Rocky Point in Glacier National Park

Posted in Hikes / National Parks
Updated January 1, 2023

Rocky Point in Glacier National Park is a short easy jaunt along the shore of Lake McDonald. This trail is much less traveled than many in the park, so you might get a few minutes to yourself.

Hike Info

Rating: Easy
Distance: 1.9
Elevation Gain: 350 feet
Fees: Glacier National Park Fee

Rocky Point starts near the Fish Creek Campground. Just past the turnoff to this campground is a large gravel parking area. The hike starts across the road to the east.

Look for this trail sign at the trailhead.

This hike runs along the north side of the campground and forks a few times. However, there are signs that help to navigate the trail, which is a lollipop with a distance of just under two miles roundtrip. The trail starts out running slightly downhill. It is fairly well shaded as the hike runs along the edge of the trees. After a quarter mile, the trail forks. The right takes you back to the campground. The trail to the left leads around the Rocky Point Loop. We decided to take the trail to the right which led down near the shore of Lake McDonald.

The trail begins through the shady trees.

We always love crossing bridges. It makes the hike more fun!

There are a few interpretive signs along this trail.

We headed to the right and followed the loop around.

The mosquitos were pretty bad, so don’t forget the bug spray, but the view was amazing. When the trees opened up we could see all the way back to our inn on the far side of the lake. The water was sparkling in the late afternoon sun. It was really gorgeous. Finally we came to Rocky Point. This meant climbing a large rock that gave a wide field of view on Lake McDonald. It was breathtaking!

The trail leads down to the water and there are beautiful views of Lake McDonald.

You can look across the lake to the Apgar Inn!

The loop continues around to Rocky Point.

There are great views on the top of Rocky Point.

The trail continued to the top of the ridge and then doubled back. Again, it was mostly shady and the trail was easy to follow. We didn’t see a lot of wildlife on this hike, but we enjoyed the views of the lake and the solitude. It was another great hike in Glacier National Park.

The trail loops back around to the original trail.

It’s a great hike in the evening. We enjoyed hiking before dusk.

Directions

To reach the trailhead from the Going-To-The-Sun Road near Apgar, drive 1.2 miles north on Camas Road. Turn right onto Fish Creek Campground Road and drive another 1.1 miles to the Fish Creek Campground. From there turn left onto the North Fork Road, which is a gravel road, and drive 0.4 miles to the parking area for the Rocky Point Trail on the left side of the road. The Rocky Point Trailhead is located across the road from the parking area.