Boat Trip and Grinnell Glacier Hike

Question

I booked a boat trip in Many Glacier for August. 1 pm was the earliest I could get.

We want to the hike to Grinnell Glacier, which I understand is about 7.5 miles round trip

I'm guessing it will be unrealistic to do the full hike and make it back to the return boat, which I understand is 5:45. Correct?

Assuming that's right, how much longer a hike is it to get from the boat back to Many Glacier hotel, where my car will be?

Is it possible to get back to the hotel in daylight under these circumstances (i.e., 1 pm boat and doing the full hike to the glacier)?

Answer

The hike to Grinnell Glacier is one of the most beautiful but demanding hikes in Glacier National Park, and it’s great that you’ve planned a boat trip in Many Glacier to enhance the experience! Based on your timeline, here’s a detailed breakdown of what you can expect and how to plan your day:

1 pm Boat Trip and Grinnell Glacier Hike: The boat trip from Many Glacier is a popular way to shorten the hike, but it does reduce your available hiking time. The hike to Grinnell Glacier from the boat dock is approximately 7.5 miles round-trip, but it’s important to factor in the time spent on the boat ride (which is about 30 minutes each way) and the time it takes to enjoy the glacier. The hike itself is around 3.5 miles one-way, and it takes most people around 2-3 hours to reach the glacier, depending on their pace and fitness level.

Boat Ride (30 minutes each way): You’ll be on the water from 1:00 to around 1:30 pm for the first leg, and returning from 5:15 to around 5:45 pm for the return trip.
Hike to Grinnell Glacier (3.5 miles one-way): This portion of the hike generally takes 2-3 hours each way, depending on your pace and how much time you spend taking in the scenery.

Given your 1 pm boat departure and the 5:45 pm return boat, you will not have enough time to do the full hike to Grinnell Glacier and return to catch the 5:45 pm boat. The timing is tight, and it is highly unlikely that you will complete the hike and get back in time for the boat. You would need to finish the hike by around 5:00 pm at the latest to ensure that you can catch the return boat.

Alternate Plan: Hiking from the Boat Dock to Many Glacier Hotel: Once you disembark from the boat, you can choose to hike back to Many Glacier Hotel if you’d like, which is about 1 mile (roughly a 20-minute walk) from the boat dock. The terrain is fairly easy, and this additional hike will allow you to experience the area without feeling rushed. If you’re short on time and prefer to relax a bit after the boat ride, this is a good option.

Boat to Hotel Walk (1 mile): This is a relatively easy, leisurely walk, and it will bring you back to the Many Glacier Hotel. You’ll have plenty of daylight to complete this without issue.

Daylight Considerations: In August, Glacier National Park has long daylight hours, so you should still have plenty of time to enjoy your hike. Sunset in early August is around 8:30-9:00 pm, giving you ample time for the shorter hike back to the hotel if you choose to skip the glacier hike or do a shorter portion of it. But if you're committed to doing the full hike to Grinnell Glacier, it’s unlikely you’ll finish and return to the boat in time for the 5:45 pm departure.

Recommendation: If you want to do the full hike, I’d recommend skipping the boat ride and doing the entire 7.5-mile round-trip hike on your own. This will give you more flexibility with time, and you can still enjoy the stunning views of Grinnell Glacier. Alternatively, if you really want to take the boat, I’d suggest being prepared to only hike a portion of the trail and plan to head back to the boat at the return time (around 5:15 pm).

Whichever option you choose, Glacier National Park is absolutely breathtaking, and you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience!