Top 5 Favorite Hikes for Kids in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is known for its miles of breathtaking, majestic scenery. Many destinations in the park have long approaches, require multi-day backpacking trips, or steep, winding ascents.

With that in mind, we spent a month in Glacier discovering the most magnificent scenery that families with young children can easily access. Whether you’re visiting Glacier National Park with your family, including little ones, or looking for a break from the 10-mile slogs, these hikes will delight. 

If you’d like more options than what’s below, consider the newly released Falcon guidebook, Hiking with Kids Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks: 42 Great Hikes for Families, written by CleverHiker’s Roxy and Ben Dawson.

A few notes on hiking with kids: 

• It requires more than just tossing a water bottle in a backpack (oh the good ol’ days) —it demands forethought, planning, and awareness of environmental factors.
• Please take the necessary precautions before jumping on the trails:
  • Pack snacks, then throw in some more.
  • Bring layers of all types.
  • Carry bear spray and give all wildlife plenty of space. 
  • Be aware of trail etiquette that often gets thrown out the window with toddlers leading the way.
  • Practice leave no trace as much as possible.
  • Take a look at the Vehicle Reservation page on the Glacier Park website. It has information about when and where you need reservations to drive a car into the park.

For more information on hiking in Glacier, check out our Glacier National Park Backpacking Guide. Don’t be intimidated by the “backpacking”; there’s a ton of great info in there!

Saint Mary and Virginia Falls Trail 

• Distance: 3.75 miles total out and back
• Trailhead: Saint Mary’s Falls Parking Lot
• Elevation Gain: 500 feet
• Area: Saint Mary, east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road

This is a popular hike for good reason! It offers a spectacular glimpse into Glacier’s waterfall magic, with minimal effort up front and double big rewards by the end. Parking can be tricky in the summer, so consider taking the shuttle (which stops just west of the parking lot and has its own trail to begin with) or arriving early.

From the trailhead, you’ll descend past charred trees from the 2015 Reynolds Creek Fire—now blooming with wildflowers—and hopefully catch a glimpse of a moose cooling off in the lake (we did!). 

The first highlight is Saint Mary Falls, a thundering three-tiered cascade. This is a good turnaround point for those with toddlers. If you want to keep going, continue past Saint Mary Falls and you’ll find a stunning cascade along Virginia Creek with natural pools perfect for a relaxing snack break or a quick dip.

The final reward is Virginia Falls, a powerful 50-foot waterfall tucked into shady woods. This means it can be a tad cooler so it’s not an ideal place to take a swim, however, it is gorgeous. Mist from the falls keeps things damp, and the up-close views make this one of the most enchanting spots in the park for a mid-hike rest or picnic.

Grinnell Lake via Boat Ride from Many Glacier Hotel

• Distance: 2.8 miles total out and back
• Trailhead: Boat dock behind the Many Glacier Hotel (note, the AllTrails link above outlines the hike without taking the boat)
• Elevation Gain: 195 feet
• Area: Many Glacier

This family-friendly adventure to Grinnell Lake combines a scenic boat ride with an easy hike, making it one of our favorites in the Many Glacier Valley. You end up riding two separate boats—across Swiftcurrent Lake and then Lake Josephine—which cuts the hike down to just 2.8 miles round trip.

The boats, Chief Two Guns and Morning Eagle, offer jaw-dropping views and fun interpretive talks. Reservations fill up quickly, but waitlists are often successful, so don’t be discouraged if you’re planning a last-minute trip. We were able to get tickets multiple times using the waitlist method. 

After disembarking the second boat, you’ll find available restrooms. Stop here or begin the mostly flat, shaded trail through old-growth forest. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife—moose and bears, particularly—and enjoy berry patches in late summer. At trail’s end, the stunning glacial blue of Grinnell Lake invites you to kick off your boots and soak your feet while taking in views of Angel Wing, Grinnell Mountain, and Grinnell Falls cascading down the distant cliffs.

Running Eagle Falls 

• Distance: 0.7 miles total out and back
• Trailhead: Running Eagle Falls (Trick Falls) Nature Trail parking lot
• Elevation Gain: 40 feet
• Area: Two Medicine

Running Eagle Falls is a short, peaceful hike with a big payoff. The trail begins paved and starts from a well-marked parking area with restrooms and benches. It then leads you through lush undergrowth and abundant wildflowers. Stay right at the signed nature trail junction and head toward the waterfall. Cross a bridge over Dry Fork before arriving at a viewing platform  – stake out your preferred hangout spot from there. 

