Hidden Lake Overlook is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park, and it lives up to the hype. The 1.3-mile trail starts right behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center at 6,646 feet and climbs through alpine meadows to a rocky overlook above Hidden Lake. The view of Bearhat Mountain reflected in the lake below is iconic for a reason.
That being said, if you stand exactly where the boardwalk ends at the overlook deck, you're basically in a mosh pit of selfie sticks. Keep walking another 200 yards down the trail toward the lake. The crowds drop by about 80%, and you get a much better vantage point from the rocky ledges. If you have time, keep going all the way down to the lakeshore, you won't regret it.
The trail is also one of the best spots in the park to see mountain goats. They are incredibly habituated to humans and will often walk right past you on the trail. Keep your distance (25 feet per NPS rules), but don't be surprised if they close the gap themselves.
From Bozeman, head West on Interstate 90 through Butte and continue to Missoula. From Missoula, take US-93 North through the Flathead Valley past Polson and Flathead Lake to Kalispell. From Kalispell, take US-2 East to West Glacier.
Enter Glacier National Park at the West Glacier entrance and follow Going-to-the-Sun Road approximately 32 miles to Logan Pass. The trailhead is located directly behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center. You can't miss it.
Be Advised: Going-to-the-Sun Road is only fully open from late June through mid-October, depending on snowfall. A vehicle reservation is required to drive Going-to-the-Sun Road during peak hours from late May through early September. Reservations are available at recreation.gov and sell out fast. Plan well ahead.
The first portion of the trail follows a raised boardwalk through the Hanging Gardens, making it accessible for most people. Past the boardwalk, the trail transitions to a rocky, uneven surface with some moderate incline as it climbs to the overlook.
The trail is completely exposed to the elements with no tree cover, so weather can change the difficulty fast. Wind, rain, and even snow are possible any time of year at this elevation. Bring layers regardless of the forecast.
At 2.7 miles round trip to the overlook, this is a short hike that most people complete in about an hour to an hour and a half. If you continue past the overlook down to the lakeshore, the total distance is about 5 miles round trip and will take closer to 3 hours.
Be aware of the 3-hour parking limit at Logan Pass. If you plan to hike all the way to the lakeshore, you are cutting it very close on time.
The trail starts at 6,646 feet at Logan Pass and tops out at about 7,150 feet at the overlook. The 540 feet of elevation gain is steady and spread out over the 1.3 miles, so it never feels too steep. You're starting at high elevation though, which can make even a short climb feel harder if you're not acclimated.
The view of Bearhat Mountain and Hidden Lake from the overlook is one of the most photographed scenes in Montana. On a clear day, the reflection of the peak in the lake is something you have to see in person. The reason it's not a 5 is the crowds. On a summer afternoon, the overlook deck is packed shoulder-to-shoulder, and that takes away from the experience.
Walk past the overlook and find a spot on the rocky ledges below. You'll get a better, more natural view without someone's selfie stick in your peripheral vision.
There are no reliable water sources on the trail to the overlook. Fill up at the Logan Pass Visitor Center before you start. For such a short hike, a single water bottle per person is plenty.
This is a short hike, so you don't need to pack a full lunch. A granola bar or some trail mix will do the trick. If you're continuing down to the lakeshore, bring a snack to enjoy by the water.
The first half of the trail is a well-maintained boardwalk designed to protect the fragile alpine meadows. Past the boardwalk, the trail becomes rockier and uneven but is still easy to follow. Snow can linger on sections of the trail well into July, which can make footing tricky in spots.
Dogs are not allowed on any trails in Glacier National Park. Leave your pup at home or with a sitter for this one.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully paved and well-maintained, but don't let that fool you. The narrow, winding road with steep drop-offs and no guardrails in places can be intimidating, especially if you're not used to mountain driving. Vehicles over 21 feet long or 8 feet wide are not allowed on the section between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. The drive itself is worth the trip.
National Geographic Trails Illustrated Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks (#215) covers this trail and the entire park.
Parking at Logan Pass is the single biggest challenge of this hike. The lot fills up early, often by 8:00 or 9:00 AM in peak season, and there is a 3-hour time limit. Plan on driving around for a while before a spot opens up. Getting there early or late in the day is your best bet. Alternatively, you can take the free park shuttle from the Apgar or St. Mary visitor centers to avoid the parking headache entirely.
The Logan Pass Visitor Center has restrooms available during operating hours. The visitor center is right at the trailhead, so take care of business before you start.
This is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park, and it shows. On a summer day, expect a steady stream of people the entire way to the overlook. The overlook deck itself gets packed. If you want a quieter experience, start early in the morning or continue past the overlook toward the lake where the crowds thin out significantly.
The trail is completely above treeline and exposed to the elements. Weather at Logan Pass can change in minutes, so bring a rain jacket and extra layers even if the forecast looks clear. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must on sunny days since there is zero shade on this hike.
Footwear: Trail Shoes or Hiking Boots
At this elevation, bugs are generally not an issue. You may encounter a few mosquitoes near standing water in the meadows, but nothing that should require bug spray.
The entire trail is above treeline and completely exposed. On hot days, there is no escape from the sun. On stormy days, there is no escape from the wind and rain. Plan accordingly and bring sun protection.
Don't count on having cell service at Logan Pass or on the trail. Coverage is spotty to nonexistent throughout this part of the park.
This is a day hike only. Camping is not allowed at Hidden Lake or along the trail. If you're looking to camp in Glacier, there are several developed campgrounds throughout the park, though reservations fill up months in advance.
Hidden Lake (Lakeshore)
The trail continues past the overlook and drops steeply down to the shore of Hidden Lake, adding about 2.3 miles round trip to your hike. The lakeshore is well worth the extra effort and significantly less crowded than the overlook. Just keep an eye on the clock if you're under the 3-hour parking limit at Logan Pass.