Hidden Lake Overlook Trail in Glacier National Park: Is It Worth It?

A few trails intersect iconic Logan Pass in Glacier National Park. The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is one of them, and you certainly don’t want to miss this hike.

^{Last updated: June 1, 2024}

Hidden Lake Overlook Trail ----- Roads and Destinations — *Hidden Lake Overlook Trail in Glacier: Is it worth it? (Including a photo tour)*

Hidden Lake Overlook Trail in Glacier National Park: Uphill Hike, Wildlife, Photos, and All

Hiking along the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is tricky to say the least. Snow (even in the summer) makes the walk uphill more difficult than it actually is. Furthermore, you can never count on the complete solitude during the all-time-favorite hike to the scenic Hidden Lake Overlook. And most importantly, the time window when you can see the picturesque site is limited.

Despite all of these, we decided to attempt the hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook. (Note: The Highline Trail, another hike at Logan Pass, was way too long for hiking in Glacier with a small kid.)

I should say we were lucky. Tremendously fortunate, actually. Even though we got to Logan Pass when rangers vigorously instructed all drivers to pass by without attempting to enter the highest point along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the five main sections of Glacier National Park, we somehow managed to secure the last spot at an unofficial roadside parking area about 0.5 mile away.

With that said, our hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook became even longer. But even adding the entire mile to our round trip, the journey was absolutely worth it.

Hidden Lake Overlook Hike ----- Roads and Destinations — *Hidden Lake Trail*

HIDDEN LAKE OVERLOOK TRAIL

Trail Stats

Distance: 3-mile, round-trip trail
Trailhead: Hidden Lake Trail behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center
Location: Logan Pass
Elevation Gain: 765 feet
Difficulty: Easy (moderate when the snow is present)
Time: 1.5-2 hours

Hidden Lake Overlook Trailhead

A large building towering over a decent size parking lot looked alluring. Massive mountains behind it intensified the incredible natural beauty of the area. It reminded me of rural Switzerland.

If the “facade” of Logan Pass had such a strong effect on me, the area behind it left me speechless. Mesmerizing green meadows (known as the Hanging Gardens) touched with yellow wildflowers spread for miles on end. Behind them snow-capped mountains resisted the summer heat, creating a drastic contrast to the viridescent valley at their feet. I long to see what was at the end of the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail.

The trail that started behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center looked easy. Unobstructed by any trees, it promised a steady uphill hike, but nothing too strenuous. A series of raised boardwalks took over a paved path almost right at the trailhead. They assisted with conquering the initial incline and keeping hikers from waddling through snow and slush. At least at this point of the journey.

Logan Pass Visitor Center ----- Roads and Destinations — *The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail starts behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center*

Hanging Gardens

The hard-packed, slippery snow soon became the only obstacle along the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail. Even during the last days of June, the snowy blanket covered most of the trail. In fact, the path that cut through the Hanging Gardens was invisible at that time. Tall, yellow road markers positioned along the first sections of the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail were the only referring points that didn’t let the hikers go off course.

Thanks mainly to the slippery conditions of the trail, the hike was slow.

Right before you reached a small hill behind which the trail level out, a separate, snow-free path forked slightly to the right and climbed the peak. This new hiking path continued on along the ridge, enticing with 360-degree, unobstructed vistas of Logan Pass and the views of bighorn sheep basking in the sun at the farthest mountainsides.

To get to the Hidden Lake Overlook, you needed to descend (whether you realized your mistake or not) and proceed along the now almost snow-free, well-trodden trail.

Hidden Lake Overlook Trail: A Small Valley with Ponds

Once we passed the first section of the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, the hike was a piece of cake. Virtually flat and with most of the snow left behind, the trail looked picture-perfect.The views were getting better with every curve. Before you knew it, a small valley with a few ponds came into view.

Here the snow still hanged on for dear life in some places. In others, green grass and abundant puddles eagerly replaced it. In just a few months, winter wonderland would claim back its kingdom. As for now, dressed in its best summer attire, the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail looked spectacular.

Hidden Lake Overlook

The last stretch on the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail was all a hiker could ask for. Easy, relaxing, and outrageously gorgeous. Only the Hidden Lake Overlook itself could beat such an idyllic picture.

The trail ended at a small overlook with wooden railings observing Hidden Lake nestled at the foot of snow-capped Bearhat Mountain.

