Arguably the most scenic area in one of the most spectacular national parks, Many Glacier has a seemingly endless supply of fun to offer.
This amazing corner of Glacier National Park is home to wildlife, pristine glacial lakes, alpine meadows, epic hikes and historic accommodations.
Every ingredient for an unforgettable few days is available in Many Glacier. You can join boat tours, go bear spotting and hit the area’s world-class hiking trails. There are waterfalls to see, porches to relax on and scenic views to enjoy.
Below, you’ll find an overview of the very best things to do in Many Glacier, the heart of Montana’s Glacier National Park.
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14 Unforgettable Activities in Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
Although less visited than the ultra-popular Going-to-the-Sun Road and the tourist hubs around Lake McDonald and St. Mary, Many Glacier is no less beautiful. Rather the opposite, in fact.
In terms of sheer natural beauty, you can make a strong case that Many Glacier is the most beautiful place in all of Glacier National Park.
If you’re planning a visit to this corner of Glacier National Park and figuring out what to do in Many Glacier, rest assured there’s no lack of amazing activities. You could spend several days exploring this magnificent area in the northern Rocky Mountains.
The things to do in Many Glacier below are divided into three main categories: easy activities, wildlife watching and challenging day hikes. Combined, they encompass all of the fun that awaits at Many Glacier.
There’s something for everyone. For example, if you don’t feel like spending the whole day hiking, you can take a boat tour or go horseback riding instead. You can pitch a tent or spend a night or two at historic Glacier National Park accommodations.
Wildlife viewing in Many Glacier is possible on hiking trails or simply from the roadside. You can often even see iconic animals, including bears and mountain goats, from the deck of Many Glacier Hotel.
Let’s take a closer look at all the fun things to do at Many Glacier!
Easy Things to Do at Many Glacier
Have Lunch/Dinner at Many Glacier Hotel
You don’t necessarily need to stay at Many Glacier Hotel to enjoy the historic charm of this iconic national park lodge. Having lunch or dinner at the hotel is also a satisfactory Many Glacier Hotel experience.
There are three eateries at Many Glacier Hotel—more information about them in the FAQs below—including two restaurants and a snack bar.
You can eat in a historic dining room or grab some takeout to enjoy on the hotel’s lawn, complete with phenomenal views of Swiftcurrent Lake and Grinnell Point.
Take a Boat Tour
Boat tours are available on many lakes in Glacier National Park, such as Lake McDonald, Two Medicine Lake, St. Mary Lake and a couple of lakes at Many Glacier.
What’s so special about boat tours in Many Glacier is that they include two separate lakes.
You’ll start on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake at Many Glacier Hotel, cruise across the lake aboard the Chief Two Guns and disembark on the lake’s far end.
A 0.2-mile walk over a hill brings you to the north shore of scenic Lake Josephine, where you’ll board the Morning Eagle, which cruises to the head of Lake Josephine.
There, you can either go on (self-)guided hikes to places like Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Glacier or take the next boat back to the hotel.
Whether you combine a Many Glacier boat ride with a hike or not, the perspective of the surrounding scenery from the lake is incredible—an unforgettable experience. If you’re lucky enough, you might even see a moose or bear on the shoreline.
You can find more information about boat excursions in Many Glacier here on the website of the Glacier Park Boat Company.
Stroll Around Swiftcurrent Lake
In addition to a boat tour, I also highly recommend walking around Swiftcurrent Lake, which is one of the greatest easy hikes in Glacier National Park.
The Swiftcurent Nature Trail loops around the entire lake, offering truly sensational views of the Many Glacier mountains and scenery.
It’s a very easy and virtually flat 2.3-mile loop hike. Again, even though this is a popular trail, keep your eyes out for wildlife.
You can start this wonderful walk at the Many Glacier Hotel or at the Swiftcurrent Picnic Area.
Take in the Spectacular Many Glacier Views on a Porch
Both Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn have porches and/or balconies where you can relax and enjoy the area’s magnificent landscapes.
They’re amazing spots to rest your weary legs after a day hike, while also offering some amazing wildlife viewing opportunities in the early morning or evening.
Especially the deck of the Many Glacier Hotel is famous for its panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. It’s a superb spot to simultaneously do some wildlife viewing, with a pair of binoculars, and enjoying a refreshing (adult) beverage.
Go Horseback Riding
Enjoy the sweeping views of Many Glacier to the fullest on horseback! Swan Mountain Outfitters offers a variety of trail rides in Many Glacier.
Ranging from 1-hour to full-day excursions, they’re suitable for all experience levels. From total newbies to experienced riders, everyone can join these memorable tours on horseback. (There are some conditions, though, so check their website for more information.)
