Avalanche Lake Trail: One of the Best Hikes in Glacier National Park

21 Aug Avalanche Lake Trail: One of the Best Hikes in Glacier National Park

Posted at 16:58h in Montana, U.S.A., West by Alaina Thomas 0 Comments

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Looking for a hike in Glacier National Park that leads to a lake of green and turquoise-colored waters with mountains just beyond the shore? Well, look no further than the Avalanche Lake Trail. Moreover, the trail is considered to be one of the best hikes (if not THE best hike) in all of Glacier National Park. Do not believe me? Then just look at the rankings for hikes within Glacier on All Trails.

I highly recommend you add Avalanche Lake to your itinerary, no matter whether you only have a couple of days or an entire week in the park. Still not convinced? It is considered to be only a moderate trail since it has less than 1,000 feet (~300 meters) in elevation gain in under six miles (~9.7 kilometers).

Keep reading below to find out more information on Glacier National Park as well as specific trail information for Avalanche Lake.

1) General Glacier National Park Information

Glacier National Park, also known as the Crown of the Continent, is one of the most beautiful and desirable national parks in the US. Just about every time I see a friend post on social media when they return from Glacier, they claim it as their new favorite national park. Scroll through some pictures on Google (or visit for yourself), and you are sure to understand why. The park is full of magnificent (and challenging) hiking trails, lakes with crystal clear or turquoise blue water, a vast variety of wildlife, and so much more. If Glacier is not already on your travel bucket list, you need to add it immediately. Then bump it up somewhere near the top of the list.

For a fun fact, Glacier National Park in the US and Waterton National Park in Canada came together to form the first international peace park. The scenery of each national park does not end at the border, but instead the unique beauty of the parks transcend between countries. Moreover, the wildlife, for example bears, moose, and elk, call both of the parks home as they roam back and forth across the border.

Where is Glacier Located?

Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana, just under 30 minutes south from the Canadian border. The park can therefore be a bit difficult to access due to its location. There is no nearby, convenient airport like there is in Jackson Hole for Grand Teton. Instead, the closest airports are the Kalispell City Airport at two hours southwest, the Great Falls International Airport at three hours southeast, and the Missoula Montana Airport at three and a half hours southwest. (I used Logan Pass as a calculation for the time from each airport to the park, but be aware the driving distance can be longer or shorter depending on your final destination in Glacier.)

Standing on a log along the shore at Avalanche Lake

What Sections of Glacier are Visited the Most?

Honestly, some places online say there are five sections in Glacier National park while others say there are nine sections, etc. It is all a bit relative, for you can split up the park in a few different ways. My favorite way to split up the park is into five sections: (1) Two Medicine (2) Many Glacier (3) Going to the Sun Road (4) North Fork (5) Goat Haunt. I might be a bit biased, but I think looking at the park with five sections is the easiest way to comprehend it.

First, the Going to the Sun Road spans from the eastern to the western side of the park. This is the section that people often break down into more sections. For example, there is the town of St. Mary at the eastern edge, Rising Sun just 15 minutes west from there, Logan Pass near the middle, Lake McDonald near the western edge, and Apgar Village also near the western edge. Moreover, this is the busiest and most popular section of the park, especially around Logan Pass. Along the Going to the Sun Road you can find attractions such as Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, Highline Trail, and of course the Avalanche Lake Trail.

Second, Many Glacier is located in the eastern section of the park, just a bit north of the Going to the Sun Road. This section is fairly popular, for it is where you can access the trailhead to one of the park’s most popular trails: Grinnell Glacier. Another trail that has less hype but just as gorgeous of views is Iceberg Lake.

What Sections of Glacier are Visited the Least?

Third, Two Medicine is located in the southeastern corner of the park. Due to its location, it is not as crowded as the other sections. People will often completely skip visiting this area if they only have a day or two inside the park. I would agree that you should skip this area if you are limited on time. On the other hand, check out the Running Eagle Falls Trail and the South Shore Trail to Paradise Point if you have time to stop here.

Fourth, North Fork is located in the western section of the park. It is just north of the Going to the Sun Road. However, North Fork is not as popular of an area due to the fact it is more difficult to access. If you do make it up that way, I recommend you at least hike to Bowman Lake.

