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 The Many Glacier Boat Tour in Glacier Park features the wooden boat "Morning Eagle".

The Many Glacier Hotel  is where you'll begin your Many Glacier Boat Tour.  In this photo, the view of the  Many Glacier Hotel  and Swiftcurrent Lake is overshadowed by Glacier National Park's amazing  Mount Gould .  Note the white wooden boat on Swiftcurrent Lake- that's "Chief Two Guns" and it will take you on the first leg of your Many Glacier Boat Tour.

The Many Glacier Boat Tour  is another classic "must do" while vacationing in  Glacier National Park .  This is something the whole family can enjoy, and it's a boat ride that you will never forget!    This famous boat tour actually involves two boats and two lakes, and the scenery is breathtaking.  The Many Glacier Boat Tour is definitely among our " Top Ten Things To Do In Glacier National Park! "

The tour starts at the boat dock in front of the Many Glacier Hotel...

This dock that's located right in front of the  Many Glacier Hotel  is where your tour begins.

Your Many Glacier Boat Tour will begin with the historic wooden boat at the Many Glacier Hotel named  "Chief Two Guns" , and this Glacier National Park icon will take you across  Swiftcurrent Lake .  When the boat reaches the far end of the lake, you will leave the boat and walk a pleasant 400 yards to the second wooden boat, named  "Morning Eagle"  (built in 1945).  This boat will take you across  Lake Josephine .

You can then choose to stay on the boat and return to the  Many Glacier Hotel , or you can leave the boat at the upper boat dock on Lake Josephine and enjoy the beautiful hiking trails that start here.

Once you are finished hiking for the day, you can catch another boat back to the Hotel.

The Many Glacier Boat Tour is extremely entertaining as well.  The captain of the wooden boats will discuss points of interest along the way, and he/she is usually quite funny as well as very interesting.  The actual tour lasts about an hour and a half.

This is a view from Swiftcurrent Lake of  Grinnell Point  (right) and Mount Gould (left) in the  Many Glacier Area  of Glacier National Park. 

About the Glacier Park Boat Company...

The Many Glacier Boat Tour, as well as all the other boat tours throughout the park (Many Glacier, Two Medicine Lake, St. Mary Lake and Lake McDonald Boat Tours) are all provided by the Glacier Park Boat Company.  Their wooden boats have national historical value.  This company began its tours in 1925 with their first boat, Little Chief, which is still used for the St. Mary Lake Boat Tour in Glacier National Park.

This is the wooden boat  "Morning Eagle"  on Lake Josephine, which is the second leg of your Many Glacier Boat Tour in the Many Glacier Area of Glacier Park.  In this photo, "Morning Eagle" is picking up hikers who spent the day hiking on the  Grinnell Glacier Trail  and the  Grinnell Lake Trail .

A view of  Mount Gould  from Lake Josephine in the Many Glacier Area of Glacier National Park.

POPULAR DAY HIKES FROM THE LAKE JOSEPHINE UPPER BOAT DOCK:

Two very popular day hikes can be taken from the Lake Josephine upper boat dock, which are the  Grinnell Lake Trail  and the  Grinnell Glacier Trail ...

Grinnell Glacier Trail (3.8 miles one way)

A view of Grinnell Lake from the  Grinnell Glacier Trail  in Glacier Park.

The hike to  Grinnell Glacier  is one of  Glacier Park's Top Hikes , and one of the best hikes in all of North America.   We HIGHLY recommend it!!!    Even if you don't get all the way to the  Grinnell Glacier , the spectacular beauty of this famous Glacier Park trail and the incredible scenery from the moment you start, makes it a MUST DO no matter how far you make it.

Click here  for more information on the  Grinnell Glacier Trail .

Grinnell Lake Trail (0.9 miles one way)

Grinnell Lake  in the Many Glacier Area of Glacier National Park.

The  Grinnell Lake Trail  is a pleasant 0.9 mile hike to the beautiful turquoise colored Grinnell Lake in Glacier National Park.  This lake is turquoise colored due to the glaciation high above from the  Grinnell Glacier , Salamander Glacier and Gem Glacier. These glaciers grind rock into glacial silt, and this silt is suspended in the lake water.  Grinnell Lake appears turquoise because of the sky reflecting off of the silt particles.  The Grinnell Lake Trail is one of our favorite EASY day hikes in Glacier National Park because it's short, it's beautiful, and the total elevation gain is only 60 feet.

