Grinnell Glacier gets all the hype, and it deserves it. But if you don’t want to do Grinnell (or you already have) and you still want a hike within walking distance of Many Glacier Hotel, there are some incredible options. I used to live here and I’ve done all of them.
- Cracker Lake: 12.8 miles round trip, 1,400 ft gain. Best for the bluest water I’ve ever seen
- Iceberg Lake: 9.6 miles round trip, 1,200 ft gain. Best for views the whole way, even in the rain
- Swiftcurrent Pass + Lookout: About 16.5 miles round trip. Best for big views, moose and bears
Distances are from the National Park Service. Check the NPS trail status page before you go, because trails here sometimes close for bear activity.
How I check trail conditions: Before every hike, I look the trail up on AllTrails and read the most recent reviews. People comment about whether there’s snow or ice, how the trail is holding up and what they recommend, so I know what to expect before I go.
1. Cracker Lake
- Distance: 12.8 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: About 1,400 ft
- Trailhead: South end of the Many Glacier Hotel parking lot
Cracker Lake starts right at Many Glacier Hotel. It’s mostly gradual and enclosed in trees until the last couple of miles, so there isn’t much to see for a while. There’s some elevation gain toward the end, but it’s not too bad.
Then the last few miles open up, the last half mile gets especially beautiful, and when you reach Cracker Lake your jaw will be on the floor. It’s the bluest water I’ve ever seen, perfect for Instagram pictures. Bring your swimsuit and take a dip, but warning: it’s really cold.
2. Iceberg Lake
- Distance: 9.6 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: About 1,200 ft
- Trailhead: Iceberg-Ptarmigan trailhead near the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, about a 5-minute drive from Many Glacier Hotel
There’s a bit of a climb at the very beginning, then it evens out and is pretty gradual the rest of the way. It’s beautiful the entire time. The trail is very open, so you have views for most of it.
Eventually you reach Iceberg Lake, which is stunning. Depending on when you go, it might have icebergs floating in it, or it might still be completely frozen. When I went in late June, there was still plenty of snow on the trail.
This is a great hike for a rainy day, because it’s mostly gentle and incredibly beautiful even in the rain since it’s all out in the open.
3. Swiftcurrent Pass and Swiftcurrent Mountain Lookout (past Bullhead Lake)
- Distance: About 13.6 miles round trip to Swiftcurrent Pass, or about 16.5 miles with the lookout
- Elevation gain: About 2,300 ft to the pass, plus about 1,300 more to the lookout
- Trailhead: Swiftcurrent trailhead near the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
This one follows the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail. It’s fairly flat until you start climbing the mountainside past Bullhead Lake, and that’s where it really gets pretty. As you climb, the views get incredible: waterfalls, and a view down over several different lakes.
If you’re up for a lot of miles and elevation, go all the way up and climb Swiftcurrent Mountain to the lookout. From the pass it’s about 1.5 miles up and 1.5 back down. The view from the top of the lookout is insane, especially at sunrise.
Bear safety: Bears like to roam in this area, especially near the top by Swiftcurrent Mountain. I’ve seen multiple grizzlies up there, so have your bear spray ready. The NPS bear safety page is worth reading before you go.
Bonus: Fishercap Lake for moose
I’ve seen moose all along the Swiftcurrent trail, so it’s a great place to spot them. About five minutes into the trail there’s a turnoff to Fishercap Lake. Every time I’ve gone there, I’ve seen at least one moose. Moose sightings are never guaranteed, but it’s a great short detour either way. Give them plenty of space.
Where to stay for Many Glacier hikes
Stay at Many Glacier Hotel and you can walk to the Cracker Lake trailhead and drive five minutes to Iceberg Lake and Swiftcurrent. It sells out early, so book as soon as you can. Here’s my full guide to where to stay in Glacier and my 7-day Glacier itinerary, which has two full days in Many Glacier.
Looking for quieter trails? Check out my most underrated hikes in Glacier National Park, including Piegan Pass, which ends right at Many Glacier Hotel.
Many Glacier hikes FAQ
What is the best hike in Many Glacier besides Grinnell Glacier?
Cracker Lake if you want the most unreal lake color, Iceberg Lake if you want views the entire way, and Swiftcurrent Pass to the lookout if you want a big day with the best panorama.
Which Many Glacier hike is best on a rainy day?
Iceberg Lake. It’s mostly gentle and wide open, so it’s still beautiful in the rain. Red Rock Falls (3.6 miles round trip and nearly flat) is another easy option.
Where can you see moose in Many Glacier?
Fishercap Lake, just off the Swiftcurrent trail, is where I’ve seen moose every time I’ve visited. They’re often seen along the Swiftcurrent Valley too.
