Where to See Grizzly Bears in Glacier National Park

One of America’s top destinations for wildlife watching, Glacier National Park is home to an incredible diversity of fauna. From marmots and chipmunks to bighorn sheep, moose and the iconic mountain goats to both black and grizzly bears, this rugged Rocky Mountain park is a wildlife haven.

Seeing famous animals in the wild is why so many people flock to Glacier National Park each year, especially during the super-busy summer season.

One of the most high-profile animals in Glacier are, without question, the bears. Black bears and grizzly bears roam the park’s sprawling alpine meadows, pristine forests and lush lakeshore environments.

In fact, Glacier is home to one of the densest concentrations of bears in the contiguous United States.

I can tell you from personal experience that encountering a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park is unforgettable and awe-inspiring—as long as all parties involved stay safe, of course. More about that below.

So, if you’re planning a visit to this spectacular Montana national park and wondering “where are the most grizzly bears in Glacier National Park?”, you’ll find the answers in this post.

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Best Places to See Grizzly Bears in Glacier National Park

First of all, it’s important to emphasize that you can encounter a grizzly bear essentially anywhere in Glacier National Park.

As busy as a parking lot or trail may seem, there’s always a chance there’s a bear nearby.

From forest trailheads to lakeshore overlooks and roadside pullouts, in Glacier National Park, you’ve got to assume you’re not alone. I recommend always carrying bear spray inside the park. Again, more about that later on.

That all being said, however, if you’re really seeking out the best places to see grizzly bears in Glacier National Park, there are a few locations that offer the best viewing chances.

And yes, they include some of the park’s busiest areas. (Or are these places so popular just because there are so many grizzlies around?)

Here are the best locations to see grizzlies in Glacier National Park.

Logan Pass

• Logan Pass Visitor Center meadows
• Hidden Lake Overlook Trail
• Highline Trail

The highest point (6,646 feet) and one of the main highlights of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass is in the heart of the park. It’s also one of the busiest places in Glacier.

In summer, especially in July and August, the parking lot at the Logan Pass Visitor Center is almost always completely full between 8 am and 4.30 pm.

If you’re here to see Glacier wildlife, including mountain goats, bighorn sheep and grizzly bears, you should be here either well before 8 am or well after 4.30 pm anyway.

Get here at or before sunrise or about an hour before sunset for the best wildlife viewing opportunities. That’s also when you’re most likely to find a parking spot.

Grizzly bears are occasionally seen wandering across the meadows around the Logan Pass Visitor Center, while it’s not unusual for park management to temporarily close the trail to Hidden Lake Overlook because of bear activity.

Across the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the visitor center, the Highline Trail is also known for its bear sightings and potential encounters.

Without question one of the best—if not the best—hikes in Glacier National Park, the Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet offers spectacular alpine scenery, a challenging hiking experience and tons of wildlife.

Saint Mary Valley

• Sunrift Gorge to Rising Sun
• Two Dog Flats

The valley along and below Saint Mary Lake is also a great area to see grizzly bears in Glacier National Park.

I’ve personally seen grizzlies here three times, especially in the area that burned during the 2015 Reynolds Creek Fire on the northwest side of the lake.

As the result of that devastating fire, visibility on the slopes is generally very good and it’s fairly easy to spot animals moving through the bushes and small trees that are slowly repopulating the area.

When driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road, watch for grizzly bear activity between Sunrift Gorge and Rising Sun.

Also keep an eye out for moose foraging along the lakeshore or in small ponds.

When I was visiting Glacier, there were even reports of moose swimming across Saint Mary Lake, one of the largest lakes in Glacier National Park. Definitely worth keeping an eye out for.

Another superb place to find Glacier National Park grizzlies is Two Dog Flats, a large expanse of meadows along the north shore of Saint Mary Lake.

You can sometimes see bears perambulating these grasslands at sunrise or sunset. Elk and deer are very common here as well.

If you’re staying at St. Mary Village, which I do recommend, it’s only a short walk or drive to the meadows around the Saint Mary Visitor Center for a chance to see bears at sunrise or sunset.

Although bears are not that frequently seen near bustling St. Mary, they do occasionally wander into the meadows. Especially when staying in the area, it’s definitely worth a shot.

Many Glacier

• Many Glacier Road along Lake Sherburne
• Iceberg Lake Trail
• Cracker Lake Trail
• Grinnell Glacier Trail

Many Glacier is the grizzly bear mecca of Glacier National Park. The verdant lakeshores and river valleys of this part of the park are prime grizzly habitat, offering all kinds of sustenance and shelter.

In fact, spectacular Many Glacier has one of the densest bear populations in the contiguous United States. Unless you’re exceptionally unfortunate, spending a few days here should result in at least one bear sighting.

I, for one, spent two days and two nights camping at the Many Glacier Campground and I saw two grizzlies and no fewer than four black bears here.

Perhaps the easiest place to find grizzly bears in Many Glacier is the Many Glacier Road along Lake Sherburne. While driving this scenic road late in the evening, your chances of seeing bears are optimal. Watch for them wandering and foraging in the meadows along the lake.

Additionally, the many amazing trails in Many Glacier also offer great opportunities to see grizzlies and other wildlife.

This is a great basecamp to explore Glacier National Park on foot. A variety of trails lead to spectacular alpine locations like Iceberg Lake, Cracker Lake and, especially, Grinnell Lake and the Grinnell Glacier.

For shorter hiking excursions, you can visit popular Red Rock Falls from the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn or stroll around Swiftcurrent Lake from the Many Glacier Hotel, one of the most iconic national park lodges in the country.

In addition to those two Many Glacier accommodations, there’s also a campground you can stay at.

For bear viewing without any physical effort at all, grab a pair of binoculars and glass the slopes for bears from the Many Glacier Hotel viewing deck.

Bear Safety in Glacier National Park

Follow a number of guidelines to ensure a successful and safety grizzly viewing experience or encounter for both yourself and the bear. The National Park Service has the following advice:

• Make noise while hiking.
• Hike in groups of four people or more.
• Don’t run on Glacier National Park trails.
• Carry bear spray.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Secure food and garbage.

I elaborate extensively on these tips on this blog post about grizzly bear safety. I strongly recommend reading it before heading out into grizzly bear country.

Additionally, I can’t stress enough how important it is to always carry bear spray when you’re outside in Glacier National Park.

Get some bear spray here and learn how to use bear spray properly here. This could literally save your life.

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Have You Ever Seen Grizzly Bears in Glacier National Park? Where Was It? Share Your National Parks Experience Below!

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