Even at the end of June, ice still covered half of the lake. The snow also tried to retain its power, creating peculiar, white stretches on the brown ground. The whole place adopted an unforgettable look that reminded of zebra’s stripes, and you couldn’t help but greedily take it all in.

We ended our hiking journey at the Hidden Lake Overlook. Several other nature lovers we met on the trail extended their excursions and walked another 1.5 miles to the shore of the scenic lake.

Places to see and photograph wildlife in Glacier - Roads and Destinations. — *Wildlife along the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail*

WILDLIFE ALONG THE HIDDEN LAKE OVERLOOK TRAIL

The Hidden Lake Overlook area entices with more than just the gorgeous scenery. Home to bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears, and many other animals, it’s one of the best places to see wildlife in Glacier National Park.

The animals pop up on the alpine trail, mostly its highest sections, from time to time. Seemingly oblivious to the hikers, they, however, prefer the serenity of the mountains surrounding the area. So keeping your eye not only on the trail, but the entire place is mandatory.

TIP: On the other hand, you don’t need to hike to the end of the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail to spot a bighorn sheep standing on a rock ledge with its head proudly up. Find a cozy spot right behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center, get your binocular out, and wait for the animals to reveal themselves. If you’re lucky, you can even see a bear racing down the snow-covered mountainside.

Is Hidden Lake Overlook Hike Worth It?

When a hike, such as the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, requires some effort, the question arises unwillingly: Is it worth it? Yes, it is.

The Hidden Lake Overlook Trail looks like it just came straight from a National Geographic magazine. The lush meadows adorned with the blooming wildflowers around the trailhead, snow-covered middle section of the hike, and the astonishing Hanging Gardens followed by the remarkable vistas of the alpine lake…

The place looks so idyllic that you feel reluctant to leave it. Can you expect anything less than that from a place that is dubbed as one of the most photographed areas of Glacier National Park?

Hidden Lake Overlook Trail: Location and Directions

The Hidden Lake Overlook is one of the two most popular trails at Logan Pass, the highest point along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Alluring each and every summer visitor, the place conveniently positioned itself in the heart of the scenic road.

It takes about 1 hour (32 miles) to get to Logan Pass from the West Glacier entrance. The distance from the St. Mary entrance is nearly 18 miles (35 minutes).

The Best Time to Hike the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail

I mentioned that the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail tops every Glacier National Park summer itinerary for a reason. Due to severe winter conditions and heavy snowfalls, Logan Pass along with other alpine areas is closed most of the year.

The best time to visit the area and hike either to the Hidden Lake Overlook or tread along the Highline Trail is from late June through the third week of October. These dates, however, are subject to change according to the weather’s mood.

The rest of the year, Logan Pass reserved its “services” only to cold-resistant wildlife.

What to Know before Hiking the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail

Going-to-the-Sun Road Vehicle Reservation

Apart from Glacier National Park entrance pass, vehicle reservation is required to enter the Going-to-the-Sun Road during the summer season. Starting from early September until the partial closure of the scenic road, the reservation is not longer needed to visit Logan Pass and hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook.

Snow Alert

The snow remains in the alpine area even in the summer. Eventually, it melts, revealing the lush greenery underneath. But it usually doesn’t happen until mid-July – early August.

Enjoy the Trail

Have you ever asked yourself why they always recommend to stop and smell the roses? Because life is not static. What you see today may not be here tomorrow.

This is especially accurate during the Hidden Lake Overlook hike. One day, the area is covered with snow. Illuminated with the warm sun from above, it’s quite an attraction. The following day, the wildflowers may bloom right where you were skipping through the snow the day before.

Logan Pass with its Hidden Lake Overlook adjusts quite well to seasonal transitions. Yet since it has so little time to go through all the changes, it seems to speed up when it gets a chance. The only way to catch up with it is to take it easy and enjoy everything the Hidden Lake Overlook has to offer at that particular time.

What to Pack for the Hike

Hiking Staffs

I usually steer clear of the hiking staffs. For the Hidden Lake Overlook area, however, these gears are necessary, especially when the snow still covers most of the trail.

Binocular

A binocular comes in handy when you want to see Glacier’s wildlife from a distance, which often is the only way to spot the wild animals.

Camera

Phone with a camera works as well. Use whatever you have to capture the stunning scenery and funny moments just like those when you slip on the ice-packed trail. (There will be many of them.) For professional looking photos, bring along wide-angle and telephoto lenses.