Grinnell Point Cliff
Prominent Glacier National Park peak and scenic landmark
Grinnell Point rises above Swiftcurrent Lake in Glacier National Park; photographers and hikers use Many Glacier trails for close frontal views and alpine reflections.
Grinnell Point at a Glance#
Address: Glacier National Park, MT, USA
Website: https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm
About Grinnell Point#
Grinnell Point is a prominent, sharply contoured peak on the east side of Glacier National Park in Montana, located adjacent to Swiftcurrent Lake and the Many Glacier area.
It is frequently photographed because of its steep profile rising directly from the lake shore and its proximity to popular trails and viewpoints in the Many Glacier zone. Hikers and photographers commonly view it from the Swiftcurrent Lake shoreline, the Many Glacier Hotel area, and nearby trailheads rather than by direct ascent.
The peak and nearby features take their name from George Bird Grinnell, an early explorer and conservationist associated with the park. Geologically it is part of the Lewis Range within Glacier National Park.
Grinnell Point sits on the eastern side of Glacier National Park, near the Many Glacier visitor facilities and Swiftcurrent Lake, in the northwest of Montana within the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park region.
- Best views: Most famous viewpoints are from the Many Glacier area on the east side of Glacier National Park, especially the Swiftcurrent Lake shoreline.
How to Get to Grinnell Point#
Grinnell Point views are reached from the Many Glacier area in Glacier National Park, Montana. The nearest service town is St. Mary; park roads (Many Glacier Road) lead to parking and trailheads near Swiftcurrent Lake. In summer, park reservation systems and shuttle services may affect access-check the National Park Service website for current information.
Tips for Visiting Grinnell Point#
- Best views of Grinnell Point are from the Swiftcurrent Lake/Many Glacier area-arrive early to beat the crowd.
- The trail to the base of Mount Grinnell is steep; for photographers, consider the short lakeside walks across Swiftcurrent Lake for classic reflections.
- Park entry to Glacier National Park may require a reservation in peak season-check the National Park Service website.
Best Time to Visit Grinnell Point#
Mid-summer offers the most reliable access to trailheads and scenic viewpoints; check park alerts for road and trail conditions.
Weather & Climate near Grinnell Point#
Grinnell Point's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -13°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (735 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -13° - -4° | -16° | 52 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -11° - -2° | -13° | 46 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -9° - 1° | -10° | 56 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -5° - 5° | -5° | 65 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 0° - 10° | 2° | 89 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 4° - 16° | 8° | 96 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 6° - 20° | 13° | 50 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 6° - 21° | 14° | 52 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 2° - 15° | 6° | 58 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -2° - 9° | -1° | 58 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -8° - 0° | -10° | 62 mm | - | - | 5.2 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -12° - -4° | -15° | 51 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
