If you only have a couple of hours at Logan Pass, this is the hike to do. The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail climbs a wooden boardwalk through alpine meadows full of wildflowers, often past mountain goats grazing right beside the trail, to a viewpoint over Hidden Lake with the sharp pyramid of Bearhat Mountain rising behind it. It’s one of the classic views in Glacier National Park.
It’s short, but it’s not flat. You start above 6,600 feet and climb about 600 feet, much of it on stairs. Snow can linger into July, and the trail can close for bears.
This guide covers the distance and climb, the boardwalk, what you’ll see, the difference between the overlook and the lake itself, parking and the 2026 rules, hiking with kids, the best months and current conditions.
Cover photo: Bearhat Mountain and Hidden Lake from the overlook. Photo: Andrew Parlette / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail: The Short Answer
The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail starts behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center on Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, Montana. It’s 1.3–1.4 miles one way (about 2.7 miles round trip) with about 600 feet of climbing, mostly on a boardwalk and stairs. Most people take 1.5–2.5 hours. It’s moderate and family-friendly, with great odds of seeing mountain goats. The trail continues another 1.2 miles down to the lake itself, which adds a steep climb back up.
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Logan Pass, Glacier National Park, Montana |
| Trailhead | Behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center |
| Distance to overlook | 1.3–1.4 miles one way, about 2.6–2.8 miles round trip |
| Elevation (to overlook) | About 608 feet up and 128 feet down |
| Trailhead elevation | About 6,646 feet |
| Highest point | About 7,150 feet |
| Surface | Wooden boardwalk, stairs and packed dirt |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Time | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| Continue to Hidden Lake | 2.5 miles one way, steep climb back |
| Best months | Mid-July through mid-September |
| Wildlife | Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, marmots, sometimes grizzlies |
| Permit | None; park entrance pass required |
| Dogs | Not allowed |
Where Is the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail?
The trail starts at Logan Pass, the highest point on Going-to-the-Sun Road, right on the Continental Divide. Logan Pass is about 32 miles from West Glacier and about 18 miles from St. Mary. Park, walk up to the Logan Pass Visitor Center, and the boardwalk heads uphill right behind the building. It’s well signed for Hidden Lake.
You can only drive here when the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, usually from late June or early July until mid- to late October. In 2026, the road opened on June 22 and closed over Logan Pass for the winter around October 19–20.
How Long Is the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail?
| Route | One way | Round trip | Climb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan Pass to Hidden Lake Overlook | 1.3–1.4 miles | 2.6–2.8 miles | About 600 feet up |
| Logan Pass to Hidden Lake (lakeshore) | 2.5 miles | About 5 miles | About 640 feet up and 920 feet down on the way in, then all of that in reverse |
The National Park Service lists 1.3 miles one way to the overlook; other park materials and guides round it to 1.35–1.4 miles. Either way, plan for just under 3 miles.
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail Difficulty
It’s a moderate hike. It’s short and well built, but:
- It’s all uphill on the way out, with several long sets of boardwalk stairs and switchbacks.
- The altitude (6,600–7,150 feet) leaves many visitors short of breath.
- Snow often covers parts of the trail into July and can be slippery.
- Weather at Logan Pass can turn cold and windy in minutes.
Good for beginners? Yes, for anyone comfortable with stairs and an hour of uphill walking. Go slowly, take breaks, and remember you can turn around anywhere. The views start almost right away. See our hiking for beginners guide for basics.
How Long Does the Hike Take?
| Hiking style | Round-trip time |
|---|---|
| Fast hikers | About 1–1.5 hours |
| Average pace with photo stops | 1.5–2 hours |
| Families or lots of wildlife watching | 2–3 hours |
| Down to Hidden Lake and back | 3.5–5 hours |
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail Map and Route
The route is simple: Logan Pass Visitor Center → boardwalk and stairs through the meadows → gentler dirt trail past small tarns → Hidden Lake Overlook, then back the same way. From the overlook, a separate trail drops to the lake. Pick up a park map at any visitor center, and check the trail status board at Logan Pass before you start, since the overlook and lake sections can have different closures.
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail: Step by Step
1. The Boardwalk and Stairs
The first half mile or so is mostly a wide wooden boardwalk with long flights of stairs. It was built to protect the fragile alpine meadows from thousands of feet each day, so stay on it. Clements Mountain (8,760 feet) rises straight ahead, and early in summer the boardwalk may be partly buried under snow.
Is the whole trail a boardwalk? No. After the boardwalk ends, it’s a packed dirt and gravel path with some rocky spots. It isn’t wheelchair or stroller friendly.
