Johns Lake Loop Trail

Route Description for Johns Lake Loop Trail

The hike through Johns Lake Loop Trail is filled with beautiful scenery and allows you to slow down and enjoy nature. The hike is a popular one, and the parking areas do not hold a lot of cars, so it is best to arrive in the early morning or late afternoon to secure a spot.

The trail begins at the Johns Lake Trailhead. However, you will see a sign for the Avalanche Trail junction; make sure to veer to the left here to stay on the trail as a left turn will take you down a horse path. After hiking through a dense forest of Red Cedars and Hemlock trees, at 0.5 km, you will see a view of the lake and a small trail to the side that will take you to the shore.

Continue on this path, and veer to the left at the Avalanche Trail junction and head towards Sacred Dancing Cascade. At 1.0 km, you will come out to Going to the Sun Road, cross this area when safe to do so and come across the cascade, of which the name derives from a Kootenai phrase that translates to “a good place to dance”. Follow the footbridge and head left to stay on track. At 1.8 km, you will see McDonald Falls, and at 0.5 km past, you will arrive at North Lake McDonald Road, where you turn left to avoid walking on the Going to the Sun Road’s shoulder.

You will then cross over McDonald Creek, where you will see Lake McDonald, Belton Hills and the Apgar mountains. Keep your eyes open for a small side trail 15 m from the bridge that will loop you back to the trailhead.

Find more epic hikes in Glacier National Park

• Grinnell Glacier
• Hidden Lake Overlook
• Ptarmigan Tunnel
• Iceberg Lake
• St Mary and Virginia Falls
• Piegan Pass