Fifth, Goat Haunt is located in the northern section of the park. Actually, it is right along the Canadian border. This is the least accessed area of the park due to the fact you have only two options to reach it. First, you can go on an overnight backpacking trip from Glacier. Second, you can take a scenic cruise from Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada.

This map was created with Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

When is Glacier National Park Open?

Time for some good news! Glacier National Park is open to visitors 24/7, every single day of the year. However, do not get too excited just yet. Due to its location in northern Montana, it can receive a lot of snow in the winter. That being said, a lot of the roads within the park close for the winter season. They normally start to close roads beginning in the late fall. Nevertheless, the one road that (usually) remains open the entire year and is plowed by park officials is the portion of the Going to the Sun Road from West Glacier to Lake McDonald Lodge.

While this is not a large section of the park, it is still better than nothing. Maybe you can only visit during the winter. Or maybe you love the snow and want to take advantage of some winter skiing or snowshoeing.

I started with some good news, but now time for some bad news. If you visit in the winter, you will not be able to drive to the Avalanche Lake Trail since the road leading up to it will be closed.

How Much is an Entrance Pass for Glacier?

First, you MUST have a valid entrance pass to enter Glacier National Park. Similar to almost every other national park in the US, Glacier requires you to obtain an entrance pass to access the park. The pass is $35 per private vehicle. See the nps.gov Glacier webpage for more information on the fees for other vehicle types, for example a motorcycle. As a bonus, they now offer the option of purchasing digital passes in addition to physical passes offered at the entrance stations and visitor centers.

Furthermore, do not think that you can sneak into the park without an entrance pass if you enter around 5am and there is no one at the entrance station. No matter when or where you enter the park, you are required to pay the entrance fee. If no one is at the entrance station, there will be a sign with information on how to pay the fee. Think about it this way – you are paying to help protect and preserve the park for years to come.

On the other hand, you can purchase an annual park pass for $80. I definitely recommend you buy this pass if you plan to visit three or more national parks within one year. For example, maybe you also have a trip planned to Zion National Park to hike Angels Landing or to Acadia National Park to watch the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain. Buying this pass can save you a lot of money in the long run.

What is the Vehicle Reservation System for Glacier?

Second, you also MUST have a vehicle reservation to access most of the sections of Glacier National Park between 6am and 3pm from around the end of May to the middle of September. The four sections of Glacier that require a separate vehicle reservation are North Fork, Two Medicine, Many Glacier, and Going to the Sun Road. You cannot just purchase one vehicle reservation and be good to go for all areas of the park. Nope. Instead, you have to purchase a separate reservation for each area, though they are only $2 each. For example, you will need to purchase a Going to the Sun Road vehicle reservation for the Avalanche Lake Trail. Check out the nps.gov Glacier webpage for more information on vehicle reservations and the exact dates they are required for each area of the park.

I know, this sounds like a lot. But the park is doing what they can to protect the area for many years to come. They want people to be able to visit tomorrow as well as 50 to 100 years from now.

Walking along the Avalanche Lake Trail through the forest

2) Location of Avalanche Lake Trail

Where is the Avalanche Lake Trail located? In what section of Glacier National Park is the Avalanche Lake Trail?

The trailhead for Avalanche Lake is located along the Going to the Sun Road. More specifically, it is near the western side of Glacier National Park. It is about 10 minutes east from Lake McDonald or 30 minutes west from Logan Pass.

The unique thing about the Avalanche Lake Trail is that it actually starts along the Trail of the Cedars. I will detail more information in section four below, but just know that you have to hike along the Trail of the Cedars to reach the official Avalanche Lake Trailhead. That being said, you begin hiking at the same location for both the Trail of the Cedars and the Avalanche Lake Trail.

Keep in mind that cell service is not the best near the Avalanche Lake Trail or in Glacier National Park in general. I recommend that you download an offline version of the national park on Google Maps.

Parking at the Avalanche Lake Trailhead

Let me start off by saying that parking is not always easy for the Avalanche Lake Trail. As mentioned above, the Trail of the Cedars is also located here. That means the parking is for both the Trail of the Cedars and the Avalanche Lake Trail. The parking area is not large to begin with. Now you also have to compete with hikers coming to the area for two different trails. As a note, there is a sign for the Trail of the Cedars as well as Avalanche Lake Trail right by the parking area. That is how you know you are in the right place.

There is one main parking area right by the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trailhead. However, is it more of a parking pull-off rather than an entire lot. We arrived here around 8am in August and grabbed one of the last available spots. There were a few cars behind us, and they quickly parked in the remaining spots.

