The Grinnell Glacier hike is a 10.6-mile round-trip trail in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. It’s considered strenuous, with 1,600 feet of elevation gain, but rewards hikers with turquoise lakes, waterfalls, wildlife, and one of the park’s most accessible glaciers. You can shorten the hike by taking the boat shuttle across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine.
We’ve hiked this trail during peak summer season and saw moose, mountain goats, and even a bear and cub along the way.
In this guide, we’ll cover exactly what to expect, how hard it is, when to go, whether to take the boat shuttle, and how to plan your hike for the best experience.
If you’re planning a bigger trip to the park, start with our Glacier National Park Travel Guide, which has links to all of our Glacier National Park articles. Looking for more trails? See our guide to the Best Hikes in Glacier National Park to compare Grinnell Glacier with the Highline Trail, Hidden Lake, and other top day hikes.
Grinnell Glacier Hike: At a Glance
LOCATION | Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
DISTANCE | 10.6 miles (17 km) round trip
DISTANCE WITH BOAT SHUTTLE | 7.2 miles (11.5 km)
DIFFICULTY | Strenuous
ELEVATION GAIN | 1,600 feet (490 meters)
TIME | 5 to 7 hours
BEST TIME TO HIKE | Late June through September
IS IT WORTH IT? | Yes, this is one of the most scenic hikes in Glacier National Park and one of the few that leads to a glacier viewpoint
How Hard is the Grinnell Glacier Trail?
The Grinnell Glacier hike is considered strenuous, primarily because of its length (10.6 miles round trip) and steady elevation gain of 1,600 feet. While the trail is well maintained and easy to follow, the distance alone makes this a challenging day hike for many visitors.
Grinnell Glacier Elevation Profile of the round trip hike from the trailhead on Continental Divide Trail.
The first 2 miles from the trailhead to Lake Josephine are mostly flat and relatively easy. After that, the trail begins a steady uphill climb toward Grinnell Glacier. The steepest section comes near the end, where you’ll climb a series of large stone steps and rocky switchbacks before reaching the glacier viewpoint.
There is very little shade along the upper portion of the trail, so heat and sun exposure can make this hike feel harder than the elevation gain suggests. Add in afternoon crowds and potential wildlife delays, and this can become a long day on the trail.
Who Should Hike It?
- Best for hikers comfortable walking 10+ miles
- Suitable for strong, active teens
- Not ideal for very young children unless using the boat shuttle
- A great option for experienced hikers looking for classic Glacier scenery
If 10.6 miles feels like too much, taking the boat shuttle across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine shortens the hike to 7.2 miles round trip and removes some of the flatter mileage at the beginning.
Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.
When is the Best Time to Hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail?
The best time to hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail is late June through September, when the trail is typically snow-free and the Many Glacier area is fully open.
July and August offer the most reliable conditions, with warm weather, clear trails, and wildflowers, but also the biggest crowds. Start before 7:00 am for the best experience.
Late June may have lingering snow near the upper elevations, while September brings cooler temperatures and fewer hikers, especially after Labor Day, with a small risk of early snowfall.
Outside of this window, snow and seasonal road closures usually make the hike inaccessible.
Do You Need a Reservation?
You do not need a hiking permit for the Grinnell Glacier Trail.
In 2026, vehicle reservations will not be required for Glacier National Park.
However, it is good to know that parking at the Grinnell Glacier trailhead fills very early, often before 7:00 am in July and August. If you plan to take the boat shuttle across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, tickets must be purchased in advance and frequently sell out.
Always check the official Glacier National Park website for current reservation requirements and construction updates before your visit.
Getting to the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead
The Grinnell Glacier trailhead is located on Continental Divide Trail, the road that connects the Many Glacier Hotel with Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and the Many Glacier Campground. On Google Maps, it is labeled “Grinnell Glacier Trailhead.”
There is a small parking lot here. Get here early (by 7 am although even earlier is better) to ensure that you get a spot. If you can’t get a parking spot, you will either have to park along Continental Divide Trail or at one of the lodges and walk to the trailhead. This could add on quite a bit of mileage and time to your day.
Hiking Grinnell Glacier: Step-By-Step Trail Guide
Trailhead to Lake Josephine
From the trailhead, it is a 2.1 mile walk to get to the far end of Josephine Lake. It is a mostly flat walk so it goes by fast. For the most part, you walk through a pine forest with nice views of both lakes. This is not the most exciting walk, so if you choose to take the boat shuttles, you really are not missing out on much. However, we did see moose from this part of the trail.
For those planning to take the shuttle boats, this is the section of trail that you will skip.
Swiftcurrent Lake
The trail along Lake Josephine
The view of Lake Josephine and the boat shuttle from the hiking trail.
Lake Josephine to Grinnell Glacier
The main trail and the trail from the Lake Josephine boat dock join up at the far end (the western end) of Lake Josephine. This is where the trail changes from flat to an uphill walk and the views really start to get good.
It’s just over 3 miles, one way, to Grinnell Glacier from this point. Three gorgeous miles.
From Lake Josephine, it is a steady, uphill walk to Grinnell Glacier. The higher you go, the more the views open up. On a clear day, this hike is literally jaw-dropping. You stop to take a photo, walk another twenty feet, and stop again. Just when you think the view can’t get any better, somehow, it does.
