Glacier Nationwide Park is understood for its miles of breathtaking, majestic surroundings. Many locations within the park have lengthy approaches, require multi-day backpacking journeys, or steep, winding ascents.
With that in thoughts, we spent a month in Glacier discovering probably the most magnificent surroundings that households with younger youngsters can simply entry. Whether or not you’re visiting Glacier Nationwide Park with your loved ones, together with little ones, or searching for a break from the 10-mile slogs, these hikes will delight.
In the event you’d like extra choices than what’s under, take into account the newly launched Falcon guidebook, Climbing with Children Glacier and Waterton Lakes Nationwide Parks: 42 Nice Hikes for Households, written by CleverHiker’s Roxy and Ben Dawson.
Just a few notes on climbing with children:
- It requires extra than simply tossing a water bottle in a backpack (oh the great ol’ days) —it calls for forethought, planning, and consciousness of environmental elements.
- Please take the mandatory precautions earlier than leaping on the paths:
- Pack snacks, then throw in some extra.
- Convey layers of all sorts.
- Carry bear spray and provides all wildlife loads of house.
- Concentrate on path etiquette that usually will get thrown out the window with toddlers main the way in which.
- Follow go away no hint as a lot as attainable.
- Check out the Automobile Reservation web page on the Glacier Park web site. It has details about when and the place you want reservations to drive a automotive into the park.
For extra info on climbing in Glacier, take a look at our Glacier Nationwide Park Backpacking Information. Don’t be intimidated by the “backpacking”; there’s a ton of nice information in there!
- Distance: 3.75 miles whole out and again
- Trailhead: Saint Mary’s Falls Parking Lot
- Elevation Achieve: 500 toes
- Space: Saint Mary, east facet of Going-to-the-Solar Street
This can be a common hike for good cause! It gives a spectacular glimpse into Glacier’s waterfall magic, with minimal effort up entrance and double large rewards by the tip. Parking may be tough in the summertime, so take into account taking the shuttle (which stops simply west of the parking zone and has its personal path to start with) or arriving early.
From the trailhead, you’ll descend previous charred bushes from the 2015 Reynolds Creek Hearth—now blooming with wildflowers—and hopefully catch a glimpse of a moose cooling off within the lake (we did!).
The primary spotlight is Saint Mary Falls, a thundering three-tiered cascade. This can be a good turnaround level for these with toddlers. If you wish to preserve going, proceed previous Saint Mary Falls and also you’ll discover a beautiful cascade alongside Virginia Creek with pure swimming pools excellent for a calming snack break or a fast dip.
The ultimate reward is Virginia Falls, a robust 50-foot waterfall tucked into shady woods. This implies it may be a tad cooler so it’s not a perfect place to take a swim, nevertheless, it is attractive. Mist from the falls retains issues damp, and the up-close views make this one of the enchanting spots within the park for a mid-hike relaxation or picnic.
On the way in which to Virginia Falls (CleverHiker.com)
The path main towards St Marys Falls (CleverHiker.com)
Spot the moose! – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
St Mary Falls as seen from the bridge that crosses over it. – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
- Distance: 2.8 miles whole out and again
- Trailhead: Boat dock behind the Many Glacier Resort (observe, the AllTrails hyperlink above outlines the hike with out taking the boat)
- Elevation Achieve: 195 toes
- Space: Many Glacier
This family-friendly journey to Grinnell Lake combines a scenic boat journey with a simple hike, making it one in every of our favorites within the Many Glacier Valley. You find yourself using two separate boats—throughout Swiftcurrent Lake after which Lake Josephine—which cuts the hike down to simply 2.8 miles spherical journey.
The boats, Chief Two Weapons and Morning Eagle, supply jaw-dropping views and enjoyable interpretive talks. Reservations refill rapidly, however waitlists are sometimes profitable, so don’t be discouraged when you’re planning a last-minute journey. We have been capable of get tickets a number of occasions utilizing the waitlist technique.
After disembarking the second boat, you’ll discover out there restrooms. Cease right here or start the largely flat, shaded path by old-growth forest. Hold your eyes peeled for wildlife—moose and bears, notably—and luxuriate in berry patches in late summer season. At path’s finish, the beautiful glacial blue of Grinnell Lake invitations you to kick off your boots and soak your toes whereas taking in views of Angel Wing, Grinnell Mountain, and Grinnell Falls cascading down the distant cliffs.
The start of Grinnell Lake – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
Grinnell Lake and its beautiful waterfalls and colours – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
The views from the primary boat journey. – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
Working Eagle Falls is a brief, peaceable hike with a giant payoff. The path begins paved and begins from a well-marked parking space with restrooms and benches. It then leads you thru lush undergrowth and ample wildflowers. Keep proper on the signed nature path junction and head towards the waterfall. Cross a bridge over Dry Fork earlier than arriving at a viewing platform – stake out your most popular hangout spot from there.
