Grinnell Lake: Proglacial Lake on the Grinnell Glacier Trail,

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Type

Glacial Lake

Accessibility

Non-wheelchair-friendly; uneven terrain; boat shuttle reduces hiking distance; accessible viewing from Grinnell Lake shore.

Best Season

June–September

Busiest Season

July–August

Features

Glacial tarn, turquoise water, cirque setting, Mount Gould, Garden Wall, Mount Grinnell

Elevation

4,944 ft

Overview

About This Attraction

Bright turquoise water sits in a shallow basin framed by Mount Gould and the Garden Wall. Beaches along the shore offer direct viewing of the lake’s surface, with color intensifying at dawn. This is a glacial tarn formed by Pleistocene ice, colored by rock flour while high peaks were sculpted by uplift and carving.

Quick Facts

Type

Glacial Lake

Elevation

4,944 ft

Access

Non-wheelchair-friendly; uneven terrain; boat shuttle reduces hiking distance; accessible viewing from Grinnell Lake shore.

Main Features

Glacial tarn, turquoise water, cirque setting, Mount Gould, Garden Wall, Mount Grinnell

What You'll See

Beaches along the Grinnell Lake shore; turquoise water; surrounding peaks; trailheads and boat docks; possible wildlife in wetlands nearby.

What Makes It Special

Turquoise color from glacial flour; Belt Supergroup rocks exposed in a classic glacial cirque; rapid shift in scenery between Swiftcurrent and Grinnell Lake corridors.

Best Time to Visit

Late June through September is when Grinnell Lake is typically snow-free and accessible. For photography, plan morning visits to catch light on the eastern cirque walls. Many Glacier Road runs from late May to late September.

Safety Considerations

Bear spray required; stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, 25 yards from other wildlife; very cold meltwater; wet rocks; mosquitoes in warm months; layered clothing; sturdy boots.

Visitor Tips

Look for rock flour on the water surface and blue-green hues in the morning light.
Arrive before 7am in peak season to secure parking; overflow parking exists.
Use the boat shuttle to Lake Josephine/Swiftcurrent Lake to reduce hiking distance.
Carry bear spray, make noise in bear country, and keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Stay on designated trails and watch for slippery rocks; dress in layers for changing weather.

Details

Location & Features

Type: Glacial Lake

Elevation: 4,944 ft

Distance from Entrance: From Many Glacier Hotel: 6.8–7.8 miles round-trip on foot (230–465 ft gain); with boat shuttle (one-way hike): ~5.8 miles; with round-trip boat: ~2.4 miles.

GPS: 48.76518, -113.70534

What Makes It Unique:

Turquoise color from glacial flour; Belt Supergroup rocks exposed in a classic glacial cirque; rapid shift in scenery between Swiftcurrent and Grinnell Lake corridors.

Water Feature Details

Height: Not available

Size: 79.4 acres (32.1 ha)

Flow/Best Viewing: Not available

Fish Species: Not available

Geology

Formation Type: Cirque Lake (Tarn)

Scientific Interest:

Visible glacial silt coloring; Belt Supergroup bedrock; post-glacial uplift shaping the cirque

Getting There

Directions:

Park at the Many Glacier Hotel/Grinnell Glacier Trailhead. If using the boat shuttle, board Swiftcurrent Lake/Lake Josephine to shorten the hike, then hike to Grinnell Lake via established trails.

Access Type: Non-wheelchair-friendly; uneven terrain; boat shuttle reduces hiking distance; accessible viewing from Grinnell Lake shore.

Road: Paved

Seasonal Access: Late May–late September

Parking: Limited; fills by 7:00 AM in peak season; overflow parking along Many Glacier Road; occasional temporary shuttle service.

Entry Fees: Included with park entrance fee

Trails

Trailheads Here:

Grinnell Glacier Trailhead; boat shuttle access points on Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine

Connecting Trails:

Grinnell Glacier Trail; link via Many Glacier Hotel; boat shuttle connections to Swiftcurrent/Josephine routes

Photography & Viewing

Best Viewpoints:

Grinnell Lake shore beaches; viewpoints along the Grinnell Glacier Trail approach; near the boat dock for direct water views.

