So you booked a trip to Glacier National Park in June only to discover there are many seasonal closures still in effect. You can’t drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass or hike to Grinnell Glacier because snow still covers the high elevations. But what if I told you June was my favorite month when I worked in Glacier?
In early June, you don’t have to fight for a parking spot at the trailheads, and you can have famous vistas all to yourself. The snow on the mountaintops is incomparably beautiful, and hundreds of waterfalls flow from their peaks. Wildlife sightings are plentiful, including bear cubs, not yet frightened away by hordes of tourists. If you plan properly (i.e. prepare for rain and snow), visiting Glacier in June could be your most memorable trip yet!
The Best Things to do in June in Glacier National Park
- Chasing Waterfalls
- Bike the Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Lake McDonald and Apgar Village
- Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake
- Two Medicine
- Grinnell Glacier and Grinnell Lake
- Visit Many Glacier Hotel
Chasing Waterfalls
One of my best memories from Glacier is hiking to Saint Mary and Virginia Falls on a rainy day in June. It is three miles roundtrip with only some moderate elevation gain, and the trail follows a river with lovely valley views the entire way. Even if it’s not raining, you should bring a rain jacket for the spray from Virginia Falls!
The second best June waterfall hike is Swiftcurrent Pass to Redrock Falls. On the way to the falls, be sure to take the short side trail to Fishercap Lake, the best place to spot moose in all of Glacier. The falls is two miles from the trailhead, and you might consider continuing an additional two miles to the beautiful Bullhead Lake. There is minimal elevation change the entire way to Bullhead Lake, so, despite being eight miles roundtrip, it’s an easy hike. There is a river crossing between Redrock and Bullhead, so be sure to check at a ranger station or hotel information desk whether the bridge has been put up for the season.
Even if you’re not hiking, waterfalls and streams are visible all over the park during the early summer snowmelt. My favorite waterfall completely disappears by July.
Left: View of waterfall from Many Glacier Hotel. Right: View of waterfalls over Saint Mary Lake from Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Bike the Going-to-the-Sun Road
In June, bikers are typically allowed to venture past the closure on the Going-to-the-Sun Road for a rare opportunity to sightsee without motor traffic. There are bike rentals in West Glacier, including e-bikes, and some companies will even drop you off at the closure point. Be sure to bring bear spray because you’ll likely bump into wildlife! I’d also recommend bringing gloves because your hands can get quite cold on the handlebars.
Lake McDonald and Apgar Village
West Glacier stays busy even in June, as it’s closer to town and the airport. Also, it’s a lower elevation and generally warmer than East Glacier. At the west end of Lake McDonald is Apgar Village, a collection of restaurants and gift shops well-worth a stop if only for its view of the lake. Stroll to the lakeshore to see Lake McDonald’s famous colorful rocks. From Apgar Village, drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road alongside all ten miles of Lake McDonald, stopping at pullouts that could lead to a secret pebble beach. Lake McDonald watercraft rentals and boat tours with Glacier Park Boat Company begin their season in June, though the exact dates vary every year.
Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake
Continue down the Going-to-the-Sun Road from West Glacier to the Avalanche Creek parking area. Trail of the Cedars to Avalanche Lake is one of the best hikes in Glacier, and it is typically open by early June. The hike to Avalanche Lake is 5-6 miles roundtrip, depending on if you decide to hike all the way to the far end of the lake. There are quieter beaches scattered around the lake if you venture beyond the first viewpoint. Even if you don’t make it the whole way to the lake, Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Creek are beautiful sights.
Two Medicine
When there is a closure on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you must take US hwy 2 around Glacier to travel from the West to East side. On this drive, you’ll pass nearby Two Medicine, an often-overlooked region of the park. Even though the road is slower and rougher, I’d recommend taking the scenic drive on Hwy 49 and 89 that passes Two Medicine, rather than drive through Browning.
Even if you don’t venture out onto Two Medicine’s hiking trails, the gift shop and view of Two Medicine Lake are worth a visit.
There should be hiking trails open in Two Medicine even in early June. My favorite is the Aster Park trail where I once saw a moose. It’s just over a mile out to Aster Falls, and, if you’re up for the challenge, a steep half-mile past the waterfall to a viewpoint.
Grinnell Glacier and Grinnell Lake
In June, sometimes the Grinnell Glacier trail is partially open to an overlook of Grinnell Lake. Alternatively, the trail to Grinnell Lake may be open, which has much less elevation gain. These hikes begin at the same trailhead, so it is possible to combine the two for a longer day hike. The trail begins along the stunning shoreline of Swiftcurrent Lake and branches off around Lake Josephine. In July and August, the Glacier Park Boat Company runs tours across those two lakes which significantly shorten your hike. Check with a ranger station or the Many Glacier Hotel information desk for up-to-date trail information.
Visit Many Glacier Hotel
If you’re in the area hiking to Grinnell Lake, you should check out Many Glacier Hotel. Admittedly, June in Glacier is cold, rainy, windy, and even snowy. There is no better place in Glacier to hunker down inside than the lobby of Many Glacier Hotel. There is a beautiful, historic fireplace, and giant windows overlook the incredible Swiftcurrent Lake. Guests are welcome play the grand piano in the lobby or any of the three other pianos scattered throughout the hotel. Many Glacier Hotel has a two restaurants, a coffee shop, a gift shop, and a bar with “to-go” cocktails you can take to sit by the fire or on the balcony. Keep an eye out for wildlife, as moose, bears, and bighorn sheep are frequently spotted around the property, especially in the early season. Additionally, there’s an informal weekly “hootenanny” in the lobby where employees and guests sing, play music, and recite poetry. Many Glacier Hotel was my home, so I hope you take the time to visit and see why I love it so much.
Many Glacier Hotel
Latitudes with Lucy 