Named for a legendary Blackfeet warrior lady, Working Eagle Falls seems to pour from the middle of a cliff. Throughout excessive water, it kinds a uncommon double waterfall, cascading over and thru the rock on the identical time.
Convey snacks and a towel—this can be a good spot to chill off and linger. Take the character path again for a quieter return alongside Two Drugs Creek and interpretive indicators about native vegetation and their conventional makes use of.
The path to Working Eagle Falls – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
An ideal place for households to chill out and play – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
Although a part of the longer Gunsight Move Path, the out-and-back hike to Deadwood Falls gives a fast style of Glacier Nationwide Park’s beautiful backcountry. Beginning on the Gunsight Move Trailhead on the east facet of the parking space, the path descends by forested terrain with mountain views earlier than arriving on the falls. The slim path winds by dense vegetation—we suggest lengthy pants, particularly for small children. Relying on the time of 12 months, you may barely see over the vegetation.
On the backside, Deadwood Falls rewards hikers with a collection of cascades spilling over rock and fallen timber (therefore the title). It’s a enjoyable place to discover, wade, and learn the way water shapes the land. Use warning across the step ledges.
Simply don’t neglect—what goes down should come again up. The return hike climbs practically 600 toes over just a little greater than a mile, so make certain everybody has the power for the regular uphill end.
Dense foliage on the hike down – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
You continue to get large views – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
The Falls – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
- Distance: 5.1 miles whole lollipop
- Trailhead: Grinnell Trailhead
- Elevation Achieve: 250 toes
- Space: Many Glacier
This largely flat, family-friendly loop within the Many Glacier Valley is a scenic gem, passing three lakes with large mountain views. Start on the common Grinnell Trailhead. If parking is scarce, there are various choices to start out this hike between that trailhead and the Many Glacier Resort. After passing Stump Lake, the path winds by the forest to succeed in the peaceable south shore of Lake Josephine—preserve a watch out for moose, as sightings are frequent right here. The boat dock on the far finish of the lake gives a very good relaxation cease with a shelter and a toilet.
Return by way of the north shore path, which is extra open and common with hikers headed to Grinnell Glacier. Don’t neglect to show round and admire the dramatic views of Mount Grinnell and Angel Wing. This lollipop loop is nice for a full day of relaxed climbing, wildlife recognizing, and lakeside lounging. The mileage could also be daunting for some, however the rolling, straightforward elevation and large views make it a superb alternative for a distance push.
Views aplenty. – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
Peaceable moments throughout dawn. – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
Spot the moose. – Photograph Credit score: Roxy & Ben Dawson
Gear Suggestions for Climbing with Children
To analysis these hikes and write Climbing with Children Glacier and Waterton Lakes Nationwide Parks, we spent a month in Glacier tenting and climbing every single day. Listed here are a couple of of our favorites that received us by the month.
Osprey Poco Premium
We hiked with the Poco Plus and Osprey has since come out with the Poco Premium, which we have now examined and like. The Poco Plus was our go-to alternative for carrying our two-year-old round. He did miles and miles on this pack. The Poco Premium is one in every of our absolute favorites in our finest child backpack carriers for climbing information. You possibly can learn a extra in-depth overview of it written by Ben.
Smartwool Hike Gentle Cushion – Children and Adults
Don’t underestimate the significance of socks for climbing children! Our toddler would do virtually a mile in his little socks and sneakers and we needed him in wool to stop blisters brought on by sweaty toes, and to maintain him heat when situations modified. These socks are additionally one in every of our prime choices in our finest climbing socks information.
LEKI Makalu Cork Lite Poles
We normally solely seize poles once we’re tackling a 14er in Colorado or have large backpacking packs on our backs, however when carrying the infant backpack provider, they’re a should. They preserve you secure when the burden you’re carrying decides to pitch himself all the way in which to the suitable and also you’re making an attempt to go left. These poles are one of the sturdy in our information to one of the best trekking poles.
Petzl Tikkid Children Headlamp
Tenting with a child is all about maintaining it enjoyable. We had hours again at our campsite exploring and studying. This headlamp saved it straightforward to maintain the enjoyable going after darkish. It’s light-weight, doesn’t blind the adults round you, and has an computerized shutoff so the batteries don’t run out when it’s inevitably left on and forgotten about. This headlamp is our prime possibility for youths in our gear information to one of the best headlamps.
We frequently say parenting is less complicated once we’re adventuring. All the things is novel, there’s at all times a brand new path, and the snacks are plentiful. We hope you may have the prospect to discover these hikes! And when you’re actually into planning an journey in Glacier, take a look at Climbing with Children Glacier and Waterton Lakes Nationwide Parks.
