important to have a back- up plan!
If you want to stay as close as you can to the Grinnell Glacier hike, there are a few places just outside of Many Glacier.
We stayed in a few campgrounds just outside of the park on the east side…Johnson’s RV park, and Chewing Blackbones. Both were simple, standard campsites. The RV park had showers and a laundromat, which were much needed for us at the time, and, if you get a tent site in Chewing Blackbones along the lake side, you’ll have your own private section of Lower St. Mary Lake to hang out on. These campgrounds weren’t crowded at all, and they weren’t too far of a drive from the Grinnell Glacier hike either!
Hikes Near the Grinnell Glacier Hike
What should you do after hiking to Grinnell Glacier?
Well, as stunning as the Grinnell Glacier hike is, the Many Glacier area in Glacier National Park has, arguably, the most beautiful hiking trails of the entire park, so there is still a ton of awesome views to be had! Some of the more popular trails include:
CRACKER LAKE - Check out our complete Cracker Lake hiking guide to learn about how to hike to this brilliantly blue glacier lake without the crowds.
ICEBERG LAKE - Read our Iceberg Lake hiking guide to learn about this popular but stunning hike through Many Glacier to an iceberg-filled lake that you can swim in!
And if you want to tick off some other awesome Glacier National Park hikes off your bucketlist, check out our other hiking guides:
HIGHLINE TRAIL - This is one of the most famous hikes in Glacier! Read our Highline Trail Hiking Guide to learn everything you need to know, including how to plan out the logistics of this point-to-point hike.
PITAMAKAN PASS- This is a great trail to escape the crowds in Glacier. Check out our complete Guide to the Pitamakan Pass Trail to learn everything you need to know!
GLACIER HIKING GUIDE- For all our favorite hikes in Glacier National Park, plus sample 1-4 day Glacier National Park itineraries, check out our Glacier Hiking Guide!
Is the Grinnell Glacier hike in Glacier National Park on your hiking bucket list? Have any questions? Let us know below!
