Glacier Avalanche Lake Trail

The Glacier Avalanche Lake Trail in Glacier National Park, Montana, is one of the park's most rewarding short hikes, covering 4.6 miles round trip with just 500 feet of elevation gain. Beginning at the Avalanche Creek Trailhead on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the route combines a flat, wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through an ancient cedar grove with a forested gorge trail to a cirque lake fed by four cascading waterfalls.

The trailhead is located at the Avalanche Creek pullout on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, approximately 16 miles east of the west entrance near Apgar. During peak season (mid-May through Labor Day), the free Glacier National Park shuttle stops at this location, eliminating the need for a timed vehicle reservation. Those arriving by car must secure a Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservation through recreation.gov. Restrooms are available at the trailhead pullout.

The first mile follows the Trail of the Cedars, a paved and boardwalk loop through an ancient grove of western red cedar and black cottonwood that survived the 2003 Trapper Fire. The canopy creates a lush, mossy environment even in midsummer. Beyond the loop, the Avalanche Lake Trail continues alongside Avalanche Creek through a narrow gorge of polished red argillite rock—one of the most photographed sections of the route—where glacial-blue water churns through sculpted stone channels.

At the lake, four separate waterfalls descend directly from the cliffs of the surrounding cirque, fed by snowfields and the retreating remnant of Sperry Glacier above. The lake is encircled by old-growth forest on its lower shore and sheer rock walls on three sides. The water ranges from deep blue-green to turquoise depending on light conditions. The trail surface alternates between packed gravel, roots, and uneven rock in the upper gorge section. Bear spray is required throughout Glacier National Park. The park entrance fee or America the Beautiful Pass applies; no additional trail permit is needed.