Best Family Day Hikes in Glacier National Park

What is the best, family day hike in Glacier National Park? Hoping to avoid Grizzly Bears and have a picnic.

Answer

Unfortunately, there is no Glacier National Park hiking trail where you are guaranteed to avoid grizzly bears.

All of Glacier is grizzly bear habitat and you need to be mentally prepared for this (and have bear spray!).

That said, avoiding hikes in the Many Glacier Lodge region can minimize the likelihood of a grizzly bear encounter.

I would suggest hiking Avalanche Lake near Lake McDonald Lodge. It is a mild, family friendly hike to a gorgeous, mountain lake where you can have a picnic.

Grizzly bears are rarely spotted there, and when they are, Rangers often close the hike down due to the high number of tourists and families that hike the trail.

Another option would be Iceberg Lake, but this is in the Many Glacier region and you have a higher possibility of encountering a grizzly bear.

~Perry

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Day Hiking

Are there any good day hikes in Glacier National Park that a family can hike together that go up to a glacier?

We are planning a trip at the end of June and I have found many hikes with overlooks and wonderful views of glaciers, but can not find any that go directly to a glacier.

Answer

This answer is contributed by a user, HockeyRef:

The Grinnell Glacier trail in the Many Glacier region of the park takes you directly to Grinnell Glacier (or what’s left of it). The hike is 11 miles round trip and climbs 1,600 feet. It is very popular and scenic, with exceptional views of Mt. Gould, the Garden Wall, Josephine Lake, Grinnell Lake, and the remains of Grinnell Glacier itself. The trail extends through bear and moose territory and includes several waterfalls and many wildflowers. Ranger-led hikes to this destination depart from the Many Glacier Hotel during the season.

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Glacier National Park Hiking Trails

My dad and I are visiting Glacier National Park in July.

We were wondering which trails to hike? We both enjoy strenuous day hikes that lead to amazing views. Our ideal hike is somewhere around the 8-12 mile range.

Which Glacier National Park hiking trails best fits us?

Answer

Best 3 Day Hikes in Glacier

Strenuous, 8 – 12 mile, Glacier National Park day hikes that lead to amazing views, eh? Below are my top three suggestions:

1. Numa Ridge Lookout – 11.2 miles roundtrip. 2,930 feet in elevation gain. Begins at Bowman Lake Campground.

For more information around the area, please visit my Bowman Lake page

2. Mount Brown Lookout – 10.8 miles roundtrip. 4,305 feet in elevation gain. Begins at Snyder Creek Trailhead, near Lake McDonald.

This is unquestionably the most challenging Glacier National Park day hike. Begin early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms and bring all the water you would need, as none is available.

For more information around the area, please visit my Lake McDonald Lodge page

3. Siyeh Pass – 10.3 miles. 2,240 feet in elevation gain. Begins at Siyeh Bend along Going to the Sun Road.

This is my favorite day hike in Glacier National Park. Not as challenging as the above two, but amazing views throughout–plus, you still climb a mountain pass.

For more information around the area, please visit my Logan Pass page

If you have any additional questions or would like a custom itinerary planned to meet your trip goals, I offer custom itineraries for your Montana Vacation.

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