Horseback riding destinations at Many Glacier include Lake Josephine, the Piegan Valley, Cracker Flats, Cracker Lake and Sherburne Overlook.
Walk to Redrock Falls
An easy journey into the Swiftcurrent Valley, Redrock Falls is a fun outing to two shimmering lakes and a beautiful waterfall.
Start at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and follow the trail into the forest. You’ll quickly get to a spur trail to the shore of Fishercap Lake, where you might spot a moose.
The trail continues parallel to a bubbling creek toward Redrock Lake, at the end of which you’ll arrive at photogenic Redrock Falls, a nice picnic spot and popular among children.
Bring your binoculars and scan the surrounding hillsides for bears from the top of the falls, before returning the same way you came. The roundtrip distance of the Redrock Falls hike is 3.6 miles.
Wildlife Viewing at Many Glacier
Try to Spot a Moose at Fishercap Lake
It’s possible to see moose foraging along lakeshores all throughout Many Glacier. However, some lakes are seemingly better than others when it comes to moose sightings.
One such lake is Fishercap Lake, which is just a few hundred yards from Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. Moose frequent the shores of Fishercap Lake, especially in the morning and the evening.
Additionally, there are a couple of other lakes further down the trail that also offer decent opportunities to see moose. Those are Redrock Lake and Bullhead Lake.
Go Bear Viewing in the Many Glacier Valley
Many Glacier is the black and grizzly bear mecca of Glacier National Park. The verdant lakeshores and river valleys of this part of the park are prime bear habitat, offering all kinds of sustenance and shelter to blacks and bruins alike.
In fact, Many Glacier has one of the densest bear populations in the contiguous United States. Unless you’re exceptionally unfortunate, spending a few days here should result in at least one bear sighting.
I, for one, spent two days and two nights camping at the Many Glacier Campground and I saw two grizzlies and no fewer than four black bears here.
Perhaps the easiest place to find bears in Many Glacier is the Many Glacier Road along Lake Sherburne.
While driving this scenic road late in the evening, your chances of seeing bears are excellent. Watch for them wandering and foraging in the meadows along the lake.
Additionally, the many amazing trails in Many Glacier also offer great opportunities to see grizzlies and other wildlife.
Bear encounters are not unusual on longer trails like the Grinnell Glacier Trail, Iceberg Lake and Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail, and Cracker Lake Trail.
Find Mountain Goats on High-Elevation Slopes
Often considered the official mascot of Glacier National Park, mountain goats thrive in the park’s rugged high-elevation environment.
You can see them scaling cliffs, crossing slopes, relaxing on ledges and walking across alpine meadows in several different places in Glacier.
In the Many Glacier area, mountain goats are frequently seen around Grinnell Glacier and Ptarmigan Tunnel.
Challenging Day Hikes in Many Glacier
Hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail
Without question of the most epic day hikes in Glacier National Park, the Grinnell Glacier Trail features everything from lakeshore scenery and panoramic mountain views to wildlife and wildflowers.
From the Swiftcurrent Picnic Area or Many Glacier Hotel, walk a section of the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, followed by the north shore of Lake Josephine until you reach the junction at Lake Josephine’s west end.
There, the Grinnell Glacier Trail splits off and runs directly uphill. After a short distance, views of Grinnell Lake below begin opening up. Once you’re well above the tree line, the vista gets nothing less than awe-inspiring.
Following a cliffside above Grinnell Lake, you’ll continue toward Grinnell Glacier itself, accompanied by views of Gem Glacier and Salamander Glacier.
The last section of the Grinnell Glacier hike is usually closed until early-July, but when it’s open, it leads to the park’s only accessible glacier.
From the moraine and Upper Grinnell Lake, the views are absolutely sensational. Be careful, though, to not step onto the glacier itself—it has numerous hidden crevasses, falling can be deadly.
You can retrace your steps the same way you came or, alternatively, catch a boat tour back to the Many Glacier Hotel. For one-way boat tours, make a reservation to ensure you have a stop on the return boat.
If you’re hiking the entire Grinnell Glacier Trail, from the trailhead to the glacier viewpoint and back, it’s a 10.6-mile roundtrip.
You can also start the hike to Grinnell Glacier from the boat dock at the head of Lake Josephine, combined with a roundtrip boat tour. This makes your hike significantly shorter, but it’s still 3.6 miles one-way—a 7.2-mile roundtrip hike.