Click Here  for more information on the  Grinnell Lake Trail .

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Wooden boat  "Morning Eagle"  glides across Lake Josephine as its passengers enjoy an interesting and entertaining Many Glacier Boat Tour.

Hikers getting back on the wooden boat  Morning Eagle  at the upper boat dock on  Lake Josephine  after a fun day hiking in the  Many Glacier Area  of Glacier National Park.

Take the first boat tour of the morning!

The morning lighting in the Many Glacier Area is by far the best for photographs, and it will also give you ample time to get to  Grinnell Glacier  or  Grinnell Lake  and back again to catch another boat late in the afternoon.  Check with the Information Desk at the  Many Glacier Hotel  for departure times.

A view of Mount Wilbur from Swiftcurrent Lake in the  Many Glacier Area .

Get your tickets the day before!

The Many Glacier Boat Tour usually sells out fast, so get your tickets at the Many Glacier Hotel the day before so you literally don't miss the boat!

Glacier Park Boat Company Website

The Many Glacier Boat Tour in  Glacier National Park  is something you'll truly enjoy while on your Glacier Park vacation.

This is a view of the  Many Glacier Area  from the summit of  Altyn Peak  in Glacier National Park.

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Swiftcurrent Lake, Montana

Situated in Montana’s Glacier National Park , Swiftcurrent Lake is, wait for it- a glacier-fed lake. Located in the stunning Many Glacier region of Yellowstone Park, this body of water rises above the nearby Lake Sherburne.

Since the Grinnell Glacier has been receding for several years, Swiftcurrent relies on meltwater to power its currents.

One of Swiftcurrent’s most notable features is its proximity to the Many Glacier Hotel. This lakefront hotel is the park’s largest lodging facility.

Constructed in 1915, this hotel is a popular destination for tourists. The lake has very little fishing pressure, so most visitors enjoy activities like hiking or kayaking while staying at the hotel.

Things to Do at Swiftcurrent Lake

Unlike the other lakes in Glacier National Park, this one gets a lot of attention. Swiftcurrent Lake is mostly used for recreational purposes.

Most visitors rent boats and canoes near the hotel to explore the lake, which is stunningly clear and rich with life. You can also enjoy one of the picturesque boat rides offered at the lake every day.

From hiking to camping and wildlife-watching, you will never run out of things to do at Swiftcurrent Lake. Here are some of the top highlights to look forward to when you visit this scenic destination:

Several of Glacier Park’s best hiking paths begin at the edge of Swiftcurrent Lake, just minutes from the hotel docks. A simple loop trail circles the lake and is flat and pleasant to hike.

The Swiftcurrent Nature Trail loop has a total length of two and a half miles, and each turn reveals a stunning vista.

Snow-capped mountains create an almost uninterrupted backdrop to the lake, which is framed by Mount Gould and Allen Mountain. The little alpine pastures are splashed with a riot of color in the early summer when native wildflowers bloom.

Hikers can spot a bear or a herd of bighorn sheep perched high above them if they have a decent pair of binoculars.

Visitors to Lake Josephine can take a short diversion at the end of the lake. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Grinnell Lake Trail diverges off the main path to the lake. If you stay on the nature loop, you’ll get a full circle tour of the lake, with several photo opportunities galore.

These are solely paths for those who enjoy walking. Horseback riding is permitted on other trails that begin near the Many Glaciers Hotel. Within the park, guided horseback rides are available.

Watch Out for Bear Sightings!

Grizzly bears thrive in Glacier National Park. The park is thought to have the highest density of grizzly bears per square mile in the country.

It’s common for routes to be closed when bear presence is high, but bears can show up anywhere. Bear spray and a wide berth are advised by rangers .

If trekking isn’t your thing, you can always go for a boat tour. At the edge of the lake, some hundred yards away, tourists can take a popular boat cruise to see yet another gorgeous lake. Typically, the 1.5-hour tour includes a visit to two lakes.

Take in the breathtaking vistas of Lake Josephine and Swiftcurrent Lake. You can also rent canoes, kayaks, and rowboats at the Many Glacier Hotel if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the glacier area.

