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If you’re looking for the best Glacier National Park photo spots, we’ve got you covered! Assuming you’ve already read our article on the top things to do and everything you need to know to visit Glacier, this is a natural next read. This national park is oozing with gorgeous spots just waiting to be photographed. We spent days rounding up the best Instagram spots in the area and are excited to share them with you below!
Please note: we are sharing these locations so that you can experience these places like we did! Please follow LEAVE NO TRACE principles always, follow local guidelines, and be one of the “good” Instagrammers, k? 🙂
Alright without further adieu, here are the best photo spots in Glacier!
1. Hidden Lake (best hiking photo spot in Glacier National Park)
Hidden Lake is such a stunning spot for photos, particularly at sunrise and sunset. There is a gorgeous viewing deck for amazing shots from above, and then you can hike down to the lake for different angles.
The hike is pretty easy (only 2.7 miles round trip) but do note if you’re going for golden hour you should shoot quickly and get out of there. Bears frequent the area, particularly in the dark, so be prepared with bear spray, don’t go alone and be vigilant.
We loved using our 16-35 mm wide angle lens here to capture the whole landscape! All of the gear we use to shoot can be found here.
2. Bowman Lake (our favorite Glacier National Park photo spot)
Bowman Lake is one of the hidden gems in the park. It’s in the least visited area of the park, North Fork, but it’s worth the journey there!
It can get crowded with locals during the day but early/late in the day is great for shooting here. We ended up shooting so many shots here as we just couldn’t get enough of this spot!
We went in the evening and got beautiful/super soft light but sunrise is likely the best for colors based on the direction the sun rises.
3. Virginia Falls (best waterfall photo spot in Glacier National Park)
Virginia Falls was the biggest surprise for us when it comes to photo spots in Glacier National Park. We really weren’t expecting much on this hike and then BAM here comes this Iceland-esque waterfall!
There are so many angles to shoot here as there is one path that gets you right up next to the waterfall and another that leads you down where you can shoot the entirety of the waterfall.
This place is great for non-sunrise or sunset shots as there is a lot of tree coverage and shade. We took our shots around 9 am and the lighting was great. Woohoo for a little extra sleep!
4. Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald is one of the most famous photo spots in Glacier National Park, and it’s for good reason. From the lake you can get gorgeous reflections, amazing sunrises and sunsets, and stunning mountain views.
There are many pull offs along Going-To-The-Sun road where you can access Lake McDonald (be on the lookout though, because there aren’t signs). However, the best views are from the Apgar areas.
Both sunset and sunrise are magical here, but at sunrise you have a better chance of getting beautiful reflections since the water is more still.
>> Check out our 2020 Travel Photography Gear! Do note that drones are not allowed inside national parks.
5. Polebridge, MT
Polebridge is such a cute old town, you can’t NOT take a picture of it! The Polebridge Mercantile is certainly insta-famous and I can promise you it’s even cuter in real life!
While you’re there don’t forget to snap a picture of the famous huckleberry bear claw before you devour it.
Pro tip: don’t try to share one with your spouse. You will absolutely have to go back for another.
>> Check out our custom Lightroom Presets that will make your photos come to life in a click!
6. Big Bend
Big Bend is the most picturesque pull-off on Going-to-the-sun road. There are stunning purple flowers and fields that will make you feel like you’re in the sound of music. There isn’t a sign for Big Bend but there is a large turnoff area before the Weeping Wall.
This spot is honestly pure magic at any time of day, but when we drove by at sunset the light was magical.
While you’re here, please do not trample any flowers for a photo! There are plenty of pathways where you can get a shot without doing so.
7. Logan Pass parking lot
I know what you’re probably thinking.. a parking lot? On a best photo spots list? This girl is crazy. But hear me out. So the deal is, the Logan Pass parking lot gets full SUPER early (like 7 am early). That said, if you want a morning spot to hike in this area you have to arrive around sunrise.
Anyways, we did that a few times and we couldn’t believe how beautiful the view from the parking lot was! I hadn’t even brushed my hair this morning (camping life right?) and we just started shooting because it was so breathtaking.
If you head the opposite direction from the trail heads and visitor center you’ll see a ledge where you can take photos and enjoy the sunrise. 10/10 recommend.
8. Haystack Butte
Haystack Butte is along the Highline Loop Trail, about 3.6 miles from the Logan Pass trailhead. After a few switchbacks there is a natural break in the hike and then you can take a small side trail to the top of Haystack Butte (versus continuing on the main trail). There are gorgeous mountain views up here that make you feel like you’re in a dome! We loved using both our zoom lens and our wide angle lens to capture different views up here. Photo credit: @glacier_national_park via Instagram While we didn’t have time or the ability to photograph #9-11 during our trip to Glacier National Park, they are still some of the best photo spots in the park! Avalanche Lake is a stunning lake in the west side of the park that only requires a moderate 4 mile hike to reach. This place looks stunning to photograph, especially in the morning light. A friend we met in the park said that the sun comes over a bit after sunrise which gives you some time to get up, and also said it was magical up there! Photo credit: @doyoutravel via Instagram Cracker Lake is the brightest turquoise lake in the park. It requires a steep hike to get there, but the views payoff bigtime! Unfortunately Cracker Lake is closed for the 2020 season, but keep it on your list to photograph next year. Iceberg Lake is a gorgeous lake in East Glacier that is often filled with floating icebergs. From pictures it takes us back to our trip to Antarctica! Similar to Cracker Lake, it requires quite a hike to get to this lake. It is also closed for 2020. Here is a handy map of the best Glacier National Park Photo Spots! You can click the Star next to the map name to save it to your Google Maps as a reference! Check out our online photography course where we teach everything from posing to camera settings to editing in Lightroom! Also take a look at the camera & gear we use as full-time bloggers and Instagrammers. Want to edit like us? Check out our Lightroom Presets (custom photo filters) that will make editing SO easy. All you need is the free Lightroom Mobile app and a camera phone to get started! Make sure to read our 18 CAN’T MISS things to do in Glacier + top tips for visiting before you go! It’s jam packed with everything you need to know before you go. Make sure to subscribe below to get all of our travel guides and photography tips straight to your inbox! We hope your trip to Glacier is full of amazing photos and even more amazing experiences! XO Kylie & Scott (Want to know more? Comment below! And make sure to follow along on Instagram @LoveHardTravelOften for daily travel and photo tips!)
9. Avalanche Lake
10. Cracker Lake
11. Iceberg Lake
Map of the Glacier National Park Photo Spots
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