12 Easiest Hikes in Glacier National Park Under 5 Miles

Glacier’s best kept secrets are yours to unveil.

You don’t need to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy Glacier National Park in Montana. These under-5-mile trails pack all the park’s punch – waterfalls, wildlife, and wow-factor views – without leaving you gasping for breath.

Trail of the Cedars: Ancient Giants on Easy Street

This 1-mile wheelchair-friendly boardwalk lets you stroll through a forest of thousand-year-old cedars.

You’ll cross Avalanche Creek on elevated walkways, where the water runs so clear you can count the rocks at the bottom.

Nature signs along the path tell you cool facts about the ecosystem, like how some of these cedars were saplings when Vikings roamed Europe.

Running Eagle Falls: Two Waterfalls for the Price of One

This 0.6-mile round-trip hike brings you face-to-face with a waterfall that plays tricks on your eyes.

During spring, water flows from both the top and through a cave at the bottom, creating two separate falls.

The trail’s packed gravel surface means you won’t stumble, and interpretive signs tell the story of Running Eagle, the Blackfeet woman warrior the falls are named after.

Hidden Lake Overlook: Big Views for Small Effort

Starting from Logan Pass, this 2.7-mile round trip serves up what might be the park’s best views-to-effort ratio. Mountain goats treat the trail like their personal sidewalk.

And in summer, the boardwalk cuts through fields of wildflowers. The observation deck puts you at eye level with mountain peaks without the quad-burning climb.

Redrock Falls: Your Best Bet for Moose Spotting

This 4.2-mile journey takes you through prime moose territory in the Many Glacier area. The trail follows Swiftcurrent Creek past three lakes, each one a potential moose hangout.

The falls themselves tumble over distinctive red argillite rocks formed over a billion years ago, and the forest shade keeps you cool the whole way.

Baring Falls: The Quick-Hit Waterfall

At just 0.7 miles round trip, this trail delivers maximum bang for minimal buck. The 25-foot waterfall crashes down a rocky cliff face.

It’s been carved by water for thousands of years. The trail starts at Sunrift Gorge, where you can see how glaciers split the mountain like a knife through butter.

Fishercap Lake: The Moose’s Living Room

This 0.6-mile flat walk takes you to what locals call “moose soup” – a lake where moose hang out like teenagers at a mall.

Dawn and dusk bring out the wildlife, and the lake’s surface reflects the surrounding peaks like a mirror.

The trail connects to other hikes, but honestly, you might just want to park yourself on a rock and watch nature’s show.

Grinnell Lake: Caribbean Colors in Montana

This 3-mile round trip hike leads to waters so turquoise. The color comes from glacier flour – rock dust so fine it stays suspended in the water.

Watch for bears munching berries along the trail, and bring your camera for shots of Mount Gould reflecting in the lake.

Johns Lake Loop: Three Ecosystems in One Short Hike

This 2-mile loop gives you forest, lake, and river views without breaking a sweat.

You’ll cross McDonald Creek twice on sturdy bridges. On your way, spot Sacred Dancing Cascade, and catch glimpses of beaver activity around Johns Lake.

The trail passes through three distinct forest types, each with its own cast of plant and animal characters.

Swiftcurrent Nature Trail: Wildlife’s Red Carpet

This 2.5-mile loop around Swiftcurrent Lake is basically a wildlife runway.

Bighorn sheep, bears, and mountain goats regularly make appearances against a backdrop of peaks that’ll make your jaw drop.

The trail’s 25-foot elevation gain means you can focus on spotting animals instead of catching your breath.

Aster Falls: The Wildflower Highway

This 2.8-mile round trip through Two Medicine Valley shows off Montana’s flower power. The trail climbs through meadows that burst with asters, beargrass, and Indian paintbrush in summer. The falls drop 20 feet over ancient red rocks, and you might spot bighorn sheep on the cliffs above.

St. Mary Falls: The Triple Waterfall Jackpot

Starting from St. Mary Lake shoreline, this trail takes you past three distinct waterfalls. While St. Mary Falls drops 35 feet through a gorge, Virginia Falls adds another 50 feet. The trail also follows an old fire road, making the walking easy even as the scenery gets increasingly dramatic.

Sun Point: The History Buff’s Stroll

This 1.9-mile path combines Glacier’s natural and human history. You’ll walk where guests of the historic Sun Point Chalet once sipped tea while gazing at St. Mary Lake.

The trail hits three major viewpoints, each showcasing a different angle of the mountains, and passes through meadows where bighorn sheep graze like lawnmowers.