Trout Lake in Glacier National Park, MT 2025
Waters of this lake are serene and full of fish
Best time: June–mid-September
Trout Lake is a small but very picturesque water basin in Glacier National Park with a length of 1.50 miles (2.41 km). Hidden in the woods near Camas Creek, it is an ideal place to stay alone and enjoy nature in peace. The best time to visit the lake is from June to mid-September since during the winter, the park offers limited services and many trails are closed.
Hiking
Hiking is one of the most popular activities in Trout Lake area. The Trout Lake Trail starts from the Lake McDonald area, bypassing Howe Ridge and then to Camas Creek. The road to Trout Lake is not paved and has a steep incline at the beginning. The total length of the hike is 3.7 miles (5.9 km). To get to the lake, you also need to go through a dense forest, but what awaits you after is worth the effort.
Fishing
The lake is known for its abundant cutthroat trout. The fish is unpretentious, so it can be caught with any bait. Due to the low water temperature, the fish in the lake doesn't grow much and can reach only medium size. Since the lake is not very popular with tourists, catching something will be quite easy.
Glacier National Park is home to grizzly bears, which sometimes cause scary incidents. The 1967 movie "Night of the Grizzlies" tells the story based on a real accident at Trout Lake involving a bear. That's why you can't stay in tents here anymore. It is also essential to follow the safety rules of the Park.