There are another two small parking pull-off areas to the west of the main parking area by the trailhead. However, these parking areas are even smaller.

Sitting on a log along the shore of Avalanche Lake

Cars were circling the area, including the main parking area as well as the additional areas, when we finished the hike around 11am. Since all of the parking areas are just pull-offs, you have to do u-turns somewhere further down the road to turn around and try again.

Therefore, I recommend you arrive at the parking area by the trailhead no later than 8am to ensure you can find a spot easily and quickly. Otherwise, I recommend you wait until after 4pm. Your other option is to park by the Apgar Visitor Center and take the park shuttle.

Camping and Lodging near Avalanche Lake

First and foremost, there is no overnight camping allowed on the Avalanche Lake Trail. Instead, the Avalanche Campground is located right beside the trail. A great way to avoid the whole parking situation (aka parking chaos) is to camp in the Avalanche Campground and then just walk to the trail in the morning.

The next closest campground is the Sprague Creek Campground just 12 minutes down the road by Lake McDonald.

Maybe you want something more luxurious than a campground. Then look into lodging options in the town of West Glacier. For example, Paddle Ridge is a cottage with a private trout pond, full kitchen, fireplace, covered patio, and more.

Walking along the logs at the first viewpoint of Avalanche Lake

3) Best Time to Hike

When is the best time to hike the Avalanche Lake Trail?

As mentioned above, parking for the Avalanche Lake Trail can be quite challenging to say the least. Moreover, hiking in the hot midday or afternoon sun is generally not preferred.

Therefore, the best time to begin hiking is before 8am or after 4pm. You have a better chance of finding parking at those times. Additionally, you likely can enjoy more moderate temperatures. There is some elevation gain on the trail, so you will be sweating otherwise. Trust me.

Furthermore, be aware that the hike takes an average hiker two and a half hours to complete. Plan accordingly so that you are not hiking back in the dark. Do not forget, this is grizzly territory.

When is the Best Season to Hike the Avalanche Lake Trail?

As mentioned above, the majority of the Going to the Sun Road is closed during the winter season, including the portion with access to the Avalanche Lake Trailhead. You therefore cannot access it in the winter months when the road is closed.

All of that being said, the best seasons to hike to Avalanche Lake are summer and fall. Snow can linger in Glacier National Park and specifically on the Going to the Sun Road well into the spring months. Your best bet at a snow-free trail is thus anytime from around June or July through September.

View of Avalanche Lake from the logs

4) Trail Directions

How do I reach the trailhead for Avalanche Lake? Is the trailhead for Avalanche Lake located along the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trailhead?

The trail directions for Avalanche Lake Trail are a bit more complicated than other trails in Glacier. Why is this? Well, the trailhead for Avalanche Lake is located along the Trail of the Cedars. You have to reach the northern tip of the Trail to the Cedars loop to then arrive at the Avalanche Lake Trailhead. After that, the trail is quite easy to follow – just keep walking until you reach the lake.

Additionally, keep in mind that pets are not allowed on any of the trails within Glacier National Park.

Trail outline of Avalanche Lake on Google Maps

Step 1: Hike Along the Trail of the Cedars

To reach the Avalanche Lake Trailhead, you have to first hike along the Trail of the Cedars. The Trail of the Cedars is a 0.9 mile (~1.4 kilometer) loop with approximately 50 feet (~15 meters) in elevation gain. An average hiker can complete the trail in 20 minutes. It is considered to be an easy trail. Glacier National Park is full of other easy hiking trails, so be sure to add a few more to your itinerary.

If you start the Trail of the Cedars by the main parking area, then you will walk straight for a minute or two before coming to a fork in the path. I recommend you take the path branching to the left, for it is a much more scenic route as it passes through a forest with incredibly large trees. Moreover, there is a wooden boardwalk for the entire duration of the path on the left until you reach the Avalanche Lake Trailhead.

The path branching to the right immediately goes over a wooden plank bridge and then turns into a concrete path. It passes by a set of restrooms and an amphitheater. However, the scenery is not as nice compared to that on the trail branching left.

Nevertheless, the Trail of the Cedars is a loop trail with the Avalanche Lake Trailhead at its northern tip. You can thus hike one side of the loop on the way there and then the other side of the loop on the way back. Both sides of the loop have some informational signs on the forest. Additionally, the trail is fairly accessible and family friendly.

