Glacier National Park may be named for its glaciers—but did you know many visitors never actually see one? Most are tucked high in the mountains, and some require a good bit of effort to reach. But don’t worry: whether you’re looking for a roadside viewpoint or ready to hike to the base of a melting giant, this guide has you covered.

We’ll walk you through the easiest, most iconic, and most adventurous ways to see a glacier in the park—plus what to bring, when to go, and why these views matter more than ever.

For more helpful information about traveling through GNP, check out my comprehensive guide to Exploring Glacier National Park!

Quick Answer: What’s the Easiest Glacier to See?

Jackson Glacier is the most accessible. You can see it right from the overlook on Going-to-the-Sun Road (no hiking required!).

Glacier Viewpoints in the Park Ranked by Difficulty

Easy: Glaciers You Can See Without Hiking

Jackson Glacier

• 📍 Location: Jackson Glacier Overlook (east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road)
• Hiking required: None!
• Best time: Morning light, early summer
• Why it’s worth a stop: It’s the park’s most visible glacier from a car. Look for interpretive signs that explain how much the glacier has shrunk since 1910.
• Want to spice it up? The Piegan Pass Trail offers stunning views of Jackson Glacier, among other innumerable amazing things….

Salamander Glacier

• 📍 Location: Many Glacier entrance road
• Hiking required: None! Visible from the road
• Best time: Late summer when the snow melts and reveals its salamander shape
• Tip: Watch for it as you approach Many Glacier Hotel—it’s perched just above Grinnell Glacier in a bowl between peaks.

Moderate: Glaciers Visible on Day Hikes

Hidden Lake Overlook (Sperry Glacier in the distance)

• 📍 Trailhead: Logan Pass
• Distance: 1.3 miles one way
• Elevation gain: ~600 ft (mostly boardwalk and stairs)
• View: Look beyond Hidden Lake to glimpse Sperry Glacier on the ridge
• Pro tip: Bring binoculars and a map—Sperry is far away, but this is your easiest hike-to-a-glacier-view option

Piegan Glacier from Preston Park

• 📍 Trailhead: Siyeh Bend
• Distance: ~3.5 miles one way
• Elevation gain: ~1,350 ft
• Highlight: Wildflowers in summer and an alpine meadow view of the glacier
• Challenge: Moderate but steady climb through open terrain

Hard: Glaciers You Hike To or See on Long Treks

Grinnell Glacier

• 📍 Trailhead: Many Glacier (start at Grinnell Glacier Trailhead or take the boat from Many Glacier Hotel)
• Distance: 5.1 miles one way (or 4.5 miles with boat shortcut)
• Elevation gain: ~1,600 ft
• Why it’s famous: This is the glacier to see if you want to stand next to one. A turquoise meltwater lake, wildflowers, and the powerful visual of a shrinking glacier make this an unforgettable stop.

Sperry Glacier (via Sperry Trail)

• 📍 Trailhead: Lake McDonald Lodge
• Distance: 8.5 miles one way
• Elevation gain: ~5,000 ft (yep, you read that right)
• Context: This is the park’s most studied glacier—scientists have tracked its retreat for decades
• Note: This is an extremely strenuous hike, often done overnight.

Sexton Glacier from Siyeh Pass Trail

• 📍 Trailhead: Siyeh Bend to Sunrift Gorge (point-to-point)
• Distance: 10 miles
• Elevation gain/loss: 2,300 ft up, 3,400 ft down
• View: Look across the valley to see Sexton Glacier clinging to the cliffs
• Bonus: Ride the free shuttle to make this one-way route easier

Vulture & Two Ocean Glaciers from the Highline Trail

• 📍 Trailhead: Highline Trail at Logan Pass
• Distance: ~4 miles one way (to the best viewing zone), 12 miles full point-to-point
• Elevation gain/loss: 950 ft up, 450 ft down
• Effort: Very challenging with constant exposure and drop-offs
• Where to look: Past Haystack Butte, scan northwest with binoculars
• Why it matters: These are among the most remote glaciers in the park—and are shrinking rapidly.

There are also active glaciers in Waterton Lakes National Park, though only a few remain—and like those in Glacier National Park, they are shrinking rapidly due to climate change.

Currently Active Glaciers in Waterton:

As of the most recent research:

1. Vimy Glacier – Located on the eastern slopes of Vimy Peak. It’s the most studied glacier in the park.
2. Blakiston Glacier – High up on Mount Blakiston, the tallest peak in Waterton.
3. A few small unnamed glaciers and permanent snowfields may still qualify seasonally but are close to the size threshold (0.1 sq km) for “active” glacier status.

Like Glacier National Park, Waterton’s glaciers are shrinking

• Most glaciers in the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (combined) have lost 30–85% of their area since the early 20th century.
• Some former glaciers in Waterton have already retreated to the point that they no longer meet the size or movement criteria to be considered active.

Can you see them?

• Yes, but they’re not easily visible from roads. You’ll likely need to hike or use binoculars to view them from high alpine trails.
• The park doesn’t promote glacier viewing the same way Glacier National Park does, but interpretive signage and ranger programs may reference them.

Visiting both parks? Check out my helpful guide to a smooth US-Canada border crossing.

What to Know Before You Go

• Glaciers look different than you might expect. In summer, snowmelt reveals the true shape of the glacier. Early in the season, they may look more like snowfields. Learn how to tell them apart with this NPS video!
• Glacier count is shrinking. The park had ~100 glaciers in 1910. As of 2015, only 26 met the criteria for active glaciers.
• You may need binoculars and a map. Especially at Hidden Lake, Highline, or Siyeh Pass.
• Conditions vary. Snowfields, clouds, fire smoke, or closures can limit views. Always check trail status and weather before you go.

Glaciers & Climate Change: What’s Happening in Glacier (and Waterton)

When Glacier National Park was established in 1910, it had over 100 named glaciers. As of today, fewer than two dozen still meet the criteria to be considered active (0.1 square kilometers in size and showing evidence of flow). Waterton Lakes National Park, just across the border, has also lost many of its ice fields—leaving just a few small glaciers like Vimy and Blakiston still hanging on.

Between 1966 and 2015, the majority of glaciers in the Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park shrank by 30% to 85%, depending on elevation, slope, and sunlight exposure. Some, like Grinnell Glacier, have lost nearly half their area—and are expected to disappear entirely within the next few decades.

Why Does This Matter?

Glaciers aren’t just beautiful—they’re vital to the park’s ecosystems. They:

• Store and release cold meltwater that sustains streams and fish populations during late summer
• Shape the dramatic valleys and waterfalls we all come to see
• Provide a visible marker of climate change happening in real time

Seeing a glacier is no longer a guarantee for future generations. The landscapes are changing faster than many of us realize—and these changes aren’t just happening in science textbooks. They’re happening right here, on the trails and summits we love.

What Can You Do?

• Visit respectfully. Learn about Leave No Trace, Indigenous stewardship, and how to protect fragile alpine ecosystems.
• Support conservation. Whether it’s through park donations, Indigenous-led land work, or advocacy for climate policy, your voice matters.
• Tell the story. Sharing your experience—whether in photos, words, or memories—helps keep these wild places connected to human hearts.

Final Thoughts

Seeing a glacier in Glacier National Park is a powerful experience. Whether you catch a glimpse from the road or hike for hours to stand beside ancient ice, these shrinking giants remind us of the wild forces that shaped this land—and what’s at stake in a warming world.

Need help choosing the right glacier adventure for your trip? I’m here to help with personalized hiking plans, portrait sessions with a glacial backdrop, or just good old-fashioned local advice. Reach out here to chat!