Photo Opportunities:

Dawn light on turquoise water; alpenglow on Garden Wall and surrounding peaks; reflections in still mornings.

Best Photo Spots:

Grinnell Lake shore beaches; boat dock area; viewpoints along trail with Mount Gould and Garden Wall in frame

Sunrise/Sunset: Alpenglow on peaks at sunrise and sunset

Stargazing: Excellent dark-sky visibility away from light pollution

Facilities

Restrooms (Pit toilets near the Lake Josephine boat dock)
Potable Water
Picnic Areas

Cell Service: Scarce

Wildlife & Nature

Common Wildlife:

Moose, bears (grizzly and black), deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats

Best Wildlife Viewing: Early morning and dusk

Wildflower Peak: July–August

Fall Colors Peak: Late September–October

Seasonal Information

Best Season: June–September

Best Times: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and mid-day glare

Road Opens: Late May–late September

Busiest: July–August

Parking Fills: 7:00 AM and earlier during peak season

Snow Until: Snow may linger into late spring; melts by early July

Winter Access: Limited; winter conditions restrict access; snowshoe routes possible where plowed

Weather:

Cool mornings; potential afternoon thunderstorms; mosquitoes in warm months

Activities

Nearby

Nearby Attractions:

Swiftcurrent Pass, Grinnell Glacier Trail, Iceberg Lake, Jackson Glacier Overlook

Nearby Services:

Many Glacier Hotel lodging; boat shuttle operations; pit toilets; potable water at trailhead picnic area

Insider Tips

Start early to beat parking crowds.
Use the shuttle to slice miles off the hike.
Watch for rock-fall and keep distance from cliff edges.
The water is cold—do not swim.
Photograph from the shore during golden hour for best color.

Visitor Information

Accessibility:

Non-wheelchair-accessible trail; boat shuttle reduces distance; uneven terrain

Family Friendly:

Trail is long; watch for wildlife; hold hands near water edges; guided access via shuttle can reduce effort for kids

Nearby Facilities:

Pit toilets near Lake Josephine dock; potable water at trailhead picnic area; limited on-site services

Reviews

★★★★☆

4.8 /5

Based on 60 Google reviews

Based on 60 guest reviews

" Grinnell Lake sits in a high-alpine cirque with water tinted by glacial flour. Access is via the Grinnell Glacier Trail or a boat shuttle across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, followed by a hike to the lake. The primary viewing area lies along the approach trail, offering broad views of the lake and surrounding peaks. In peak season, crowds and limited parking around the Many Glacier area can be a constraint. The water color reflects glacial grinding, with fine sediment suspended in meltwater from ancient ice."

Reviews from Google

We hiked the whole trail (2-3 miles each way) from the road. There was a spot where you either go around and up a cliff or go down a trail and across walk bridges to get to the lake. I’m not a cliff fan so I’d like to thank whomever built option B trail as Grinnell Lake was so beautiful and magical I’d be sad if I missed it! Perfect turquoise water, glacier waterfalls, colorful rocks, peaceful setting with magical pure mountains hugging you. A definite bucket list hike :) Thank you Montana!!

What a stunning lake!! With the boat tour the hike became pretty tolerable, a modest 2 mile hike with minimal elevation. We saw couple of deers as a bonus point. Also try the hidden falls, amazing view.

Decent and simple hike that anyone can do. Took boat from many glacier hotel that brings down walk to roughly 3 miles. You can walk all the way from many glacier hotel or grinnel glacier parking lot which will be an additional 2 mile walk one way. Good view of lake almost like avalanche lake. Be careful of wildlife as hike gets little into woods. Little swinging bridge on the way too.

Showing 3 of 60 reviews

FAQs

Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?

Yes. Parking fills very early in peak season; overflow parking exists along Many Glacier Road, and a shuttle can help you bypass some of the distance.

Is it worth the 6–8 mile hike just to see Grinnell Lake?

Can I bring my dog to the Grinnell Lake Trail?

Is the water actually blue, or is that just in photos?

Will I be able to access the lake if I don't like long hikes?