Best Hikes in Glacier National Park When Going-to-the-Sun Road Is Closed (2026)
10 exceptional Glacier hikes accessible year-round via entrance roads when Going-to-the-Sun Road closes — ranked by ease, waterfalls, solitude, and photography.
When Going-to-the-Sun Road closes each October, the best hikes move to the entrance roads and valley floors. We've ranked the 10 standouts by season, difficulty, and what makes each worth your day — from 30-minute accessible loops to 11-mile alpine summits.
- 10 year-round accessible hikes
- 52 mi Going-to-the-Sun Road
- $35 vehicle entrance fee
- Mid-June–July typical GTSR opening 2026
Trail of the Cedars Loop — West side · Lake McDonald area
Best for Accessibility
A paved boardwalk through an ancient cedar grove with the most dramatic close-up gorge views — Glacier's most accessible trail.
- Paved barrier-free portion suitable for wheelchairs and strollers
- Threads through ancient western red cedar grove alongside rushing Avalanche Creek
- The gorge section at trail's end offers dramatic close-up scenery with minimal effort
- Microclimate stays green and lush even when high country is buried in snow
Visit early morning when mist rises off Avalanche Creek. The boardwalk through the gorge gets crowded by 10 a.m. even in shoulder season.
Avalanche Lake Trail — West side · Lake McDonald area
Best Overall
Glacier's most-hiked trail for reason — a stunning cerulean lake ringed by five waterfalls cascading off sheer cliffs.
- Five waterfalls cascading off sheer cliffs ring the lake basin
- Trail follows Avalanche Creek through dense forest before opening to stunning alpine lake at 3,905 feet
- Gradual elevation gain makes it manageable for most visitors
- Accessible via lower west section of GTSR, open year-round before seasonal closure gate
Arrive before 8 a.m. to secure trailhead parking — this is Glacier's highest-traffic trail and the lot fills fast. Bear spray is essential in this active bear habitat year-round.
Rocky Point Nature Trail — West side · Lake McDonald area
Best Family-Friendly
A nearly flat walk to a rocky promontory with the famous rainbow-colored pebbles visible under crystal-clear water.
- Lake McDonald is 9.4 miles long — one of the park's most visually spectacular features
- Rocky promontory juts into the lake with famous rainbow-colored pebbles visible in clear water
- Kids love wading in the shallows and searching for the colorful stones
- Accessed from Fish Creek Campground off Camas Road — open year-round
The trail skirts the lake's northern shoreline through forest before reaching the rock platform with open peak views. Best viewed in calm, sunny conditions when the clear water shows the lakebed and pebbles.
Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail — East side · Many Glacier
Best Easy East Side
A flat loop around Many Glacier's crown jewel valley with dramatic cliff reflections and some of the park's best grizzly, moose, and mountain goat sightings.
- Many Glacier has its own road off US-89 — never requires Going-to-the-Sun Road access
- Loops through meadows and forest with the iconic Many Glacier Hotel reflected in the lake
- Prime grizzly, moose, and mountain goat viewing — especially at dawn and dusk
- Many Glacier Road typically opens in late May or early June, weeks before GTSR
Wildlife activity peaks in early morning and evening. The Many Glacier valley is Glacier's crown jewel on the east side and provides a premier early-season destination when most of the park is still snowed in.
St. Mary & Virginia Falls Trail — East side · St. Mary area
Best Waterfall Hike
Two waterfalls in one hike — St. Mary Falls' vivid blue cascade is just the start; Virginia Falls nearly doubles the spectacle.
- St. Mary Falls drops 40 feet in a vivid blue cascade backed by forested gorge
- Virginia Falls adds another 0.4 miles one-way beyond St. Mary and nearly doubles the spectacle
- St. Mary east entrance stays open year-round with full visitor services
- Peak snowmelt (May–June) means peak waterfall flow — the most dramatic time to visit
Add Baring Falls (0.5 miles from the trailhead, nearly flat) to your day for a third waterfall with almost no extra effort. All three falls can be combined in under 5 miles total.
Grinnell Lake Trail — East side · Many Glacier
Best Scenic Lake
Three stacked turquoise lakes en route to the glacier — but the upper basin outshines the terminus for color and solitude.
- Lower, Middle, and Upper Grinnell Lakes stack along one trail
- Most hikers turn around at Upper Grinnell Lake (7 mi, 1,600 ft) — it's the better destination
- Same trailhead logistics as Iceberg: arrive before sunrise on weekends for parking
- Basin views, water color, and solitude justify every foot of the climb
Apgar Lookout Trail — West side · Lake McDonald area
Best Views
A steep climb through dense forest opening to a historic fire lookout tower with 360-degree views of Lake McDonald Valley — the best panoramic payoff without GTSR.
