Many Glacier Guide: Best Hikes, Boat Tours & Scenic Spots

Many Glacier Guide Glacier National Park

Discover the Many Glacier area in Glacier National Park. This Many Glacier Guide gives details on boat tours, kid-friendly hikes, wildlife, Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Lake, and how to plan your visit.

If you’re planning your very first trip to Glacier National Park and keep hearing people rave about “the Many Glacier side,” you’re in the right place. This Many Glacier area guide breaks down what makes this valley so special. Find out why the wildlife is incredible, which hikes are best for families, how the boat cruises work. I will go into what to expect at the Many Glacier Hotel, and the little planning details (parking, shuttles, day hiker logistics, etc.) that can make or break your visit.

Think of this as the guide I wish I’d had before our first visit, written with families in mind, not hardcore mountaineers.

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What Exactly Is the Many Glacier Area?

Many Glacier sits on the northeast side of Glacier National Park, tucked up against the Continental Divide and surrounded by steep peaks, waterfalls, and a deep glacier valley carved thousands of years ago. If you’ve only seen Going-to-the-Sun Road so far, the Many Glacier valley feels like discovering the park’s secret back pocket, the part that regular visitors whisper about.

It’s quieter than the Sun Road, but it’s also home to some of the most popular hikes in the entire United States, including:

Grinnell Glacier
Iceberg Lake
Cracker Lake
Ptarmigan Tunnel

If you’re staying for 2–3 days in Glacier, this area belongs on your itinerary. And if you’re traveling with kids, the boat cruises, short hikes, and the easy shoreline walk along Swiftcurrent Lake make this a surprisingly family-friendly part of the park.

A Quick Look at What You Can Do in Many Glacier

Here’s the snapshot version for first-timers and families:

✔️ Boat cruises across Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine with Glacier Park Boat Company (huge time-saver for hikers)
✔️ Short, kid-friendly hikes with big views
✔️ Wildlife watching—mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and both black bears and grizzly bears love this valley
✔️ Longer hikes for the adventurous members of your party
✔️ Many Glacier Hotel—a national historic landmark with a great gift shop, the Swiss Lounge, and incredible views
✔️ Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Many Glacier Campground for lower-key lodging
✔️ Easy access to the Swiftcurrent area and the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead
✔️ Side trip opportunities to Waterton Lakes National Park, the Cut Bank area, or Two Medicine

And the scenery? The word spectacular gets thrown around in national parks a lot, but Many Glacier truly earns it.

Getting to Many Glacier

You’ll reach Many Glacier via Glacier Route 3 through the small town of Babb. The final stretch is a narrow road with road construction, rough patches, and limited parking pull-outs, so expect slower going. Once inside the glacier entrance station, you’ll follow the glacier road along Lake Sherburne into the Many Glacier valley.

A few things to know right away:

1. Limited Parking Is Real

During July and August, the parking areas fill early, often by 7:00–8:00 a.m. at the main trailheads and the glacier hotel parking lot. If you want to start a big hike, get there early or factor in shuttle options.

2. Cell Service Is Nearly Nonexistent

Assume you won’t have coverage in the Swiftcurrent valley. If you need directions or trail info from the National Park Service app, download it before you go.

3. Keep an Eye on Construction Updates

The final stretch of road into the valley often has construction. Temporary delays happen, so give yourself extra time.

Boat Cruises on Swiftcurrent Lake & Lake Josephine

If you do nothing else in Many Glacier, the Glacier Park Boat Company cruises are worth it, especially with kids. These are not long sightseeing rides like you find in some national parks; they are short, scenic crossings that help day hikers shave off several miles on the trail.

You’ll take one boat across Swiftcurrent Lake, walk a short connector trail, then board a second boat across Lake Josephine. The whole experience feels like a little adventure, and the views are unforgettable.

Here’s how it works:

Round trip or one-way return tickets are available
Tickets often sell out; you can book them online ahead of time
The ride is broken into two short hour-rides (not literally an hour, but the system of crossing + walking + crossing feels like a short sequence)
This is the fastest way to reach Upper Grinnell Lake and the back hike section toward Grinnell Glacier

Families love this because instead of coaxing kids along those early miles, you get straight to the good stuff.

The Best Hikes in the Many Glacier Area

This valley is home to some of the most iconic, and beginner-friendly, hikes in Glacier. You don’t have to tackle long hikes to enjoy the views, but if you want challenge, you’ll find it.

Below are the hikes first-timers and families should know about.

Note: If you are wondering why the sky is orange, this is wildfire smoke. The wildfires were not close, but the prevailing winds caused the sky to look super orange. It was eerie and kind of cool.

Grinnell Glacier (with or without the boat)

Distance: 7.6 to 11 miles depending on whether you use the boat
Elevation gain: ~1,500 feet
Rating: Strenuous

This is one of Glacier’s most popular hikes, partly because the scenery is ridiculous from start to finish. If you’re traveling with older kids or teens, this is a great bucket-list option.

Using the boat cruise saves mileage and makes it doable for more day hikers. Without the boat, it’s still doable for strong hikers. Just start early from the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead.