Hike to Ptarmigan Falls, Lake and Tunnel
Another wonderful hike in Many Glacier is the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail. Starting at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, the first 2.7 miles of this trail are shared with the popular Iceberg Lake Trail.
After Ptarmigan Falls, both trails split up. The Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail runs off to right toward Ptarmigan Lake, while the Iceberg Lake Trail continues to the left toward Iceberg Lake itself.
From the trail junction, it’s another 2.6 miles to Ptarmigan Tunnel, making the total roundtrip distance of this strenuous hike 10.2 miles.
That last section of the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail, especially around Ptarmigan Lake and Ptarmigan Tunnel itself, provides pretty decent chances of seeing wildlife like mountain goats, grizzly bears and bighorn sheep.
And the scenery is to die for, made even more enjoyable by the remoteness of quietness of this area in the northeast of Glacier National Park.
Hike the Iceberg Lake Trail
When, in summer, the lake is accessible and icebergs float in its turquoise water, the Iceberg Lake Trail is one of the greatest, and most popular, day hikes in Glacier National Park.
Starting behind Swiftcurrent Motor Inn in Many Glacier, the trail climbs steadily through woods and areas of beautiful wildflowers.
Ptarmigan Falls is a great spot to take a break before continuing to the exceptionally photogenic Iceberg Lake.
As mentioned above, the first 2.7 miles of the Iceberg Lake Trail are shared with the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail. After the junction above Ptarmigan Falls, the trail to Iceberg Lake itself is another 2.1 miles. This makes the roundtrip hike to Iceberg Lake 9.6 miles.
Hike to Swiftcurrent Pass
Although it’s quite a challenging hike, Swiftcurrent Pass is a phenomenal hiking destination.
The trail from Swiftcurrent Motor Inn to Swiftcurrent Pass is 6.8 miles one-way, a roundtrip hike of 13.6 miles.
This is the same trail that runs along the shores of Fishercap Lake, Redrock Lake and Falls, and Bullhead Lake. After the latter lake, it starts climbing steeply, via a series of switchbacks, to Swiftcurrent Pass on the Continental Divide.
As you might expect, the views are absolutely breathtaking.
Although the first section of this trail can be rather busy with people hiking to Redrock Falls, the crowds quickly thin out beyond that waterfall.
Hike to Cracker Lake
Much less crowded than most other trails in Many Glacier, Cracker Lake Trail offers hikers beautiful alpine scenery, complete with lupines, bluebells and other wildflowers.
The first 1.5 miles or so are shared with a horse trail, so pay attention and let horses pass.
Cracker Lake itself is one of the most stunning lakes in the park, featuring milky blue glacial water and backed by massive Siyeh Peak.
One of the longest Many Glacier trails—a 12.8-mile roundtrip hike—and home to a backcountry campsite, this is also a popular backpacking destination. The trail starts just above Many Glacier Hotel.
Where to Stay at Many Glacier
There are a couple of accommodations in Many Glacier, a charming motor inn and a historic Swiss-style lodge. Additionally, a large campground has numerous sites for both tent campers and RVers alike.
Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
This is arguably the single best accommodation in Glacier National Park for hikers. If you’d like to camp, the Many Glacier Campground is just across the road from Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.
Trails to magnificent places like Ptarmigan Tunnel, Iceberg Lake, Redrock Falls and Swiftcurrent Pass all start right outside the door.
Additionally, the trailheads for Swiftcurrent Lake, Grinnell Lake, Grinnell Glacier and Cracker Lake are also just a quick walk away. Those start near the Many Glacier Hotel. A hiker’s paradise, indeed.
Accommodation at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins consists of 95 units.
There are motel-style rooms and cabins, which are arranged in circles. Some cabins, but not all, have a private bathrooms. People staying at cabins without a bathroom can use a shared shower and bathroom facility nearby.
Besides these rustic rooms, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn also has a restaurant, a gift shop and fully stocked camp store.
Many Glacier Hotel
Easily one of the most iconic hotels in America’s national parks, historic Many Glacier Hotel sits surrounded by awe-inspiring natural beauty.
Situated on the shore of scenic Swiftcurrent Lake, it dates from 1914-15.
This famous hotel was built by the Great Northern Railway in an attempt to bring more people to the “Switzerland of America.” They did, of course, succeed tremendously.
At Many Glacier Hotel, you’ll find the Swiss Lounge, the Ptarmigan Dining Room and Heidi’s Snack Shop, among other services and amenities.
Plenty of activities await guests and visitors alike, ranging from Red Bus tours and boat excursions to horseback riding trips, evening ranger programs and hiking in one of America’s grandest Rock Mountain landscapes.