Here is the trail in photos.
Hiking up alongside this waterfall is the “trickiest” part of the hike. It’s not so bad going up, but coming back down, it can be slippery.
The steepest part of the hike comes right before you get to Grinnell Glacier. You’ll climb several sections of staircases made of giant rocks and boulders. But once you get to the top, it’s a short walk to the Grinnell Glacier viewpoint.
Once at the lake, enjoy the view. This is a great spot for a picnic (just pack out everything you bring in).
The Return Hike
To finish the hike, return the same way you came. It’s faster hiking back, now that it is mostly downhill.
This is the view looking back to Many Glacier Hotel.
This is when we had our best animal sightings.
About a half mile from Grinnell Glacier, we spotted several mountain goats at different locations along the trail.
Not five minutes later, as we rounded a bend, a black bear and her cub walked right up onto the trail.
The trail was very busy now. It was approaching midday and there just happened to be a park ranger leading a large group on a guided hike out to Grinnell Glacier.
At the park ranger’s advice, Kara and I joined their group and backtracked at least a quarter of a mile to Grinnell Glacier. After a brief wait, and yet another mountain goat sighting, it was safe for us to continue on our way.
What a thrill to see so much wildlife in such a short period of time. But you must always be on alert for bear when hiking in Glacier National Park, even on a crowded trail. Keep up a conversation, carry bear spray, and keep a lookout for bear, not only in front of you on the trail, but also in the brush and the trees along the trail.
Should You Take the Boat Shuttle?
The boat shuttle consists of two separate boats: one from Many Glacier Hotel that crosses Swiftcurrent Lake and a second shuttle that crosses Lake Josephine. These shuttles are operated by Glacier Park Boat Company.
The boat on Lake Josephine.
Swiftcurrent Shuttle Boat
From the Many Glacier Hotel, take the shuttle across the Swiftcurrent Lake, a journey that takes about 10 minutes. Disembark this boat and walk 0.2 miles to Lake Josephine.
Lake Josephine Shuttle
Board a second boat and then it is a 12-minute ride to the far end of Lake Josephine. From the boat dock, you will walk 0.4 miles to the main trail to Grinnell Glacier.
Below is a map showing the boat routes across both lakes.
Map of the hiking trail and boat shuttles. The main hiking trail is yellow. The boat shuttle routes are white. The red lines are the short hikes between the two lakes and the hike to get to the main trail from Lake Josephine.
Tickets for the Boat Shuttle
All tickets must be purchased in advance.
You will not be able to purchase a ticket at the last minute for the one-way trip from Lake Josephine to Many Glacier Hotel.
It’s best to purchase your tickets in advance because they can sell out. Learn more on the official website.
HOW TO AVOID THE CROWDS: If you don’t want to hike with a big crowd, skip the boat shuttle and start your hike early. The first shuttle leaves Many Glacier Hotel at 8:30 am, so these hikers join the main trail between 9 and 9:30 am. We were able to stay ahead of the crowds on the way out to Grinnell Glacier, but we saw a lot of people on the hike back to our car. And crowds can be huge. This is a very popular hike in Glacier National Park.
Grinnell Glacier Trail vs. Highline Trail
Both the Grinnell Glacier hike and the Highline Trail rank among the best hikes in Glacier National Park, but they offer very different experiences.
Grinnell delivers a close-up glacier view, vibrant turquoise lakes, and frequent wildlife sightings, while the Highline Trail is known for its dramatic cliffside exposure and panoramic alpine scenery along the Garden Wall. If you’re choosing just one, your decision will likely come down to whether you prefer a glacier destination or a sweeping ridgeline adventure.
| Feature | Grinnell Glacier | Highline |
| Distance | 10.6 miles | 11.6 miles |
| Difficulty | Strenuous | Moderate |
| Exposure | Moderate | High |
| Wildlife | Excellent | Good |
| Crowds | Heavy | Heavy |
If you want to see some of the most spectacular vistas in Glacier National Park, or have a fear of heights, choose Grinnell Glacier.
If you want a thrilling cliff trail with iconic views of the park on a slightly easier hike, and you don’t have a fear of heights, pick the Highline Trail.
What to Bring on the Grinnell Glacier Hike
- Food and water
- Sunscreen. There is very little shade on the trail.
- Bear Spray
Essential Hiking Gear: What Should You Bring on a Day Hike?
If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails.Get Trail Updates Before You Go
Get updates on park status and road closures here.
The trail can close due to snowfall and bear activity. Get trail status updates here.
More Information for Your Trip to Glacier National Park
These guides will help you organize your time, choose the best hikes, and build a well-rounded itinerary.
- Best Hikes in Glacier National Park – A roundup of our favorite trails, from short scenic walks to full-day adventures.
- Glacier National Park Itinerary – A step-by-step plan for spending several days in the park.
- Glacier National Park Travel Guide – See all of our guides on Glacier National Park.
- Guide to the US National Parks – Explore all 63 national parks and start planning your next adventure.
If you have any questions about hiking to Grinnell Glacier, comment below.
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