The Ultimate Day Trip Guide to Many Glacier

The Ultimate Day Trip Guide to Many Glacier

When you set up camp at our campground, you are sitting right on the doorstep of Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road. But while everyone flocks to the main highway, those in the know look just a bit further north to Many Glacier, affectionately called the "Heart of Glacier" and the "Crown of the Continent". The Many Glacier Valley is famous for its jaw-dropping scenery, massive vertical rock faces, and turquoise, glacier-fed lakes. It is also widely considered the best area in the park for spotting wildlife like grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and moose. Best of all? The Many Glacier entrance is only a short drive north from your basecamp at our KOA. This makes it the ultimate day-trip destination before you return to enjoy a dip in our pool or grab a scoop of ice cream.


The Best Hikes in Many Glacier    

Whether you are a seasoned trekker looking for an all-day challenge or a family searching for a scenic walk, Many Glacier offers some of the most rewarding trails in North America.


  • Grinnell Glacier Trail (Difficult | 10.6 miles round-trip)

This iconic bucket-list hike climbs past fields of wildflowers and waterfalls, offering sweeping views of the turquoise Grinnell Lake below. It takes you right up to the edge of the Grinnell Glacier, where you can see the ice and melting glacial pools firsthand. Tip: You can shave about 3.4 miles off the hike by booking a water shuttle across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine!


  • Iceberg Lake Trail (Moderate | 9.7 miles round-trip)

A favorite for moderate hikers, this trail winds through alpine meadows before opening up to a massive rock amphitheater. Tucked at the bottom is a stunning alpine lake where massive chunks of ice can often be seen floating well into the late summer months.


  • Redrock Falls via Ptarmigan Trail (Easy to Moderate | 4.2 miles round-trip)

Perfect for families, this relatively level trail follows Swiftcurrent Creek past Fishercap Lake and Redrock Lake, ending at a series of beautiful cascading waterfalls. Keep your eyes open, moose love to wade in the shallows along this route!


  • Take a Historic Boat Cruise
    Board a wooden vessel with Glacier Park Boat Company at the historic . Their classic tour combines a cruise across Swiftcurrent Lake, a short nature walk over a woody ridge, and a second cruise across Lake Josephine.
  • Spot Wildlife safely from the Road
    Because the valley is narrower and densely populated with wildlife, you can frequently spot grizzly bears foraging on the avalanche chutes or bighorn sheep resting on the cliffs directly from the road or hotel deck. Always carry bear spray and maintain a safe distance!
  • Visit the Historic Many Glacier Hotel
    Built between 1914 and 1915 by the Great Northern Railway, it was designed to resemble an enormous Swiss-Alpine chalet and it's perched right on the edge of Swiftcurrent Lake. Take a break from your wilderness adventure to explore the gift shop, lakeside Ptarmigan Dining Room, grab a snack at Heidi’s Snack Shop, or sip a local brew in the Swiss Lounge.

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