The hotel itself was partially renovated in 2016 and has 205 guest rooms, seven family rooms and two suites, spread out across five floors.
All rooms are rustic and comfortable, offering a variety of budget options. They have direct dial phones and private bathrooms, but no air conditioning or televisions.
Some of Glacier’s greatest trails start from Many Glacier Hotel, including the Swiftcurrent Lake Loop, the Grinnell Glacier Trail and Cracker Lake Trail. The trailheads at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn are about a mile up the road, too.
From its rooftop deck, lucky visitors may see grizzly bears, bighorn sheep or mountain goats on the surrounding slopes, a very popular late-afternoon activity.
Many Glacier Campground
According to the National Park Service, “the campground at Many Glacier is one of the most popular campgrounds in Glacier National Park.”
Set amid a beautiful forest, the campground has a total of 109 sites, including tent sites and RV sites. However, only 13 sites are able to accommodate vehicles up to 35 feet long. Sites have picnic tables, fire rings and a bear box.
Potable water is available only in the high season, as are a dump station, on-site staff, trash collection and a camp store.
Wildlife abounds here. It’s not uncommon to have moose walk straight through the campground, while black bears and grizzly bears occasionally pay a visit, too.
The Many Glacier Campground sits in the heart of Glacier’s best area for hiking.
From your site, you can easily access epic trails to places like Grinnell Lake and Grinnell Glacier, Redrock Lake, Swiftcurrent Pass, Iceberg Lake, and Ptarmigan Falls and Tunnel.
You can find more Glacier National Park accommodation here.
Visiting Many Glacier FAQs
Where Is Many Glacier?
Many Glacier is located on the east side of Glacier National Park. It is to the north of St. Mary Lake and roughly between the Continental Divide and Lake Sherburne.
Set at the end of the Many Glacier Road, this remote area is accessible from the Blackfeet Reservation. From St. Mary Village, it’s a 9-mile drive north to the tiny town of Babb, then a 12-mile drive west to Many Glacier.
The Continental Divide separates Many Glacier from the Going-to-the-Sun Road, but there are a few (very challenging) hiking trails that connect both of these places.
How Many Days Do I Need to Explore Many Glacier?
There are so many things to do in in Many Glacier that I don’t recommend visiting the area on just a day trip.
It’s quite a remote place and getting there and back to where you’re staying could take a while. (Traffic congestion throughout the summer season can significantly impact your visit.)
Additionally, you really don’t want to miss sunrises and sunsets at Many Glacier. They’re gorgeous and those are the best times to see animals, too.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to dedicate a few days to exploring Many Glacier. Two days and one night is the very minimum I’d recommend. The more the better, though.
Try to spend at least three days and two nights in the area. You won’t regret it!
What Wildlife Can I See in Many Glacier?
Many Glacier is a wildlife haven like few others in the contiguous United States. In this part of Glacier National Park, you can find many of North America’s most iconic animals.
Mammals are usually what visitors focus on, but there are some amazing birds in this area as well. From Clark’s nutcrackers and common loons to bald eagles and ptarmigans, Many Glacier is a birding paradise.
In terms of mammals, the number of species and individual animals is phenomenal. Many Glacier is especially well-known for its dense bear population—both black bears and grizzly bears call the area home.
Moose are also common here, as are mountain goats, bighorn sheep, marmots and pikas.
When out and about in Glacier National Park, it’s important to know what to do in case you encounter wildlife. Read the following wildlife safety guides for more information.
Do I Need a Reservation to Visit Many Glacier?
Depending on when you want to visit the area, you may need a reservation for Many Glacier.
From July 1 through September 8, 2024, between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., each vehicle entering the Many Glacier Valley will need an advance reservation. These Many Glacier Vehicle Reservations are good for one day.
However, if you have other reservations or bookings, such as for lodging, camping, or boat tours, you do not need a vehicle reservation to enter the Many Glacier Valley.
Note that the vehicle reservations for Many Glacier are separate from other reservations you may need for other areas in Glacier National Park, such as the Going-to-the-Sun Road, North Fork, and Two Medicine.
You can find more information about fees and reservations in Glacier here.
Are There Any Restaurants in Many Glacier?
Absolutely, there are! There are four places where you can eat in Many Glacier.
- Ptarmigan Dining Room at Many Glacier Hotel (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Swiss Lounge at Many Glacier Hotel (lunch and dinner)
- Heidi’s Snack Shop & Espresso Stand at Many Glacier Hotel (sandwiches, hot and cold snacks, drinks)
- Swiftcurrent Restaurant at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn (breakfast, lunch and dinner)