Easy Hikes in Glacier National Park With Lakes and Waterfalls

Start at Avalanche Picnic Area for an easy forest loop of about 0.9 mile. Broad wooden boardwalk runs through older trees, and the bridge over Avalanche Creek gives you an early look into the gorge. Choose the loop itself when you want shade and a short walk.

From Running Eagle Falls Trailhead in Two Medicine, follow the short accessible route for about 0.6 mile round trip. The flow can change the view dramatically. At lower water you may see it emerge through the rock, which explains why people remember this waterfall even after a short stop.

Use the Sunrift Gorge pullout for a short walk of about 0.3 mile each way. The descent means a short climb on the return, but the falls come quickly. Start here if you want a waterfall without following the longer lakeshore route.

Walk out from the Sun Point Picnic Area for a view across St. Mary Lake. The overlook comes first. Continue along the north shore for the 0.9-mile nature trail, or turn back at the overlook for an even shorter stop. The exposed rocks can feel windy.

Begin just north of Fish Creek Campground. The trail is about 1.1 miles each way, with roughly 85 feet of gain. It is a useful west-side choice for a quiet stretch of Lake McDonald shoreline, with the view opening more as you approach the point.

The shorter route starts at the St. Mary Falls shuttle stop, about 0.8 mile from the falls. The separate trailhead takes longer. The footing slopes down toward the water and needs extra time going back uphill. Stop at St. Mary Falls for the shorter version.

Start from Many Glacier Hotel for a relatively flat loop of about 2.3 miles. For a shorter walk, the park lists a 0.9-mile accessible section from the hotel or a 0.75-mile section from the picnic area, both measured one way. Check road and trail access before choosing which end to use.

From the Swiftcurrent Trailhead, take the Swiftcurrent Pass Trail to the short spur for Fishercap Lake. Make the lake your turnaround if you want an easier outing along the same corridor as Redrock Falls. Give wildlife along the shore plenty of room and check Many Glacier road access before leaving.

Start near the boat rental office at the Two Medicine South Shore Trailhead. The walk is about 0.7 mile each way and gains roughly 100 feet. Choose it for a short route to a mountain-framed view of the lake. Check construction and seasonal road gates before heading to Two Medicine.

Start at the Swiftcurrent Trailhead when it is open. The falls are about 1.8 miles each way with roughly 100 feet of gain. The walking is gentle for the distance, and the red rock ledges and water give you a clear turnaround point. Check for seasonal access restrictions.

Follow the route toward Lake Josephine from the Many Glacier Hotel side and turn around at the shore. This gives you a full lake view before the routes toward the glacier begin to climb. Check current Many Glacier trail access or ask about seasonal boats before planning your start.

Take the seasonal boats from Many Glacier Hotel and get off at the far end of Lake Josephine. With the boat option, the park lists about 1.1 miles of walking each way including the connector between the two boat rides. That short connector involves stairs. Follow the signed route to Grinnell Lake and turn around at the water instead of climbing toward the glacier. Confirm the boats and trail are open.

Start at the Two Medicine South Shore Trailhead and turn around at Aster Falls, about 1.2 miles each way with roughly 100 feet of gain. The smaller waterfall suits an unhurried walk. The route farther up toward Aster Park is considerably steeper.

Start from the Johns Lake Trailhead off Going-to-the-Sun Road. The roughly two-mile loop passes a small lake in the cedar and hemlock forest, then gives you a view of running water along McDonald Creek. Boardwalks improve some wet stretches. Expect ordinary uneven forest trail elsewhere.

When the seasonal concession boat is operating, cross Two Medicine Lake and walk from the far dock to Twin Falls. The park lists approximately 0.9 mile each way for the boat-assisted option. Use the short route only when both the boat and trail are open. The overland route is much longer and some reroutes have unbridged water.