When you go on an early morning tour, you’re more likely to spot bighorn sheep, moose, and even grizzly bears. Before the wind picks up, the water is dotted with dimpled rings left by the rising trout.

All of nature’s splendor is in full view, owing to the crisp, clean air. It is no wonder that the image of Swiftcurrent Lake lingers in the minds of tourists long after they’ve returned home.

Swiftcurrent is windy, but not nearly as much as other parts of Many Glacier. That includes the wind-lashed Lake Sherburne below, where it seems as if the wind never ceases. Even in the face of moderate gusts, casting at Swiftcurrent Lake is a breeze.

To cast far from the bank, you’ll want to use a long, light-action spinning rod with a 2-to-4-pound test monofilament line. Nine-foot-six-weight fly fishing rods with sinking tip lines are also a good choice.

If you want to go fishing in Glacier National Park, you don’t need a fishing license. However, to enter the park, you must pay a fee. At any of the gates at park access points, visitors can pay for park entry.

When park personnel isn’t around, use the provided envelopes to drop off payments. You can also purchase an annual pass.

Fly-fishing Swiftcurrent Lake requires a single pole and flies or lures that are tied into the fly-line. Bait fishing is permitted in the creek from Swiftcurrent Lake’s discharge to the huge waterfall a few hundred yards downstream.

Perhaps the rules makers assume these fish won’t make it across the rapids anyway. Visitors to the park are not allowed to wear waders with felt soles or lead fishing equipment.

The Many Glacier Campground , just up the road from the hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake, is the valley’s only other camping option.

Campgrounds near the hotel fill up fast, so more adventurous campers like to head for the backcountry campgrounds around Lake Josephine, which are less accessible.

Swiftcurrent Motor Lodge , a short drive away, has rustic cottages, a motel, and a campsite all under one roof.

This campground, close to the Swiftcurrent Motor Lodge on the Swiftcurrent Trail, eventually leads hikers to Swiftcurrent Pass. Here visitors can take in views of the Continental Divide and Granite Park Chalet.

Another trail takes hikers up to Piegan Pass and other noteworthy locations within the national park itself.

Lodging and Amenities

At the heart of Glacier Park is the magnificent Many Glaciers Valley. Lodging at the Many Glaciers Hotel , which has a view of Swiftcurrent Lake, gives guests a taste of Glacier National Park’s early 1900s beginnings.

Guests are often surprised to learn that the hotel’s rooms don’t have televisions or air-conditioning units, which are considered “modern” luxuries.

You won’t miss them either because breathtaking scenery is right outside your window, and the elevation helps to keep the temperature cool even during the height of summer.

Other Nearby Towns and Lodging Options

A small drive from Many Glaciers Valley is Glacier National Park, which shares its eastern border with the Blackfeet Reservation. The little villages of Babb and Saint Marys, which lie just outside the park, do have a few services.

In these communities, you’ll find a few guest ranches, tiny motels, and bed-and-breakfasts that can accommodate visitors.

Tourists are welcome at the eateries in the area, and nearby supermarkets sell basic necessities like food, supplies, and groceries.

The scenic ‘ Going-To-The-Sun Road ‘ that runs through the park is not to be missed. The west end of Glacier Park is home to more private enterprises.

Can You Swim in Swiftcurrent Lake?

The water of Swiftcurrent Lake is so frigid that there are no beaches for swimming in the summer months.

During the winter, the park’s buildings and services are closed, but the trails are still available, even if they are impassable owing to heavy snow. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular winter activities for frequent tourists.

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• Many Glacier Boat Tour – half day

• $25/Child (Ages 4 to 12)

Ages 3 and under are free

Come see the glaciers in this magical valley from the seats of two historic wooden boats — Chief Two Guns on Swiftcurrent Lake and Morning Eagle on Lake Josephine. Enjoy both lakes via a small hike linking the two boats in this two-part tour. The tour begins on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake, below the expansive Many Glacier Hotel. Take the Chief Two Guns across Swiftcurrent Lake, dock, disembark, and walk 0.2 miles over a steep hill to the shores of Lake Josephine and board Morning Eagle. Cruise to the head of Lake Josephine where you can disembark and go on a hike to Grinnell Lake or Grinnell Glacier before returning back across both lakes to Many Glacier Hotel. Including the 1.5 hour boat tour, time required is 3 to 4 hours to the lake, longer to the Glacier.

