Natural Attraction
Avalanche Creek
Avalanche Creek is one of Glacier National Park's busiest developed areas and the trailhead for two official routes: the wheelchair-accessible Trail of the Cedars and the longer Avalanche Lake Trail. Trail of the Cedars is a 0.9-mile loop with 83 feet of elevation change. Avalanche Lake is 2.3 miles one way, with 741 feet of gain and 275 feet of loss. In 2026, the park shuttle does not serve this area, so check road, parking, and trail conditions before driving.
Access & viewing
- GPS Coordinates
- 48.6792077447,-113.819882361
- Accessibility
- NPS lists Trail of the Cedars as wheelchair accessible; the official trail page describes a 0.9-mile loop with 83 feet of elevation gain and loss. Avalanche Lake Trail is a separate 2.3-mile one-way hike with 741 feet of gain and is not described as wheelchair accessible.
Conditions & safety
- Permits Required
- 0
Planning advice
- Nearby Attractions
- Trail of the Cedars, Lake McDonald, McDonald Creek, Apgar Village, Apgar Nature Center
- Nearby Facilities
- NPS lists benches, picnic tables, restrooms (including accessible and seasonal facilities), parking, and potable water in the Avalanche Creek area. Confirm seasonal availability before arrival.
- Best Time To Visit
- Use the current road and trail status rather than a fixed month. Summer access is popular and parking is limited; in 2026 there is no park-shuttle service to Avalanche Lake or Trail of the Cedars.
- Tips Advice
- Check the current Going-to-the-Sun Road and trail status before leaving. The 2026 park shuttle does not stop here, and the three-hour timed-parking rule applies to Logan Pass—not Avalanche Creek. Trail of the Cedars is a 0.9-mile accessible loop; Avalanche Lake is 2.3 miles one way. Carry treated water, keep food secured, and have a backup destination if parking is full.
- Insider Tips
- Use the official trail numbers when planning: Trail of the Cedars is a 0.9-mile loop; Avalanche Lake is 2.3 miles one way. In 2026 there is no park-shuttle stop here and no three-hour Avalanche parking rule. Save the road and trail status pages offline, carry treated water, and keep a backup destination.
More details
- Park Area
- West Side, Lake McDonald Valley area
- Family Friendly Notes
- Trail of the Cedars is the shorter accessible option: 0.9 mile round trip. Avalanche Lake is a longer 4.6-mile out-and-back from the official trail junction; choose it based on each child's ability and current trail conditions.
- Recent Updates
- For 2026, vehicle reservations are not required anywhere in Glacier. The park shuttle does not serve Avalanche Lake or Trail of the Cedars. The three-hour timed-parking pilot applies only at Logan Pass from July 1 through September 7.
- Attraction Type
- Old-growth forest, creek gorge, picnic area, and trailheads
- Distance From Entrance
- 15 miles east of West Glacier entrance; approximately 20-25 minutes by car
- Accessibility Level
- Trail of the Cedars is a wheelchair-accessible 0.9-mile loop with 83 feet of gain and loss. Avalanche Lake Trail begins off that loop and is 2.3 miles one way, with 741 feet of gain and 275 feet of loss.
- How To Get There
- From the west side, drive Going-to-the-Sun Road to the Avalanche Picnic Area, subject to the current road status. In 2026, Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars are not accessible by the park shuttle.
- Parking Availability
- Parking at the Avalanche Picnic Area is limited and can fill during busy periods. NPS does not publish a guaranteed fill time. The 2026 three-hour parking limit applies at Logan Pass, not Avalanche Creek, and the 2026 park shuttle does not serve this area.
- Road Type
- Paved Going-to-the-Sun Road to picnic area; dirt/rock trail to Avalanche Lake
- Seasonal Access
- Vehicle access to Avalanche Creek depends on the current Going-to-the-Sun Road gate and weather. Lower road sections remain open longer than the alpine section, but winter and shoulder-season gate locations change. Check the live road status before traveling.
- Entry Fees
- $35 per private vehicle (7-day pass)
- Main Features
- Trail of the Cedars, Avalanche Gorge, Avalanche Creek picnic area, and the trail junction for Avalanche Lake.
- What Youll See
- Old-growth cedars and hemlocks, Avalanche Creek and gorge from Trail of the Cedars, and—on the longer hike—Avalanche Lake and surrounding waterfalls.
- Unique Characteristics
- Old-growth cedar and hemlock forest, Avalanche Gorge, and two official trail options from the same developed area.
- Safety Considerations
- Stay alert around water, steep drop-offs, and wildlife. Carry bear spray where it is quickly accessible, keep food secured, and never drink untreated surface water; boil for at least one minute or use an approved filter.