Wooden boardwalk along the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trailhead

Step 2: Begin the Avalanche Lake Trail

After about 0.5 miles (~0.8 kilometers), you will see a large sign for the Avalanche Lake Trail at the northern tip of the Trail of the Cedars loop. Stop here to look at a map of the trail if necessary. There is then another yet smaller sign for the Avalanche Lake Trail just a minute down the path past the larger sign. This sign will point you to the left in the direction of the lake since there is another fork in the path.

Map at the beginning of the Avalanche Lake Trail

Step 3: Hike Along the Avalanche Lake Trail

This is the easy part – keep hiking until you reach the lake! The main trail is pretty easy to follow as there are not really any other forks in the path past this point. The trail runs through a forest for the most part.

Near the beginning of the trail are some good views of the mountains on the left side. Take a second to look up from your feet and see the views to the side of you.

The trail then runs along the creek for a while. Moreover, there is even one section where the creek goes through a beautiful little canyon known as Avalanche Gorge. There are some small rapids and waterfalls within the canyon. There is even one area with a fence along the edge of the trail – this is a good place to stop and take in the views. The contrast of the bright blue water with the bright green grass and moss covering the canyon is something you do not want to miss.

Canyon with a creek along the Avalanche Lake Trail

Step 4: Arrive at the Lake

There is a sign for a pit toilet just before you reach the lake. This is the time to take care of business if necessary. Walk just another minute or so past the sign for the toilet to reach the edge of the lake. There is a trail leading to the water and a nice viewpoint area. Moreover, there are a bunch of logs here. Some were big enough for us to walk on. We thus made our way out along the logs so that we were over the water. It provided us with a unique view of the lake in addition to a bit of fun.

The trail then continues around the lake past this first viewpoint area. After just another minute or so down the trail, there is a side path leading to the water’s edge along the rocky shoreline. This is where most people end their hike. They walk out to the edge of the lake, take some pictures, and maybe sit down on a bench for a while.

Step 5: Hike Around the Lake

While most people stop hiking pretty soon after reaching the lake, you also have the option to continue. The main trail continues through the forest for around another 0.5 miles (~0.8 kilometers) to the southern edge of the lake. If you do decide to keep hiking, do not worry, for there are many more side trails leading to the water’s edge along the way.

On the other hand, you can choose to walk along the rocky shoreline towards the southern edge of the lake.

Walking on a log along the shore of Avalanche Lake

5) Trail Length, Distance, and Difficulty

Is the Avalanche Lake Trail family friendly? How long is the trail to Avalanche Lake?

The Avalanche Lake Trail is a 5.9 mile (9.5 kilometer) out and back trail with approximately 750 feet (~229 meters) in elevation gain. However, you can cut the trail down by one mile (~1.6 kilometers) by stopping at the first viewpoint of the lake and not hiking to the southern edge. The entire trail is considered to be a moderate trail. An average hiker can complete it in two and a half hours. Nevertheless, I recommend you plan for at least three and a half hours in your itinerary to hike to Avalanche Lake. You might want to stop along the trail to take a break and/or you might want to take a dip in the lake once you arrive.

We saw people of all ages hiking along the trail. For example, we saw people probably in their 50s or above, teenagers, and even parents carrying babies on their backs.

The Avalanche Lake Trail is mainly a dirt path with some loose gravel and larger rocks here and there. Watch your footing so that you do not twist an ankle.

How Challenging is the Avalanche Lake Trail?

The trail has a pretty steady elevation gain from the beginning (aka once you reach the official Avalanche Lake Trailhead). There are a few steeper sections here and there along the trail, but otherwise the elevation gain remains fairly moderate. Your quads might just be burning by the time you reach the lake. But hey, sometimes you have to work for the view. For some good news, there are a couple sections of the trail that even out. Yay for even ground! Though these do not last long, so appreciate them while you can.

Trees Down Along the Trail

While hiking along the Avalanche Lake Trail, you might see a couple (or a lot) of fallen trees. Just take a look at the picture below for an example. Some fallen trees are in the forest while others are right on the path. Thankfully the ones on the path have been cut open so that you can easily walk through them instead of over them.

This area has a lot of fallen trees due to avalanches in the wintertime. As the avalanches come down the mountain, they take trees down with them. I guess you can now imagine how the trail received its name!

