Avalanche Lake Trail: Is It Worth the Hike?

Our biggest tip: try later in the day

Parking was honestly the hardest part of this hike. We drove past the Avalanche area at about 3:30 p.m. on a summer afternoon and the parking was completely full, with cars waiting for spaces to open. We decided not to fight it and came back at around 6 p.m. The lot was still full, but the line of cars waiting for spaces was gone. We circled and waited for a spot to open, and it did not take long. There were still plenty of people on the trail, but both parking and the crowds felt much more manageable than they had earlier.

For us, going later was the right call. We still had summer daylight for the hike, and the experience was much calmer than what we had seen earlier. Going later did not mean an empty parking lot or an empty trail; it simply made a very popular area much easier to deal with. We would absolutely try this strategy again, but sunset changes throughout the season, so check daylight and current trail conditions rather than treating 6 p.m. as a universal start time.

The beginning may be our favorite part

The hike starts through the Trail of the Cedars, and this section feels completely different from Glacier’s big exposed alpine hikes. You walk through old-growth cedar and hemlock forest beside Avalanche Creek, with the sound of the water running through the trees. It is shaded, peaceful and incredibly calming.

The National Park Service lists Trail of the Cedars as a 0.9-mile loop with only 83 feet of elevation gain. It is worth paying attention to this part instead of treating it as something to rush through on the way to the lake.

Then the trail starts climbing along Avalanche Creek

Once you leave the easy boardwalk section, the Avalanche Lake Trail begins climbing steadily through the forest. NPS lists the lake at 2.3 miles one way from the Avalanche Picnic Area with 741 feet of elevation gain. The trail is not flat, but the climbing felt very manageable to us, especially compared with the bigger hikes we did elsewhere in Glacier.

The creek makes this section particularly pretty. Between the rushing water, mossy forest and colorful rock, there is something to look at well before you reach the lake. We found the walk itself just as memorable as the destination.

What is Avalanche Lake like?

The lake is popular, and even later in the day we were definitely not alone. Expect people gathered along the shoreline, resting, taking photos and enjoying the view. But there is a reason everyone comes: the lake sits beneath steep mountain walls with waterfalls dropping toward the basin, and it is a beautiful place to stop before heading back.

This was not one of those hikes where we needed solitude to enjoy it. Going later reduced the intensity of the crowds enough that the forest, creek and lake could still feel relaxing.

How hard is Avalanche Lake?

We would call Avalanche Lake a moderate hike, but on the easier end compared with many of Glacier’s headline trails. The Trail of the Cedars portion is very easy; after that, the trail becomes steeper and rockier as it climbs toward the lake. NPS describes the full outing as about five miles round trip and suggests allowing roughly three to six hours. How long you need will depend heavily on your pace and how much time you spend at the lake.

Is Avalanche Lake worth it?

Yes, especially if you are already spending time on Glacier’s west side. The lake is beautiful, but what made this hike stand out for us was the entire experience: the quiet cedars, Avalanche Creek, the steady forest climb and then the lake at the end.

We would not cross the entire park solely for Avalanche Lake if we had limited time. But if you are staying near Lake McDonald, entering from the west, or building a west-side afternoon, it is an easy recommendation.

And if parking looks impossible when you first arrive? Based on our experience, it may be worth continuing with your day and trying again later rather than sitting in a line waiting for a space.