Best Hikes in Glacier National Park When Going-to-the-Sun Road Is Closed (2026)

Trail of the Cedars is the safest first bet when the alpine road is closed but the lower west-side road remains open to Avalanche Creek. From West Glacier, enter via US-2 and the West Entrance, continue past Apgar and Lake McDonald, and check where the current closure gate sits that day. The west road is not guaranteed open all the way to Avalanche in winter.

The boardwalk through the gorge feels almost Pacific-Northwest-like, with cedar trunks, rushing Avalanche Creek, and crisp air funneling down the valley. Visit early morning when mist rises off the water; the boardwalk gets crowded by 10 a.m. even in shoulder season. The first half-mile toward Avalanche Lake is described by NPS as wheelchair-accessible, but the full route and boardwalk surface can change with maintenance, snow, and ice.

Dogs and emotional-support animals are not allowed on Glacier trails, including Trail of the Cedars. Pets are permitted only in certain developed areas and must follow park rules.

Avalanche Lake can be open while Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed only if the lower road is open far enough to reach the Avalanche area. That is the practical answer to “Is Avalanche Lake Trail open?”: the alpine-road closure alone does not decide it; the current west-side closure gate, trail posting, snow, and ice do.

The hike begins through Trail of the Cedars before climbing toward the lake. It is Glacier's highest-traffic trail, so arrive before 8 a.m. to secure trailhead parking. The first beach is crowded; keep walking along the shoreline because the farther beaches are quieter, with 2,000-foot cliffs and waterfalls threading down them. Peak snowmelt in May–June means peak waterfall flow, but that period can also bring slick footing and lingering snow.

The full route is not a wheelchair-accessible continuation of the boardwalk. Bear country begins here in practical terms: hike in a group when possible, make noise at blind corners, and carry bear spray where it is immediately accessible.

Rocky Point is one of the better low-commitment west-side alternatives when the alpine section is closed. The trail skirts Lake McDonald's northern shoreline through forest before reaching a rock platform with open peak views. Access still depends on the road being open to the trailhead, so check the west-side closure point rather than assuming the entire Lake McDonald corridor is year-round.

The view is best in calm, sunny conditions, when the clear water reveals the lakebed and rainbow-colored pebbles. Late morning on a windless day gives the clearest water and the best photography light. In winter, expect packed snow or ice and bring traction as conditions require.

Swiftcurrent Lake is the easiest way to get the Many Glacier valley's big scenery without committing to a high-country climb. Reach Many Glacier from US-89 by turning west near Babb; you do not continue along a closed Going-to-the-Sun Road. Routing around the park from West Glacier to Many Glacier can materially change the day's drive, so choose your entrance and trailhead before leaving.

The flat shoreline walk around Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine is especially good in the morning. Moose work the willows along Swiftcurrent Creek early, while the valley's cliffs catch the first light. Many Glacier is Glacier's crown jewel on the east side and can be a premier early-season destination weeks before the alpine road opens, but Many Glacier Road and its developed areas remain subject to seasonal conditions and current projects.

Wildlife activity peaks in early morning and evening. When the hotel and Swiftcurrent lots fill, overflow parking adds real mileage; circling for a departing car usually beats accepting the extra walk. Boat tours, lodging, camping, and guided activities are separate reservation questions from vehicle entry.

St. Mary access is independent of Going-to-the-Sun Road, but an open east entrance does not guarantee that every facility, trailhead, or visitor service is operating. Approach from US-89, then check current road, trail, area, and construction postings before driving to the trailhead.

Add Baring Falls, 0.5 miles from the trailhead and nearly flat, for a third waterfall with little extra effort. St. Mary Falls, Virginia Falls, and Baring Falls can be combined in under 5 miles total. In spring and early summer, water volume is impressive; in winter, snow and ice can make the short-looking route a traction and navigation problem.

Grinnell Lake is a Many Glacier objective, not a west-to-east continuation of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Reach it through the Many Glacier access road from US-89, subject to that road's seasonal opening, construction, parking, and current trail status. A boat-assisted route can shorten the approach, but the boat is a separate reservation and operating question.

The upper lake beats the glacier itself for pure scenic payoff, with water, cliffs, and a valley that feels enormous. The full route is a serious day rather than a casual “road-closed” substitute. Snow, avalanche exposure, wildlife closures, and lingering high-country conditions can keep the route unavailable after lower trails open.

Ptarmigan Tunnel is governed by the same reality: it opens when snow clearing and safety conditions allow, not automatically when Going-to-the-Sun Road opens. Check the NPS trail-status page for the current posting.

Apgar Lookout starts near the west-side Apgar area, but the trailhead's accessibility still follows current road conditions. The lower west road near the West Entrance is the most reliable winter access zone; farther travel toward Lake McDonald and the trailhead can be stopped by a seasonal gate or weather.

This is one of Glacier's best fall hikes: October color and minimal crowds make the climb worthwhile. The upper trail can remain icy well past April, while higher sections may hold snow after the lower valley looks clear. In summer, the lookout delivers wide views over the park and Lake McDonald; the crisp air and wind whistling down the valleys are part of the experience.

Running Eagle Falls is the short, flat Two Medicine choice when you want a waterfall without spending the day on a high trail. Two Medicine is independent of Going-to-the-Sun Road and is reached from US-2 via MT-49, but 2026 construction affects the area significantly: the Two Medicine campground is fully closed for the entire 2026 season, and the Two Medicine Road Rehabilitation and Utility Replacement project, which also requires spring and fall closures of the developed area, is scheduled for completion in fall 2027, so multi-year construction impacts should be expected through at least 2027.

In spring, water pours over the top and also emerges from a cave halfway down, creating the “Trick Falls” effect. The Blackfeet name is Pitamakan, and the valley sits inside the Blackfeet Nation's ancestral territory. That cultural context is part of why this small stop deserves more than a hurried photo.

Treat May through October as a typical snow-free planning window, not a guarantee. Check the current Two Medicine road, area, trail, and construction status before driving in.

Iceberg Lake is reached from Many Glacier, through the independent US-89-side access rather than along Going-to-the-Sun Road. That makes it geographically available during an alpine-road closure, not automatically available as a hike. Many Glacier Road, parking, trail conditions, bear activity, snow, and avalanche conditions all matter.

Best snow-free conditions are typically mid-July through September. Ice can remain in the north-facing cirque into August, but the approach can stay snowy earlier in the season. The trail traverses an active bear corridor and is periodically closed for bear activity; check current conditions at the Many Glacier Ranger Station or the NPS status pages before heading out.

Start by 7 a.m. to beat crowds and afternoon thunderstorms. Many Glacier parking fills quickly in summer, and overflow parking can add meaningful mileage to an already long day.

Huckleberry Mountain Lookout starts 5.8 miles up Camas Road from the Apgar area. It is a west-side route, but Camas Road and the trailhead have their own seasonal and weather limits; an open West Entrance does not promise that the trailhead is reachable.

Best conditions are after snowmelt, typically June through October. The trail sees a fraction of the foot traffic on Glacier's marquee routes, making it a strong big-mileage alternative when the main corridor is crowded. The upper half has no water sources, so bring at least 3 liters. Snow, ice, limited daylight, and navigation demands make this a poor casual winter choice.

The lookout is Glacier's quintessential big-mileage day without fighting for the most congested parking lots. Check the current road and trail status before committing, especially in shoulder season.