What are some good day hikes or maybe half day hikes to do in Glacier? Will be there with the wife and 2 kids ages 7 and 9. Will be tent camping each night. Im guessing any of the campgrounds are decent. Or are some better than others? Also what are the must see attractions? Thanks
Glacier NP Day Hikes and Campgrounds?
- Thread starter Dieseldog
- Start date
JEL
Well-known member
Avalanche Lake and Hidden Lake are nice hikes but crowded. Iceberg Lake is a good one. 3 miles each way and fairly moderate. The campgrounds get full very fast. You pretty much have to be there when people are pulling out especially on the west side.
I spend some time in Glacier, but not dog friendly, so I haven't done many trails. I took off on Ice Berg before sunrise and it was a great hike in (about 5 miles). I never saw another person until I came out and must have run into more than 100 folks on their way up the hill. About 10% had bells on their boots and were nearly bludgeoned to death by my trekking pole. Hidden Lake is pretty short and I always find goats up there (and is the plan again in a few days). As mentioned, tons of people, but I am usually one of the first vehicles in the parking lot. Snap pics of rams near the lot and then head up the mountain.
Hi-line trail looks cool, but I can't go that long with dog back at the pick-up. I do know, if I hike it, it will be from the top down. I picked up a couple from CA that hike bottom to top and missed the bus. She was about in tears, so I gave them a ride back the way I had come.
Lots of other hikes that might be just as good or better, but I don't have that experience.
If you have time, cross the border and hit the Crypt Trail in Waterton National Park (Canada). Best one I have every been on. Downside this year is many of the roads are closed due to last years fires. Waterton is a cool spot and camping should not be an issue this year.
Hi-line trail looks cool, but I can't go that long with dog back at the pick-up. I do know, if I hike it, it will be from the top down. I picked up a couple from CA that hike bottom to top and missed the bus. She was about in tears, so I gave them a ride back the way I had come.
Lots of other hikes that might be just as good or better, but I don't have that experience.
If you have time, cross the border and hit the Crypt Trail in Waterton National Park (Canada). Best one I have every been on. Downside this year is many of the roads are closed due to last years fires. Waterton is a cool spot and camping should not be an issue this year.
Ben Long
Well-known member
I always point people toward Two Medicine. Lose some of the crowds. Great hikes, good fishing and good wildlife watching and scenery. Flat hikes tend to be more kid friendly. You can hike around the lake, then take the tour boat home if the kids give out. Have fun. Get an early start to beat the crowds.
406LIFE
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- Aug 18, 2016
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Anything on Eastside of park will be far less crowded. I like grinnell lake and st Mary's fall. Of you go to the northwest part any of those lakes over there have some good hiking.
Really depends on what you could do with the kids. I wouldn't do highline with them. Avalanche and hidden are good for them.
Really depends on what you could do with the kids. I wouldn't do highline with them. Avalanche and hidden are good for them.
Swiftcurrent, Josephine fun walk/hike with boat tour options and the best lodge, Many Glacier. Fun building to wander.
Route through the going to the sun road starting from West to the East. Enjoy your time on the East side and if you have passports for wife and yourself, U.S. children under 16 not required though must have birth certificates - go play in goat Haunt via Waterton Canada.
Route through the going to the sun road starting from West to the East. Enjoy your time on the East side and if you have passports for wife and yourself, U.S. children under 16 not required though must have birth certificates - go play in goat Haunt via Waterton Canada.
If you have a good vehicle check out Bowman or Kintla Lakes, both have 7-8 camping sites and day uses spots. A canoe or kayak would provide some good fishing and you will have to get a boat inspection at Apgar. The road is very rough, it’s more backcountry area on the Polebridge side. I would not recommend Trout Lake for kids. It can be very buggy up there, so heavy repellent is a must. Enjoy your vacation.
Nameless Range
Well-known member
A couple summer ago I did a 20 mile day hike from the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn to the top of Swiftcurrent Peak and back down.Not something you'd want to do with young kids , but you could do the first mile or two of it.
-Park at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and hike up the Swiftcurrent Trail. In the first 500 yards you walk along Fishercap Lake. Less than a mile later you hit RedRock Lake and Red Rock Falls, which the kids would dig. If you were still feeling good you could walk another mile and a half to Bullhead Lake, and see the headwall of Swiftcurrent Pass. It's all stunning and very moosey and pretty much flat.
-Park at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and hike up the Swiftcurrent Trail. In the first 500 yards you walk along Fishercap Lake. Less than a mile later you hit RedRock Lake and Red Rock Falls, which the kids would dig. If you were still feeling good you could walk another mile and a half to Bullhead Lake, and see the headwall of Swiftcurrent Pass. It's all stunning and very moosey and pretty much flat.
