Glacier National Park Map +
3-Day Weekend Hiking Itinerary
3-day Glacier National Park hiking itinerary from a St. Mary base: the Grinnell Glacier Trail in Many Glacier, the Highline Trail and Hidden Lake Overlook from Logan Pass, and a relaxed final morning on Lake McDonald before you fly out of Glacier Park International Airport.
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Glacier's two marquee hikes in a weekend, from a St. Mary base.
This 3-day Glacier National Park hiking itinerary is built for a long weekend and focuses on the park's most rewarding trails. It pairs two strenuous marquee hikes, the Grinnell Glacier Trail and the Highline Trail, with a shorter viewpoint hike and a relaxed final morning on Lake McDonald.
Base out of St. Mary on the east side for the closest access to the Many Glacier trailheads and the east end of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Day 1 climbs to Grinnell Glacier, Day 2 traverses the Highline Trail below the Garden Wall and adds the Hidden Lake Overlook, and Day 3 winds down along Lake McDonald before you fly out of Glacier Park International Airport.
For 2026 the park has dropped its timed-entry vehicle reservations, so no reservation is required to drive in, but a park entry pass still is. Note the new Logan Pass rules: a 3-hour parking limit and a ticketed shuttle for longer alpine visits. Mid-July to early September is the window when the Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open and high trails are snow-free.
For 2026 Glacier no longer requires timed-entry vehicle reservations, but you still need a park entry pass ($35 per vehicle for 7 days). Beginning July 1, 2026, Logan Pass parking is limited to 3 hours, and a ticketed shuttle is required to spend longer in the alpine area of Going-to-the-Sun Road; shuttle tickets release on a rolling basis starting in early May. Lodging in Many Glacier and St. Mary books up months ahead for summer, so reserve as early as you can.
Grinnell Glacier Trail · 10.6 miles
Your Glacier weekend begins with the classic Grinnell Glacier Trail in the Many Glacier valley. This 10.6-mile round trip climbs steadily past Lake Josephine and Grinnell Lake to a turquoise basin below the receding glacier, one of the most iconic hikes in the park. Start early to secure parking and beat the crowds.
The trail begins near the Many Glacier Hotel. You can shorten the hike by taking the Glacier Park Boat Co. shuttle across Swiftcurrent and Josephine lakes (book ahead, seasonal). This is grizzly country, so carry bear spray and make noise. After the hike, check into your base in St. Mary or at the historic Many Glacier Hotel.
- 10.6 mi RT · 1,840 ft gain · Strenuous · trailhead near Many Glacier Hotel
- Optional boat ride across Josephine to trim ~3.4 mi round trip
- Carry bear spray in Many GlacierActive grizzly country · make noise, hike in groups
- Parking at the Grinnell Glacier and Swiftcurrent trailheads fills before dawn in summer, so arrive very early or use the boat shuttle to reach the trail.
- The Glacier Park Boat Co. shuttle across Lake Josephine trims about 3.4 miles round trip; reserve tickets online well in advance, as they sell out.
- Snow and ice can linger in the upper glacier basin into July, so check the NPS trail-status page and bring microspikes early in the season.
Lake JosephineMany Glacier HotelHighline Trail & Hidden Lake Overlook
Hidden Lake OverlookLogan PassDay two heads to Logan Pass for the spectacular Highline Trail, cut into the cliffs below the Garden Wall. The opening ledge, protected by a hand cable, drops away dramatically before the trail opens into sweeping views and reliable mountain-goat and bighorn-sheep sightings. Haystack Butte makes a rewarding turnaround.
Back at the pass, add the shorter Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, a boardwalk-and-dirt path to a stunning viewpoint over Hidden Lake and Bearhat Mountain. Note the 2026 rules: Logan Pass parking is capped at 3 hours, so plan around the ticketed alpine shuttle if you want a full day up high. Overnight in St. Mary, or shift to West Glacier if you fly out early.
- Turnaround hike from Logan Pass · Garden Wall ledge with hand cable
- 2.7 mi RT · 460 ft gain · Moderate · boardwalk from Logan Pass
- New for July 1, 2026 · ticketed alpine shuttle for longer stays
- The Highline's opening section is a narrow ledge with a hand cable and real exposure; skip it if you have a severe fear of heights.
- Beginning July 1, 2026, Logan Pass parking is limited to 3 hours, and a ticketed shuttle is required to spend longer in the alpine zone, so book shuttle tickets when they release in early May.
- The Hidden Lake boardwalk is often snow-covered into July and is a favorite for wildlife and sunset light, so save some energy for it after the Highline.
Lake McDonald & Departure
On your final day, slow the pace and explore the west side of the park around Lake McDonald, the largest lake in Glacier, famous for its clear water and colored-pebble shoreline. Drive the western portion of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, stopping at pull-offs and the historic Lake McDonald Lodge.
Take a short shoreline walk or browse Apgar Village before heading out. From West Glacier it is only about a 30-minute drive to Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) near Kalispell, a fitting, scenic conclusion to a Glacier hiking weekend.
- Lake McDonald scenic stopsPull-offs along the lake · Lake McDonald Lodge · Apgar Village
- Apgar Village shoreline walkEasy stroll · shops and seasonal boat rentals
- ~30 min from West Glacier · allow time for rental return
- Morning light on Lake McDonald best shows off the colored pebbles and clear water, so plan the west-side stops before you drive to the airport.
- From St. Mary, driving the full Going-to-the-Sun Road to Lake McDonald takes about 2 hours, so leave a generous buffer before your flight.
- Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) is small but gets busy in peak season; check flight status and allow extra time for rental-car return.
Lake McDonald LodgeGoing-to-the-Sun RoadNow build your Glacier trip.
You've seen all three days. Open the free drag-and-drop planner and tune it for your dates, your pace, and whether you base in St. Mary, Many Glacier, or West Glacier.
Essential park rules & planning.
No vehicle reservation in 2026
Glacier has dropped its timed-entry vehicle reservation system for 2026, so you can drive in at any time from any entrance. You still need a valid park entry pass ($35 per vehicle for 7 days), and an America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee.
Logan Pass 3-hour parking + shuttle
Beginning July 1, 2026, weather permitting, Logan Pass parking is limited to 3 hours. To spend longer in the alpine area of Going-to-the-Sun Road you must book a ticketed shuttle from the west or east entrance; a portion of shuttle tickets releases on a rolling basis starting in early May.
Grizzly country, carry bear spray
Glacier is home to both grizzly and black bears. Always carry bear spray where you can reach it, not buried in your pack, and know how to use it. Make noise on the trail, hike in groups, store food properly, and report bear sightings to a ranger.
Go mid-July to early September
This is the window when the Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open and high-elevation trails are snow-free. Wildflowers peak in July and August. Expect crowds at peak season, and snow can linger on higher trails well into July.
Where to base and book early
St. Mary and Many Glacier put you closest to the eastern trailheads and Logan Pass; West Glacier is handier for the FCA airport. In-park lodging like the Many Glacier Hotel and Lake McDonald Lodge books months ahead, and campgrounds often fill by early morning.
Getting there needs a car
Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) near Kalispell is about 30 minutes from West Glacier and roughly 2 hours from St. Mary. There is no practical public transit to the eastern trailheads, so plan on a rental car for the whole trip.
Everything you'll actually want to know.
Ready to go? Get your
Glacier National Park route.
Trailheads and mileages, the 2026 vehicle-reservation and Logan Pass shuttle rules, the Grinnell boat shuttle, bear-safety basics, drive times from St. Mary and West Glacier, and where to base to hit the two marquee hikes in a weekend.
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