Fallen tree split in two along the Avalanche Lake Trail

6) When You Reach Avalanche Lake

Is hiking to Avalanche Lake worth it?

Just look at the pictures throughout this post to understand why the hike is worth the views at the end. The water of the lake is a beautiful greenish and turquoise color. Moreover, you can sometimes see the mountains reflecting in the water based on the position of the sun. Honestly, this is one of the best hikes in all of Glacier National Park in terms of the difficulty of the hike for the views at the end (aka bang for your buck).

While there were a fair amount of people at the lake when we arrived, we did not feel crowded. The shore is fairly large and long, so you can spread out and find a more private spot. We were able to find a spot and take pictures with no one in the background. Additionally, there are log benches scattered along the shore.

To up the adventure, go for a swim in the lake. The water might be quite cold, but just think about the view instead. On the other hand, you can just choose to take off your socks and shoes to dip your feet in the water.

What are the Views Like at Avalanche Lake?

The mountain directly behind the lake is Bearhat Mountain. It looms 4,800 feet (~1,460 meters) over the lake. Moreover, Bearhat is the main mountain that can be seen reflecting in the lake’s water when conditions are just right. The mountain to the east of the lake is Little Matterhorn.

If you look closely at the mountains, you can also sometimes see waterfalls cascading down. The waterfalls are a result of the melting of Sperry Glacier, which rests at the top of the nearby mountains.

For waterfall-specific trails in Glacier National Park, head to Running Eagle Falls in Two Medicine or St. Mary and Virginia Falls along the Going to the Sun Road.

Warning: The Chipmunks

There were so many chipmunks along the shore of the lake. We sat down on a bench to enjoy the views for a couple of minutes. One chipmunk was then running around our feet. We even saw a chipmunk steal an entire granola bar from a group of people nearby. All of that being said, do your best to protect your food from the chipmunks. The more food chipmunks receive from people, the more often they will come right up to them in the future.

The chipmunks were the only wildlife we saw along the trail and around the lake. No bear, moose, deer, etc. encounters for us! While bear encounters are usually less common in this area, they can still occur at any time.

Reflections off the water at Avalanche Lake

7) Bear Safety

Glacier National Park exists in bear territory, and this includes both black bears and grizzlies. Here are some important bear safety tips provided by the National Park Service. First, never approach a bear. They are wild animals, and their behavior cannot be predicted. Second, maintain a distance of at least 100 yards (~90 meters) from bears at all times.

Third, make noise while you are hiking. When bears hear noise, they will then generally walk in the opposite direction. The National Park Service recommends calling out and clapping as effective noise measures. Fourth, hike with a group of people. If you are a solo traveler, then make some friends with people you meet on the trail. Fifth, do what you can to not surprise a bear. This includes making noise, avoiding hiking in the dark, not running along a trail, etc. Sixth, carry bear spray (and know how to use it). If a bear attacks, bear spray is one of the best methods to deter them.

Check out the NPS webpage on bear safety for more information.

Safety Tips During a Bear Encounter

It is important that you know what to do if you encounter a bear while hiking along the trail. Sometimes you can take all of the precautions above but still have an unexpected encounter. If you see a bear ahead along the trail, get out of the bear’s path and let it continue walking. However, sometimes bears might be a bit more curious or defensive towards hikers.

A bear is likely agitated if they sway their head, lay back their ears, clack their teeth, lower their head, or huff. On the other hand, actions such as standing on their hind legs or approaching you are not necessarily acts of aggression. The bear might just be curious at that point. You can then talk in a quiet, calm voice as you slowly back away. Additionally, do not look the bear directly in the eyes. If the bear appears to become agitated as you back away, then stop moving.

If the bear continues to approach you without any indicators of agitation as mentioned above, then it is recommended for your group to huddle together and make noise. At this point, you should get your bear spray ready to use in case it becomes necessary.

If the bear continues to approach you with indicators of agitation as mentioned above, then talk quietly, do not run, and prepare to use your bear spray. Most bear sprays will spray up to 30 feet (~9 meters).

Safety Tips During a Bear Encounter Without Bear Spray

In the unfortunate scenario that a bear is about to attack and you do not have any bear spray, then you need to prepare your body. Fall to the ground on your stomach as you hold your hands behind your neck. As much as possible, do not let the bear turn you over onto your back.

