Glacier National Park is filled with miles of trails and amazing hikes to do with your family. What we loved about them is most of them had an end point: a lake, waterfall, or a cool overlook. That always helps when kids know they are hiking to somewhere, not to mention the fact that the end point almost always took our breath away.<\/p>\n
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It was hard to rank this list because every hike was so unique and beautiful, but here is our list of the best hikes in Glacier National Park with kids or without. Hiking is definitely one of the best things to do in Glacier National Park<\/a> and should be on every Glacier itinerary<\/a>. <\/p>\n ***PLEASE NOTE \u2013 Glacier National Park requires a vehicle reservation ticket to access the park starting May 24th for the west side and July 1st for the east side.<\/strong>\u00a0From 6am to 3pm.<\/strong><\/p>\n To get into these parts of the park during these times you will need a vehicle reservation AND a National Park Pass or to pay the park entrance fee.<\/p>\n If you have lodging, camping, transportation or a commercial activity reservation during these dates you will still be able to enter the park. But always check with these reservations\/tickets to confirm.<\/p>\n Vehicle reservation tickets are rolled out approximately 4 months in advance and become available at 8am MDT. Always check the site for exact dates and times.<\/p>\n Next Day vehicle reservations will be available at 7 pm MDT for next-day entry starting on May 23, 2024 on a daily rolling basis.<\/p>\n Make your vehicle reservations here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n ***Trails can randomly be closed due to bear activity or weather \u2013 so always be sure to ask at the Ranger Station\/Visitor Center before you go.<\/p>\n ***You always want bear spray with you while hiking in bear country! Buying your own and bringing it with you is always what we recommend. If you can\u2019t do that make sure to check at the Visitor Center or find a local store that has some you can bring with you. NEVER approach any wildlife while in the park. Learn more about hiking in Glacier here: Bear and Animal Safety in GNP<\/a>.<\/p>\n DON\u2019T MISS THIS:<\/strong> Learn more tips and must-know-before-you-go info in our Glacier guides<\/a>:<\/p>\n Planning a trip to Glacier? We put together a series of digital guides that take the guesswork out of planning. Stop-by-stop itineraries for making the most of 1, 3 or 7 days in Glacier National Park including where to stay, where to eat, what hikes to take and the best driving routes. <\/p>\n We\u2019ve even included links for you to book your stays and buy your park passes. Everything you need in one convenient digital guide. Just download and go! <\/p>\n We will list our picks for easiest, medium and hard hikes. Please note for all of these hikes we have taken our kids with us ranging in age from 7-12 at the time \u2013 who have hiked all over the US. You know your own and your kids abilities so keep that in mind when picking a hike to do! <\/p>\n This is the easiest hike on our list, but it doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t beautiful! The trail is groomed and accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. It is also short at 1 mile roundtrip. The trail is really wide so it gives the kids room to run, plus there are multiple places where you can go off the trail a little ways to let the kids run and play.<\/p>\n The highlight of the trail is the waterfall. We were not expecting it, so it was awesome when we crossed the bridge and there was this bright blue waterfall and creek right in the middle of the trail. This is the definition of hiking in\u00a0Glacier National Park \u2013 unexpected beauty everywhere!<\/p>\n The trail is a loop so you basically make a circle and you are almost back to where you started. You will have to walk on a small section of road, but this is a very populated trail and area so there are signs everywhere for cars to slow down.<\/p>\n There is also a picnic area across the street if you want to leave a picnic lunch or dinner in the car for after the hike.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong> Trail of the Cedars Trailhead<\/p>\n Distance:<\/strong> 1 mile<\/p>\n Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 60 feet<\/p>\n Related: <\/strong>Trail Of The Cedars Hike In Glacier National Park<\/a><\/p>\n Another shorter hike that takes you along Lake McDonald and to a lookout area where you can look across\u00a0the lake at the Apgar Visitor Center area. This is a nice hike through the forest then out to the overlook or you can head down by the edge of the water and spend some time throwing rocks into the lake.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong> Rocky Point Trailhead by Fish Creek Campground<\/p>\n Distance:<\/strong> 1.9 miles roundtrip<\/p>\n Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 350 feet<\/p>\n This hike is located in the Two Medicine area, so it provides a different landscape than other areas of Glacier. You hike through mostly forest and some meadow area. It is a gradual increase through the forest, but a nice short hike for kids. The waterfall is small, but works as a turn-around point.<\/p>\n Or if everyone is ready to go you can hike up to the Aster Park Overlook. The hike has a quick elevation gain and you are doing a lot of switch backs. We decided to do it and it was a mistake. It was just too much for our kids that day.<\/p>\n The view from the top was pretty and a great way to get a feel of the Two Medicine area, but just be sure your kids are ready to make the hike up. We had forgotten Carson\u2019s shoes so he ended up hiking the whole thing barefoot. Lesson learned by all of us . . . had we stopped at the waterfall, it would have been the perfect distance.<\/p>\n Location:<\/strong> Two Medicine area: South Shore Trailhead<\/p>\n Distance:<\/strong> 2.8 miles roundtrip<\/p>\n Elevation Gain:<\/strong> 320 feet<\/p>\n Related:<\/strong> The Best Glacier National Park Itinerary From 1 to 7 Days<\/a><\/p>\n This is a well known hike, and for good reason. The St. Mary Falls are beautiful! The hike there is on a downhill rocky trail through a forest. You then come to the bridge you walk across to view the falls.<\/p>\n There are a few rocks for the kids to climb on, but the closer you get to the water the more slippery they get. There is also a\u00a0ledge around the falls and up the trail. Needless to say, this isn\u2019t really a great place to stop and hangout since it is a stressful location with little kids!<\/p>\n At this point you can either turn around and walk back or decide to hike approximately another mile to Virginia Falls. If you have it in you, go for it! We are glad that we did. In my opinion the Virginia Falls were better than St. Mary Falls. You are hiking up for a lot of this stretch but it is gradual, so not too bad.<\/p>\n There are a few ledge areas on the hike to Virginia Falls so you want to be careful with kids, plus there are a few streams that they can choose to walk on the rocks and not get wet or, like our kids, walk right through the water . . . this means wear Keen sandals<\/a> or bring a dry pair of socks!<\/p>\nThings To Know<\/h2>\n
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\nEasiest Hikes<\/h2>\n
Trail of the Cedars<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nRocky Point Nature Trail<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAster Falls<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSt. Mary Falls\/Virginia Falls<\/h3>\n
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