Named for a legendary Blackfeet warrior woman, Running Eagle Falls appears to pour from the center of a cliff. During high water, it forms a rare double waterfall, cascading over and through the rock at the same time. 

Bring snacks and a towel—this is a great place to cool off and linger. Take the nature trail back for a quieter return along Two Medicine Creek and interpretive signs about local plants and their traditional uses.

Deadwood Falls 

• Distance: 2.3 miles total out and back
• Trailhead: Jackson Glacier Overlook / Gunsight Pass Trailhead
• Elevation Gain: 600 feet
• Area: Apgar, west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road

Though part of the longer Gunsight Pass Trail, the out-and-back hike to Deadwood Falls offers a quick taste of Glacier National Park’s stunning backcountry. Starting at the Gunsight Pass Trailhead on the east side of the parking area, the trail descends through forested terrain with mountain views before arriving at the falls. The narrow path winds through dense vegetation—we recommend long pants, especially for small kids. Depending on the time of year, you can barely see over the plants. 

At the bottom, Deadwood Falls rewards hikers with a series of cascades spilling over rock and fallen timber (hence the name). It’s a fun place to explore, wade, and learn how water shapes the land. Use caution around the step ledges. 

Just don’t forget—what goes down must come back up. The return hike climbs nearly 600 feet over a little more than a mile, so be sure everyone has the energy for the steady uphill finish.

Lake Josephine

• Distance: 5.1 miles total lollipop
• Trailhead: Grinnell Trailhead
• Elevation Gain: 250 feet
• Area: Many Glacier

This mostly flat, family-friendly loop in the Many Glacier Valley is a scenic gem, passing three lakes with big mountain views. Begin at the popular Grinnell Trailhead. If parking is scarce, there are many options to start this hike between that trailhead and the Many Glacier Hotel. After passing Stump Lake, the trail winds through the forest to reach the peaceful south shore of Lake Josephine—keep an eye out for moose, as sightings are common here. The boat dock at the far end of the lake offers a good rest stop with a shelter and a bathroom.

Return via the north shore trail, which is more open and popular with hikers headed to Grinnell Glacier. Don’t forget to turn around and admire the dramatic views of Mount Grinnell and Angel Wing. This lollipop loop is great for a full day of relaxed hiking, wildlife spotting, and lakeside lounging. The mileage may be daunting for some, but the rolling, easy elevation and massive views make it an excellent choice for a distance push.

Gear Recommendations for Hiking with Kids

To research these hikes and write Hiking with Kids Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks, we spent a month in Glacier camping and hiking every day. Here are a few of our favorites that got us through the month.

Osprey Poco Premium

We hiked with the Poco Plus and Osprey has since come out with the Poco Premium, which we have tested and prefer. The Poco Plus was our go-to choice for carrying our two-year-old around. He did miles and miles in this pack. The Poco Premium is one of our absolute favorites in our best baby backpack carriers for hiking guide. You can read a more in-depth review of it written by Ben.

Smartwool Hike Light Cushion – Kids and Adults

Do not underestimate the importance of socks for hiking kids! Our toddler would do almost a mile in his little socks and shoes and we wanted him in wool to prevent blisters caused by sweaty feet, and to keep him warm when conditions changed. These socks are also one of our top options in our best hiking socks guide.

LEKI Makalu Cork Lite Poles

We usually only grab poles when we’re tackling a 14er in Colorado or have huge backpacking packs on our backs, but when carrying the baby backpack carrier, they are a must. They keep you stable when the weight you’re carrying decides to pitch himself all the way to the right and you’re trying to go left. These poles are one of the most durable in our guide to the best trekking poles.

Petzl Tikkid Kids Headlamp

Camping with a kid is all about keeping it fun. We had hours back at our campsite exploring and learning. This headlamp kept it easy to keep the fun going after dark. It’s lightweight, doesn’t blind the adults around you, and has an automatic shutoff so the batteries don’t run out when it’s inevitably left on and forgotten about. This headlamp is our top option for kids in our gear guide to the best headlamps.

We often say parenting is easier when we’re adventuring. Everything is novel, there’s always a new trail, and the snacks are plentiful. We hope you have the chance to explore these hikes! And if you’re really into planning an adventure in Glacier, check out Hiking with Kids Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks.