Best photography spots in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is known for its wild and beautiful scenery. Glacier National Park has many hiking trails that zig-zag their way up and along glacial valleys and alpine lakes, across mountain passes, and into beautiful meadows and waterfalls. 

Glacier National Park is the crown jewel of Montana, United States. It has an area of over 1 million acres, making it one of the largest protected areas in the Rocky Mountains. This massive park is famous for its abundant glacial features, outstanding mountain scenery, and unique wildlife. If you are someone who loves traveling and photography then it is one of the best destinations to visit. 

Glacier National Park is an incomparable destination for those who want to capture extraordinary landscapes. We’ve gone out of our way to identify some of the best places to photograph in Glacier National Park that are sure to inspire you to capture your own awe-inspiring photos.

Best gear to photograph Glacier National Park

The gear we recommend is a good camera and the holy trinity.  A wide-angle lens.  14-24mm or something similar.  A 24-70mm or something similar and, of course, a 70-200mm or something similar.

If you do not have these particular lenses, do not worry; something similar will be just fine. A tripod is also highly recommended to capture those epic sunsets and night shots.

Best photography spots in Glacier National Park

1. Logan Pass

Logan Pass is one of the most popular stops on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. You’ll be rewarded with beautiful vistas and the chance to explore a glacier and its terminus while learning about the park’s unique ecosystem. Plus, you can’t miss an adventurous side trip up ski runs to Granite Park Chalet for burgers and beers!

Logan Pass is a great location for photographers. As you approach Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you’ll have spectacular views of Lake Caroline and its surrounding mountains. Logan Pass has an interpretive center operated by Glacier National Park Lodges that includes exhibits, information boards and geological displays about the park’s geology and landscape. You can see the road’s North Entrance Station at the far end of Lake McDonald, which was built in 1910 at the site of an existing Indian trading post used to sell treaty rights to white settlers.

2. Grinnell Lake

Grinnell Lake may well be the best spot to photograph wildlife in Glacier National Park. Located high in a remote area, this lake is known for its unique view of black bears sunbathing on its shores. The lake offers excellent views of high peaks surrounding it, including Mt. Gould and Mt. Houghton across the river, as well as Grinnell Point rising above on the far side. Under a starry night sky, this can be an unforgettable experience.
3. Hidden Lake

Located just minutes from Logan’s Pass, Hidden Lake is one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park. The turquoise water complemented by the green grass and surrounding mountains is sure to make a lasting impression on you. Take time to enjoy it before heading back into the park and exploring other sights.

4. Swiftcurrent Lake

Swiftcurrent Lake is one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park. The lake sits at an elevation of 6,800 feet above sea level and is surrounded by mountains and pine forests. The reflective blue waters make it appear as though the lake is extending farther than its actual size. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset, or paint with light long after it has set.

Best photography spots in Glacier National Park

5. Iceberg Lake

When you take a trip to Glacier National Park, you go to see the beauty of nature. However, the park also has many hidden gems that make for excellent photography opportunities. Iceberg Lake is one of those opportunities and a must-see area when in Glacier National Park. It’s a beautiful, pristine blue ribboned with glacial runoff, surrounded by snowy peaks and emerald green trees. There are not many places on earth that are quite like it.

6. St. Mary Lake

St. Mary Lake is one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park. The water is so blue and clear it looks fake, especially when the surface is smooth. If you go in the late season or early spring be sure to check out a couple of viewpoints along the Garden Wall.  Its beauty, including waterfalls and ever-changing reflections, make it one of the best photography spots in the park.

7. Avalanche Lake

Avalanche Lake is one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park. This location boasts every type of landscape: mountains and forests, waterfalls, glacier-carved rock formations and meadows. Avalanche Lake has a surface area of just over five acres, but because it’s surrounded by steep terrain, it feels much larger. Not only is Avalanche Lake one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park, but it feels like it as well. The cathedral-like forest, shadowed by enormous peaks, makes this spot feel like a scene from a movie! This photo was taken during peak fall foliage season, so the color was ablaze!

8. Upper Two Medicine Lake

One of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park, Upper Two Medicine Lake is an alpine glacial lake that offers some of the most dramatic scenery in any national park. The Upper Two Medicine Lake is one of the best photography spots in the area with gorgeous reflections on the water of Mount Grinnell and the surrounding peaks. This lake is on the west side of Glacier Park, which makes for dramatic reflections during sunrise and sunset hours.

9. Bowman Lake

Bowman Lake is one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park. The small body of water is a haven for wildlife, providing a great opportunity to see bears, bighorn sheep, and other animals up close. Bowman Lake is a perfect place for photographers who want to capture the glory of the mountains in some amazing shots.