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Many Glacier Boat Ride

• Posted in National Parks
• Updated January 1, 2023

The Glacier Park Boat Company has been directing tours across Swiftcurrent and Josephine Lake for many years. These tours allow you to access Grinnell Lake  and Hidden Falls, which are beautiful areas in the Many Glacier area. (The areas are also open to hikers, but the boat ride minimizes the distance.)

Tickets for the Many Glacier boat ride can be purchased online or right on the dock behind the hotel. Most people on standby were able to get on the boat the day we were there, but that is not always true during the busy season, so be prepared and book tickets in advance.

The enclosed boat circles around the shore giving you a chance to see otters, loons, and mergansers. We even spotted a snake swimming alongside the boat. Keep your eyes open along the shore.

The tour guides are very knowledgeable and friendly. They explained the history of the area, as well as answered all the questions from tourists. We were impressed with the young people running the boats.

One of the things we liked about the ride was that the boat crossed Swiftcurrent Lake and let us out. We took a short hike (only a quarter mile) to the shore of Lake Josephine and caught another boat. This one took us across the second lake to a trailhead. The trail was a one mile hike to Grinnell Lake , which was a beautiful ice cold lake. We spotted moose and ptarmigan along the way. There is also a short climb to Hidden Falls that branches off this trail.

Many people come just for the boat ride and don’t do the hike. If you do get off to hike, sometimes catching a ride back can be tricky because they only have so many spots on the boat. Depending on how many people get off, some hikers might have to wait for a few different boats to catch a ride back. You can always hike back to the hotel and skip the ride back. It’s 2.5 miles back to the Many Glacier Hotel. The final boat departs at 5:30 pm.

The Glacier Park Boat Company provides boat rides across 3 other lakes in Glacier National Park: Lake McDonald, St. Mary Lake, and Two Medicine. We enjoyed our boat ride in Many Glacier and hope to try another spot next time.

Tips for Families

• Buy tickets early. You can purchase online or by calling the Glacier Boat Company.
• Choose the boat ride best for you. We chose this ride specifically for the hike, but there are lots of options.
• For other ideas for exploring Glacier, visit our post on Glacier National Park.

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Trails i've hiked: grinnell lake by boat and boot in glacier national park.

(Top) The boat Chief Two Guns crosses Swiftcurrent Lake on the first leg of the boat/hike trip. (Bottom) Lake Josephine is the middle of the three lakes viewed on this trip. Photos by Jim Burnett,

Glacier National Park is often described as a "hiker's paradise," and over 700 miles of trails offer plenty of choices for what the park describes as "adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude." Glacier also offers some fine shorter hikes that offer a taste of the backcountry with only moderate physical demands, and one of the most popular is the combination boat trip/hike to Grinnell Lake. Along with Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine, Grinnell Lake is one of a string of three lovely mountain lakes that stairstep gradually through the Many Glacier area on the park's eastern side. Some of the most scenic views in the park are those across Swiftcurrent Lake from the vicinity of the Many Glacier Hotel, but to catch a glimpse of the other two lakes, you'll need to hit the trail. For those who'd prefer to shorten the trip, or combine it with views from the lakes themselves, a boat ride-hike combo is a popular summertime option. Those who decide to include the boat trip'”which actually includes short boat rides on two lakes'”will have a total hike of under two miles. By way of comparison, the boots-only route will cover about 6.2 miles of trail (round-trip) between the Many Glacier Hotel and Grinnell Lake. So, how does the boat shuttle work? The boat trips, offered by the Glacier Park Boat Company, begin each summer once the trail to Grinnell Lake is free enough of snow to allow travel; that's usually by mid-June, but the exact date varies from year to year. The last boat trip scheduled for 2014 is September 14th. During the peak of the season (July 1 '“ Labor Day), boats depart the dock near the Many Glacier Hotel seven times a day; the number of trips is scaled back slightly in June and early September. You'll find schedules and rates at this link , and advance reservations are a good idea, especially in July and August. The first segment of the trip, a short cruise across Swiftcurrent Lake on the Chief Two Guns , takes less than 15 minutes, and offers fine views of the surrounding mountains. For the best odds of catching a photo of those rugged peaks reflected in a mirror-like lake, opt for the earliest boats of the day.

