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Many Glacier
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ReservationThru-HikeHigh Demand
Highline Trail Permit
Walk the knife-edge of the Continental Divide along Glacier's famous Garden Wall, where mountain goats traverse cliff faces and wildflower meadows stretch to the horizon.
“Traverse the spine of the Northern Rockies along a narrow ledge carved into the Garden Wall, where grizzlies roam below and mountain goats scramble above.”
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Highline Trail Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
Cost$7/person/night for backcountry camping
Max Group Size12 people
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeThru-Hike
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationNPS
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
11.8 miles
Elevation Gain
800 ft
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
1 day or overnight
Difficulty
ModerateElevation Range
4,200 - 7,280 ft
Highlights
- •11.8 miles point-to-point with 800 ft gain and 3,000 ft loss
- •Initial narrow ledge section with steel cable (exposure)
- •High-altitude traversing along the Continental Divide
- •World-class wildflower displays in late July
- •Active grizzly bear habitat—carry bear spray
- •Shuttle required to return to starting point
Best Time to Visit
Late July through mid-September. Trail typically opens when Going-to-the-Sun Road opens (late June). Late July has peak wildflowers. September offers fewer crowds and golden larches.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Grizzly bears—make noise, carry bear spray, know how to use it
- !Exposure on cable section—not recommended for those afraid of heights
- !No water on trail—carry all you need
- !Weather changes rapidly—hypothermia possible even in summer
- !Snow may linger on trail into July
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
When to Go
Peak: Summer monthsShoulder: Spring and Fall
Conditions
Summer offers the most reliable conditions for most wilderness areas.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Longest days
- +Warmest temperatures
- +Reliable trail conditions
Challenges
- !Peak demand for permits
- !Book accommodations early
- !Weather varies
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk3/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation1/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Fit hikers comfortable with moderate distance and some exposure. The cable section requires a head for heights.
Recommended Experience
Prior hiking experience at elevation helpful. No technical skills required.
Not Recommended For
Those with severe fear of heights or uncomfortable with wildlife encounters (grizzlies are common).
About This Permit
The Highline Trail is an 11.8-mile point-to-point hike along the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park. Starting at Logan Pass, the trail traverses the famous Garden Wall to Granite Park Chalet, then descends to The Loop on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
While the hike can be done as a long day trip, backpackers can stay at Granite Park Chalet (historic accommodation, reservation required) or designated backcountry campsites with proper permits.
The Experience
Why It Matters
The Highline Trail is Glacier National Park's signature hike—a high-altitude traverse that follows the Continental Divide through some of the most dramatic scenery in the American West. The trail passes through the heart of what John Muir called 'the best care-killing scenery on the continent.' It's the quintessential Glacier experience.
The Route
From Logan Pass, the trail immediately enters its most notorious section—a narrow ledge carved into the cliff face of the Garden Wall. A steel cable provides psychological comfort more than safety. After 0.3 miles, the trail widens and the exposure eases.
For the next seven miles, the trail traverses along the Continental Divide, gaining and losing elevation gradually through alpine meadows and along cliff faces. Haystack Pass offers panoramic views of glacial valleys carved during the Pleistocene.
Near Granite Park Chalet, an optional spur trail climbs steeply to the Grinnell Glacier Overlook—1,000 feet in 0.8 miles—offering a bird's-eye view of the rapidly retreating glacier. The chalet itself is a historic landmark, though it has no running water and requires advance reservations for overnight stays.
The descent via Loop Trail drops 3,000 feet in 4 miles through switchbacks to The Loop parking area, where a free shuttle returns hikers to Logan Pass.
The Feeling
The trail begins with a thrill—the narrow ledge section with a steel cable bolted into the cliff face, hundreds of feet of exposure below. Then the anxiety fades into wonder. For seven miles, you walk the spine of the continent, the Garden Wall rising above, glacial valleys plunging below on both sides. Mountain goats appear on impossible ledges. Wildflowers carpet every meadow. And in the distance, peak after snow-capped peak stretches to the horizon.
Trailhead Information
Logan Pass
6,647 ft elevationStarting point on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Visitor center with exhibits and restrooms.
Restrooms
Water Available
Weak Signal
Parking
Popular lot fills by 7:30-8:00am in peak season. Timed entry may be required. Free shuttle available.
Getting There
Located at the summit of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Road opens late June to mid-October, weather dependent.
Nearest Services
West Glacier (33 miles) or St. Mary (18 miles) for full services.
The Loop
4,200 ft elevationCommon exit point. Small parking area on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Restrooms
Water Available
No Service
Parking
Very small lot (~20 cars). Fills extremely early. Better to shuttle.
Getting There
Located on Going-to-the-Sun Road, 4 miles west of Logan Pass.
Nearest Services
Lake McDonald Lodge (5 miles).
Rules & Regulations
- •Backcountry permit required for overnight camping
- •Granite Park Chalet reservations required for overnight stays
- •Dogs strictly prohibited on trail
- •No bicycles or horses
- •Timed entry reservation may be required for Going-to-the-Sun Road
- •Group size limited to 12 for backcountry camping
Gear Checklist
Required
- Bear spray (readily accessible—this is prime grizzly habitat)
- Minimum 2 liters water (no sources between Logan Pass and The Loop)
- Rain gear (weather changes rapidly)
- Layers for temperature variations
Recommended
- Trekking poles (essential for the steep descent to The Loop)
- Binoculars for wildlife viewing
- Camera with telephoto for mountain goats
- Sun protection (exposed trail)
Key Landmarks
↑
800ft
Gain↓
800ft
Loss⛰️
7,280ft
High📏
11.8mi
Distance📐
0.9%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•6 landmarks
Landmarks (6)
Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
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🐻
Food Storage
Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.
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Highline Trail FAQ
How do I get a Highline Trail permit?
Highline Trail permits are obtained through a reservation system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When is the best time to visit Highline Trail?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Highline Trail permit?
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Highline Trail permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Morning light on the Garden Wall from the trail is spectacular. The Grinnell Glacier Overlook offers dramatic shots of the glacier at any time.
Best Light
East-facing shots are best in morning; west-facing in late afternoon. Wildflowers peak in late July.
Beat the Crowds
Start before 8am to beat the crowds and secure parking at Logan Pass. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends.
Classic Shots
- 📍Garden Wall cliffs from the narrow ledge section
- 📍Mountain goats on cliff faces (common near the cable section)
- 📍Grinnell Glacier from the overlook
- 📍Wildflower meadows with Heaven's Peak in background
- 📍Granite Park Chalet with surrounding peaks
Can't Get a Highline Trail Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Highline Out-and-Back to Haystack
Easier AlternativeHike to Haystack Pass and return to Logan Pass (7.2 miles round trip). No shuttle needed.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
Misses Granite Park Chalet and the dramatic descent, but captures the Garden Wall scenery.
Grinnell Glacier Trail
Same AreaDay hike to Grinnell Glacier from Many Glacier (11.2 miles round trip). Direct glacier access.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
Different experience—approaches the glacier from below rather than above.
Northern Circle (Highline Extension)
Similar ExperienceContinue from Granite Park Chalet to Many Glacier via Swiftcurrent Pass for a multi-day traverse.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Requires backcountry permits and more time, but offers more extensive wilderness experience.
Other Glacier Permits
Consider these alternatives or add them to your tracking list