Bowman Lake Hike

The Bowman Lake Hike at Glacier National Park in Flathead County, Montana is an easy 1.2-mile out-and-back hike that features stunning views of Bowman Lake and the alpine mountains that surround its colorful and reflective waters.

Hiking along Bowman Lake

This hike is just a very short out-and-back jaunt along Bowman Lake to take-in views just before sunset, so the distance is not very far; however, visitors will find this trail is an easy and enjoyable walk along the lake. The trailhead begins at the main day-use parking area for Bowman Lake where a small footpath leads from parking out toward the boat launch and beach area. At the beach, you'll find the best views of Bowman Lake without having to hike long distances. On a still day when the air isn't moving too much, you can find Bowman Lake's glassy water reflect the distant alpine mountains that tower along its shores to the north. Regardless of the water's calmness, you'll also find colorful rocks of red, orange, blue-ish gray, and tan hues that sit at the bottom of the lake.

After exploring the lake's beach section near the trailhead, the actual Bowman Lake Trail can be found on the northern side. The Bowman Lake Trail runs for just over 7-miles which is the length of the lake and has designated backcountry campsites. This short section does not reach any campsites, but does lead to a couple of lookout points above the lake where hikers will find beautiful pools of turquoise-colored water within small coves along the lake's north shore. The trail follows a mostly-flat grade as it runs the north shore of Bowman Lake, but it also hits patches of undulating terrain along the way. This exact route ends along the northern section of the lake's first cove where you can find views of the colorful water. During our hike here, we were trying to explore before the sun went down, so we had to hike out before it got too dark for a short 1.2-mile out-and-back hike.

Parking

Reaching Bowman Lake is a bit tricky as it follows a very-rutted dirt road to reach it from the Polebridge park entrance. You'll follow Bowman Lake road the entire way with massive rutted sections of road that are seldom maintained. The road is best for high-clearance vehicles, but with some backcountry dirt road driving experience a full-sized sedan can easily make the journey to the other end. Simply drive slow and avoid the large potholes. Parking can be found by following the signs to reach a lot near the coordinates provided, located at the end of Bowman Lake Road. The road is most-likely only accessible after all of the snow and ice have melted too, so you likely will only be able to reach this parking lot from late Spring to early Fall each year.

Camping & Backpacking

Please follow all national park rules and regulations when backcountry camping at Glacier National Park. Before heading out, it's best to check if any permits or reservations are required by the park. Failing to do so may result in fines or fees.

Vehicle Reservations

Depending on what time of year you visit, you may need to reserve a vehicle entrance pass to get into the park, in addition to a park entry fee (or annual National Parks pass). Before planning this hike, ensure you've checked the NPS website for when and where Glacier NP vehicle reservations are required.

Pets

Dogs are not allowed on any trails at Glacier National Park.

Warning

Grizzly bears: This trail may be frequented by grizzly bears, especially during late Summer and early Fall as they scrounge for 20 hours/day bulking for the winter. Always give wild animals plenty of space, including several hundred feet for grizzlies. It's best to bring bear spray on this hike as a last defense just in case a grizzly were to charge at you. Always make plenty of noise while hiking to alert animals to your presence long before you see them. It's also smart to hike with another person.