Avalanche Lake Trail: Scenic Family Hike in Glacier National Park

Go on a memorable journey through lush forests to the breathtaking Avalanche Lake, surrounded by majestic peaks and waterfalls, suitable for all ages.

Last updated: May 2024

Visit Website

Free access to the trail; park entrance fees apply.
More than 500 Miles from you
State Gem: Exceptional experiences within your state that are bucket list-worthy
Learn more

Description

Embark on a memorable journey through lush forests to the breathtaking Avalanche Lake, surrounded by majestic peaks and waterfalls, suitable for all ages. The Avalanche Lake trail offers an accessible adventure through Glacier National Park's stunning landscapes. Starting with the Trail of the Cedars, this hike combines natural beauty with ease, making it ideal for families and those seeking a less strenuous path. The trailhead, located near the Lake McDonald area, leads you through dense cedar forests and alongside roaring streams, culminating at the serene Avalanche Lake. This crystal-clear lake, framed by towering mountains and cascading waterfalls, provides a perfect backdrop for a picnic and relaxation. Despite its popularity, the trail maintains a sense of tranquility, allowing hikers to immerse themselves in nature's splendor without the need for advanced hiking skills.

Perfect for

For solo

For two

For groups

For families with kids

For parents and grownups

Outdoorsy

Challenging

Unlock the Ultimate Bucket List

For Adventurers and Explorers

Our Benefits:

Map View
Ad-Free Browsing
Exclusive Discounts
Curated Experiences

TikToks
Itineraries
Packing Lists
Up-to-date Info

7 days free, then only $2.49 a month
Billed annually, cancel anytime

TikTok videos

Itinerary

Start at the Avalanche Lake trailhead near Lake McDonald Lodge.
Follow the Trail of Cedars until you reach the Avalanche Lake junction.
Continue on the Avalanche Lake Trail, enjoying the views of Avalanche Gorge.
Reach Avalanche Lake and explore the shoreline.
Return via the same path or explore further along the lake's edge.

Location

West Glacier, MT 59936

Show directions

Packing List

Comfortable walking shoes
Water and snacks
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Rain gear (weather can change quickly)
Bear spray (recommended for safety)

4.9 ● Google reviews

Very easy trail with only a small vertical element. The trail starts off following a flowing creek with beautiful views of the rushing water. As you get closer to the top/end, you are welcomed with an amazing scene that you can't get any other way. The Avalanche Lake sits in a bowl with towering mountains encompassing it. Huge waterfalls on the far end of the lake are gorgeous! Out of all the trails we hiked in Glacier National Park, this trail was by far the best reward for the least amount of effort!

The hike was challenging. Most people go to the overlook, which is a little taxing due to all the stairs! We continued on all the way down to the lake. You can walk a bit further from the overlook before it starts descending in order to determine if you are up for the challenge. We are pretty fit, but we're from Florida and not use to the elevation/thinned air. I would recommend taking some Gatorade with you. We hiked down and had a great lunch in the most tranquil area! Bears are popular here, but we did not see any. Total time from parking lot to lake, eating lunch, and back was close to 5 hours. Worth the aching knees!

A easy/moderate 2-hr hike with plenty of water feature along the way(and some raspberries) and a stunning lake at the end. I hiked it the day after whole day’s rain and the clouds were about to lift open. I can only imagine how wonderful it is if the clouds open a little more haha!

Beautiful, easy hike with incredible views and scenery throughout, ranging from dense forests, rivers, mountains and an epic lake at the end. Was raining hard for much of the hike, and as a result there weren’t that many people. Hike took about 2 hours round trip.

Easygoing trail with some moderate elevation gains over a 5 mile round trip from the Trail of the Cedars! The walk through the Cedars reminded me of the PNW and it was super peaceful among the ancient trees. Avalanche Lake is phenomenal! The glass-like surface reflects the beautiful mountain cirque which has massive waterfalls in all sides! The majority of the hike follows Avalanche Creek so the background water sounds are satisfying during the 2 hour hike!

Show all 702 reviews