- Climbs to historic fire lookout tower at 5,236 feet with 360-degree views
- Trail switchbacks steeply through dense forest before breaking into open terrain
- Widest possible view of the western park — Lake McDonald Valley and surrounding peaks
- Volunteer in the Parks often staffs the lookout in summer and can identify landmarks
The trailhead is near Apgar Visitor Center, which stays open year-round. One of Glacier's best fall hikes — October color and minimal crowds make it an excellent shoulder-season choice.
Running Eagle Falls (Trick Falls) — East side · Two Medicine
Best Quick Stop
One of only two barrier-free trails in Glacier — a flat paved walk to a geological marvel where water falls through a hole in rock at low water.
- Flat paved path suitable for strollers and wheelchairs
- Located in Two Medicine area (MT-49 off US-2) — fully independent of Going-to-the-Sun Road
- In spring snowmelt, both upper and lower falls run simultaneously for the most dramatic display
- Two Medicine Lake viewpoint just past the falls adds only minutes to the stop
The Two Medicine area is Glacier's quieter east-side corner — far less crowded than Many Glacier. Check NPS.gov for 2026 construction schedules, as Two Medicine has spring and fall closures planned.
Iceberg Lake Trail — East side · Many Glacier
Best All-Day AdventureFloating icebergs persist in this north-facing cirque lake through midsummer — surrounded by 9,000-foot peaks and accessible entirely without GTSR.
- Floating icebergs persist through midsummer due to north-facing cirque that rarely gets direct sun
- At 6,094 feet, the lake is surrounded by peaks exceeding 9,000 feet
- Trail climbs gradually through wildflower meadows and passes Ptarmigan Falls at the halfway point
- Accessed entirely via Many Glacier Road (US-89) — no Going-to-the-Sun Road required
Best conditions are mid-July through September when the trail is snow-free. This trail traverses an active bear corridor and is periodically closed for bear activity — check current conditions at the Many Glacier Ranger Station before heading out.
Huckleberry Mountain Lookout — Northwest · North Fork
Best for Solitude
One of Glacier's longest day hikes, yet rarely crowded — a full-mileage adventure to a staffed historic fire lookout with sweeping North Fork and Canadian Rockies views.
- Accessed via Camas Road off US-2 — fully independent of Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Climbs to staffed historic fire lookout at 6,593 feet with sweeping views
- After gaining elevation through dense forest and berry-covered slopes, final miles break into open terrain with 360-degree views
- Volunteer in the Parks staffs the lookout in summer and can identify landmarks
The trailhead is 5.8 miles up Camas Road from the Apgar area. Best after snowmelt, typically June through October.
Common Questions
When does Going-to-the-Sun Road close and reopen?
Going-to-the-Sun Road typically closes in October and reopens between mid-June and early July 2026, depending on winter snowpack and spring weather. Snow removal crews begin work in early April, clearing approximately 40 avalanche paths across the 52-mile road. Check NPS current conditions for the latest opening estimates.
Can you hike in Glacier National Park in winter?
Yes. The lower west-side trails (Trail of the Cedars, Rocky Point, Apgar area) and the St. Mary east entrance area are accessible year-round. Most trails have snow and ice from November through April. Microspikes or snowshoes are strongly recommended. The $35 vehicle entrance fee applies year-round.
Do I need a reservation to enter Glacier National Park in 2026?
No. Glacier dropped its vehicle reservation requirement for 2026. You can drive in without advance tickets. Entrance fees: $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, $20 per person on foot or bike. Note: no Going-to-the-Sun Road reservations are required in 2026.
Which side of Glacier is best when GTSR is closed?
Both sides offer excellent options. The west side (via US-2) gives access to Trail of the Cedars, Avalanche Lake, Rocky Point, and Apgar Lookout. The east side (via US-89) opens up Many Glacier, St. Mary Falls, Two Medicine, and Iceberg Lake — typically accessible weeks before the alpine road opens.
Is bear spray required in Glacier National Park?
The National Park Service strongly recommends bear spray on backcountry trails, especially in bear-active corridors like Many Glacier, Iceberg Lake Trail, and the Grinnell Lake area. Glacier has one of the highest grizzly bear densities in the lower 48 states. Carry it accessible at all times, not buried in your pack. Canisters can be rented at the Apgar Backcountry Office.
