Grinnell Glacier
A full-day Many Glacier hike in Glacier National Park to the Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint: about 5.3 miles one way and 1,600 feet of elevation gain from the trailhead, or about 3.6 miles one way with the concession boat.
By The US Hikers editorial team · Last verified October 14, 2026
- Distance
- 10.6 mi RT
- Elevation gain
- 1,600 ft
- Permit
- Not required
- Best season
- Summer into early fall, after upper-trail snow clears (check current trail status)
Access note: No day-hike permit is required for the Grinnell Glacier trail. For 2026, Glacier National Park states that vehicle reservations will not be required; confirm current access rules on the official vehicle-reservations page before you go.
Length, elevation gain and trailheads
NPS lists Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint as 5.3 miles one way with 1,600 feet of elevation gain from the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead or Many Glacier Hotel (about 10.6 miles round trip if you hike both ways). The Grinnell Glacier Trailhead page describes the viewpoint as about five miles one way from the trailhead.
The trailhead sits in the Many Glacier / Swiftcurrent area near Many Glacier Hotel. NPS groups this outing with full-day (5+ hour) hikes. The route is mostly exposed and leads to views of Grinnell and Salamander Glaciers; stay alert around water, steep drop-offs, and wildlife.
Boat option, Grinnell Lake and falls
A concessioner boat from Many Glacier Hotel shortens the glacier viewpoint hike to about 3.6 miles one way with the same 1,600 feet of elevation gain. NPS notes that tour fees apply and reservations are highly recommended. The trailhead page also notes a boat drop-off about 1.3 miles closer to the viewpoint.
Grinnell Lake is a shorter objective on the same corridor: 3.4 miles one way with about 60 feet of elevation gain from the trailhead or hotel, or 1.1 miles one way with the boat. Continuing toward the glacier viewpoint, the trail climbs above the lake basin with waterfall views on the headwall (commonly called Grinnell Falls by hikers) before reaching the ice and Upper Grinnell Lake views at the overlook.
Permits, 2026 vehicle and ticket rules
You do not need a hiking permit for this day hike. Separately, Glacier’s 2026 vehicle-reservations page states that vehicle reservations will not be required in 2026. The park is instead piloting a ticketed shuttle system and limited timed parking focused on Logan Pass — rules that do not replace checking Many Glacier road status and parking the morning you hike.
Boat tickets are sold by the park concessioner, not as an NPS trail permit; reserve ahead when you want the shorter approach. Always re-check nps.gov/glac vehicle-reservations and trail-status pages close to your date, because access systems can change.
Season and bear safety
Upper Many Glacier trails often hold snow into summer; confirm current trail status before you go. NPS describes Grinnell Glacier as a very challenging day hike from the Many Glacier area.
Glacier is bear country (black bears and grizzlies). NPS bear-safety guidance: hike in groups, make noise (calling out and clapping — bear bells are not enough), carry bear spray where you can reach it and know how to use it, never run on trails, and be especially careful near streams, dense vegetation, and blind corners. Stay at least 100 yards from bears. Check visitor centers for current warnings and closures.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit for the Grinnell Glacier hike?
No day-hike permit is required. Boat tickets, if you use the concessioner shuttle across the lakes, are a separate paid reservation through the concessioner.
Do you need a vehicle reservation for Many Glacier / Grinnell Glacier in 2026?
Per the National Park Service vehicle-reservations page for Glacier National Park, vehicle reservations will not be required in 2026. The park is piloting ticketed shuttle and timed-parking changes centered on Logan Pass — confirm the latest access notice on nps.gov before you drive.
How long is the Grinnell Glacier hike?
About 5.3 miles one way (roughly 10.6 miles round trip) and 1,600 feet of elevation gain from the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead or Many Glacier Hotel. With the concession boat, NPS lists about 3.6 miles one way with the same 1,600 feet of gain.
Is Grinnell Glacier hard?
Yes. NPS calls it a very challenging / full-day hike with about 1,600 feet of elevation gain and mostly exposed terrain. Even with the boat shortcut, the climb to the viewpoint remains.
More US trail guides
Sources
- NPS — Hiking Many Glacier (Grinnell Glacier & Grinnell Lake)
- NPS — Grinnell Glacier Trailhead
- NPS — Take a Full Day Hike in Glacier
- NPS — How to See a Glacier
- NPS — Vehicle Reservations in 2026
- NPS — Bear Safety, Glacier National Park
Primary sources only for facts that change (fees, permits, closures): nps.gov and official recreation.gov pages. We stamp every guide with a "last verified" date and re-check seasonal figures each year. We do not invent mileages, elevations or times.