At the completion of this ride, everyone disembarks from the boat and makes a short but rather steep 400-yard walk via a paved trail up and back down a ridge to the lower end of Lake Josephine. It's this brief climb that keeps this trip from falling completely into the "suitable for all audiences" category. Participants on my trip in early July ranged from family groups with youngsters to senior citizens, and except for brief stops by a few to catch their breath during the uphill section, no one had any apparent difficulty. Once everyone has assembled at Lake Josephine, the group boards a second vessel, the Morning Eagle , for a similar cruise across Lake Josephine. This trip typically takes about 12 minutes, and again offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. Upon reaching the opposite shore of Lake Josephine, you're finally ready for a slightly longer hike'”the virtually level 1.8-mile roundtrip to Grinnell Lake. If for any reason you don't choose to make that easy trek, you can remain on the boat to return via the same route, or simply hang around the landing area for a picnic or short stroll.

The trail to Grinnell Lake from the boat landing on Lake Josephine is heavily travelled and well signed. Unless you're looking for a longer and much more strenuous hike, don't take the right-hand fork that leads up to Grinnell Glacier. That's a great hike for those who are prepared, but the trip gains 1,600 feet in elevation over a roundtrip distance of about 7.5 miles! For those who do want to make the longer trip to Grinnell Glacier, the boat-hike combination is also a option, and the boat shuttle cuts about four miles off the total distance to that destination. A guided boat-hike trip to Grinnell Glacier leaves once daily at 8:30 a.m. during the core of the summer season, which, it should be noted, can vary from year to year. Due to a heavy, late-season snow this year, the trail to Grinnell Glacier had not yet opened when I visited the area on July 1st. From June 14-September 14, the Grinnell Lake trip is offered twice daily (9 a.m. and 2 p.m. departures from Many Glacier) as a conducted hike, usually led by a National Park Service Naturalist, and depending upon your personal preferences, the guided trip option has some pros ... and one main con. Unless you're already an expert on the area, a ranger-guided hike can be a great way to learn something about the flora, fauna (and in Glacier's case, the geology) of the area. My wife and I opted for the 9 a.m. conducted hike on July 1, and had a very positive trip with an experienced seasonal ranger. There's one additional plus for conducted hikes that make those trips especially appealing to some visitors to Glacier: Since this is prime grizzly bear country, some visitors are simply more comfortable hiking with a group. The presence of  lots of people who are encouraged to make plenty of noise on the trail (and an experienced ranger "armed" with bear spray) aren't an absolute guarantee of safety during any hike, but the odds of a unpleasant outcome from a bear encounter under such circumstances are certainly about as close to zero as one could expect. The trade-off for such trips, of course, is the loss of a sense of "solitude" on a hike that includes up to several dozen of your friends and/or total strangers. It's your choice. If you're making this hike on your own and want to avoid the company, try to calculate your schedule so your arrival at the upper end of Lake Josephine doesn't coincide with the arrival of one of the boats... or make sure you're one of the first off the boat and get a quick start on the trail!

What about the trail itself? The route is mainly through a heavily wooded area, although there are breaks along the way to allow some fine views of the surrounding peaks. In early July, we still encountered some patches of snow and a few wet areas on the trail itself; sections of planks or narrow boardwalks are installed in areas that tend to be wet much of the season. For a little sense of adventure, the trail to Grinnell Lake does include a short suspension bridge over Cataract Creek. It's a one-customer-at-a-time crossing, and after some skepticism by a few members of our group, everyone navigated the bridge without any problems. Tips from veterans of the hike: take small steps, and look at the opposite shore rather than down at the rushing water visible between the slats of the bridge.

The end of the hike offers a lovely if somewhat crowded photo-op for the lake itself. At the far end of the lake, you'll have a nice view of Grinnell Falls. If the angle of the light is favorable, you may notice an emerald or turquoise tint to the lake water, a typical situation in lakes which carry suspended silt from an upstream glacier. If you take one of the conducted trips, you're welcome to make the return hike with the ranger, or go ahead of or behind the group at your own pace. Those who purchased the boat trip receive a small ticket, which is good for any of the remaining return cruises that day.