2. The Hanging Gardens
The meadows around Logan Pass are known as the Hanging Gardens. From mid-July, they fill with yellow glacier lilies (right as the snow melts), red and pink paintbrush, pink mountain heather, purple asters and white beargrass. Reynolds Mountain (9,125 feet) towers on your left, and you’ll pass small ponds and snowmelt streams.
3. Mountain Goats and Other Wildlife
This is one of the best places in the Lower 48 to see mountain goats, often with kids (baby goats) in July. They may walk right across the boardwalk. You might also see bighorn sheep, hoary marmots whistling from the rocks, and Columbian ground squirrels. Grizzly bears sometimes feed in the meadows, too.
Stay at least 25 yards from goats and sheep and 100 yards from bears. Never feed them. Goats crave salt and can get pushy around sweaty packs, so keep your gear with you.
4. Hidden Lake Overlook
After about 1.3 miles, the trail tops out on a low rise and the view opens up. Far below, Hidden Lake (about 6,375 feet) fills a deep basin, with Bearhat Mountain (8,684 feet) rising steeply on the far side. On a clear day, you can see Gunsight Mountain and the headwall of Sperry Glacier in the far distance to the southwest. Bring binoculars.
It’s a wide, open viewpoint with room to spread out, rest and take photos. Many people stop here. Head back the way you came, enjoying Clements Mountain and the meadows from a new angle.
Hidden Lake Overlook vs. Hidden Lake
| Feature | Hidden Lake Overlook | Hidden Lake (lakeshore) |
|---|---|---|
| Round trip | About 2.7 miles | About 5 miles |
| Climbing | About 600 feet | About 1,500 feet total, including a steep climb back to the overlook |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate to strenuous |
| What you get | The classic view from above | Lakeside rest, fishing and fewer people |
| Closures | Occasional | Often closed for bear activity, especially in late summer |
Past the overlook, the trail drops about 770 feet in roughly 1.2 miles through meadows and subalpine forest to the lake. The hike back up is the hardest part of the day. The lake section is frequently closed when bears are feeding in the area, even while the overlook stays open, so check the status board. For most visitors, the overlook alone is the highlight.
Hidden Lake Overlook With Kids
This is one of the best family hikes in Glacier. Kids love spotting goats and marmots, playing in summer snow patches (on the trail edges only) and counting stairs.
- School-age kids usually manage it fine; toddlers will likely need a carrier for parts of the climb.
- Strollers won’t work beyond the start of the boardwalk.
- Bring layers. It can be 20°F cooler and much windier than in the valleys.
- Keep kids close around wildlife and at the overlook.
- Skip the lake if little legs are tired; the climb back up is long.
Logan Pass Parking and Shuttle
Logan Pass has about 235 parking spaces, and in July and August they fill by early morning.
- 2026 rules: No vehicle reservations were needed anywhere in the park. From July 1 into early September, Logan Pass parking was limited to three hours with a free timestamped permit from a kiosk. That’s plenty of time for the overlook hike, which is exactly what the park designed it for.
- Shuttle: A ticketed express shuttle ran from Apgar and Lake McDonald Lodge (west) and St. Mary and Rising Sun (east) to Logan Pass, booked on Recreation.gov with a $1 fee per ticket.
- After September 8, 2026: The park ended the time limit and shuttle for the season. Parking went back to first-come, first-served until the road closed.
- Tip: Arrive before 8 a.m. or after about 4 p.m. for the best chance at a spot.
The 2026 system was a pilot, so check the park’s Logan Pass page for 2027 rules. Entrance fees: $35 per vehicle for 7 days in summer, $70 for a Glacier annual pass or $80 for America the Beautiful; international visitors 16 and over pay an extra $100 without an annual pass.
Best Time to Hike Hidden Lake Overlook
| Month | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Late June–early July | Road just open; deep snow on much of the trail. Traction devices helpful, and snow travel skills needed beyond the boardwalk. |
| Mid–late July | Snow melting fast, glacier lilies, baby mountain goats. Busy. |
| August | Mostly snow-free, peak wildflowers early in the month. Busiest; possible wildfire smoke. |
| September | Quieter, cool, fall colors. Early snow possible; Logan Pass water shut off September 8 and the visitor center closed after September 27 in 2026. |
| October | Snow likely, and the road over Logan Pass closes for winter. |
Best time of day: early morning for parking, calm air and soft light on Bearhat Mountain; or late afternoon, when crowds thin and goats are often active.
Is the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail Open Now?
Not by car right now. Going-to-the-Sun Road closed over Logan Pass for the winter in late October 2026, and it usually reopens in late June or early July. Even in summer, the overlook or lake sections may be closed for bear activity or posted as “bear frequenting,” and snow can keep parts of the trail difficult into July. Check the park’s road status and trail status pages before you drive up.
