The weather in Glacier National Park is extreme and unpredictable. Logan Pass, located at high elevation on the Continental Divide, experiences dramatic shifts in weather almost daily. East Glacier, which includes Rising Sun, Saint Mary, and Many Glacier, is located in the rain shadow of the mountain range, meaning it rains a lot. Even if your Logan Pass or East Glacier hike starts out perfectly sunny, I’d bring a rain jacket if you plan on being out for more than an hour.
If it rains on your trip to Glacier, don’t let it dampen your spirit. Some of my favorite days in Glacier have been rainy ones! As long as there isn’t lightning, you can hike in the rain with a rain jacket and sturdy shoes. I would avoid higher elevation trails, like any trailhead at Logan Pass, because the clouds might obscure the view. Additionally, cliffside trails like the Highline are dangerous in the rain, as slipping on a wet rock could cause serious injury. However, there are plenty of safe and beautiful options for hiking on a rainy day.
Rainy Day Hikes
Any trail can be a rainy day hike if you’re properly prepared, but the following are trails that I’ve personally had positive experiences hiking in the rain. I think some hikes are even more beautiful in the rain. Glacier’s colorful rocks and greenery are extra vibrant when wet, and the waterfalls will be gushing!
Saint Mary and Virginia Falls
3 miles, 450 ft elevation
This is my go-to rainy day hike. There is red rock along the trail, which contrasts especially well with the greenery on a rainy day. Plus, if you visit Virginia Falls during the early summer snowmelt, you’ll get wet from the falls’ spray regardless!
The trail follows alongside Saint Mary Lake and River, which I thought looked magical with the low-hanging clouds.
Swiftcurrent Pass to Redrock Falls
4 miles, 250 ft elevation
Redrock Falls, like any waterfall, is a great rainy day hike. Swiftcurrent Pass winds along a chain of lakes in a forested valley, providing some protection from the wind and rain. On the way to Redrock Falls, take the spur trail through the trees to Fishercap Lake for the chance to spot a moose. If you have the time, continue to Bullhead Lake at the end of Swiftcurrent Valley for a total trip of 7 miles and 400 ft elevation.
Be cautious if you continue past Bullhead Lake, as the trail switchbacks up a sheer mountainside. The rocky cliffs can get slippery in the rain. However, I was once rewarded for braving the rain with a fantastic rainbow over Swiftcurrent Pass!
Iceberg Lake
10 miles, 1,400 ft elevation
The trail to Iceberg Lake is an open valley, and I loved watching the rain clouds roll across the mountain peaks. When I worked in Glacier and visitors complained to me about “bad weather”, I told them that sunny days all look the same, but clouds are one-of-a-kind. Sometimes, I think clouds make a view more beautiful, and this hike to Iceberg Lake was one of those times.
I will admit, the water of Iceberg Lake is prettier in the sun. However, early in the summer when the lake is still mostly frozen over, the clouds don’t make too much of a difference.
Granite Park Chalet via the Loop
8 miles, 2,500 ft elevation
If there’s only a light rain, I’d still recommend hiking the Highline to Granite Park Chalet because it has the most beautiful views. However, if there’s heavy rain and wind, the Loop is the safer choice. I hiked the Loop to Granite Park Chalet on a rainy day, and it was still unbelievably beautiful.
The Loop begins with unobstructed views where you can admire the rain clouds over the valley. After a few switchbacks, the trail heads into the trees, which provide protection from the elements at higher elevation. The trail is also primarily dirt as opposed to the slick rock on the Highline.
Once we reached the chalet, we took cover until the rain passed, and we were treated with multiple rainbow sightings!
Honorable Mentions
Avalanche Lake – 5 miles, 700 ft elevation: I haven’t hiked to Avalanche Lake on a rainy day, but I would expect it’s a good option. The trail is in a valley with lots of tree cover, and, it being the most popular trail in the park, some rain might be nice to scare away the crowds.
Sun Point Nature Trail: One of my favorite Glacier pictures was taken on Sun Point Nature Trail on a rainy day. I only did the first quarter mile of the trail to a view overlooking Saint Mary Lake, so I can’t attest to the rest of the hike. On this day with heavy rain, numerous waterfalls appeared on the mountains across the lake, so it was a very special experience.
Grinnell Lake – 7 miles, 450 ft elevation: This trail has lots of tree coverage and should be a great rainy day option. You can even shorten the hike with a boat ride to reduce your rain exposure (more on the boat later). However, in my experience, Grinnell Lake looks much better in the sun, so I’m not sure I’d recommend it for a rainy day!
Swiftcurrent Lake Loop – 2.5 miles, 100 ft elevation: Swiftcurrent Lake Loop is also the beginning of the Grinnell Lake Trail. It’s a short hike with plenty of tree coverage if you’re not comfortable spending too much time out in the rain!
“Indoor” Activities
If you’re looking to escape the rain, these are some “indoor” activities.
Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road
You’ll probably want to get out of the car at overlooks, but you can stay mostly dry while driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road. You might drive through a cloud, see a rainbow, or spot a waterfall that isn’t usually there!
Take a Tour with Glacier Park Boat Company
Glacier Park Boat Company has tours on covered boats on Saint Mary Lake, Lake McDonald, Two Medicine, and a two-lake tour in Many Glacier Valley. To guarantee a spot on the boat, you’ll have to book a reservation on their website months in advance. However, they do have some first-come first-serve tickets, so you might get lucky walking up to the booth at one of the boat docks.
The Many Glacier Valley boat tour is on both Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, so you’ll have to walk a quarter mile between the docks on the two lakes. This boat ride also functions as a shuttle to shorten your hike to Grinnell Lake or Grinnell Glacier.
Visit a Historic Hotel
Take shelter from the rain in one of Glacier’s grand, historic hotels built by the Great Northern Railway in the early 1900s. Many Glacier Hotel is my favorite by a mile, but Lake McDonald Lodge and Glacier Park Lodge are also lovely options. Explore the gift shop, have a meal, or sit by the fireplace with a drink.
You can also check out the small collections of shops and restaurants at Apgar Village in West Glacier or Saint Mary just outside the entrance to East Glacier.
When you’re visiting Glacier National Park, a bit of rain is to be expected. As long as you don’t let it catch you unprepared on a mountain peak, it’s really nothing to worry about! Pack a rain jacket (or buy one in a gift shop), and go hike in the rain!
Latitudes with Lucy 
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