Why go later
During the busy part of the day this area can feel like busloads of people are arriving at once, and parking can be full. We went later in the afternoon and evening, which made both the parking and the trail feel more manageable.
One important 2026 change: the park shuttle does not serve Avalanche Lake or Trail of the Cedars, so you need to plan around driving and parking.
The trail is more than the lake
You begin in an old-growth forest, with the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Creek making the first part of the hike beautiful on its own. Then the trail climbs steadily toward the glacial lake and waterfalls.
Slow down around the water. The rocks have beautiful colors and textures and are easy to rush past when everyone is focused on reaching the lake.
Who should prioritize it?
If you are staying at Lake McDonald or entering from the west, absolutely put it on the list. We would not cross the entire park solely for Avalanche Lake if we had limited time, but it fits perfectly into a west-side afternoon.