Grinnell Lake

Glacial rock flour colors Grinnell Lake turquoise; boat shuttle shortens the hike.

Insider tip

Start early to beat parking crowds.

Insider tip

Use the shuttle to slice miles off the hike.

The light

Alpenglow on peaks at sunrise and sunset

Heads up

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 clo…

Natural Attraction

Natural Attraction★ 4.8
Glacial Lake4,944 ftRestrooms availableNo permit neededGolden-hour pick

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.

Glacial lake bordered by mountains, accessed by hiking trails & notable for bright turquoise water.

Getting there & parking

How To Get There
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.
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.
Road Type
Paved
Parking Availability
Limited; fills by 7:00 AM in peak season; overflow parking along Many Glacier Road; occasional temporary shuttle service.
Peak Fill Times
7:00 AM and earlier during peak season
GPS Coordinates
48.76518, -113.70534

When to go

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.
Best Visit Times
Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and mid-day glare
Sunrise Sunset Quality
Alpenglow on peaks at sunrise and sunset
Best Season
June–September
Busiest Season
July–August
Seasonal Access
Late May–late September
Road Opening Dates
Late May–late September
Snow Lingering
Snow may linger into late spring; melts by early July
Winter Access
Limited; winter conditions restrict access; snowshoe routes possible where plowed
Weather Patterns
Cool mornings; potential afternoon thunderstorms; mosquitoes in warm months
Wildflower Peak
July–August
Fall Colors Peak
Late September–October

What you will experience

Attraction Type
Glacial Lake
Main Features
Glacial tarn, turquoise water, cirque setting, Mount Gould, Garden Wall, Mount Grinnell
What Youll See
Beaches along the Grinnell Lake shore; turquoise water; surrounding peaks; trailheads and boat docks; possible wildlife in wetlands nearby.
Unique Characteristics
Turquoise color from glacial flour; Belt Supergroup rocks exposed in a classic glacial cirque; rapid shift in scenery between Swiftcurrent and Grinnell Lake corridors.
Photo Opportunities
Dawn light on turquoise water; alpenglow on Garden Wall and surrounding peaks; reflections in still mornings.
Photography Spots
Grinnell Lake shore beaches; boat dock area; viewpoints along trail with Mount Gould and Garden Wall in frame
Best Viewpoints
Grinnell Lake shore beaches; viewpoints along the Grinnell Glacier Trail approach; near the boat dock for direct water views.
Common Wildlife
Moose, bears (grizzly and black), deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats
Best Wildlife Times
Early morning and dusk
Geological Formation Type
Cirque Lake (Tarn)
Scientific Interest
Visible glacial silt coloring; Belt Supergroup bedrock; post-glacial uplift shaping the cirque
Stargazing Quality
Excellent dark-sky visibility away from light pollution

Facilities, fees & access

Entry Fees
Included with park entrance fee
Permits Required
0
Restrooms Available
1
Restroom Type
Pit toilets near the Lake Josephine boat dock
Picnic Areas
1
Water Available
1
Cell Service
Scarce
Interpretive Signs
0
Accessibility
Non-wheelchair-accessible trail; boat shuttle reduces distance; uneven terrain
Accessibility Level
Non-wheelchair-friendly; uneven terrain; boat shuttle reduces hiking distance; accessible viewing from Grinnell Lake shore.
Nearby Services
Many Glacier Hotel lodging; boat shuttle operations; pit toilets; potable water at trailhead picnic area
Nearby Facilities
Pit toilets near Lake Josephine dock; potable water at trailhead picnic area; limited on-site services
Family Friendly Notes
Trail is long; watch for wildlife; hold hands near water edges; guided access via shuttle can reduce effort for kids

Safety

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.

Nearby

Nearby Attractions
Swiftcurrent Pass, Grinnell Glacier Trail, Iceberg Lake, Jackson Glacier Overlook
Connecting Trails
Grinnell Glacier Trail; link via Many Glacier Hotel; boat shuttle connections to Swiftcurrent/Josephine routes
Trailheads Here
Grinnell Glacier Trailhead; boat shuttle access points on Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine

Planning advice

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.
Tips Advice
  • 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.

More details

Park Area
Many Glacier
Recent Updates
Seasonal shuttle adjustments; parking overflow handling during peak season; road access windows May–Sept
Elevation Feet
4944
Visitor Center Present
0
Guided Tours Available
0
Lake Size
79.4 acres (32.1 ha)
Fishing Nearby
0
Swimming Allowed
0
Boating Allowed
0
Climbing Areas
0
Review Summary
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.

Location

Grinnell Lake framed by snow-dusted peaks and pine forests along a quiet Glacier National Park shoreline.Grinnell Lake in Glacier National Park framed by lush evergreen trees with a wooden footbridge crossing a shallow stream.Grinnell Lake in Glacier National Park framed by evergreen trees and a turquoise river cascading through a rocky canyon.Grinnell Lake trail winds through forest toward snow-capped peaks in Glacier National Park on a sunny day.

Frequently asked questions

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?

Yes. The turquoise water, cirque setting, and views of Mount Gould and the Garden Wall are quintessential Glacier scenery; boat shuttle options allow a shorter, manageable route.

Can I bring my dog to the Grinnell Lake Trail?

No. Pets are not permitted on the Grinnell Glacier Trail and most backcountry trails; plan to left your dog at a permitted area or consider alternative trails where allowed.

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

The water is blue-green in real life. The color comes from rock flour ground by ancient glaciers; expect the hue to intensify with morning light.

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

Yes, via boat shuttle to Lake Josephine and a shorter cross-lake hike; the round-trip option from Many Glacier Hotel to Grinnell Lake is longer, but the shuttle makes it more manageable.

Vulture Peak

Glaciated peak with Precambrian Belt rocks; backcountry scramble to the summit.

Pyramid Peak

Granite peak sharpened by glacial ice; scrambling to Pyramid Peak from Pyramid Pass.

Grace Lake

Grace Lake: glacial cirque lake at 3,966 ft, reached via the Logging Lake Trail.

Monument Falls

215 ft waterfall fed by glacial meltwater; view from Avalanche Lake shore.

Sources

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 December 2025. Report an issue.