Best photography spots in Glacier National Park

10. Virginia Falls

The stunning beauty of Virginia Falls makes it one of the most beautiful and photographed spots in the entire park. The falls cascade down a granite cliff face, making for fantastic photography opportunities during both the fall and winter seasons.

11. Big Bend Waterfalls

Big Bend Waterfalls is one of the Best and most beautiful photography spots in Glacier National Park.  The Big Bend waterfall cascades over pristine rock cliffs and into the Big Bend Creek which runs towards Reynolds Creek. Big Bend Waterfalls is a must-stop in Glacier National Park. This gravel road is also one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park, where you can get some amazing shots of the river and the surrounding landscape. Be sure to bring your camera–there are so many angles, you’ll want to capture them all!

12. Cracker Lake

Cracker Lake is one of the most beautiful photography spots in Glacier National Park. This lake is popular with photographers who come to take pictures along the water’s edge. The reflections on the still water are incredible, and many photographers spend hours capturing the perfect shot.

13. Running Eagle Falls

The Running Eagle Falls hike is one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park and provides hikers with a multi-tiered waterfall, a rustic Rocky Mountain landscape, and beautiful views of the Great Plains. While you’ll want to bring lots of snacks and layers when you hike there, don’t forget your camera because this trail has some unforgettable photo ops.

14. Wild Goose Island

Goose Island is a small island with a great view of the Many Glacier Valley. Goose Island is an excellent photography location, as it provides a variety of foreground and background for your shots. If you wish to include Bear Cub Meadow in your shot, you can do so from this viewpoint. The river and waterfalls are visible from near the trailhead, but getting closer requires hiking or kayaking up the canyon. It’s worth the trip though!

Best photography spots in Glacier National Park

15. St. Mary Falls

St. Mary Falls is one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park, located near Logan Pass. The St. Mary Lake Trailhead can be reached from the Rising Sun Motor Inn parking lot in St. Mary, Montana, or from the Apgar Campground. You can also walk from Lakeshore campground by crossing the International Border and walking down a short road towards the boarder; then cross a small bridge to enter Canada and begin the hike along St. Mary Lake.

16. Lunch Creek

One of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park, Lunch Creek is a short walk from Trail of the Cedars. It’s also one of the most remote places in the park. You’ll need to hike about a half-mile along a beautiful trail before reaching this secluded and peaceful spot. Lunch Creek is one of the most popular and beautiful photography spots in Glacier National Park. Photographers have been drawn to this rugged landscape for many years and continue to be amazed by its beauty, as well as the opportunities it presents for capturing stunning images. Access to the remote location can be tricky at times but well worth it for those who make the journey.

17. Triples Falls

Triple falls is one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park. With a short hike, you can view the upper falls from above, and then walk down closer to get a better view of the lower two falls.  This is one of the most beautiful places in the park with its cascading waterfalls, which are a great subject for photography.

18. Mount Clements

Mount Clements is one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park. It is an ideal location for a variety of climbers, with both winter and summer routes, who enjoy the challenge and rewards of this beautiful mountain. With its reputation as being one of the most difficult mountains to climb in Glacier National Park, it also has a reputation for having some of the best views found anywhere.

19. Chief Mountain

Chief Mountain is a picturesque peak rising dramatically over Glacier National Park and Lake McDonald. The views of the lake and surrounding peaks are truly stunning, making this one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park. Chief Mountain is one of the best photo spots in Glacier National Park and serves as a gateway to Canada. You’ll have an amazing panoramic view from the summit that stretches out over Lower Two Medicine Lake, nearby peaks, and the Upper and Lower Aar Glaciers. After taking in views of the surrounding landscape, hike down Goat Trail to the bridge below for a stunning shot from below.

Best photography spots in Glacier National Park

20. Middle Fork of Flathead  River

The Middle Fork of the Flathead River is one of the best photography spots in Glacier National Park. This river is only accessible by foot, and after hiking for an hour you will begin to see this beautiful place. At first, it is just a tiny creek with many cascades flowing off ledges, but after a few miles, it opens up into a lake and becomes an ecosystem all its own. A variety of plants grow on the valley slopes at elevation, including wildflowers in every color you can imagine.

21. High-Line Trail

One of the most popular spots in Glacier National Park, Highline Trail is an out-and-back hike that affords some of the best 360-degree views of glacier-capped mountains and lakes. Follow it as it winds its way through a forest before reaching a narrow ridge with sweeping views of Lake McDonald, Avalanche Gorge, and surrounding peaks and valleys. The trail offers beautiful vistas at every step, but there’s just one problem: it can be very crowded. We recommend going early in the morning or late in the afternoon to get rid of the crowds (or go on a weekday).

These are the Best Photography Spots in Glacier National Park

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