Iceberg Lake

Distance: 9.3 miles round trip
Elevation gain: ~1,200 feet
Rating: Moderate to strenuous

Iceberg Lake is famous for good reason. On a warm day, a few small icebergs still float across the turquoise surface, and the cliffs surrounding the lake feel unreal. This trail starts near the Swiftcurrent area and stays busy all summer.

Families with elementary-age kids may find it long, but teens usually love it.

Cracker Lake

Distance: 12.6 miles
Elevation gain: ~1,600 feet
Rating: Strenuous

Cracker Lake is one of the most photogenic lakes in the Many Glacier valley, a surreal aquamarine pool tucked beneath massive cliffs. This is a long hike, best for experienced day hikers or adults. If you go, start early and bring plenty of water.

Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail

Distance: 10.6 miles
Elevation gain: ~2,300 feet
Rating: Hard

This trail leads through a man-made tunnel blasted through the cliffs in the 1930s. On the other side, the view opens up toward the far side of the Continental Divide toward Waterton Lakes National Park. It’s a long hike, but one of the most unique in Glacier.

Poia Lake

Distance: 15.2 miles
Elevation gain: ~1,500 feet
Rating: Moderate to strenuous

A quieter trail often used by backpackers who have wilderness permits, this is less crowded and feels more remote. Not ideal for young kids, but a nice alternative for those who’ve visited Glacier before.

Kid-Friendly Short Hikes & Easy Walks

If you’re visiting Glacier with younger children or multigenerational families, these are the best options:

Swiftcurrent Lake Nature Trail

A gentle loop along the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake, with mountain views the whole way. Strollers (jogging-style) can handle much of the trail.

Apikuni Falls

Short but steep, starting at the Apikuni parking area. Kids love the waterfall reward at the top.

Fishercap Lake

A quick detour near the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, and one of the best places to spot moose, especially in the morning or late September.

Where to See Wildlife in Many Glacier

This valley is one of the top wildlife-viewing areas in Glacier National Park. We’ve seen mountain goats on the cliffs, bighorn sheep strolling right through the parking areas, and both black bears and grizzly bears in the meadows.

Some good rules:

Always give wildlife tons of space
Carry bear spray (every member of your party who can handle it responsibly)
Hike in groups
Make noise on trails
Follow National Park Service guidance closely

The Swiftcurrent Valley is also a prime spot for spotting moose. Fishercap Lake is the easiest place to try. Definitely plan to go early or late.

Staying in the Many Glacier Valley

You have three main lodging options: Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, and Many Glacier Campground.

Many Glacier Hotel

Even if you aren’t staying here, the hotel is worth visiting. It’s a national historic landmark built by the Great Northern Railway, and it feels like stepping into another era with its timber architecture and huge lobby windows.

Inside you’ll find:

Gift shop
Ptarmigan Dining Room
Swiss Lounge
Classic guest rooms (many with lake views)

The views from the lakeshore are some of the best in the entire Glacier area. If you’re already thinking about your next trip, keep in mind that reservations open early and sell out fast.

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn

This is a simpler, more affordable lodging option with motel-style rooms, a small camp store, and easy access to trailheads. The vibe is more low-key. Families, hikers, and people who want to walk straight out to the trails.

Many Glacier Campground

One of the most popular campgrounds in the park, and for good reason. The scenery is worth waking up to. Sites fit tents and small campers, and reservations go quickly.

How the Shuttles Work in Many Glacier

Shuttle options here are not as extensive as the Sun Road system, so here’s what to expect.

Temporary Shuttle Service

During busy seasons or construction, the park may offer limited or temporary shuttle service in the valley. Check for updates before you visit.

Day Hiker Shuttles

Some hikers purchase glacier day hiker shuttle tickets or hiker shuttle tickets through concessionaires or lodging partners. These often have a designated shuttle pick-up location at lodging or specific trailheads.

Glacier Park Lodge Shuttle

Guests staying at Glacier Park Lodge sometimes have access to transportation between East Glacier and Many Glacier, but it’s limited and may require rental reservations or commercial service reservation windows.

Red Bus Tours

These historic buses offer sightseeing routes through the park, including the Many Glacier side. They are not hop-on/hop-off transportation, but a fun way to learn about the park’s history.

Food, Services & What to Expect

The Many Glacier area is remote, so visitor services are limited.

Available services include:

Restaurants at the Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
Small camp store
Water refill stations
Gift shop
Limited snack items

What’s not available:

Reliable cell service
Full grocery stores
Pharmacies
Quick medical services

Tips for First-Time Visitors

These are the things you’ll be glad you knew:

1. Start Early

Parking fills quickly, especially at trailheads.

2. Bring Layers

Weather changes fast at high elevations.

3. Download Offline Maps

Between low signal and changing trail conditions, planning ahead helps.

4. Watch for Wildlife Closures

Bear activity can temporarily close trails. Always check the most recent National Park Service updates.

5. Consider Visiting in Late September

Crowds are lighter, wildlife is active, and fall colors pop. Snow can come early, though.

Is Many Glacier Worth the Side Trip?

Yes. Even if you’re based on the west side near Going-to-the-Sun Road or staying in St. Mary, Many Glacier is absolutely worth the short drives it takes to reach this corner of northwestern Montana. The scenery, hikes, wildlife, and lake crossings make this one of the best places in the entire park for families and first-time visitors.

If you only have 2–3 days in Glacier National Park, make sure at least one of them is spent here.