The Best Beginner Hikes from East Glacier Park

East Glacier Park is one of the most underrated basecamps in Glacier National Park. The Two Medicine area sits just 10 minutes away, and the trails on the southeast side of the park offer dramatic alpine scenery without the Going-to-the-Sun Road traffic. If you're new to hiking — or just easing in — these five trails are the ones we recommend most often at Rising Wolf Outfitters.

1. Running Eagle Falls (Trick Falls)

Distance: 0.6 miles round trip · Elevation gain: Negligible · Trailhead: Two Medicine Road, ~10 min from East Glacier

A fully accessible, paved spur to a remarkable two-tiered waterfall that's sacred to the Blackfeet. In high water (early summer) the upper falls cascade in front of the lower falls, creating a single sheet. Perfect for a first hike or a quick stop on the way to Two Medicine Lake.

2. Two Medicine Lake South Shore

Distance: Up to 4 miles round trip · Elevation gain: ~150 ft · Trailhead: Two Medicine boat dock

A flat lakeside walk with continuous views of Sinopah Mountain rising directly out of the water. Turn around whenever you've had enough — there's no "summit" to chase. Excellent option after kayaking or paddleboarding the lake.

3. Aster Park Overlook

Distance: 3.8 miles round trip · Elevation gain: 670 ft · Trailhead: South Shore trailhead at Two Medicine

The first hike that earns you a real view. The climb is gradual until the last switchbacks, where you'll gain most of the elevation in a quarter mile. The overlook reveals the entire Two Medicine valley. Allow 2.5–3 hours.

4. Beaver Pond Loop (Marias Pass area)

Distance: 3.2 mile loop · Elevation gain: 250 ft · Trailhead: Just off US-2 near Marias Pass

A quiet forested loop ideal for wildlife watching. Often overlooked because it's not in the park proper, but the chance of seeing moose at dawn or dusk is excellent. Mosquitoes can be aggressive in July — bring repellent.

5. Scenic Point

Distance: 7.6 miles round trip · Elevation gain: 2,330 ft · Trailhead: 1 mile west of Two Medicine entrance

The longest of the five and the closest to a "real" Glacier hike. The trail climbs through whitebark pine to a windswept ridge with panoramic views into the park's interior — and on a clear day, all the way to the Great Plains. Start early; afternoon thunderstorms are common.

What to bring

• Bear spray — Required equipment for any hike in Glacier. Available for $10/day at the Rising Wolf Outfitters self-service kiosk in East Glacier Park, 24/7.
• Layers — Mountain weather changes fast. Even in July, mornings can start in the 40s.
• Water — At least 2 liters for any hike over 3 miles.
• Map — Cell service in the Two Medicine area is unreliable. Download offline maps before you go.

Need a shuttle?

Several of these trailheads are point-to-point friendly, and a few (like Scenic Point) make for a great drop-off so you can hike into Two Medicine Lake. We run trailhead shuttles throughout the season — message us your date and destination and we'll quote it.