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Lake McDonald

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Gems in Lake McDonald - 4

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gem Favorite One of many iconic red cedars along the way.

Glacier Cedar Forest

(23) Red Roc…, MT
gem Favorite Camping on the beach at Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park, Montana.

Lake McDonald Lodge

(19) Red Roc…, MT
gem Favorite A view of the shore by Rocky Point

Rocky Point

(12) Apgar, MT
gem Favorite Bird Woman Falls in the evening.

Bird Woman Falls

(8) Red Roc…, MT

Recommended Routes in Lake McDonald - 2

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Favorite Amazing sunny day at Avalanche Lake with all of the falls flowing.
Intermediate

Avalanche Lake via Trail of the Cedars

6.2 mi 9.9 km 616' Up 187.82 m Up 616' Down 187.75 m Down

Red Roc…, MT
Favorite Star trails over Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park, Montana.
Difficult

Mount Brown Lookout

10.3 mi 16.6 km 4,203' Up 1281.08 m Up 4,203' Down 1281 m Down

Red Roc…, MT

Lake McDonald Hiking

  • 169 Miles 272 Kilometers of Trail
  • 2 Recommended Routes
  • 4 Gems Gems
  • 26 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 14 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 11 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Weather Averages


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Trails in Lake McDonald - 49

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18.0 mi 29.0 km #1South Boundary
Easy/Intermediate
West Glacier, MT
Easy/Intermediate
West Glacier, MT
1.7 mi 2.7 km #2Apgar Bike Trail
Easy
West Glacier, MT
Easy
West Glacier, MT
4.2 mi 6.8 km #3Apgar Flats Horse Trail
Easy
Apgar, MT
Easy
Apgar, MT
3.6 mi 5.9 km #4Apgar Lookout
Intermediate/Difficult
West Glacier, MT
Intermediate/Difficult
West Glacier, MT 32 
8.4 mi 13.6 km #5Avalanche Trail
Intermediate
Red Rock Point, MT
Intermediate
Red Rock Point, MT 23 
5.9 mi 9.5 km #6Huckleberry Lookout Trail
Intermediate
Apgar, MT
Intermediate
Apgar, MT
0.3 mi 0.5 km #7Johns Lake
Easy
Red Rock Point, MT
Easy
Red Rock Point, MT
2.3 mi 3.7 km #8Lime Springs Trail
Very Difficult
West Glacier, MT
Very Difficult
West Glacier, MT
6.8 mi 11.0 km #9Lincoln Creek
Intermediate
West Glacier, MT
Intermediate
West Glacier, MT
0.7 mi 1.1 km #10McGee Meadow Ski Trail
Easy/Intermediate
Apgar, MT
Easy/Intermediate
Apgar, MT

Photos of Lake McDonald - 141

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Beautiful river provides beautiful views on the Going to the Sun Road.
Nov 5, 2015 near Red Roc…, MT
Looking at the Continental Divide from the trail from Granite Park Chalet on the way to the Loop.
Jan 31, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT
Looking up the McDonald Creek drainage across Lake McDonald from the Lake McDonald campground.
Jun 13, 2016 near Apgar, MT
View of Hidden Lake taken from the lookout at the top of the trail.
Oct 1, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT
Marmot enjoying a snack
Aug 5, 2017 near Red Roc…, MT
Amazing sunny day at Avalanche Lake with all of the falls flowing.
Jul 14, 2018 near Red Roc…, MT
Hidden Lake
Dec 30, 2018 near Red Roc…, MT
Lake McDonald
Apr 1, 2020 near Apgar, MT