It's about 2.2 miles back to the Many Glacier Hotel by trail from the head of Lake Josephine, so just make sure you don't miss the final boat of the day, unless you're properly prepared for a brisk, late evening hike. As a courtesy to the staff, if you made the outbound trip by water, advise the crew if you don't plan to return by boat. On our hike, my wife and I opted to start back ahead of the remaining group, and thus confirmed that even with a lot of hikers in the area, it's still possible to see some interesting wildlife. Less than a quarter mile from the lake, I spotted movement in the dense forest just off the trail about 50 feet ahead, and quickly realized it was a large cow moose. She was taking her time, enjoying lunch, and showed little interest in our presence. We paused, backed up slowly, and advised those who were coming along behind us'”including the ranger'”of the sighting. After about 10 minutes, the moose wandered across the trail and out of sight into the woods, and we all completed our hike without any difficulty. If you're one of those "adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude" in Glacier, this hike is probably not one for your list, especially during the peak summer season. If, however, you want an easy, non-threatening peek at what the park has to offer away from the road, the Grinnell Lake hike can be a good opportunity.    

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Jim, thanks for sharing. Great story. This is now on my "next time i am there list".

Can you do this hike in winter? In Deceeber? 

just what I needed to know about the shuttle and the hike.  thank you

Great information about the hike! We didn't have enough time to hike it but plan to next time. Hope you don't mind but I linked your blog post on my own about a day trip in Glacier National Park. Thanks again!

Tam @ http://freshcoffeestains.com/glacier-national-park/

Thanj you for your detailed information about this trip. Very helpful for our upcoming trip!

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Kayak Swiftcurrent Lake

Browning, Montana

Description

Added by Sarah Giek

The Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park is well-known for its popular hiking trails, but it also provides travelers with the opportunity to kayak.

Swiftcurrent Lake is easily accessed along the shores of Many Glacier Hotel where ample parking is available. The Glacier Park Boat Company offers single and double kayak rentals onsite (pricing and dates of operations are available here: glacierparkboats.com ) or you can bring your own.

The calm waters allow you to relax and take in the views of the surrounding mountains. And for an added adventure, you can kayak to the end of Swiftcurrent Lake where there is a small creek that connects it to Lake Josephine. If you’re willing to navigate your way through, you will be rewarded with more breathtaking views. Just steer clear of the tour boats that travel across both lakes throughout the day.

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Kayak Swiftcurrent Lake Reviews

Stephen Catalano

The rentals are pretty pricey... but I think its worth it if you arrive early and get glassy water. It was one of my favorite lakes for photography in Glacier.

Johnathan .

Go early when the water is calm

If you want to have the best reflections, do this in the morning when the water is calm. When there aren't any waves the lake is still and like a perfect mirror. Also, you can fish the lake if you have fishing gear with you. Just know that no bait fishing is allowed, so you can only use artificial flies or lures. Be sure to check the park's fishing regulations here: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/fishing.htm

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Glacier National Park: Grinnell Lake

Back-to-back boat rides jump-start this dayhike to a glacier-fed lake in glacier national park..

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From early June through mid-September, the Glacier Park Boat Company operates shuttle boats and hiking tours from the Many Glacier Hotel. This route begins with cruises on the Chief Two Guns and the Morning Eagle across Swiftcurrent Lake and to the head of Lake Josephine where you’ll begin the hike. The well-marked trail starts at the dock and heads south over a series of boardwalks and a suspension bridge near Hidden Falls. It’s 0.9 mile from the dock to the foot of Grinnell Lake, where you’ll catch views of its eponymous waterfall and mountain, the Continental Divide, and the sweeping northern slope of the 7,430-foot monolith, Angel Wing. After admiring the view, backtrack toward the dock and continue south along the shoreline toward the Many Glacier Hotel. At the foot of Lake Josephine, you’ll turn toward the North Shore Trail and cut between the two lakes before bearing right to follow Swiftcurrent Lake’s shoreline headed north. Look across the water for views of the hotel—a 5-story, Swiss style chalet—before crossing a bridge into a picnic area near the park road about 0.9 miles from loop end. Skip the road by following the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail around the foot of the lake to the hotel. PERMIT: Overnight camping in Glacier National Park requires a backcountry permit. Check out the latest fees and more details at nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm. PARK INFO: Glacier National Park, (406) 888-7800; nps.gov/glac/. -Mapped by Kristy Holland

Trail Facts

• Distance: 12.9

Location: 48.796631, -113.657942

Buy your boat ticket at the Many Glacier Hotel and start this excursion with a boat ride across Swiftcurrent Lake.

