Many Glacier Road: Complete Scenic Drive Guide (2026)

Many Glacier Road is a 12-mile paved drive from Babb, Montana, to the Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake — the most wildlife-rich valley in Glacier National Park. This step-by-step guide walks you through every stop, from checking road status to reaching the trailheads at the road’s end.

Step 1: Check Road Status Before You Drive

Many Glacier Road closes for winter and typically reopens mid-May once snow is cleared and pavement is inspected. The exact opening date varies by year — heavy snowpack can delay it into late May. Before driving out, check the NPS road status page or call the park’s automated road report at (406) 888-7800.

In 2026, no vehicle reservations are required for Many Glacier Road. The reservation system that applied to Going-to-the-Sun Road in prior years has been suspended park-wide, per NPS.gov. Rangers may still divert vehicles during peak congestion, so arriving early remains the best strategy.

Step 2: Start at Babb Junction on US-89

The drive begins where Many Glacier Road branches west off US Highway 89 at the small town of Babb, Montana. Babb sits about 9 miles north of the St. Mary Entrance Station. Turn west at the signed intersection and follow the road toward the mountains.

Babb is your last chance for fuel and supplies. The Babb Bar and various small shops offer basics, but selection is limited. If you need a full grocery run, stop in St. Mary or Browning before heading north.

Step 3: Pass Through the Entrance Station

The Many Glacier Entrance Station sits approximately 4 miles west of Babb. Rangers will check your entrance pass or collect the $35 vehicle fee (cashless — card only). If you already have a valid 7-day pass or America the Beautiful Annual Pass, you can drive straight through.

This is a good moment to ask rangers about current wildlife sightings. They often know where bears were spotted that morning and can point you to the best pull-outs. Pick up a printed trail map if you haven’t downloaded one — cell service drops off shortly after the station.

Step 4: Stop at Sherburne Dam Overlook

Shortly after the entrance station, you’ll see Lake Sherburne open up on your right. The lake was created by the Sherburne Dam, originally constructed in 1914 by the U.S. Reclamation Service. Pull into one of the gravel turnouts near the dam for your first panoramic view of the glacially carved valley ahead.

On calm mornings, the lake surface mirrors the surrounding peaks in near-perfect reflection. Scan the shoreline for bald eagles, ospreys, and the occasional moose wading in the shallows. This is also a popular bank-fishing spot for rainbow trout and brook trout.

Step 5: Cruise Along Lake Sherburne

For the next 4–5 miles, Many Glacier Road hugs the north shore of Lake Sherburne. The speed limit is 35 mph, enforced by rangers — and you’ll want to go slower. The views of Grinnell Point and Mount Gould grow more dramatic with every mile as the valley narrows.

Several gravel pull-outs line this stretch. Use them. If you spot a cluster of parked cars with people pointing binoculars at the hillside, pull over safely and join in. Grizzlies and black bears frequently forage on the berry-covered slopes above the lake, especially in July through September.

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Step 6: Watch for Wildlife at the Willow Flats

Past the east end of Lake Sherburne, the landscape shifts from open water to grassy meadows and willow thickets along Swiftcurrent Creek. This is the willow flats section — prime habitat for moose, mule deer, and waterfowl. Moose browse the willows at dawn, often visible from your car window without leaving the road.

Scan the creek corridors at first light for the best chance of moose sightings. The open meadows on both sides of the road also attract coyotes and the occasional wolf. Drive slowly, windows down, and listen — birdsong fills this stretch in early summer.

Step 7: Hike to Apikuni Falls (Optional)

About 1 mile before the Many Glacier Hotel, watch for the Apikuni Falls Trailhead on the north (right) side of the road. The signed parking area is easy to spot. This is a short, rewarding detour — 1.6 miles round-trip with about 600 feet of elevation gain to a 100-foot cascading waterfall.

The trail climbs steeply through open meadow with views of Mount Gould, Allen Mountain, and Lake Sherburne below. Budget 45–60 minutes for the round trip. The falls are most impressive in June and early July when snowmelt is at its peak. This is one of the most accessible waterfalls in Glacier National Park.

Step 8: Pull Over at Swiftcurrent Overlook

Just before the road descends to the hotel complex, a roadside pull-out offers an elevated view of Swiftcurrent Lake, Many Glacier Hotel, and the alpine amphitheater beyond. On clear days, you can see Grinnell Point, Mount Gould, and the remnants of Salamander Glacier from this single vantage point.

Mountain goats are frequently spotted on the rocky slopes visible from this overlook. Bring binoculars and scan the cliff bands above the hotel — rangers at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn parking area sometimes set up spotting scopes to help visitors locate them.

Step 9: Arrive at Many Glacier Hotel & Trailheads

The road ends at the Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent developed area. Park in the expanded lot (339 spaces as of 2026) and explore. The hotel was built between 1914 and 1915 by the Great Northern Railway in Swiss alpine style — brown wood siding, peaked gables, and carved balconies overlooking Swiftcurrent Lake.

From the parking area, three of Glacier’s best hikes start within a quarter mile, per NPS.gov:

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Fishercap Lake (0.8-mile loop, nearly flat) delivers the best return on effort of any trail in Many Glacier. Moose are often spotted in the willows within the first quarter mile. For families or visitors with limited time, start here.

Grinnell Glacier Trail (10.6 miles RT, 1,600 ft gain) is the park’s most celebrated hike. You can shorten it to 7.2 miles by taking the boat shuttle across Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lakes. Carry a full day of food and water — the trail is above treeline for the final 3.5 miles.

Wildlife Viewing Along the Drive

Many Glacier Valley is the single most productive wildlife-watching corridor in Glacier National Park. The combination of wetlands, open meadows, and rocky alpine slopes supports the full spectrum of Glacier’s megafauna within a compact area, per the Glacier Conservancy.

Leave your lodging by 5:30–6 a.m. and drive slowly from Babb inward. Bears, moose, and goats are dramatically more active before 8 a.m. Rangers at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn parking area often set up spotting scopes to help visitors locate mountain goats on the surrounding cliffs, per GlacierMT.com.

Practical Tips: Camping, Lodging & Dining

Many Glacier Campground reopened for the 2026 season after being closed in 2025 for the Swiftcurrent utility project. The campground sits in mature forest at approximately 4,500 feet elevation. Most sites accommodate RVs up to 21 feet. Reserve through Recreation.gov on a 6-month rolling basis — peak summer dates open January 2.

Many Glacier Hotel operates mid-June through mid-September. Rooms book out months in advance; reserve through Glacier National Park Lodges. The adjacent Swiftcurrent Motor Inn offers lower-priced cabin-style rooms and Nell’s Restaurant for dining. A small camp store and boat tours are available on-site during operating season.

Cell service is spotty to nonexistent in Many Glacier Valley. Download offline maps (Google Maps or Gaia GPS) and the NPS Glacier app before leaving your lodging.