The bear will most likely then leave you alone if they are attacking out of defense once they determine you are not a threat. If the bear continues to attack you, then you should fight back.

Sitting on a log along the shore of Avalanche Lake

8) Recommended Items to Bring

What should I pack for a hike in Glacier National Park? What should I bring on the Avalanche Lake Trail?

1. Water bottle: Definitely bring water with you while hiking the Avalanche Lake Trail. Consider a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste. They also keep your water cooler due to their insulation – bonus!

Hygiene

2. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. Walking around even for just 30 minutes can lead to sunburn if you have fair skin. The trail is partially shaded as it runs through a forest. However, you will be in full sun once you reach the lakeshore.

3. Bug spray: Let’s be honest – mosquitos, gnats, and any other little type of fly can ruin an experience. You cannot truly enjoy an attraction if you are swatting away bugs from your face the whole time. Therefore, be prepared with bug spray or a mosquito repellent bracelet.

Hiking Items for the Avalanche Lake Trail

4. Bear spray: Glacier National Park, including the Avalanche Lake Trail, is located in grizzly territory. You thus need to practice bear safety, which includes carrying a can of bear spray. Hopefully you will not have to use it, but it is better to be prepared.

5. Hiking shoes: A pair of hiking shoes will be incredibly helpful as you hike along. Hiking shoes are generally not cheap, though I will say they are well worth the investment. They provide grip and traction to help you out while hiking as well as to keep you safe. The Avalanche Lake Trail has some loose gravel and steeper sections, so hiking shoes will help you make it to the lake as easily and safely as possible.

6. Hiking poles: Bring along a set of hiking poles if you want some extra support on the trail. The majority of people we passed on the trail did not have hiking poles. However, we did see a few groups with them.

7. Optional – crampons: These are only necessary if there is snow or ice along the trail. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

View of the mountains from the beginning of the Avalanche Lake Trail

Camping Items

10. Amflip Pop-Up Camping Tent: If you do not want to spend time fighting with poles to set up a tent, then just buy this pop-up tent. My partner and I could set up the tent in around five minutes, and it was incredibly easy to do so. Moreover, the tent held up pretty well in the rain, for we experienced multiple hours of downpours during our trip. No rain ever entered from the top, though some did seep in from the bottom (mainly due to our campsite and the fact the ground was uneven).

11. AmazonBasics Waterproof Camping Tarp: We also brought a tarp to add a layer between our tent and the ground. However, you can also hang up the tarp so that you protect the whole tent from the elements.

12. Elegear Double Sleeping Pad: Our favorite thing about this sleeping pad is that it has a foot pump. We thus did not have to worry about bringing an extra air pump along. Not only was that a big convenience factor, but it also helped us maintain our goal of visiting Glacier National Park on a budget. Moreover, there is a built-in “pillow” section at the top.

13. Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag: We would have been freezing at night without our sleeping bag. The national parks can get quite cold at night, even in the summertime. Moreover, we love how this sleeping bag comes with two pillows.

Amflip Pop-Up Camping Tent set up in Glacier National Park

9) Nearby Attractions

It is always possible that the Avalanche Lake Trail will be closed due to bears. Honestly, that is the possibility for every single trail in Glacier National Park. The bears are on their own schedule. They go where they want, when they want. If the trail happens to be closed for any reason, then check out some of the options below. Otherwise, you can head to these attractions before or after your visit to Avalanche Lake.

First, head approximately 10 minutes southwest to Lake McDonald. There are a variety of trails near the lake, for example Johns Lake Trail and Trout Lake Trail. Additionally, you can stop by the Lake McDonald Lodge for a bite to eat along the lakeshore.

Second, visit Apgar Village approximately 30 minutes southwest. Grab a scoop of ice cream before then heading out on the lake on a kayak. On the other hand, you can skip the kayak and just head straight for the water to take a swim.

Third, stop by Logan Pass, which is located 30 minutes east. Some of the park’s most popular trails are found here, for example the Highline Trail and Hidden Lake Overlook Trail. However, be sure to arrive early. Cars start circling the parking lot looking for spots like vultures at 8am (or sometimes even earlier).

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After your time in Glacier, head west to North Cascades: Day Trip from Seattle to North Cascades National Park.

Need some more convincing to plan a visit?: Reasons to Visit North Cascades National Park.

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