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This amazing hike along the north shore of Lake Josephine gives you fantastic views.


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1.4

Miles

2.2

KM

Point to Point

4,949' 1,508 m

High

4,889' 1,490 m

Low

97' 30 m

Up

81' 25 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

14%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly A level trail with a wonderful lake and optional boat ride for a fee.

The road past Many Glacier Hotel at the T-intersection closed due to construction. Construction began in the fall of 2024 and will continue through mid-May 2026. Please use the east side of Swiftcurrent Lake Trail to access trails.
nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/…

Bring bear spray.

Description

This trail starts at the boat dock on Swiftcurrent Lake where passengers load/unload from the Many Glacier Hotel. It briefly climbs up a roughly paved path through a pleasant forest for approximately a quarter of a mile before reaching the boat dock on the foot of Lake Josephine. This wonderful shore is picture perfect and a great spot to stop and enjoy the towering mountains.

From here the trail briefly enters the forest again and emerges right along the shores. The rest of the trail follows this amazing shoreline backdropped by Allen Mountain to the head of the lake. Keep an eye out for moose at the head of the lake and mountain goats, bighorn sheep and the occasional bear in the hillside above.

This content was created by Jake Bramante of Hike 734. Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike.

Flora & Fauna

Wide variety of flowers such as beargrass, spiraea, and columbine. Great place to see the park's megafauna such as moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and the occasional bear.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jake Bramante with improvements by Liz

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 5 votes

#9

in Many Glacier

#7614

Overall
  4.6 from 5 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#9

in Many Glacier

#194

in Montana

#7,614

Overall
4 Views Last Month
755 Since Sep 2, 2015
Easy Easy

71%
29%
0%
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Photos

Early morning by Lake Josephine on the Upper Grinnell Lake Trail. Mount Gould illuminated in the distant background.
Aug 9, 2018 near Swiftcu…, MT
Josephine Lake
Jul 9, 2023 near Swiftcu…, MT
Josephine Lake
Jul 9, 2023 near Swiftcu…, MT
Start of the hike
Sep 26, 2022 near Swiftcu…, MT
Lake Josephine. with permission from Dominique Hazard
Jun 14, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT
The boat dock on Lake Josephine.
May 16, 2016 near Swiftcu…, MT

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Weather


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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 16, 2025
Stephen Pack
Jul 8, 2023
Claire Milligan
1.4mi — 1h 30m
Aug 15, 2021
Joanne C
Jul 29, 2021
Katie Jajtner
hiked the full loop around lake Josephine and swiftcurrent 4mi
Jul 23, 2021
John Rizzo
Leg 3 - North Shore Lake Josephine Trail to Swift Current Loop 1.4mi — 0h 30m
Sep 22, 2020
Adan H
Jul 17, 2017
Kate N
Jun 8, 2016
Rachael Sewell
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