Location: 48.78933, -113.665902

From the dock at the head of Swiftcurrent Lake, there’s a short hike to the foot of Lake Josephine and another short boat shuttle.

Location: 48.774809, -113.682693

There are pit toilets a few hundred feet to the left of the dock. But, the well-worn trail to Grinnell Lake heads south through the forest from here. You’ll skirt Cataract Creek and cross several boardwalks.

Location: 48.769032, -113.695128

About 0.8 mile from the boat dock is a jumble of horse trails, a hitching post, and toilets.

Location: 48.766925, -113.695879

Proceed one person at a time over this swaying suspension bridge, but take a minute to look left at Hidden Falls before tracing the creek’s west side and bearing left.

Location: 48.765072, -113.700428

Look up for glimpses of the towering profile of Angel Wing as you approach the lakeshore. From the rocky shoreline you can also see the Continental Divide above Upper Grinnell Lake and Mount Grinnell to the northwest. Turn back here and retrace your steps toward the head of Josephine Lake.

Location: 48.774646, -113.682511

Though it’s possible to return to the hotel by boat, opt instead to follow this route for a pleasant hike along the lake. Just follow signs for the Many Glacier Hotel.

Location: 48.786191, -113.662498

Bear left at the next two Y-junctions. You’ll turn onto a long, wooden bridge and continue toward the dock at the head of Swiftcurrent Lake.

Location: 48.789292, -113.66678

At this junction, just past the dock, turn right onto the Swiftcurrent Lake Trail. You’ll skirt the shoreline for a quarter mile before crossing a bridge and rolling through the open forest toward a roadside picnic area and the trailhead.

Location: 48.797239, -113.668349

Pass through the picnic area and bear right onto the Nature Trail. There are a few interesting interpretive signs on the way; trailside tags identify the flowers and plants on the trail.

Location: 48.799386, -113.664353

Cross the boat ramp access road and continue east. You’ll be close enough to the hotel to easily see the return route.

Location: 48.800009, -113.657019

As you turn right to follow the road to the hotel, cross and peek over the roadside falls.

Location: 48.796647, -113.658128

Boarding the 49-passenger wooden boat at the dock near the Many Glacier Hotel.

Location: 48.789219, -113.666328

There is a 400-yard hike between Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. It begins with a small climb, but ends with a descent.

Location: 48.774632, -113.682371

To cut 3.7 miles from this hike, wait for the next boat at the Lake Josephine dock. A sign indicates scheduled arrival and departure times.

Location: 48.774003, -113.683154

There are several boardwalks through the stream-crossed surrounds of the valley lakes. Stay on the trail.

Location: 48.770163, -113.691952

Humans aren’t the only ones who use these trails. Look for signs of bears, moose and other animals as you hike (noisily) through the forest.

Location: 48.766958, -113.695515

A short suspension bridge over Cataract Creek. Look left as you cross for a glimpse of Hidden Falls.

Josephine Lake

Location: 48.782607, -113.667386

Admire the lakeshore and views above it as you cruise the lush forest and occasional meadows near the foot of Josephine Lake.

Grinnell Point

Location: 48.787703, -113.661969

Location: 48.788507, -113.663817

You’ll cross the bridge heading west before passing the dock at the head of Swiftcurrent Lake.

Location: 48.7972, -113.668325

This trailhead gives plenty of good pointers for Glacier National Park hiking.

Nature Trail

Location: 48.797851, -113.667873

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A Pit Stop a Day (Day 5): Swiftcurrent Lake Cruise

The Morning Eagle: a wonderful way to see the park interior.

Day 5 found us lucky enough to wake up once again at the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park. We spent the morning hiking nearby trails, then boarded Chief Two Guns for a Swiftcurrent Lake Cruise offered by the Glacier Park Boat Company.

