Iceberg Lake: Glacier-Carved Cirque in Glacier National Park

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Type

Cirque Lake

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible

Best Season

Mid-June through October

Busiest Season

July–August

Features

Glacial cirque lake, Iceberg Peak, Mount Wilbur, Belt Supergroup rock faces

Elevation

6,094 ft

Overview

About This Attraction

Iceberg Lake sits in a high cirque, its surface framed by snow-dusted walls and Mount Wilbur. Icebergs linger into midsummer as the lake remains fed by cold glacier melt. This is a glacial cirque lake formed by Pleistocene ice; the surrounding peaks rise more than 3,000 feet above the water, built from Belt Supergroup rocks.

Quick Facts

Type

Cirque Lake

Elevation

6,094 ft

Access

Not wheelchair accessible

Main Features

Glacial cirque lake, Iceberg Peak, Mount Wilbur, Belt Supergroup rock faces

What You'll See

Iceberg Lake with a northeastern shoreline for quiet viewing; dramatic peaks and cold, clear water fed by glaciers

What Makes It Special

Iceberg Lake hosts lingering icebergs into late summer; alpine setting framed by Belt Supergroup cliffs

Best Time to Visit

Mid-June through October; roads and facilities are fully open by mid-July. Morning light on the west-facing cirque can be dramatic in the late afternoon.

Safety Considerations

Bear habitat; carry bear spray; travel in groups and make noise; weather can change quickly with afternoon thunderstorms; lake water is extremely cold; no safety barriers; steep initial climb

Visitor Tips

Arrive very early to secure a parking spot near the trailhead; the lot fills quickly in peak season.
Treat the hike as a long, steady climb; use traction cleats in early season where snow lingers.
Bear spray is required and keep groups together; noise helps avoid surprising wildlife.
Cell service is unreliable; download offline maps and carry a reliable map.

Details

Location & Features

Type: Cirque Lake

Elevation: 6,094 ft

Distance from Entrance: 9.6-10 miles round-trip

GPS: 48°48′44″N 113°44′59″W

What Makes It Unique:

Iceberg Lake hosts lingering icebergs into late summer; alpine setting framed by Belt Supergroup cliffs

Water Feature Details

Height: Not specified

Size: 108 acres

Flow/Best Viewing: Not specified

Fish Species: Not documented in provided data

Geology

Formation Type: Cirque

Scientific Interest:

Glacial geomorphology; Belt Supergroup geology; persistence of glacial features into present-day alpine conditions

Getting There

Directions:

From the Many Glacier area, head to the Iceberg Lake Trailhead behind the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn; parking is limited and often overflows to the Swiftcurrent area. In 2025 construction shifts may route parking to the Many Glacier Hotel lot.

Access Type: Not wheelchair accessible

Road: Paved, seasonal

Seasonal Access: Open mid-June through October; fully open by mid-July

Parking: Limited at the trailhead; fills very early; overflow to Swiftcurrent Motor Inn; 2025 construction may route parking to Many Glacier Hotel

Entry Fees: Included with park entrance fee

Trails

Trailheads Here:

Iceberg Lake Trailhead behind the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn

Connecting Trails:

Iceberg Lake Trail links with network of Many Glacier trails

Photography & Viewing

Best Viewpoints:

Northeastern shoreline; along the trail where viewpoints unfold toward Iceberg Peak and Mount Wilbur

Photo Opportunities:

Golden hour reflections on the lake; late afternoon light on the west-facing cirque; icebergs and crystal water

Best Photo Spots:

Along the northeastern shore and upper viewpoints toward Iceberg Peak; late-afternoon light on the cirque is prime

Sunrise/Sunset: Alpenglow potential; early sunrise casting light across the cirque

Stargazing: Excellent under dark, clear skies

Facilities

Restrooms (Vault toilets)

Cell Service: Unreliable; satellite device recommended

Wildlife & Nature

Common Wildlife:

Grizzly bears, black bears, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, marmots, ground squirrels

Best Wildlife Viewing: Early morning and late afternoon

Wildflower Peak: Mid-July to late August

Fall Colors Peak: Late September to early October

Seasonal Information

Best Season: Mid-June through October

Best Times: Very early morning or late afternoon in the mid-June to October window

Road Opens: Roads open by mid-July; peak access occurs through October

Busiest: July–August

Parking Fills: Parking fills by very early morning in peak season; plan for overflow

Snow Until: Lingering snow possible into shoulder seasons; traction cleats recommended early season

Winter Access: Limited; winter access not typical for this trail; snowpack dominates the landscape

Weather:

Afternoon thunderstorms common in warmer months; quick changes are typical

Activities

Nearby

Nearby Attractions:

Ptarmigan Falls, Ptarmigan Wall, Swiftcurrent Valley

Nearby Services:

Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn; trailhead vault toilets

Insider Tips

Arrive before 6am to secure a parking spot
Move along the northeastern shore for quieter vantage points
Bear spray is essential
Early-season footwear traction helps on lingering snow

Visitor Information

Accessibility:

Trail is long with substantial elevation gain; not wheelchair accessible

Family Friendly:

Long hike with steep initial climb; bring kids along only if prepared for a strenuous day; bear awareness is essential

Nearby Facilities:

Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn; vault toilets at the trailhead

Reviews

★★★★☆

4.8 /5

Based on 85 Google reviews

Based on 85 guest reviews

" Visitors describe a striking alpine lake framed by imposing peaks; the experience combines dramatic scenery with practical considerations like parking and bear safety"

Reviews from Google

The hike was SO worth it. The view and experience you get up there is unreal. We went swimming while we were up there. The hike going up is almost all uphill, so coming down was much easier. We are new hikers, but it was really manageable. We saw a moose super close to the trail. I recommend doing this

One of the most beautiful places at Glacier National Park! Absolutely worth the hike. It’s a very busy trail so prepare to wait or squeeze by other hikers coming the other way in spots and expect plenty of company at the lake. There is often a lot of bear activity on this trail so it does get closed periodically for that so you may wanna check before heading out so you don’t get halfway there and get forced to turn around. Fortunately no issues when I went and had a beautiful, sunny day. Epic!

Great hike, lovely view throughout the trail and lots of beautiful wild flowers. The hike itself is moderate, but take lots of water with you. If you want to avoid the crowd and find a parking spot, try to be there as early as you can. We reached the parking spot at 8 and most of the spots were almost gone, however, the iceberg lake wasn’t much crowded so we were able to get a good spot. Also make sure you have bugs spray, cos there definitely was a lot of bugs.

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