Weather and Safety
- Weather: Logan Pass is often windy and 10–20°F cooler than the valleys. Afternoon thunderstorms and cold rain are common in summer.
- Snow: Early-season snowfields can be icy and slippery. Turn back if you don’t have traction or experience.
- Bears: Carry bear spray, make noise and obey closures.
- Sun: There’s no shade; the sun is strong at this height.
- Altitude: Go slowly and drink water.
What to Pack
- Water (at least 1 liter per person; refill at the visitor center when it’s on)
- Warm layer and wind/rain jacket (see our waterproof hiking jacket guide)
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Shoes with good grip, plus microspikes in early July
- Bear spray
- Binoculars for goats and distant glaciers
- Snacks, especially if you’re going down to the lake
Photography Tips
- The overlook: the classic shot of Hidden Lake and Bearhat Mountain works best in morning light.
- The boardwalk: looking back down toward Logan Pass with Clements Mountain behind makes a great leading-line photo.
- Wildlife: use a zoom lens and stay back; goats often pose against the peaks.
- Wildflowers: shoot from the boardwalk; never step into the meadows.
Hidden Lake Overlook vs. Other Glacier Hikes
| Hike | Distance | Difficulty | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail of the Cedars | About 1-mile loop | Easy, accessible | Ancient cedar forest |
| Hidden Lake Overlook | About 2.7 miles round trip | Moderate | Goats, meadows and a classic lake view |
| Avalanche Lake | About 4.6 miles round trip | Moderate | Waterfalls into a mountain lake |
| Highline Trail to The Loop | 11.8 miles one way | Strenuous | Miles along the Garden Wall |
| Grinnell Glacier | About 10 miles round trip | Strenuous | A glacier and icebergs |
Got more time at Logan Pass? The Highline Trail starts just across the road. For other options, see our guides to Avalanche Lake and Grinnell Glacier.
Sample Morning Plan
- 7:30 a.m.: Arrive at Logan Pass and park (or ride an early shuttle).
- 7:45 a.m.: Check the trail status board, then start up the boardwalk.
- 8:30 a.m.: Reach the overlook. Photos, snacks and goat watching.
- 9:15 a.m.: Head back, or continue to the lake if it’s open and you have time.
- 10:00 a.m.: Visit the Logan Pass Visitor Center, then drive on to St. Mary or Lake McDonald.
Where to Stay Near Logan Pass
- Lake McDonald Lodge area: historic lodge and cabins, about 45 minutes west of Logan Pass.
- Rising Sun and St. Mary: motor inn, lodges and campgrounds on the east side, about 30–40 minutes away.
- Apgar and West Glacier: more lodging and food at the west entrance, about an hour away.
- East Glacier Park: another east-side base, but a longer drive.
Hidden Lake Overlook Trail FAQs
How long is the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail?
1.3–1.4 miles one way, about 2.6–2.8 miles round trip from Logan Pass.
How much elevation gain is there?
About 608 feet up and 128 feet down on the way to the overlook, according to the National Park Service.
How long does the hike take?
Most people need 1.5–2.5 hours round trip. Families often take up to 3 hours.
Is the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail hard?
It’s moderate: short, but uphill all the way out, with stairs and high altitude.
Is the whole trail a boardwalk?
No. Roughly the first half mile is boardwalk and stairs, then it’s a packed dirt and gravel trail.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. It’s one of Glacier’s best family hikes, though toddlers may need a carrier and strollers won’t work.
How far is Hidden Lake from the overlook?
About 1.2 more miles and nearly 800 feet down, so 2.5 miles one way from Logan Pass. You have to climb back up on the return.
Will I see mountain goats?
Very likely in summer, though not guaranteed. Keep at least 25 yards away.
Where do you park for Hidden Lake Overlook?
At Logan Pass. In summer 2026, parking was limited to three hours, which is enough for the overlook hike. Arrive early.
Is the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail open year-round?
No. You can only drive to Logan Pass when Going-to-the-Sun Road is open, usually late June or early July to mid- or late October.
Can you see a glacier from Hidden Lake Overlook?
Yes. On clear days, you can spot the headwall of Sperry Glacier near Gunsight Mountain in the distance to the southwest.
Is Hidden Lake Overlook Worth It?
Absolutely. For under three miles of walking, you get alpine meadows, mountain goats, glacier-carved peaks and one of the most famous lake views in the Rockies. It’s the perfect hike for a short visit to Logan Pass.
Come early, bring a warm layer and bear spray, stay on the boardwalk, and check whether the lake section is open before you decide to go all the way down.