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Trail of the Cedars

Easy Easy
 4.3 (41)
  1. Areas
  2. MT
  3. …Northwestern Montana
  4. …Glacier National Park
  5. Lake McDonald
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“One of Glacier's two wheelchair accessible trails, it takes you through the parks only cedar forest. ”

Michael Faist
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Google Map
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Map Key

0.9

Miles

1.4

KM

Loop

3,451' 1,052 m

High

3,406' 1,038 m

Low

42' 13 m

Up

46' 14 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

4%

Max Grade (2°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

ADA Accessible

Description

As one of Glaciers few wheelchair accessible trails, the Trail of the Cedars is very popular, and not without good reason. Its level boardwalk trail takes visitors among some of the oldest and largest trees in the park.

Starting either from the parking area or the Avalanche Campground, it's a loop trail. No matter which way you go you'll pass over Avalanche Creek, where the junction for the Avalanche Lake Trail begins. You'll hike over a mixture of hard-packed gravel and boardwalks, through an ecosystem that wont be found anywhere else in the park. The peaceful stroll can get rather crowded, so come early if you want to avoid the rush.

Visit hike734.com for more expert Glacier content and maps that help you decide which trail to hike.

Flora & Fauna

The trail is named after the towering trees you'll hike beneath. This forest, resembling the ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest, is the only one of it's kind in Glacier.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Glacier National Park

Shared By:

Michael Faist
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 41 votes

#1

in Lake McDonald

#93

Overall
  4.3 from 41 votes
5 Star
44%
4 Star
41%
3 Star
15%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Lake McDonald

#3

in Montana

#93

Overall
8 Views Last Month
1,957 Since Sep 3, 2015
Easy Easy
92%
5%
3%
0%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Avalanche Creek carving its way towards McDonald Creek.
Nov 13, 2015 near Red Roc…, MT
One of many iconic red cedars along the way.
Jun 16, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT
Trail of the Cedars. with permission from 100peaks 100peaks.com
Jun 16, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT
Lush, green forest along the Trail of the Cedars. with permission from David Cure-Hryciuk
Jun 16, 2016 near Red Roc…, MT

1 Comment

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 55 days ago
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Check-Ins

Aug 24, 2024
Private User
Jun 26, 2024
Jason Mathews
Jun 17, 2024
Shawn Milam
Trail of the cedars hike with a quick walk up avalanche lake trail to get a view from above the water fall. 1.7mi — 1h 17m
Aug 23, 2023
Ivonne NaPett
1.8mi — 0h 27m
Jul 26, 2023
Joel Stands
If we make it and find parking 0.9mi
Jul 5, 2023
Haden Smith
Deer at lunch 1.5mi
Jul 5, 2023
Helen Carey
Jun 25, 2023
Devi Hale
A nice gentle way to end a day of hiking. Has running water and you can refill water bottles from spicket outside the bathrooms that have flush toile

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