Oberlin Bend Loop Trail

The Oberlin Bend Loop Trail at Glacier National Park near West Glacier, Montana is an easy 0.1-mile loop that features panoramic views from Logan Pass of the Lake McDonald Valley, the glacial arête known as the Garden Wall, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Exploring Oberlin Bend

This very short but scenic trail begins at the main trailhead at Oberlin Bend, located just down the hill from the Logan Pass Visitor Center. The trail initially leads up a series of stairs on the left-hand side; however, the fully-accessible portion of the trail begins on the right-hand side of the loop. This route leads up the stairs before it begins to follow a raised metal grate. This boardwalk-style trail leads north as it approaches the steep mountain cliffs north of Logan Pass that sit on the slopes of Oberlin Mountain. Before the trail leads down a staircase to reach the main lookout point, the accessible portion of the trail features a nice view from just above the end of the trail. Regardless of where you stop to enjoy the breathtaking views, you'll find endless mountain peaks in the distance as their alpine ramparts tower over the Lake McDonald Valley and beyond. To the east lies the Highline Trail and its cliff traverse with the Going-to-the-Sun Road below as it runs along the Garden Wall. To the north are more endless mountain peaks within Glacier's boundaries. After exploring the views, the trail wraps around to follow the universally-accessible path back to the parking lot to complete this very short 0.1-mile loop walk.

Universal Access

The Oberlin Bend Loop Trail should be considered universally accessible; however, only the eastern side of the loop is accessible as the western side connects to a staircase. The very end of the trail also includes a staircase, but there are viewing areas located just before the last set of stairs to the north.

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.

Parking

Visitors will find a large parking turnout at the coordinates provided, located on the south side of Going-to-the-Sun Road. The turnout is large enough to fit over a dozen vehicles as of September 2024.