Swiftcurrent Lake, Glacier National Park

+2 more

Type

Glacial Lake

Accessibility

Partially accessible; portions of the Swiftcurrent Lake Trail are accessible; complete ADA access not available.

Best Season

Summer (July-September)

Busiest Season

July–August

Features

Cirque Lake; U-shaped valley; moraines; Altyn Formation bedrock dam; Swiftcurrent Falls

Elevation

4,912 ft

Overview

About This Attraction

Swiftcurrent Lake is a glacial cirque lake in Glacier NP’s Many Glacier, at 4,878 ft, with two basins and a 2.5–2.7 mile nature loop starting near the Many Glacier Hotel.

Quick Facts

Type

Glacial Lake

Elevation

4,912 ft

Access

Partially accessible; portions of the Swiftcurrent Lake Trail are accessible; complete ADA access not available.

Main Features

Cirque Lake; U-shaped valley; moraines; Altyn Formation bedrock dam; Swiftcurrent Falls

What You'll See

Shoreline viewpoints near the hotel; clear water; boat tours across the lake; views of the surrounding cirque walls and peaks.

What Makes It Special

Altyn Formation visible around the lake; bedrock dam sustains the lake; classic glacial cirque features in a developed setting.

Best Time to Visit

July–September offers the best weather and access; morning light yields reflections, and alpenglow paints the peaks at sunset. The Going-to-the-Sun Road typically opens by mid-July, expanding access to the Many Glacier region.

Safety Considerations

Gravity hazards near cliffs; stay back from edges. Lake water is ice-cold year-round; hypothermia risk. Bears frequent the Many Glacier area; carry bear spray and make noise. Giardia risk—purify any natural drinking water.

Visitor Tips

Parking fills early in peak season; overflow parking at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.
Boat tours provide water-level perspectives to access other trailheads.
Bears are common; carry bear spray and stay on trails.
The lake water is extremely cold; purify drinking water if you sample streams.

Details

Location & Features

Type: Glacial Lake

Elevation: 4,912 ft

Distance from Entrance: Varies

GPS: 48.7953448, -113.661523

What Makes It Unique:

Altyn Formation visible around the lake; bedrock dam sustains the lake; classic glacial cirque features in a developed setting.

Water Feature Details

Size: 1 mile long, 0.5 mile wide; max depth 30 feet

Geology

Formation Type: Cirque

Scientific Interest:

Glacial geomorphology in action: cirque basin, moraines, and visible Altyn dolomite bedrock reflecting ancient marine/climate cycles

Getting There

Directions:

Drive to the Many Glacier region via Going-to-the-Sun Road; park near the Many Glacier Hotel, or use overflow parking at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn; scenic boats cross the lake to connect to other trailheads.

Access Type: Partially accessible; portions of the Swiftcurrent Lake Trail are accessible; complete ADA access not available.

Road: Paved

Seasonal Access: Summer through fall; Going-to-the-Sun Road opens by mid-July; winter access is limited.

Parking: Parking near the Many Glacier Hotel and Grinnell Glacier Trailhead; fills up early; overflow parking at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.

Entry Fees: Entrance fees apply for vehicle entry; the amount is determined by vehicle type (private car, motorcycle, or RV) and the duration of the pass. Check the official Glacier National Park pricing for current rates.

Trails

Trailheads Here:

Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail (2.5-mile loop); access to Grinnell Glacier Trailhead via the lake

Connecting Trails:

Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail; Grinnell Glacier Trailhead connections

Photography & Viewing

Best Viewpoints:

Shoreline along the Many Glacier Hotel; boat-tour vantage; Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail overlook.

Photo Opportunities:

Morning reflections from the shoreline; alpenglow on surrounding peaks at sunset; boat reflections on calm water.

Best Photo Spots:

Shoreline views near the hotel; reflections across the calm water; alpenglow on peaks at sunset

Sunrise/Sunset: Alpenglow possible at sunset; morning reflections prominant

Stargazing: Excellent; dark skies with minimal light pollution in this area

Facilities

Restrooms (Vault toilets)
Potable Water
Picnic Areas
Interpretive Signs

Cell Service: Unreliable

Wildlife & Nature

Common Wildlife:

Grizzly bears, black bears, moose, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, marmots, pikas, and various birds

Best Wildlife Viewing: Dawn and dusk

Seasonal Information

Best Season: Summer (July-September)

Best Times: Early morning or late afternoon; avoid peak midday glare

Road Opens: Going-to-the-Sun Road opens mid-July; generally open through September; winter closure

Busiest: July–August

Parking Fills: July–August; parking lots fill early

Snow Until: Snow can linger into late spring in surrounding high country

Winter Access: Ski/Snowshoe access only; vehicle access limited

Weather:

Afternoon thunderstorms possible; rapidly changing conditions; snowmelt affects access

Activities

Boating Allowed

Nearby

Nearby Attractions:

Swiftcurrent Falls, Grinnell Glacier Trail, Many Glacier Hotel, Grinnell Lake

Nearby Services:

Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, boat tour operators

Insider Tips

Arrive before 8am for parking; overflow parking at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.
Take the boat to the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead for a different vantage.
Bring bear spray and practice bear-aware etiquette.
Purify lake water if drinking; avoid untreated sources.

Visitor Information

Accessibility:

Partial ADA accessibility; some trails accessible, others not

Family Friendly:

2.5-mile loop offers moderate distance; bear country awareness; keep children close and on designated paths

Nearby Facilities:

Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, Grinnell Glacier Trailhead picnic area

Reviews

★★★★☆

4.9 /5

Based on 35 Google reviews

Based on 35 guest reviews

" Swiftcurrent Lake presents classic glacial scenery with accessible shoreline views and water-based perspectives via boat tours. The lake’s crystal clarity and surrounding uplifted strata make it a compelling field example, though peak-season crowds and bear activity require preparedness. Plan for early parking, dress for sudden weather shifts, and respect wildlife while you study the geology in action."

Reviews from Google

A beautiful lake to visit in Many glacier area. You can take a boat tour or do kayak here. You can go around the lake or sit on the shore and enjoy the breeze and the sunshine.

Nice lake with good trail going around it. You can also rent a boat or hop on a boat tour to better explore the area. From the lake you will have a good view on the Many Glacier hotel and you might be able to reach Lake Josephine (closed now due to weather conditions).

Beautiful lake. We rented kayaks from the hotel and had the lake pretty much to ourselves that morning. Lake was calm, weather was perfect, views of the surroundings mountains were fantastic. We were there in August, which I think is the best time to go.

Showing 3 of 35 reviews