How to Hike the Hidden Lake Overlook in Glacier National Park + Tips & FAQs

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Planning on taking on the Hidden Lake Overlook trail when visiting Glacier National Park?

When I was a kid, one of the hikes that my parents took me on was the Hidden Lake Overlook hike. I still remember the sense of adventure I felt strolling along the boardwalk, looking up at the huge mountains towering above us. When I was a little older, I ventured farther down to the shores of Hidden Lake, but some of my first memories of Glacier were walking to the Overlook.

During that time, we didn’t have to account for the crowds and the difficulty of getting parking at Logan Pass. Every time I head to the park, I’m always shocked by how difficult it can be to find a spot.

Don’t fret! There are still ways you can get to the Hidden Lake Overlook trailhead and enjoy the hike! And trust me–whether you are a hiker or not, this is a trail that you don’t want to miss with its incredible views and opportunities to see wildlife.

In summary: This article will walk you through how to hike to the Hidden Lake Overlook, as well as include information about the hike, recommendations for parking at Logan Pass, and tell you how to get to the trailhead.

Quick tip: Head up to Logan Pass first, and then hit the other highlights of the park after you’ve hiked to the Hidden Lake Overlook.

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How to hike the Hidden Overlook Trail

In order to get to the trailhead, you’ll want to head on Going-to-the-Sun Road from either the West Side or the East Side of the park. Keep in mind that if you are entering from the west entrance in 2024, you will need to have a Going-to-the-Sun reservation ticket between the hours of 6:00 am and 3:00 pm.

You’ll be driving up to Logan Pass–I highly recommend you get there as early as possible since the parking lot tends to fill incredibly fast. Expect it to be completely full by 7:00 am if not earlier during the peak summer months.

Quick tip: If you are going during the off-season, September is better than June since the snow might not be all the way melted on this trail that time of year!

The trailhead for the Hidden Lake Overlook starts right behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center. You’ll see signs directing you toward a boardwalk, which will lead you almost entirely to the lookout. If you don’t mind a bit of elevation gain and some steps, this can be a good option for an accessible hike.

During this part of the hike, I like to keep a lookout for mountain goats and bighorn sheep–I see them almost every time I do this hike and they are not afraid of people since this is one of the most popular hikes in Glacier. Remember to keep your distance and leave them alone.

While not nearly as common, I’ve been warned to stop on the way back on this hike because of a bear sighting. Again, they don’t often frequent this area since there are so many people, but bringing a canister of bear spray and knowing how to use it never hurts.

As you continue along, you’ll see a prominent mountain called Bearhat Mountain–this is one of my favorite places to grab a photo! It’s also a great place to get views of the entire Logan Pass area of the park, including the Garden Wall, Mount Oberlin, Mount Clements, and more.

About a mile in, you’ll come to the overlook, which is the perfect spot for photos. If you have a panoramic mode on your phone, I highly recommend using it here! You can sit and enjoy for a while, watching for mountain goats and other wildlife, or if you are adventurous you can continue down to the shores of Hidden Lake itself on the Hidden Lake hike. This is a much tougher hike, so make sure you are prepared for it before you go for it.

Once you are done, you head back the way you came down the boardwalk and back to the Logan Pass parking lot.

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Tips for hiking the Hidden Lake Overlook

Here are a few tips I’ve found personally helpful while taking on the Hidden Lake Overlook hike and that have helped me enjoy it more!

• Hike in the morning or evening: It gets quite hot during the summer months in the middle of the day. Not only will you have a tough time finding parking, but you also get beautiful colors for pictures, as well.
• Check the weather: At these higher elevations, weather changes fast. Make sure you always bring a rain jacket with you when you hike and take a look at the weather forecast beforehand so you know if you need to bring anything else with you.
• Be prepared for mountain goats: This is one of their preferred hangout spots, and they will not stop for you. If you encounter one on the trail, step aside and let it pass. Don’t approach it and give it plenty of space.
• Stop at the Logan Pass Visitor Center: Don’t skip out on the Logan Pass Visitor Center while you are there! They usually have a park ranger there to answer any questions you might have, and you can pick up souvenirs there, as well.

Hidden Lake Overlook FAQs

Here are some frequently-asked questions I get about hiking the Hidden Lake Overlook and what you should know before you take it on.

Conclusion

If you are considering a hike that is both easy and offers amazing views, then you won’t want to miss Hidden Lake Overlook when you visit Glacier. Not only is it great for all ages and abilities, but it offers some incredible nature and opportunities for wildlife spotting along the way.

I’ve tried to include some personal tips, as well as any general information you should know about heading out on this awesome hike. Whether you love to hike or not, you get so much payoff that is is absolutely worth adding to your Glacier itinerary.

Have any questions about the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail? Let me know in the comments!