Hiking Lake McDonald

Map of all the trails in the Lake McDonald Valley
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Day Hikes

All mileages listed are ONE-WAY

Apgar Bike Path
1.5 mi (2.4 km)
mostly level
Trailhead: Asphalt path south of Apgar Backcountry Permit Office

Apgar Lookout
3.6 mi (5.8 km)
Elevation gain: 1,850 ft (564 m)
Trailhead: Turn left 0.5 miles north of the West Entrance, continue 1.5 miles beyond Quarter Circle Bridge

Avalanche Lake
2.3 mi (3.7 km)
Elevation gain: 500 ft (152 m)
Trailhead: Avalanche Picnic Area

Fish Creek Bike Path
1.2 mi (1.9 km)
Elevation gain: 25 ft (7.6 m)
Trailhead: Turn right 0.25 miles north of the Lower McDonald Creek Bridge on the Camas Road

Fish Lake
2.7 mi (4.3 km)
Elevation gain: 1,000 ft (305 m)
Trailhead: Sperry Trailhead

Forest and Fire Nature Trail
1.1 mi loop (1.8 km)
Elevation gain: 180 ft (55 m)
Trailhead: Parking area off Camas Road near Camas Creek Entrance

Howe Lake
1.6 mi (2.6 km)
Elevation gain: 240 ft (73 m)
Trailhead: Howe Lake Trailhead on Inside North Fork Road

Huckleberry Lookout
6 mi (9.6 km)
Elevation gain: 2,725 ft (830.5 m)
Trailhead: Huckleberry Mtn. Trailhead on Camas Road

Johns Lake Loop
3 mi (4.8 km)
Elevation gain: 160 ft (49 m)
Trailhead: Johns Lake Trailhead

Lake McDonald West Shore
7.4 mi (11.9 km)
mostly level
Trailhead: [a] 0.2 miles north of Fish Creek Campground; [b] 2.8 miles west on North Lake McDonald Road

Lincoln Lake
8 mi (12.9 km)
Elevation change: gains 2,250 ft (686 m) and drops 800 ft (244 m)
Trailhead: Lincoln Lake parking area, off Going-to-the-Sun Road between Apgar and Lake McDonald Lodge

Mt. Brown Lookout
5.2 mi (8.4 km)
Elevation gain: 4,325 ft (1,318 m)
Trailhead: Sperry Trailhead

Oxbow Trail
1.5 mi (2.4 km)
mostly level
Trailhead: South side of Lower McDonald Creek Bridge on Camas Road

Rocky Point
1.1 mi (1.8 km)
Elevation gain: 85 ft (26 m)
Trailhead: 0.2 miles north of Fish Creek Campground

Snyder Lakes
4.3 mi (6.9 km)
Elevation gain: 2,147 ft (654 m)
Trailhead: Sperry Trailhead

Sperry Chalet
6.3 mi (10.1 km)
Elevation gain: 3,432 ft (1,046 m)
Trailhead: Sperry Trailhead

Trail of the Cedars
0.7 mi (1.1 km)
Accessible
Trailhead: Avalanche Picnic Area

Trout Lake
4 mi (6.4 km)
Elevation change: gains and drops 2,100 ft (640 m)
Trailhead: Trout Lake Trailhead

Last updated: January 27, 2021

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