Hidden Lake Overlook Hiking Guide
Hidden Lake Overlook is the short hike almost everyone at Logan Pass takes: a climb from the visitor center through open alpine country to a saddle where Hidden Lake suddenly appears far below, framed by Clements and Reynolds mountains. It is the best payoff-to-effort ratio on Going-to-the-Sun Road, and it only works while the road over the pass is open.
Permit: A Glacier National Park entrance pass is required to drive to Logan Pass: $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person 16+ on foot or bike, each covering 7 days (winter rates of $25, $20 and $15 run November 1 to April 30). The $70 park annual pass and America the Beautiful passes are accepted; non-US residents 16 and older pay $100 extra per person unless entering on one of those. Card payment only. In 2026 there was no vehicle reservation, and the 3-hour Logan Pass parking limit ran only July 1 to September 7.
To the Overlook
AllTrails maps the out-and-back at 2.8 miles with 538 feet of gain, about an hour to an hour and a half. The park gives 1.4 miles each way and 460 feet; its trail database has the climb at about 600 feet. Footing is rocky in places, and AllTrails warns of one steep stretch beside a big drop-off, so wear real shoes rather than sandals. The overlook sits on Hidden Lake Pass between Clements Mountain and the ridge of Reynolds Mountain.
Going Down to the Lake
From the overlook a trail continues 1.2 miles to Hidden Lake's shore, dropping 780 feet by the park's numbers, and every one of those feet has to be regained on the way back. Many people stop at the overlook. If you go down, allow a couple of extra hours and check the park's status map first, since sections here can be posted or closed for bear activity.
Bears, Goats and Sheep
The park says mountain goats and bighorn sheep are seen consistently around Logan Pass, so expect to share the way. Give them 25 yards and bears at least 100; approaching a bear any closer is prohibited. Even the short overlook section is sometimes posted for bear frequenting. Don't run on the trail, and keep spray on your belt rather than in the car.
Parking and Services at Logan Pass
In summer 2026 the park limited cars here to three hours with a free kiosk permit, and said that window should be enough for this hike. That rule ended on Labor Day, and parking is now first-come with no limit. The visitor center closed for the season after September 27, and the park turned off the water at the pass on September 8, so carry what you need. The park says the pass is typically 10 to 15 degrees colder than West Glacier, so a sunny valley morning can mean wind and sleet up here.
The Seasonal Window
Logan Pass sits 32 miles from the West Entrance and 18 from St. Mary. The road over it usually opens to cars by late June or early July, once plowing is finished, and the park normally closes it to vehicles after the third Monday in October, weather permitting. Outside that window the trailhead can't be reached by car, so this is strictly a summer and early-fall hike.
Hiking tips for Hidden Lake Overlook
- Treat the overlook as the goal; the lake trail below adds a 780-foot climb back out.
- Pack a wind shell and hat even on a warm day; the pass runs much colder than the valleys.
- Fill your bottles before you drive up, because there is no water at Logan Pass in fall.
- Keep at least 25 yards from goats and sheep, even when they stand close to the trail.
- Check that the alpine road is open the morning of your trip; storms can close it with little notice.
Nearby trails to explore
- Highline Trail (Glacier)
- Siyeh Pass Trail
- St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Hidden Lake Overlook is a short, spectacular walk that's easy to fit in on a road-trip day. Use TrailMates to find Glacier hikers heading up to Logan Pass. Download the TrailMates app to connect.