What a great way to combine sightseeing, a guided tour, hiking, and boating! We departed from the dock of the Many Glacier Hotel on Swiftcurrent Lake and cruised to the opposite side (approximately 15 minutes). Passengers then walked .2 mile over a hill to nearby Josephine Lake, where we boarded the Morning Eagle, another cruise boat. From there, we crossed Josephine Lake and passengers were offered the choice of returning to Many Glacier or hiking 2.3 miles (round trip) to Lake Grinnell.

Boarding the boat after a .2 mile walk from Swiftwater Lake to Josephine Lake.

We opted for the latter (as did most passengers¦we had a group of about 30). The guided hike was simply stunning. Before we had walked ten yards, our naturalist (guide) was pointing out a moose and her calf in the reeds by the lake. Later on, we encountered moose and elk prints, many waterfalls on the mountainsides, a swinging and swaying wooden bridge, and Lake Grinnell itself. Our guide was knowledgeable, and while I usually prefer hiking without a large group, it was nice to gain the information. Besides, we were in bear country, so I didn’t mind the extra people (safety in numbers, right?).

The hike to Grinnell Lake includes a wooden cable bridge over icy glacial waters!

The kids had fun on the boats (and Toby once again got to take a turn at the helm). Despite the substantial cost, we give this tour a thumbs up: we’d do it again!

Toby at the helm of Chief Two Guns.

Note: You can access Lake Grinnell and the surrounding area without taking a boat cruise. From the Swiftcurrent Lake loop trail (which begins at the Many Glacier Hotel), it’s only approximately 1.3 miles (one way). In fact, Calvin, Nate, and my dad opted to walk back from the Lake boat dock instead of waiting for the return boat: it took them 45 minutes.

Date last visited: June 2010.

Distance off the interstate: 21 miles from St. Mary, 12 miles from Hwy 89.

Admission Prices: $22 per adult, $11 per child (under 12)

Hours: Cruises across Swiftcurrent Lake and adjacent Lake run multiple times daily. Cruises with guided hike to Lake Grinnell depart at 9 am and 2 pm daily.

Food Services: None. Bring your own snacks and water, as you’re out for 3.5 hours.

Bathrooms: Pit toilets are located at two locations along the trail. They were as clean as pit toilets reasonably can be!

Website: Glacier National Park lake cruises

Directions: See directions to the Many Glacier Hotel.

Up Next: It’s winter in the end of June as we hike on a glacier!

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Swiftcurrent Falls - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Share a Kiss on Romantic Boat Ride in Lake Como During Eras Tour Break — See Photos!

The pop superstar recently wrapped a string of Eras Tour shows in Paris, and the NFL player was in attendance for one of the performances

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce 's Italian love story continues.

After the couple was spotted walking the streets of Lake Como, Italy , with their arms around each other earlier this week, they were seen enjoying a romantic rainy boat ride on May 17 — and embracing one another as they shared a romantic kiss. An additional person onboard snapped cute couples photos for them on both the boat and the dock.

The pop superstar, 34, recently wrapped a string of Eras Tour shows in Paris, and the NFL player, 34, was in attendance for one of the performances. There, he was seen taking videos of the "Cruel Summer" singer with his camera flash on in a viral moment.

"Oh, you know, the settings on the camera, if it's dark, it's going to automatically put the flash on," explained Kelce on a recent episode of  New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce .

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He added, "I was just trying to get some good, you know, some good video, some good memories. I don't give a damn."

Travis also spoke about Swift's recent changes to the Eras Tour following the release of her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department , as she added several songs to the setlist.

"I'm just I'm happy for everybody that's in the tour that's performing, from the dancers to the band and obviously Taylor," he said. "It just looks like they're having so much fun up there, and they're absolutely killing it. And they're putting on a show that you know, you won't get anywhere else."

Elsewhere during the podcast episode, Travis explained he "really didn’t get to explore Paris too much" during his time in the French city. "We’ll do that some other time," he added.

Throughout his ongoing offseason, Travis has already signed a new contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, landed a hosting gig on Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? and earned a role in Ryan Murphy 's new FX series,  Grotesquerie .

Swift's Eras Tour resumes with three shows in Stockholm from May 17-19, and she'll continue performing in Europe through August, before launching the second North American leg.

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