- Best Viewpoints
- Trail of the Cedars provides creek and gorge views; Avalanche Lake requires the separate 2.3-mile one-way hike. Stay on the maintained trail and respect closures.
- Photo Opportunities
- Golden hour light filtering through old-growth cedars (morning and evening). Avalanche Lake mirror reflections at sunrise. Wildflowers early season.
- Photography Spots
- From trailhead looking into valley (morning light), lakeside for cirque reflections, among cedar grove for canopy texture and depth
- Stargazing Quality
- Fair to moderate. Valley location provides some protection from direct light pollution but is not a dark-sky destination.
- Sunrise Sunset Quality
- Excellent. East-facing cirque catches alpenglow. Morning light filtering through cedar canopy is spectacular.
- Visitor Center Present
- 0
- Restrooms Available
- 1
- Restroom Type
- Mix of facilities: flush restrooms (summer season), accessible restroom, seasonal vault toilet
- Picnic Areas
- 1
- Interpretive Signs
- 1
- Cell Service
- Weak to no service at Avalanche Lake area. Plan accordingly.
- Water Available
- 1
- Guided Tours Available
- 0
- Trailheads Here
- Avalanche Lake Trail, Trail of the Cedars
- Connecting Trails
- Trail of the Cedars connects to the Avalanche Lake Trail at the signed junction. Check the current trail-status report before hiking.
- Nearby Services
- Potable water at picnic area, restrooms (seasonal). Nearest lodging at Lake McDonald Lodge. West Glacier services (gas, food) approximately 15 miles.
- Common Wildlife
- American dippers may be heard along Avalanche Creek. This is bear country; remain alert and follow current NPS wildlife guidance.
- Wildflower Peak
- Varies by year and elevation; NPS does not publish a fixed peak date for this area.
- Geological Formation Type
- Creek gorge in a glacially shaped valley
- Scientific Interest
- Avalanche Gorge along Trail of the Cedars is an official NPS example of the carving power of moving water.
- Snow Lingering
- Snow and trail conditions vary by year. Check the official trail-status report rather than relying on a fixed clearing date.
- Winter Access
- Winter vehicle access varies with the Going-to-the-Sun Road gate. The west-side road is usually plowed only to Lake McDonald Lodge in midwinter; travel beyond a closure may require skiing or snowshoeing when conditions permit.
- Best Visit Times
- NPS does not publish a guaranteed parking time. Expect heavy summer use, check live conditions, and have a backup destination if the lot is full.
- Best Season
- Access depends on Going-to-the-Sun Road and trail conditions. The 2026 park shuttle does not serve Avalanche Lake or Trail of the Cedars.
- Weather Patterns
- Mountain weather and trail conditions can change quickly. Check the NPS forecast, road status, alerts, and trail reports before leaving.
- Peak Fill Times
- No fixed official fill time. Parking demand varies by day and conditions; have a backup destination.
- Busiest Season
- Summer is the busiest period; NPS describes Avalanche Creek as one of the park's most popular and crowded spots.
- Fishing Species
- No fishing license is required inside most park boundaries. The standard season for most waters is the third Saturday in May through November 30, all native fish must be released, and water-specific rules apply; check the current Glacier fishing page.
- Fishing Nearby
- 1
- Swimming Allowed
- 0
- Boating Allowed
- 0
- Climbing Areas
- 0
- Review Summary
- This is a popular, crowded area with a short accessible nature trail and a longer hike to Avalanche Lake. Parking and conditions—not a guaranteed arrival time—should determine the day's plan.
Location
Frequently asked questions
How long are the trails at Avalanche Creek?
Trail of the Cedars is a 0.9-mile loop with 83 feet of elevation gain and loss. Avalanche Lake is 2.3 miles one way from its junction off Trail of the Cedars, with 741 feet of gain and 275 feet of loss.
Is Trail of the Cedars wheelchair accessible?
Yes. NPS lists Trail of the Cedars as wheelchair accessible. The separate Avalanche Lake Trail is not listed as wheelchair accessible.
Can I use the Glacier park shuttle to reach Avalanche in 2026?
No. NPS states that Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars are not accessible by the 2026 park shuttle.
Is there a three-hour parking limit at Avalanche Creek in 2026?
No. The 2026 three-hour timed-parking rule applies at Logan Pass. Avalanche parking is still limited and can fill, so have a backup plan.
Can I drink from Avalanche Creek or the lake?
Do not drink untreated surface water. NPS advises boiling it for at least one minute or using an approved filter; confirm seasonal potable-water availability at the developed area.
Do I need a vehicle reservation for this area in 2026?
No vehicle reservations are required anywhere in Glacier in 2026. You still need a park entrance pass, and access can be restricted temporarily by road conditions or severe congestion.
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Sources
- National Park Service
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.